The list below was published in January 2008. I still feel it’s an excellent introduction to African music, but for more recent (and better informed) selections, please see my African music playlists. This one published in October 2010 features some of the best new releases from 2009 and 2010, while this one from 2012 covers releases from February 2011 to April 2012. http://www.waptrendz.com/music/latestmp3
If you are knowledgeable about the traditional music of a particular region or country and would be happy to answer a few questions about it, please contact me at
[email protected]. This is for a new project which will bring together traditional music from every country in the world. http://www.waptrendz.com/ringtone
African music is an incredibly rich and fertile ground. The different regions produce their own distinctive musical styles (west, east, central and southern Africa), with the music of the Arabic countries in north Africa so different again that it’s more commonly classified as Middle Eastern rather than African music.
But also within any one country there are usually several different musical traditions, often reflecting the varied tribal origins of the inhabitants. On top of that, each country’s music is imbued with a complex patchwork of influences from Europe and the Americas. http://www.waptrendz.com/wallpapers
This is not a definitive list. It reflects not just my own ignorance and prejudices, but also the fact that no videos have yet been created for many classic African recordings. I have tended to select tracks which are at least partly grounded in African musical traditions, because I like them, but also because I want to highlight what is unique and valuable in African music. My usual rule applies of only one song per artist. http://www.waptrendz.com/video
An honorary mention goes to Lucky Dube, the much loved South African reggae artist, who was shot dead on 18th October 2007 in the streets of Johannesburg as part of a random carjacking. Peace be with him.
50 Madala Kunene (SA) – Martha gotta free
49 Sekouba Bambino (Guinea) – Jolie Den
48 Nancy Ajram (Algeria) – Ol Tany Kedah
47 Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe) – Ndakuvara
46 King Mensah (Togo) – Mawuena
45 Penny penny (SA) – Makantja jive
44 Binti Cumar Gacal (Somalia) – (title unknown)
43 Project Monkz feat Maulana (Ghana) – Once a slave
42 Brenda Fassie (SA) 1964-2004 Nomakhanjani
41 Issa Bagayogo (Mali) – Dambalou
40 Ayub Ogada (Kenya) – wa winjigo ero
39 Rachid Taha (Algeria) – Ya Rayah
38 Ismaël Lô (Senegal) – la femme sans haine
37 Lankandia Cissoko (Senegal) – (title unknown)
36 Boubacar Traoré (Mali) – KarKar
35 Souad Massi (Algeria) – Raoui
34 Tinariwen (Mali) – Chet Boghassa
33 Kanda Bongo Man (DR Congo) – monie
32 Juldeh Camara (Gambia) and Justin Adams – Soul Science
31 Lura (Cape Verde) – Ponciana
30 Angelique Kidjo (Benin) – Voodoo Child
29 Shiyani Ngcobo (SA) – Izinyembezi
28 Oumou Sangare (Mali) – la voix du Mali
27 Alick Macheso (Zimbabwe) – madhawu
26 Orchestra Baobab (Senegal) – Ndéleng Ndéleng
25 Ba Cissoko (Guinea) – Yele
24 k’naan (Somalia) – soobax
23 Djelimady Tounkara (Mali) – Fanta Bourama
22 Saida Karoli (Tanzania) – Maria salome
21 Salif Keita (Mali) – Katolon
20 Mohamed Wardi (Sudan) – Faghon Wengi
19 Ali Farka Toure (Mali) 1939-2006 – Diaraby
18 Cesaria Evora (Cape Verde) – Angola
17 Waayaha Cusub (Somalia) – Somalaay Dirira
16 Miriam Makeba (SA) – Soweto Blues
15 Habib Koité (Mali) – Batoumambé
14 Amadou & Mariam (Senegal) – Senegal Fast Food
13 Mory Kante (Guinea) – Ye’ke’ ye’ke’
12 Sambou Suso (Gambia) – Kaira
11 Tilahun Gessesse (Ethiopia) – yehiwote hiwet
10 Prince Nico Mbarga (SA) 1950-1997 – Sweet Mother
9 Aster Aweke (Ethiopia) – mezez alew
8 Rokia Traorè (Mali) – Mbifo
7 Thione Seck (Senegal) – Mathiou
6 Femi Kuti (Nigeria) – If them want to hear
5 Vieux Farka Toure (Mali) – Ana
4 Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) – Moor Ndaje
3 Fela Kuti (Nigeria) – Sorrow Tears & Blood
2 Toumani Diabate (Mali) – nene koita
1 Baaba Maal (Senegal) – Taara - www.waptrendz.com