Apple Music today announces the second featured artist in its Africa Rising program as South African-born Congolese rapper and singer, Manu WorldStar (real name Emmanuel Mutendji).

Listen to the interview atThe latest music from Manu, along with that of Africa’s hottest new artists, is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.

Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars. Africa Rising will see Apple Music select six artists every year who will each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform including the new Apple Music 1 radio station.

Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world. Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host Cuppy which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Patoranking, Rayvanny, Kiddominant, Mayorkun, Fireboy DML and most recently Adekunle Gold.

Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afropop star Rema as its latest Up Next artist, following the addition of Burna Boy to the roster last year and Mr Eazi back in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s global emerging artist program.