50 favourite African songs
The list below was published in January 2008, since when this page has had over half a million hits. In the introduction below I explained what I was trying to achieve, while also admitting to the limitations of my own knowledge. Despite a few flaws, the list remains a decent introduction to African music, so please enjoy !
Ten years on though, I’ve compiled a much more comprehensive and informed guide to roots-based African music. On my new website you can listen to over 150 songs from each and every African country.
And in the accompanying book, Around the World in 575 Songs : Traditional music from all the world’s countries Volume 2 – Africa, I tell the stories of the many artists whose songs I’ve featured, and provide some insights into the changes that have been happening within African music over the last 50 years, and reflect on how the music has often become interlinked with wider struggles for national liberation, for self-determination and for free expression, and the search for meaning and identity in a globalised world.
August 2019: the book’s currently on sale for under $5 at Amazon.com – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1999631420/ .
Please pay a visit –
https://aroundtheworldin575songs.com/2018/04/11/vol-ii-africa/
Linda Wall
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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.
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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
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
Very interesting and impressive list. Minor quibble: Nancy Ajram is Lebanese and so not really African. But you do hear her music everywhere in North Africa.
by DJ Jack Daw January 30, 2008 at 3:21 pmnice list man, would love to link this to museke.com in some way.
by museke fan February 8, 2008 at 3:11 pmcheck it out, loads of African music there…. need to get some of these selections there as well
i don’t think Aster Awokes “Mezez Alew”can be 9th.it’s one of her weak song.i thing you need to listen to all her albums
by dj mike September 25, 2010 at 8:21 pmsorry for the typing mistakes on the top.i think the truck shoud not be listed here.here in Ethiopia only educational radio programs play it because it talks about HIV aids but she got some other nice tunes.i don’t know how you measure it any way
by dj mike September 25, 2010 at 8:32 pmwhere African queen in this list. if there is no African queen, then this dumb.
by alex February 21, 2011 at 5:19 pmAfrican queen by 2face from Nigeria the is a cheat
by Febian March 12, 2011 at 2:10 amWhere African queen by 2 face,and slave by lucky Dube
by Mukisa Patrick October 16, 2013 at 6:15 pmHi, pliz if anyone can assist, m lookin for the title to mayweh’s(forgive the spelling) hit song
by kay March 27, 2011 at 6:30 pmdont forget sobngs like coupe bimbaba by awilo and also premier gaou by magic system
by chris April 10, 2011 at 11:27 pmReally, this is an interesting list but I think you need listen to the song ”AFRICAN QUEEN” by 2face
by simon May 27, 2011 at 8:21 amYuck- African Queen is syrupy junk
by Chris September 20, 2015 at 6:14 pmsend for me music best 50 songs
by Akoiro June 10, 2011 at 6:02 pmNo Johnny Clegg = List FAIL
by Dre September 4, 2011 at 4:32 pmBORN IN AFRICA by Philly Bongole Lutaaya IS ALL TIME AFRICAN SONG ESPECIALLY IN EAST AFRICA YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT IN YOUTUBE.
by kenyi September 16, 2011 at 9:00 pmyou left leonard Dembo-chitekete which was played in Nambia at the Miss Universe
by dylan October 20, 2011 at 5:14 pmletta mbulu noe yet uhuru was one of the finest songs of africa
by dylan October 20, 2011 at 5:15 pmena poy legete ye ye baleo?
by dimitra November 2, 2011 at 4:46 pmwhere is youssour ndou…best african musician
by muks November 24, 2011 at 8:18 pmYoussou is at number four – certainly amongst the great tourism ministers of Africa….
by John September 2, 2019 at 7:19 pmNancy Arjam is African by nation but Arabic by culture………
by LOLL December 1, 2011 at 7:41 amnancy ajram is from lebanon and for black music from north africa listen “gnawa” from morroco a real african music
by khaled February 10, 2012 at 2:03 amwhere is ismael lo jammu africa
by khaled February 10, 2012 at 2:31 amwaht u africans saying
by obed February 28, 2012 at 6:25 pmobed shit the fuck up man plz
by chester February 28, 2012 at 6:27 pmwhere is east africa? you mean no good song has ever come out of Uganda, kenya or tanzania?
by Joe Tabula April 1, 2012 at 1:21 pmJoe, Tanzania, Kenya and other east African countries are represented. But I admit I still have much to learn about east African music. I see that you’re from Uganda : can you recommend any traditional music from Uganda ?
by nickwall April 1, 2012 at 6:50 pmam not tabula, but am also from Uganda, i can do what u guys , Afro beat z wat most Ugandans do such as the likes of chameleon..
by kyamugaso bashirsmokee April 11, 2012 at 3:09 pmLady we have “freedom by bobi wine” #uganda
by Jamal Luchamuz June 24, 2023 at 3:34 pmI don’t think it’s possible to get a list like this right. Each country prefers it’s own musicians and genres?
