Denmark’s Roskilde Festival has confirmed the African acts for its 2026 edition, running from 27 June to 4 July, as part of a programme featuring 177 music acts and more than 90 art and activism participants across 16 stages. The festival, one of Europe’s largest, expects over 100,000 attendees.
The African contingent spans Afrobeats, amapiano, hip hop, highlife, singeli, Gnawa music, spoken word and experimental fusion.
Nigerian and South African Performers
Nigerian singer and songwriter Lojay will perform, bringing his blend of Afrobeats, amapiano, R&B and rap. He gained international attention with the 2022 hit ‘Monalisa’ and recently released his debut album XOXO.
“Messy, emotional, sexy, and honest. I wanted it to feel like a late-night text you probably shouldn’t send… but do anyway.”
South African DJ and producer DBN Gogo represents the amapiano movement. Her latest EP, The GodMother, fuses amapiano with the country’s emerging 3-Step sound.
Egyptian Hip Hop and Poetry
Egyptian rapper and producer Marwan Moussa returns to the festival after releasing his 2025 album The Man Who Lost His Heart, which explores grief, healing and personal reflection. Poet and vocalist Abdullah Miniawy will appear with his trio, combining Arabic poetry, Egyptian musical traditions, jazz improvisation and electronic elements.
Ghanaian Highlife and Activism
Ghanaian musician Ata Kak will present his mix of highlife, electronic music and hip hop, following the release of Batakari, his first album in three decades. Singer and activist Lamisi will perform material from her album Let Us Clap, which draws on northern Ghanaian traditions and electronic influences. Through her Lamisi Music Foundation, she advocates for the rights of women and girls.
Congolese, Tanzanian, and Moroccan Sounds
From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kin’Gongolo Kiniata will showcase instruments made from recycled materials and urban waste, merging punk influences with Congolese rhythms and social commentary. Tanzania’s singeli supergroup Pili Pili Girls are set for their first major international festival appearance, while traditional music duo The Zawose Queens continue to build international recognition after their 2024 debut album Maisha. Moroccan musician Saad Tiouly will offer a contemporary interpretation of Gnawa music, blending traditional instruments and rhythms with modern influences.
Kenyan Spoken Word and Diaspora Fusion
Kenyan spoken-word artist Rixpoet (Onyango Otieno) will address identity, masculinity, social justice and human rights. His performance is part of Re, a collaboration involving Roskilde Festival, Rapolitics and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. Finnish-Ghanaian musician Grande Mahogany will bring his psychedelic fusion of funk, soul and rock, following his debut album As Grande As.
The eight-day festival will host these African artists across multiple stages.
