According to latest UN estimates, the current population of Africa is 1,401,657,792 – a staggering number. So it’s not surprising that the continent offers a vast landscape of music genres and sub genres; a dizzying array that can be difficult for a newbie to African music genres to navigate. So we’ve scoped and searched and settled on five African music genres for you to explore, five exciting styles from across the continent.
Musicians and fans from Africa have been diligently constructing the sound of the future. Now it’s here.
– Rolling Stone Magazine
Afrobeats
Not to be confused with Afrobeat (a more instrumentalist sound popularised by music icon Fela Kuti in the 70s), Afrobeats can loosely be described as a hybrid of Ghanaian and Nigerian high life fused with hip hop and electronic dance music beats. It has a young, modern energy that is usually upbeat, digitally produced and sung in English, West African languages and even pidgin languages – which root the genre firmly within African culture. Afrobeats is an extraordinary global success story and its stars dominate the airwaves, download charts, magazine covers and social media feeds.
Where to start: If Orange Was a Place (Tems); Essence (Wizkid); “Sad Girlz Luv Money” (Ghanaian American Afro-fusionist Amaarae) and “Love Nwantiti,” (CKay).
Mbalax
This is a very popular style of music from Senegal and Gambia, West Africa, and the name mbalax has its roots in the Serer music tradition of Njuup. The genre is closely associated with Youssou N’Dour who became the best-known exponent of mbalax pop. Mbalax can loosely be described as a music genre that fuses musical traditions from the Serer people of Senegal with jazz, soul, funk and pop elements to create a unique, danceable, propulsive sound and beat.
Where to start: Youssou N’Dour – Immigres (Live in Athens 1987)
Ethio Jazz
Some have questioned Ethio Jazz’s ability to outlive the fleeting attention of a world so devoted to superficiality, but the roots of Ethio Jazz run deep. Ethio Jazz is the brainchild of Ethiopian composer Mulatu Astatke, seen as the ‘father’ of Ethio Jazz, who saw the potential of blending American Jazz with the indigenous modes – which have an Arabic feel to them – and textures of Ethiopian music. The overall effect is style that fuses ancient sounding tones with jazz, Afro-funk, soul and Latin rhythms – a soulful jazz that dazzles.
Where to start: Almaz Yeharerwa (አልማዝ የሀረሯ) Jazbyssinia Ethio Jazz Band
Electro Shaabi
Electro Shaabi is a hugely popular music style that fuses blues-folk with Arab pop and electro beats. The genre has its origins in popular working-class Egyptian music (street music); the word ‘shaabi‘ means ‘of the people’. Electro Shaabi music is ubiquitous as background music to Egyptian celebrations, thanks to its rousing, upbeat tempo, but you’ll also hear it on buses, commercials and in movies. The Egyptian singer Ahmad Adawiya is perhaps best associated with the genre. Adawiya emerged from Mohamed Ali Street in a working-class neighbourhood and often spoke out against social injustices and government policies. Others who helped to popularise the genre include Hakeem, Shaaban Abdel Reheem and Abo El-Leef. More recently, stars such as Filo, Oka Wi Ortega and Islam Fanta have created a more modern style for a new generation.
Where to start: Islam Fanta
Soukous
A form of music derived from the rumba, soukous was performed by the late Congolese musician Franco Luambo (a major figure in 20th-century Congolese music, known affectionately as ‘sorcerer of the guitar’) for 30 years with his band OK Jazz. The origins of soukous can be traced to Zaire, today the Democratic Republic of Congo. The genre was also popularised by then Paris-based renowned musician Papa Wembe, who died in 2016.
Where to start: Papa Wemba, Yolele
Which is your favourite African music genre?