I’m a South African, let me correct your list. Only Marriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Lucky Dube, deserve to be on the list, but the songs featured are not their best. And where is Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Johnny Glegg?
Please remove Penny Penny, Shiyani Ncobo, Prince Nico Mbarga, no one ever hear of this people, maybe they are popular in their villages.
Just because a CD states ‘The best of SA musicians’, does not mean that every clown listed deserves to be there.
by modi April 20, 2012 at 2:00 pmWAT ABOUT THE VALU VALU HIT BY CHAMELEON, IT BROKE RECORD FRM OLIVER NGOMA FOR BEING MOST DOWNLOADED SONG 2012
by BASHIR SMOKEE April 22, 2012 at 12:27 pmLet me educate u a bit modi, Prince Nico Mbarga’s ‘sweet mother’ was released in 1976 and it went on to become one of the most popular hits in Africa, selling over 13 million copies. Sometimes called Africa’s anthem, it was voted Africa’s favourite song by BBC readers and listeners in 2004, coming before Brenda Fassie’s “Vuli Ndlela”, Fela Kuti’s “Lady”, Franco’s “Mario” and Miriam Makeba’s version of “Malaika”. So my bro, I think now u will change ur view abour Prince Nico Mbarga coz he’s one of d most popular African Musicians. Am frm Nigeria though.
by Jude Palmer May 13, 2013 at 7:30 amPrince Nico Mbarga’s sweet mother is Africa’s best selling song of all time… It’s regarded as Africa’s anthem…
by Kareem June 13, 2020 at 2:10 amPs: he’s from Nigeria and Cameroon not south Africa
Pois estou de acordo. Olha que em alguma época estes que recusas que estejam na lista foram muito famosos e bem curtidas as suas músicas. Mas em todo o caso aceito a sua posição. Hugh Masekela entre outros deviam figurar na lista dos melhores sons antigos de África.
Cumprimentos e parabens pela observação!
by Limeme August 12, 2013 at 11:34 amPrince Nico Mbaka and the rockerfeller jazz of Africa are the first band to hit a platinun in the 70s and still sells
by ZAKKA August 4, 2016 at 7:24 pmHow can you say that no-one has heard of Prince Nico Mbarga, when his “Sweet Mother” is one of the most well-known African songs in existence?
by David Martin May 14, 2017 at 8:11 amWhy not put Corneille Nyungura of Rwanda! He is the best ever !
by Big Brother April 28, 2012 at 3:03 pmafrican queen by 2face should be on this list. if its not, then the list is not complete and those who created it do not know the worldwide african most popular songs.
by jerry May 6, 2012 at 7:08 pmAfrican Queen is not an African Song…. It is a nursery Rhyme that pretends Nigeria have no traditional instruments… So it has the word African in it. So WHAT….. It is an english nursery Rhyme
by Minted June 5, 2014 at 2:01 pmFor those intrigued by all the plugs for African Queen by 2Face Idibia, here’s the song : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByRTMxl_DAU .
Nothing wrong with the song, but it’s one for a different kind of list. it’s a Nigerian take on American r&b, and isn’t rooted in traditional African music.
by nickwall May 6, 2012 at 8:33 pmI´m looking for an African song of 90´s who was a it don´t know the name but the only thing or lyrics i remember was when the singer sings:
by mauro June 24, 2012 at 7:51 amSophia yé Sophia yo…
Does anybody could help me?
