Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
HAKHWA
Must be in the top 15 in their group to advance to the next round.
Voting for this round ends on October 29, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT
About HAKHWA
I am HAKHWA, a U.S.-based, Kundé Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer from Burkina Faso. I fuse Afropop and global pop with powerful vocals, bold storytelling and magnetic stage presence. I don’t just sing—I create moments you remember.
Performances & Content from HAKHWA
Tenga Biiga
Ça t’a Loupé
KLAXONNER
Klaxonner ( Kundé Award ceremony performance)
Learn More About HAKHWA
What makes you the Next Music Star?
I’m a singer, songwriter, and performer from Burkina Faso, now based in the United States. I’m also a Kundé Award-winning artist with a big vision: creating music that crosses borders and makes people feel something. My sound blends Afropop, pop, and urban influences, but what really defines me is my personality. I can be playful, vulnerable, bold, and explosive, sometimes all in one song. I believe a star is someone who creates a connection people remember long after the music stops. That’s the kind of artist I’m becoming. And I’m just getting started!
What do you love about music and performing?
I love that music can make you feel understood without anyone having to explain a thing. A song can make you cry, laugh, dance, or find the courage to face another day. That has always fascinated me. Performing is where I feel the most alive. I love the energy, the movement, the connection with an audience, and that magical moment when something I created becomes an experience we all share. For me, music is freedom. It's where I can express every side of myself, without holding anything back. And if someone leaves my performance feeling happier, stronger, or simply more alive, I've done something meaningful.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
My inspirations are quite diverse! Céline Dion inspires me vocally, Rihanna inspires my individuality and attitude, and Beyoncé inspires my dedication to performance and stagecraft. Angélique Kidjo represents the power of bringing African identity to the global stage, while artists like DJ Arafat have inspired my love for electrifying rhythms and infectious performance energy. As for dream collaborations, I'd love to work with Beyonce, Angélique Kidjo, Ayra starr and Tyla. Four very different energies, and I can only imagine the magic we could create together!
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
I'd reinvest every dollar into my music career! I'm currently developing my first EP, and the $10,000 would help me bring that project to life at a higher level. I'd invest in professional music production, a visually striking music video, choreography, and promotion to introduce my sound to new audiences. As an independent artist, I've learned to be resourceful and make the most of what I have. This prize would give me the opportunity to turn some of my bigger creative ideas into reality while continuing to build my career in the U.S.
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Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.
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