Culture doesn’t move in one direction it shifts, evolves, and reshapes itself through people bold enough to challenge the familiar. Across music, fashion, food, art, technology, and storytelling, a new generation of creatives and builders are defining what global culture looks and feels like today.
The One Big Cultur: Catalyst List 2025 is a curated celebration of those individuals shaping culture right now. Featuring influential artists, designers, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, writers, digital creators, chefs, and tech founders from Africa, the African diaspora, the UK, Europe, and the United States, this list highlights the people driving cultural innovation across industries. From Afrobeats and amapiano to streetwear, visual art, digital media, and creative technology, these cultural catalysts are influencing global conversations, youth culture, and the future of creative expression.
These catalysts aren’t just responding to the moment they’re shaping it. Their work reflects lived experience, heritage, community, and ambition, crossing borders while remaining rooted in identity. Some are globally recognised names, others are emerging voices gaining momentum, but each individual represents a distinct point of influence in today’s cultural landscape.
This list isn’t built on hype alone. It’s about intention, impact, and longevity. The One Big Cultur Catalyst List exists to document the people, movements, and ideas redefining global culture in 2025 and to spotlight those building what comes next.
1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)
Literary icon shaping global conversations on identity and feminism.
2. Trevor Stuurman (South Africa)
Photographer celebrating African identity through bold, modern imagery.
3. Uncle Waffles(Eswatini/South Africa)
DJ powerhouse turningamapiano into a global movement.
4. Oyinkán Braithwaite (Nigeria/UK)
Writer blending dark humor with sharp social insight.
5. MAVO (Nigeria)
Rising artist pushing Heavy energy into Afrobeats’ next chapter
6. Daniel Kaluuya (UK)
Actor‑producer building platforms for bold Black British stories.
7. Tyla (South Africa)
Pop breakout who carried amapiano from Johannesburg to the globalcharts.
8. Owen Otasowie (UK)
Founder of Carsicko, delivering minimalist luxury streetwear.
9. Fisayo Longe (Nigeria)
Founder of Kai Collective, building a global African fashion brand.
41. Wisdom Kaye (Nigeria/USA)
Fashion storyteller amplifying African creativity globally.
10. GK Barry (UK)
Viral humorist turnedmainstream media force.
11. Odunayo Eweniyi (Nigeria)
Co‑founderof PiggyVest, redefining digital finance literacy.
12. Skepta (UK)
Music icon shaping UK streetwear through MAINS London.
13. Clint Ogbenna (UK)
Founder of Corteiz,redefining streetwear through community power.
14. Beta Squad (UK)
Comedy collectiveredefining group content on YouTube.
15. Warsan Shire (UK/Somalia)
Poet of diaspora whose words echo across pop culture.
16. Trevor Noah (South Africa)
Global storyteller using humor to interrogate power.
17. Tolu Coker (UK/Nigeria)
Designer merging sustainability with diasporic narratives
18. Amelia Dimoldenberg (UK)
Creator of ChickenShop Date, turning awkwardness into pop culture.
19. Fatmata Binta (UK)
Chef who features the cuisine of her nomadic Fulani heritage of West and Central Africa.
20. Nasboi (NG)
Comedian, content creator, singer, actor, and social media influencer.
21. Zaylevelten (NG)
Musical artist
22. Famous Pluto (NG)
Singer-Songwriter
23. Lingawa (UK)
AI language platform preserving African languages.
24. Hilda Baci (Nigeria)
Record‑breaking chef spotlighting Nigerian cuisine and resilience.
25. Emay Enemokwu (UK)
Founder of Jehucal,blending luxury with street identity.
26. Warsan Shire (UK/Somalia)
Poet of diaspora whose words echo across pop culture.
27. Rebecca Enonchong (USA)
Pioneer championing African tech representation.
28. Sarz (Nigeria)
Visionary producer shaping the future sound of Afrobeats.
29. Madam Joyce (Ghana/UK)
Cultural commentator driving pan‑African digital dialogue.
30. Maya Horgan Famodu (USA)
Investor bridging African startups with global capital.
31. Oyinkansola Dada (Nigeria)
Curator documenting contemporary African art.
32. Wole Soyinka (Nigeria)
Nobel laureatedefining African literary resistance.
33. Pierre Thiam (USA/Senegal)
Global ambassador of West African cuisine.
34. Shank Comics (Nigeria)
Creatorbridging Nigerian humor and global streaming culture.
35. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (UK/USA)
Architect of African tech talent pipelines.
36. Ib Kamara (UK/Sierra Leone)
Stylist and cultural director redefining fashion imagery worldwide.
37. Adenrele Sonariwo (USA)
Founder ofRele Gallery, bridging African and global art scenes.
38. Jackie Aina (USA)
Beauty strategist championing inclusivity online.
39. Jordan Casteel (USA)
Painter centering Black and diaspora communities.
40. Toyin Ojih Odutola (USA/Nigeria)
Visual artist exploring identity through layered narratives.