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Famous Gen Z prodigies like JoJo Siwa, Simone Biles, Emma Chamberlain, and Billie Eilish are household names. Known for everything from viral dance trends to growing up in the digital age, Gen Z kids have made a significant impact.
While older generations often criticize Gen Z for being overly sensitive and dependent on social media validation, Stanford University behavioral scientist Roberta Katz characterizes them as, “Self-motivated individuals who deeply value community, diversity, collaboration, and authenticity, while embracing flexibility and non-traditional leadership.”
Many Gen Z individuals are making waves in less-publicized fields. From Grammy-nominated jazz musicians to Olympic medalists and young authors, here are ten remarkable child prodigies who deserve more recognition.
10. DJ Switch
Erica Armah Bra-Bulu Tandoh, born on December 12, 2007, is a versatile performance artist and child prodigy hailing from Dadieso, Ghana. Widely known as “DJ Switch,” she made history as the youngest winner at the 2018 Ghana DJ Awards and clinched the Best Female DJ title the next year at just 11 years old. In 2020, DJ Switch gained global acclaim after being featured on Roc Nation’s social media during Black History Month and was honored with a Global Child Prodigy Award.
Committed to giving back, DJ Switch donated tables and chairs to a junior high school in Brafoyaw, Cape Coast, Ghana, in 2019, showcasing her dedication to her community.
Looking ahead, DJ Switch plans to balance her DJing career with her ambition to become a gynecologist.
Social Media:
Instagram: @djswitchghana
YouTube: DJ Switch Ghana
9. Anisiia Volodymyrivna Gonymovych
Anisiia Volodymyrivna Gonymovych, born on December 24, 2007, made history in 2017 as the first Ukrainian to win “Mini-Miss Universe.” Hailing from Odessa, Ukraine, Anisiia is a multi-talented individual, excelling as a ballroom dancer, model, singer, pageant winner, TV correspondent, and journalist. She has graced events like Odessa Fashion Week and the 2017 International Kids Fashion Week.
Anisiia is also a member of UNESCO’s International Academy of Journalism. In 2020, she was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Child Prodigies of the World” by the Global Child Prodigy Awards.
Social Media:
Instagram: @anisiia07
8. Stacey Fru
Born on February 16, 2007, Stacey Fru is a celebrated South African author, activist, and motivational speaker. She published her first book, Smelly Cats, at the age of seven in 2015. Since then, she has authored five additional books, all released by Johannesburg-based Profounder Publishing.
Stacey has been honored with the Pan African Award for Literary Work in 2019 and the Outstanding Young African Entrepreneur Award in 2020. She was also a finalist for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2020. In 2022, she took on the role of Director and President of AfroStory.
Social Media:
Instagram: @staceyfru
7. Jhulia Rayssa Mendes Leal
Rayssa Leal, born on January 4, 2008, is an Olympic silver medalist who made history at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics in the women’s skateboarding street event. As the youngest athlete to represent Brazil and the youngest Olympic medalist in 85 years, Rayssa was honored with The Visa Award for her exceptional sportsmanship during the games.
Hailing from Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil, Rayssa showcased her prodigious talent in 2019 by outperforming seasoned skaters like three-time X-Games Gold Medalist Alexis Sablone and six-time X-Games gold medalist Letícia Bufoni.
Social Media:
Instagram: @rayssalealsk8
6. Tanaka Koki
Tanaka Koki, also known as “Koki,” is a Japanese K-Pop idol born on January 29, 2009. He gained prominence through the 2021 survival competition TV show LOUD, where he secured a spot in the final lineup in September 2021. Despite being the second-youngest contestant, Koki competed against trainees up to 21 years old.
Although Koki will not debut with the LOUD group, he remains a trainee under P NATION, the label founded by PSY.
Social Media:
Instagram: @pnation.official
5. Zuriel Oduwole
Zuriel Oduwole, born in July 2002, is a filmmaker, education advocate, and public speaker from Los Angeles. At just ten years old, she created her first documentary, The Ghana Revolution (2012). Her second film, The 1963 OAU (2013), garnered attention in Forbes. By age 12, her fourth documentary, A Promising Africa (2014), received global praise, and Business Insider named her one of the “World’s Most Powerful Person at Every Age.” In 2015, Elle Magazine included her in their list of “33 Women Who Changed The World.”
With seven films to her name, Zuriel’s latest work, Nelson Mandela—A Centenary Life of Giving (2019), earned her recognition from the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2019.
Social Media:
Instagram: @zuriel.oduwole
4. Juju Noda
Born on February 2, 2006, Juju Noda is a professional racing driver set to compete in the 2022 W Series, an all-female Formula racing championship, at just 16 years old. The daughter of former Formula 1 driver Hideki Noda, Juju started karting at four and began testing single-seater race cars by the age of nine.
Juju made her professional debut in 2019 at the Lucas Oil Winter Race Series, finishing 14th. In 2020, she moved to Denmark to compete in the F4 Danish Championship under a team managed by her father. She won her first race and ended the season in 6th place overall, followed by a 7th-place finish in the 2021 championship.
Social Media:
3. Ewok
Born on September 18, 2005, Ewok is a professional E-sports athlete and influencer who began playing Fortnite in 2018. Within a year, he secured a streaming contract with Twitch and became the first deaf member of the FaZe Clan. Ewok has been a trailblazer for deaf representation in gaming, utilizing Fortnite’s “sound visualizer” feature designed to enhance accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing players.
Social Media:
Instagram: @ewokfn
Twitch: @ewokttv
2. Joey Alexander
Joey Alexander, born on June 25, 2003, is a jazz pianist from Depasar, Bali, Indonesia. He became the first Indonesian artist to appear on the Billboard 200. Self-taught by ear, Joey began playing the piano at six. At nine, he won the Grand Prix at the Master-Jam Festival in 2013. His debut album, My Favourite Things, released when he was eleven, earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” in 2016. Joey also received Grammy nominations for “Best Improvised Jazz Solo” in 2016 and 2017 for his performances of “Giant Steps” and “Countdown.”
At eight, Joey performed for his idol, Herbie Hancock, during Hancock’s visit to Jakarta. Inspired by Hancock’s praise, Joey committed his childhood to jazz. The following year, he won the Grand Prix at the Master-Jam Festival in Odessa, Ukraine.
Social Media:
Instagram: @joeyalexandermusic
YouTube: Joey Alexander
1. Alma Deutscher
Born on February 19, 2005, Alma Deutscher is a renowned composer, violinist, and pianist who composed her first sonata at the age of five. Hailing from Basingstoke, England, Alma began playing the violin and piano by three. By seven, she completed her first opera, The Sweeper of Dreams (2012), followed by two more, Cinderella and The Emperor’s New Waltz.
Alma has created five orchestral pieces, six piano compositions, seven chamber works, and four songs. In 2019, she was honored with the Young Artist award at the Beijing Music Festival and received the European Culture Prize. In 2021, she became the youngest recipient of the Leonardo da Vinci International Award.
Social Media:
YouTube: AlmaDeutscher