Thanks
Does anyone remember a song from the 90’s sung by a female in the desert about congo. i remember the chorus sounding something like ‘tipi, tipi congo..’
by shane July 9, 2012 at 3:23 pmim also looking for tht song its a CLASSIC
by munyandawana August 4, 2015 at 6:05 pmany luck on the teepee congo teepee congo song?
by Munya Ndawana January 7, 2017 at 9:52 amKali -le trio : tifi congo
by Gerald July 30, 2017 at 5:06 pmwhere are the oriental brothers from ibo region in nigeria
by tunde August 3, 2012 at 9:56 pmhow to I find the lyrics to these songs? and chord sheets????
by Janielle August 23, 2012 at 2:18 amlegends in East Africa hv bn left out e.g Philly Bongole lutaaya $ Jose chamileo of mawoko na mawoko guys ua segregative towards east african stars
by abejo upcoming August 25, 2012 at 2:09 pmNo San Fan Thomas,No yvonne chakachaka,No franco etc! This list is a farce!
by Brian September 16, 2012 at 4:54 amIf you’re naming bands, please post links if possible to youtube or somewhere we can listen to them. Brian, Franco would be top 10 if I was doing this list again. Abejo and others, I’m well aware that this list and my later efforts are dominated by West African artists. If any of you would like to put together a list of traditional music from your own country or region, I’d be more than happy to host this.
by nickwall September 16, 2012 at 10:38 pmThe list does not reflect the memorable list of the best or most memorable African music.The compiler had insufficient knowledge of African music.None of the present set of musicians were included, including Dbanj that had the highest african album sales for 2006,2007,2008 and likely to retain it in 2011 and 2012 with his Oliver twist album and UK top ten chart breaker,first of it’s kind by an African artist among others.Tuface “African Queen”,Olu Maintain “Yahooze”that storm the world by suprize.P Square,Sarkodie,Whizkid,Darey,Osita Osadebey,Sunny Ade,lucky Dube,Yvone shaka shaka.Perhaps either of famous Makeba or Fela Kuti should have been number one.You can also visit youtube for the number of views.Your list contain names of artist that were unknown outside the soil of their countries.Your list is the only one that does not have at least ten Nigerians in the top 50.
by sam Adebowale September 20, 2012 at 2:35 pmno malaika by fadhili wiliams(kenya)??? mhhh. even makeba did a rendition of that song. its among africa’s most famous songs. n i think “birima” by Youssou is a more deserving song than what use listed.
by phii November 19, 2012 at 7:24 amafrican songbeat
by muhyasir November 24, 2012 at 9:41 am[…] Kanda Bongo Man of DR Congo […]
by My 15 favorites in African music (The oldies) | An African woman blundering her way in the west! December 27, 2012 at 2:24 pmI might agree with u, if only u can convice me dat east africa is not part of africa! There’s adiference between publicity and talent, which the rest and east africans hold respectvely. “Shame upon the list” valu valu-camili & anita-matonya, where are they????
by Mubiru hakim February 11, 2013 at 8:05 amlame ass music
by niqqa February 12, 2013 at 5:45 pmCool list, but Nancy Ajram is lebanese.
by LindaDounia April 8, 2013 at 10:07 pmHey sir, good job. Though you listed the right best all time musicians, many of their songs you listed are not even known.
Try this one: Iwasado by Nayanka Bell, played in many countries of africa for as many years as I can remember: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhSgajP4oMA
by MJ May 3, 2013 at 10:33 pmHello my fellow Africans. Does anyone remember the French song that went “Mama Jolie Oh…Danser avec moi”…it was an African French song played in the 90s
by Dawn May 3, 2013 at 11:29 pmHello Africans i am a student from P.S.155Q. I am sending this message from New York. I am learning a lot of things from you. I love all the songs from you.
by sukhman kaur May 6, 2013 at 9:44 pmThose two words automatically make women suspicious, jealous.
by effortless english June 14, 2013 at 11:38 amMore aptly, the lack of our ability to converse in Spanish.
see something you desire for yourself bless it and also
bless its owner.
All of you have smoked weed. Authentic artistry is predominantly from South Africa.
by Khomotso June 14, 2013 at 12:27 pmSouth Africa – A country of cowards – Independence in the 90s – South Africa still has to develop an African personality. No music from South Africa can be called African…. 1990s independence, what a joke?
by Minted June 5, 2014 at 2:08 pmWhere does africa by Selif Keita fall?
by Bob November 30, 2020 at 8:24 amWhere is West Madiko from Cameroon
by alala June 26, 2013 at 11:33 pmPrince Nico Mbagra si not from S/A, he’s from Nigeria
by Jaymax July 12, 2013 at 2:30 pmPRINCE NICO IS CAMEROONIAN THOSE MBARGA SOUND LIKE NIGERIAN NAME TO YOU
by KOHN CATHERINE July 14, 2015 at 11:29 amWow ,i grew up on these!
by CubaNoire August 29, 2013 at 10:14 amNo Yvonne Chaka Chaka…really??
