The Most Famous Musicians and Singers From Across Africa

The Most Famous Musicians and Singers From Across Africa

Akon

(Senegal)

The American R&B star with Senegalese roots is hugely popular not only in the West, but in African cities and even rural villages. 

Amadou and Mariam

(Mali)

The blind couple mixes traditional Mali music with acoustic guitar, Egyptian, Cuban or Eastern sounds and even rock or electro.

Baaba Maal

(Senegal)

Baaba is one of (if not the) greatest artists in Senegal. Through his music, he educates his people and enchants us Westerners.

Ba Cissoko

(Guinea)

Traditional kora music interpreted by this group of young, modern artists. Very African, but easy to appreciate for us Westerners.

Bassekou Kouyate

(Mali)

The skillful hands of this master turn the sweet, raw sound of the guitar-like instrument ngoni into groovy desert blues music.

Bisso Na Bisso

(Congo)

When French hip hop artists honor their African roots, the result is an urban exotic, upbeat sound, that sparks of positive vibes.

Bolokada Conde

(Guinea)

This is authentic African djembe and dun dun drumming, performed and taught by a master, a traditional "djembefola". 

Dobet Gnahore

(Ivory Coast)

The temperament, energy, creativity, mystery and grace of the whole continent is injected into this amazing singer and dancer.

Koffi Olomide

(Congo Kinshasa)

Koffi's highly danceable and sensual tcha-tcho music (a sub-form of soukous) is the perfect choice for a hot summer party night.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

(South Africa)

This all-male a cappella choir is legendary: Calm and gentle voices, stunning dance moves and a message of peace, love and harmony.

Lucky Dube

(South Africa)

Lucky has taken African reggae music to another level with sensible, intelligent songs and his unique, melodious voice.

Miriam Makeba

(South Africa)

Legendary Mama Africa brought African music to the West. African classics, jazz and traditional songs in the Xhosa "click" language.

Mustapha Tettey Addy

(Ghana)

Master Drummer and promoter of kpanlogo music represents the wealth and wisdom of traditional Ghanaian drumming and healing.

P-Square

(Nigeria)

These internationally known Nigerian twins produce some of the finest African dance music for a perfect night out in the clubs.

Salif Keita

(Mali)

"The golden voice of Africa" is one of the greatest talents the continent ever produced. His voice and beats are unforgettable.

Soweto Gospel Choir

(South Africa)

The greatest talents of Soweto will touch your soul and lift your spirit with their stirring, awakening African gospel songs.

Youssou N'Dour

(Senegal)

One of the world's greatest singers and father of mbalax: Griot praise singing and traditional sabar beats with world class format.

BY MOHAMED ABDIRAHMAN

The Forgotten musical genius "BENGA"

Benga is a genre of Kenyan popular music. It evolved between the late 1940s and late 1960s, in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi. In the 1940s, the African Broadcasting Service in Nairobi aired a steady stream of soukous, South African kwela, Zairean finger-style guitar and various kinds of Cuban dance music. There were also popular folk songs of Kenya's Luo peoples.

                         

                                   

Luo Benga

The Luo of Kenya have long played an eight-string lyre called nyatiti, and guitarists from the area sought to imitate the instrument's syncopated melodies. In benga, the electric bass guitar is played in a style reminiscent of the nyatiti. As late as the turn of the twentieth century, this bass in nyatiti supported the rhythm essential in transmitting knowledge about the society through music. Opondo Owenga of Gem Yala, the grandfather of Odhiambo Siangla, was known in employing music as a means of teaching history of the Luo.The father of the popular Luo Benga is non other than The Famous George Ramogi (Omogi wuod Weta) and CK Jazz.He helped the Benga enthusiasts by recording their Benga music in in different labels in the capital city Nairobi.Dr. Mengo of Victoria Jazz was a protege of George Ramogi.
In 1967, the first major benga band, Shirati Jazz, was formed by Daniel Owino Misiani. The group launched a string of hits that were East Africa's biggest songs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Shirati Jazz's biggest rival was Victoria Jazz, formed in 1972 by Ochieng Nelly Mengo and Collela Mazee. Despite many personnel changes, Victoria Jazz remained popular throughout the 1970s, when the Voice of Kenya radio station pushed an onslaught of East African pop. Victoria C Band of Awino Lawi was one of the splinter group of Victoria Jazz.
1997 saw the death of three prominent Luo Benga artist, Okatch Biggy of Heka Heka Band, George Ramogi and Prince Jully. The Jolly Boys Band of Prince Jully was taken over by his wife Princess Jully and she has since been a leading female Benga musician.
Another famous benga band Migori Super Stars was formed in the mid 70s and was led by Musa Olwete which later split to form another popular benga band Migori Super Stars C with musicians such as Joseph Ochola (Kasongo Polo Menyo), Onyango Jamba, Ochieng' Denge denge and others.
More modern benga artists include Kapere Jazz Band and the rootsy Ogwang Lelo Okoth. The new millennium has seen emergence of Dola Kabarry and Musa Juma. The latter saw his career cut short as he died in 2011.MJ,as he was popularly known to his fans, developed a kind of benga that infused elements of rumba. he was able to mold other musicians such as John Junior, Ogonji, Madanji, and his late brother Omondi Tonny
There are also Benga artists are based in other countries than Kenya, such as American/Kenyan group Extra Golden.
                                              Collins Kimani.