Keziah Jones

Discovered in the Paris metro in the early '90s, this French-Nigerian singer and guitarist quickly amassed an international fanbase with his smooth blend of soul, blues and afrobeat (a style that he's baptised 'bluefunk'). His 2014 project Afronewave saw him take on the vast topic of modern Africa and its urban movements, touching on themes ranging from politics to magic and immigration. His punk-funk attitude might even get the well-heeled crowd at Yokohama's Motion Blue stand up and take notice.