by Brian August 30, 2013 at 7:58 amSU NYC
by Llii September 26, 2013 at 5:47 amDefinitely need to put Oliver Mtukudzi there, Neria is a wonderful song and people deserve to hear it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhXGyer-cIg
by Jonathan October 1, 2013 at 5:02 pmThe Naria song by Oliver Mtukudzi is really great thanks for the Tip…check out Sir Warrior and Sunny Okosun Both great guys from Nigeria
by REX November 17, 2015 at 5:26 pmJohnny Clegg has to be on this list, how can he not be?! Magumede, Asimbonanga ?
by Jonathan October 1, 2013 at 5:05 pmAmadou et Mariam are from Mali not Senegal, though technically speaking it’s the same thing. Great list helped me find Brenda Fassie. I had the song in mind but couldn’t remember her name. Cheers!!!
by D October 8, 2013 at 8:59 amwhy dont u rank even chameloen
by arnie lov October 14, 2013 at 3:35 pmi think fela should top the list cuz he has so many good african songs, and he also made a comment that african songs can not be sang with proper english
by papa October 24, 2013 at 10:45 pmNo Khadja Niin!!!! really
by Tebogo December 8, 2013 at 2:23 amIm looking for a song sang in half english half an african tribal! I heard it in 2007 the girl was just starting to come out all i can member is it souned like she said beeba day something or nother help its driving me crazy
by joelle December 28, 2013 at 10:17 amNANCY AJRAM IS NOT ALGERIAN
by metallica January 4, 2014 at 3:31 pmdis list is fake cuz wizkid is not present………
by Edwin T. Roberts jr January 5, 2014 at 10:47 pmWhay you cann’t put any Namibian Artist? Pleas stop coleption we are all Africa.
by Casmilo protasius January 8, 2014 at 11:55 amYou list “Soul Science” as a song by Juldeh Camara and Justin Adams, when that is actually the name of their album. Which song from that album did you mean?
by Jeff Parsons January 29, 2014 at 5:00 amThis list need to be updated because this artists are no longer on top
by Lawrence Ouma February 4, 2014 at 11:19 amThis list need to be updated since this songs are no longer on top
by Lawrence Ouma February 4, 2014 at 11:24 amChinaman rapping to HipHop does not make Hiphop Chinese Music. This list is a joke
by Minted June 5, 2014 at 2:07 pm[…] 50 favourite African songs | Music to die for. […]
by new mixes – africa | colours heard February 5, 2014 at 8:13 pmyou have left Madzibaba Senior Lecturer of Zimbabwe , Chicco Twala & Mbongeni Ngema both of South Africa
by Daniel Dhliwayo February 27, 2014 at 8:50 pmwhat happened to sunny okosun of Africa from Nigeria?
by king okosun March 15, 2014 at 10:56 pmCan I just say that no.48 isn’t an Algerian song because Nancy Ajram is a Lebanese singer that sings here with an Egyptian accent so I guarantee you it has nothing to do with Algeria
by Sara Serry April 6, 2014 at 6:13 amWell done! Can u plz try get some details a bout a soukouss music group called soukouss stars? (Yondo sister,lokasa,lucien Bokilo,Ngouma Lokito,Saladin….)
by Dismas Bruce April 10, 2014 at 4:20 pmHi does anyone know the artist or name of a song that goes “Jolie Jolie oh, Jolie Jolie eh, Jolie derrière Jolie dervan
by Lele April 18, 2014 at 2:27 pmmy fellow africans, I only have 3 things to say. wali watu, sambolera, khadja nin. hw abwt mam miriam’s gauteng, bra hugh’s stimela jst to mention a few @bili man of God(prophetic justice SA)
by bili bili June 4, 2014 at 10:35 pmAny music that has no African Instrument is not African. Chinaman rapping to HipHop does not make Hiphop Chinese Music.
No song can be called a great African Song if it has at least 1 European instrument.
