50 favourite African songs

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.

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.

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