Africa-Press – Eswatini. The hunt for the next big musical sensation is officially heating up. Following a highly anticipated wait, the MTN Bushfire Firefly campaign officially unveiled its Top 20 finalists on February 23, 2026.
The announcement has sparked a wave of excitement across the local entertainment industry, highlighting the incredible depth of talent Eswatini continues to unleash.
The Firefly campaign serves as a premier launchpad for the Kingdom’s youth, providing a platform for “Young, Gifted, and Free” artists to showcase their craft to a global audience. This year’s Top 20 finalists, as featured in the official announcement, include:
• Cool Drop, Kyro, and MCO Jamrock
• Hillarea, Leelo G, and Blackchild
• Mr_E, Maweseli, and Sugar
• M4L!, ABN, and Prorbs
• Sisekelo, Shawn, and Milton B
• Sweli, JD, and Morewish
• As4JerryP, Emagagu, and Grinder
The journey from the Top 20 to the final stage depends entirely on the fans. Public voting officially opens today, Tuesday, 24 February 2026, at 12 PM. These votes will determine which artists advance into the prestigious Top 10. Organizers are urging music enthusiasts to participate actively, as the public’s voice is a deciding factor in crowning the next generation of festival stars.
The 2026 edition follows a massive 2025 cycle that saw Eswatini’s music scene reach new heights. Last year, the competition was fierce, culminating in a spectacular Grand Finale where the nation’s top emerging voices were celebrated.
The 2025 MTN Bushfire Firefly winners who earned their spots on the main festival stage were:
1. Hapkoo – The Afro-soul and trap sensation who took the top spot.
2. Ace Julz – The versatile rapper and producer known for his infectious beats and lyrical skill.
3. Celumusa Mkhaliphi – The soulful singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist from Manzini.
The stakes are even higher this year. All Top 20 finalists are required to attend live auditions at House On Fire on Saturday, 7 March 2026. Following these auditions and continued voting, the Top 10 finalists will earn the opportunity to take the stage for the Grand Finale on April 24, 2026, at House On Fire.
The finale will be a night of high-energy performances where the Top 3 winners will be crowned. Beyond the title, these winners will secure a career-defining performance slot on the main stage at the 19th edition of the MTN Bushfire Festival (May 29–31, 2026), one of Africa’s most celebrated multicultural gatherings.