African Music is music that came before the other ethnic groups became civilised. Why dilute it?
by Minted June 5, 2014 at 2:05 pmanyone know a song from the 90’s, can’t remember lyrics, all i remember is a lady singing “eh kilimanjaro eh kilimanjaro”. It was a great dance song. Anyone know it?
by Mo June 9, 2014 at 12:21 pmJeff Maluleke – Kilimanjaro
by phililen3 November 13, 2015 at 5:19 amIts Miriam Makeba from South Africa
by Mpho October 7, 2016 at 11:53 pmnat just at all…I don’t agree with your list pal…
by Jàycéécréàmz June 11, 2014 at 6:54 amAlpha Blondy!!!!
by Bakhita August 19, 2014 at 3:11 amPrince Nico Mbarga is a Nigerian from Ogoja, Cross Rivers State and not a South African.
by Matthias Pantaleon October 2, 2014 at 5:21 pmWhat about these three songs?
by Njabulo Q Sithole October 7, 2014 at 1:27 am1.Shwi NoMntekhala(SA)-Ngafa
2.Salif Keita(Mali)-Afrika
3.Ismael Lo(Senegal)-L’amour A Tous Les Droits
This list is a joke without OK jazz, Franco, Osadebe, Oriental brothers, Warrior, Oliver de Coque
by Azubike November 18, 2014 at 3:40 pmThis list is a joke without Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba. This post have opened my eyes to the rich music heritage we’ve all abandoned in exchange for western music.
by Azubike November 18, 2014 at 3:44 pmI’ve noticed this list is so deficient. Infact, I’m annoyed. You cannot talk about African songs in Benin republic without a mention of Gnonnas Pedro. And no mention of Africando too?. Here in Benin republic what you hear playing everywhere is the music of Gnonnas Pedro not Angelique Kidjo.
by Azubike November 22, 2014 at 1:48 pmThis independent artiste is on a mission to ressurect African music. Listen on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AD_YC1a44Y
by Shembe November 22, 2014 at 2:02 pmWhere the heck is Africa by ToTo?
by nil November 26, 2014 at 10:26 amyour decieving, what about ugandans, the likes of prince job poul kafero, jose chameleon, bobi wine.
by carlos vincent December 22, 2014 at 12:44 pmwhere is Jeremias Nguenha ,Wizzy Massuke,FRANCO,Fally IpupA
by Themba Khumalo February 17, 2015 at 12:52 pmUnrivalled #1 of all time is ‘Mario’ by Grand Franco. No African musician could come close to Franco in three decades (60’s, 70’s and 80’s).
Tell them i said so.
Thanks
by Mamenji March 16, 2021 at 5:33 pmAnd whats your fav reggae songs i want to no mine lucky dube iv got you babe!
by Raggae song February 21, 2015 at 8:39 pmWhat about African china(nigeria)
by Raggae song February 21, 2015 at 8:44 pmI would like to listen to some of the songs from Nigeria and so on.
by efraim uuyuni March 8, 2015 at 9:15 pmMAKE YOUR TOP 50! All of you! PROBLEM SOLVED. Don’t like what you see, post your own list and quit bickering…it’s just that simple!
by es johnson March 24, 2015 at 6:15 pmThank u was about to say the same thing
by Mickey Motebang January 11, 2016 at 6:50 amNice..luking for 3 songs,, dnt remember the artist names, but the songs goes thus” Tem tem matonge tem zebike..mani tem bie niha nehijo bieyen.. and other one goes thus” posi se, eya yu wenaaaaa,. And the other one is ” aroba dobo, aroba dibi, se na dobo se na dibi,, we can’t do without the magents.
by Agnes Ogolo April 6, 2015 at 8:57 pmTam tam – Sally nyolo
by vincent October 30, 2018 at 9:28 pmSomeone please gi me the name of the artist who sang the song” aeeeeeeh Africa eeee oooooooohhhhh africa eeee ooooooooohhhh kisangaaaaaaaaa” n how can I get this song online…. It brings nice memories when i was young …..”.
by Joel owino April 26, 2015 at 4:19 amThat song is by Salif keita..google itm.Africa by Salif keita.
by Agnes Ogolo September 10, 2015 at 2:31 pmMusic of all times never to forget
by kakooza ben April 27, 2015 at 4:56 amWow
by dammielola May 5, 2015 at 5:36 pmThey are all okay
by dammielola May 5, 2015 at 5:37 pmI love it! And to those coming up with a million suggestions on who or not who should feature on the playlist, please go make yours…quietly.
by Kaotik Karakta May 14, 2015 at 5:41 pmPls, which cameroonian artist sang the song “sena nue, sena nue, sena nuema o! Se na nues ohh!
by Agnes Ogolo May 14, 2015 at 7:09 pmWhat is the title of that very famous one.. gonna make a fool of myself but i dont know the lyrics, roughly sounds like this: “ne makane kassop yemama tsek….. eh ehhee” came out around 1997/8. thanks all
by chrissy xtian August 2, 2015 at 2:01 pmWathetha kabuhlungu kelumntu othetha nge artist esizaziyo thina nomculo wazo bewsumamala nazi ezi artist athethangazo Penny penny ,shiyani ngcobo , and nezinye ngenxa yokuba engazazi yena yho im thx. Ndingu Jabu 4rm eastern cape
by Jabu September 9, 2015 at 6:27 pmPls i need dis African musician’s name. Toriyoriyo aaha.
