Manju Journal’s 20 hot creatives and collectives

A Ghanaian-American visual artist and photographer who creates dramatic portraits with vibrant colours. Follow here.

A collective and streetwear brand originating in Tema, Ghana. They’ve been earmarked as one of West Africa’s most exciting rising labels by CNN Africa and collaborated with Nike. Follow here.

A visual artist and film director based in Nigeria. Last year Chukwuka shot Kenneth Ize’s debut fashion film. Follow here.

A sustainable label from Manju’s Fashion Director Kusi Kubi, that launched early last year. Each garment from the first collection was made from vintage clothing re-crafted into new pieces, in partnership with Ghanaian tailors. Follow here.

Born in the DRC and raised in Belgium, Baloji describes himself as “an artist in motion, a musician, poet, film director, a man of images and ideas”. In 2019, one of his music videos — that he also directed and styled — won ‘Best Styling in a Video’, a category in association with i-D, at the UK Music Awards. Follow here.

A global art platform founded in 2018 “as a response to the urban and spatial challenges the city of Accra is experiencing and has been for the past 50 years and more,” as put by one of its founders in Sleek Magazine. Follow here.

Born in the Bronx and raised between Accra, Atlanta and New Jersey, Amaarae’s experimental sound is “a multicultural hybrid that she describes as Afro-fusion”, as we wrote last year. Follow here.

Recently presenting his first solo exhibition, artist David Alabo renders his portraits of the continent in hyper-surreal colours and textures, crafting epic landscape laden with symbolism. Follow here.

A fine art photographer whose cut-and-paste artworks piece together a spectrum of people, places, feelings and ideas. Follow here.

Designer Priya Ahluwalia has gone from strength to strength since she graduated from an MA in Menswear and started her eponymous sustainable label, last year becoming the recipient of the joint LVMH Prize. Follow here.

South African musician Muzi has travelled across the world thanks to his infectiously catchy and upbeat productions. Follow here.

The Nigerian artist and photographer first studied architecture; something which informs his interest in space and form in his dramatic work. Follow here.

A London-based Nigerian photographer, Rubee has exhibited her work a number of times, most recently as part of the Lagos Photo Festival in December. Follow here.

A surf and skate community in Accra, who are currently fundraising to build the very first fully functional skate park in the Ghanaian capital. Follow here (and donate here).

A self-taught artist, born and raised in a small village in the western Province of Rwanda and now based in the capital, Kigali, Cedric works across a number of mediums. Follow here.

Jennifer Ejoke – known by many as Wavy the Creator – makes music and art. She’s currently signed to London label Disturbing London. Follow here.

Furniture designer Kusheda Mensah studied surface design at the London College of Communication and since graduating has caught the attention of Vogue, AnOther and Adidas, who she’s collaborated with. Follow here.

Presenting images of their new collection for Milan Fashion Week just last week, Adeju Thompson draws on feelings relating to being non-binary, queer and Yoruba. Follow here.

Sierra Leonean Julian Knox – or Julianknxx – left brings together poetry, art, music and film in his practise to navigate his dual-heritage and identity. Follow here.

Epara is described as “Premium skincare using the best in highest quality African botanicals”. Founder Ozohu Adoh told Vogue back in 2019: “It’s nice to know the person who is formulating your products has something in common with you and your skin colour.” Follow here.