by Godwin September 11, 2015 at 12:18 pmHello I’m from Romania and despite my very limited knowledge about African songs here it is my personal top 10 for today – (lots of songs I omitted for brevity, that I like also very much to believe that they belong to the best of the world music of all time):
10. Mory Kante – Ye’ke Ye’ke
by Gogu Bordei September 12, 2015 at 2:42 pm9. Tinariwen – Lulla
8. Bombino – Mahegagh
7. Cesaria Evora – Angola
6. Miriam Makeba & Harry Belafonte – Nongqongqo
5. Bombino – Imuhar
4. Miriam Makeba – Jolinkomo
3. Salif Keita & Cesaria Evora – Yamore
2. Miriam Makeba – Qongqongqo
1. Salif Keita – Moussoolou
I’m pleased to know that African music interests you. I recommend you a dose of the music Nigeria has an offer.
by Godswill Gwanzwang ELISHA May 14, 2017 at 9:13 amsorry, a typo, actually in the 2nd place is Qongqothwane -> not Qongqongqo
by Gogu Bordei September 12, 2015 at 3:56 pmI very much in agreement with this list as it has the artists par excellence!
by Ndwa October 11, 2015 at 1:01 pmGood list you have here, Salif Keita is an enigma.
by AVM October 18, 2015 at 10:30 amhot jams so far.love you Africa
by JUST JUDE THADIAS October 29, 2015 at 12:58 pmArtists are really commendable bt why arent there uganda musicians like kanyamoyi,chameleon,lutaalo and namubiru?
by Muyanda November 11, 2015 at 6:22 amwhere are the likes of pepe kalle (moyibi), Nyboma (Nina), oliver n’goma(bane, adia), Tabuley (muzina)
by Ime November 14, 2015 at 10:56 pmPlease correct yourself before you mislead us.Prince Nico Mbarga is half Nigerian and half Cameroonian.Not south african
by evans December 31, 2015 at 5:44 pmOliver mtukudzi is a better artist that alick macheso…..ndakuvara did wAY better in Zimbabwe
by Ashleigh January 21, 2016 at 9:20 amdat list z somehow fake qns where are 4 uganda yo unfair
by mukijja kenneth February 13, 2016 at 7:59 amAlane by Wes madiko is the best African song ever
by nguyano February 17, 2016 at 6:06 pmWhere is Majek Fashek? This is nothing but a joke. Anyway, it’s your opinion and I don’t know your yardsticks, but this is certainly not what you say it is.
by Sagay Sagay April 9, 2016 at 3:23 amsup..i’m 4rm zim n wld lyc 2 air sum views..thomas mapfumo is a legend n here is a list o other african legends who rockd in zim..Salif Keita-Africa..Yvonne Chaka chaka..Oliver Ngoma-Adia..Bane.Fely e.tc (trust mi ths dude ws n is stil popular in zim)..ishamel Lo..Brenda Fassie…any1pliz help mi i’m lookin 4 ths track by a female who sang bout diamonds. .think ts SouthAfrican frm long bck..e lyrics nt sure bt smthn ly..hey wena ninayo kipi dhaimani wena bafuni ukunibetha ki dhaimani hwela helele helele bafanami..pliz hit mi on ma email ceemabvuu@gmail.com
by sealer May 2, 2016 at 1:21 pmGuys I am looking for a certain song by Salif Keita. On this song, a boy is mobbed by bees on his back on one of the clips. I used to see watch it on Afro Beat (Zim) when I was a kid but I do not remember the title. Please help
by ManOnFire May 16, 2016 at 1:13 pmSalif Keita — Ignadjidje. I hav been lookin fo d video fo quite a long time bt i cant find it ..even on Youtube.
by Hillary chingodza July 3, 2016 at 8:50 pmtry finding it (if you haven’t) on emp3s.cc/videos/salif+keita+ignadjidje
by tawanda September 23, 2017 at 2:09 pmThere’s this Kenyan song by Enomizizi called KIUNO VIUNO. It’s so sweet and authentically African. Guys go to YouTube and have a listen.
by Temwo June 26, 2016 at 6:42 amAlso JAMBO BWANA I think by Dem Mushrooms.
Also, I gotta say, the compiler of the list is not to blame for his list. It’s his opinion. Sometimes for some reason we hardly get to hear songs from other African regions coz the media hasn’t fed us enough songs from there. Some substandard songs can also turn out classics only coz they received mad airplay.
BTW I love IWASADO so much. Although I understand none of the words. The tune and the singing is moving.
I NEED HELP figuring out another lovely song, don’t know if it is from Uganda but it’s kinda reggae with words
by Temwo June 26, 2016 at 6:48 am“Time oh time will tell: if you really baby love me
time oh time, oh time!
”
then switches to luganda “Njagala njagala, omukwano njagala njagala. . .! ”
The artist is said to have died a few years ago. God rest his soul.
The talking drum,npkonkolo,agwir,ganng and much more instruments are indigenous to nigeria
by ZAKKA August 4, 2016 at 7:30 pman impressive list. .
by enstein September 15, 2016 at 8:06 pmwhat are the traditional music of africa ?
by angelo September 19, 2016 at 11:57 amCan somebody tell me I’m looking for the name of a song or artist ,the song was around in the early 1970’s the words were in English but the singer had a African accent it was like a Afro jazz tune. The words were like this” why did you go and leave me” another verse was like this “speaking of people I don’t like your friends tell me”
by Dennis October 20, 2016 at 10:08 pm“Why did you have to desert me?” by Taj Mahal
by Speakingofpeopleidontlikeyourfriends June 6, 2018 at 10:06 amI need a certain song of africa where theres a guy who drinks and beat up his wife n child his job is lambering. bt later he changes his behaviour and become a gud dude
by moses raywer osure October 22, 2016 at 9:41 pmhey guys could u pliz get me this song that has a chorus that goes….shemiii shemi shemi, awakawaka………really miss it
by dayvheed January 13, 2017 at 6:55 amThis?
by David Martin May 14, 2017 at 9:01 amimpressive list dude..i believe every artist can’t be on that list.am from Ghana and i can’t find any track of arguably Africa’s all time best band OSIBISA. but its cool though thumbs up
by nathan January 18, 2017 at 10:56 pmPrince Nico Mbarga is a Nigerian and not from RSA.
2Face’s African Queen will forever rank high in African music.
Soul Makossa by Manu Dibango got to be here.
by gebyt92 March 12, 2017 at 12:02 amFrom Zimbabwe we have Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo
by Aleck March 14, 2017 at 4:14 pmYou forgot Mulatu Astatke, the inventor of Ethio-jazz.
by Adolfo Vasquez March 24, 2017 at 1:19 amwhere is oliver ngoma??without him the list is a joke
by tribelesskenyankigooskicsky March 30, 2017 at 11:22 amAngelique Kidjo – wombo lombo, should be on this list
by Larson April 9, 2017 at 8:50 pmOnly one artist from the continent’s most musically productive country, the DRC. Are you kidding? Nothing from Franco (have you listened to his “Azda?”). I think this list favors the pop side of African music at the exclusion of more authentically tailored sounds.
by James Thindwa May 9, 2017 at 4:17 pmBit of a strange list – two Algerian mentions, but not Khaled – how can that be?
by David Martin May 14, 2017 at 8:33 amThen some expected artists, but not the song you’d expect:
Fela Kuti – Sorrow, Tears and Blood, instead of Zombie
Miriam Makeba – Soweto Blues, instead of La Lutta Continua
Salif Keita – Katolon instead of Tekere
Femi Kuti – If Them Want To Hear instead of Traitors of Africa
and so on.
I am looking for this song by an African woman that I think is popular in France. She sang the song in the late 80s or early 90s. It sounds like this:
“Ei Ei Keleshibo ooo, Keleshibo ooo, Keleshibo. ei ei iiiii”
Please help, I’ve been looking fir this song since forever!
by kasshoggi June 1, 2017 at 8:33 pmTHANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL LIST. Could anyone tell me if you know a song with the chorus ‘Ayo, Aayo’ which means JOY in Yoruba? THANK YOU
by Riana June 3, 2017 at 7:38 pmwhat of Zambian music tracks. I think we also deserve some recognition
by sikalenje June 23, 2017 at 5:41 pmThere was that song featuring women making music with empty bottles and vocals. Anyone remembers that one?
by Gerald July 30, 2017 at 5:15 pmBut let me make a correct an error about your list that may make some of us run into madness,lets be sincere how can you mention of artists and leave out great accoladed musicians like philly bongole lutaaya,khadja niin,corneille nyungura, the only man who was given the writings of jim reeves,non other than jimmy katumba,fred masagazi whose song ran many weeks on top on bbc’s count down.johnny tezano a superb,kofi olomide, the great papa wemba,all times best; franco,tabuley,pepe kale,hugh masekela,thomas mapfumo,the 2007 kora award winner of all men in africa and in east and central africa, pastor george okudi,steve kekana-the master writer on african continent and a blind musician, salif keita,oliver ngouma-the king of zulu in africa.the ogopa deejays,les wanyika,allain nkoukou to mention but a few.please when youre writing,cover beyond your interest and regards to a few.africa is full of melodies and golden rhythms,all blends of music is 80% naturised in africa to its best.look beyond your north of sahara.
by MARTIN MULUMBA November 19, 2017 at 12:48 pmSouth African Rapper, Nasty C dishes out his much anticipated 2018 album “ Nasty C Strings and Bling Album
by Jam Baze July 9, 2018 at 11:24 am”. The Album has just 17 tracks featuring just 3 artists with likes of American Rapper A$AP Ferg, singer Rowlene and Wolfpack Records act, Kaien Cruz.
well believe it or not i have been through many african countries but i have never seen any one popular than TEDDY AFRO from ETHIOPIA(east africa) and not including him in this list….?really?
by ns August 2, 2018 at 4:17 pmAs a 26yearold who grew up listening to Western music all the time this list has open both my ears and mind to the rich African history of Music! Most of the Artists on this list I only knew by name but now I know their incredible music,thank you
by Ben Ngcuka December 6, 2018 at 1:14 pmGood music
by David April 20, 2019 at 6:28 amso where’s African queen by tuface!?? Rubbish list!
by ASA May 5, 2019 at 9:14 pmbest
by yohannes gebremariam July 8, 2019 at 11:03 amAfrican music is more than just music. It is a lifestyle. Thanks for sharing.
by Diamond platnumz Music July 10, 2019 at 10:40 pmFailed and don’t ask me how. How dare u forget Prince nico Mbarga whose song ‘sweet mother’ sold more than the Beatles. It’s a shame.what happened to Hugh masakela?
by Christelle July 25, 2019 at 7:36 pmWhere is jose chameleon ugandan legend east africa,i am not seeing koffi olamide CONGO even steve kekana from SA?
by WAMMANI DRAKE September 6, 2019 at 7:40 pmLjubav I novac
by Srodnu dušu March 20, 2020 at 12:49 amHi I am looking for a song called (Aboje) the artist is Beni Ngoare the spelling might be wrong please help. I saw it on TV in 2011 it played regularly.
Very interesting list thanks
by Temeka April 27, 2020 at 4:17 pmNot a criticism, just an observation and maybe a question. I see no Ugandan music or artists… Is it that they are just not musical? Or not especially prolific (or talented)? Going to uganda soon… Looking for some local music to prime me for the trip. Meanhile I’ll check out some of your other artists.thanks for taking the time to put this together.
by brett d marshall December 29, 2020 at 7:17 pmUganda has crying voices by Philly bongole lutaya
by Byaruhanga Nicholus March 12, 2021 at 11:22 amUnrivalled #1 of all time is ‘Mario’ by Grand Franco. No African musician could come close to Franco in three decades (60’s, 70’s and 80’s).
Tell them i said so.
Thanks
by Mamenji March 16, 2021 at 5:28 pmBirima by Youssou N’dour should be in the top 5.
by TA April 4, 2021 at 2:27 pmHow could you make this video without having samples of the kind of music that is made on the sites!? I don’t wanna click around on every page like a dork! Boo! Bad job, you dongheads!
by hollyhooper89 December 12, 2021 at 8:56 amHolly Hooper
I would like to know if there’s a music group called new africa with a song called harena back in the 1970’s or 1980’s? Please let me know if you have my message. Thank you.
by Andrea L Fearn July 10, 2022 at 5:27 amThank you so much! I have been searching for Yé Ké Yé Ké (without knowing the name, just a vague memory of “ye ye ye oh”) after hearing it in a restaurant. As you can imagine, there are plenty of African songs with “ye ye” and “oh” somewhere in the title of lyrics, so I’ve been through dozens. It was by sheer chance that my search was close enough to bring up this 14 year old post, so thank you!
by Anonymoose October 3, 2022 at 11:02 pm