Africa is home to a diverse and vibrant music scene, blending traditional rhythms with modern genres to create unique sounds that have influenced music worldwide. From the powerful drums of West Africa to the Afrobeats movement and the soulful Zulu harmonies, African music is a cultural force.
Afrobeats (Nigeria, Ghana)
A fusion of highlife, hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B, Afrobeats has taken the world by storm, with artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido leading the global movement.
Popular Afrobeats Songs:
Essence – Wizkid ft. Tems
Ye – Burna Boy
Unavailable – Davido
My Africa – Yemi Alade
Amapiano (South Africa)
A deep-house subgenre with jazz, kwaito, and lounge influences, Amapiano is known for its log drum basslines and hypnotic melodies.
Popular Amapiano Songs:
Paris – Mellow & Sleazy
Adiwele – Young Stunna
Ke Star – Focalistic ft. Davido
Afrohouse (South Africa, Angola, Mozambique)
A high-energy genre that combines African drums with electronic beats, led by DJs and producers like Black Coffee and DJ Maphorisa.
Popular Afrohouse Songs:
Drive – Black Coffee ft. David Guetta
Jerusalema – Master KG ft. Nomcebo
Highlife (Ghana, Nigeria)
A classic West African genre, blending traditional Akan rhythms with jazz, funk, and brass instruments.
Popular Highlife Artists:
E.T. Mensah
Osibisa
Amakye Dede
Soukous & Rumba (Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo-Brazzaville)
Known for its fast-paced guitar melodies and danceable rhythms, Congolese rumba and soukous have influenced many genres across Africa.
Popular Soukous Songs:
Mario – Franco
Shauri Yako – Orchestra Super Mazembe
Loi – Koffi Olomide
Bongo Flava, Sengeli (Tanzania)
A mix of hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and traditional Tanzanian sounds, popularized by artists like Diamond Platnumz, Ali Kiba and Sholo Mwamba
Popular Bongo Flava Songs:
Jeje – Diamond Platnumz
Mwana – Ali Kiba
Sholo Mwamba
7️⃣ Gqom (South Africa)
A hard-hitting electronic dance genre that emerged from Durban’s townships, featuring dark basslines and rhythmic beats.
🎵 Popular Gqom Songs:
✔ Omunye – Distruction Boyz
✔ Gobisiqolo – Bhizer
Zouk & Kizomba (Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea-Bissau)
Originating from the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, Zouk and Kizomba are known for their romantic melodies and slow sensual dance beats.
Popular Kizomba/Zouk Artists:
Bonga (Angola)
Cesária Évora (Cape Verde)
Taarab (East Africa – Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar)
A traditional Swahili coastal sound, blending Arabic, Indian, and African influences, often played at weddings and celebrations.
Popular Taarab Artists:
Bi Kidude
Culture Musical Club
Mbira & Marimba (Zimbabwe, Southern Africa)
Traditional thumb piano (Mbira) and wooden xylophones (Marimba) are key elements of Zimbabwean and Southern African folk music.
Popular Mbira & Marimba Artists:
Stella Chiweshe
Oliver Mtukudzi
African Music on the Global Stage
African artists continue to dominate international charts, winning Grammys and collaborating with stars like Beyoncé, Drake, and Ed Sheeran. African music is now a global force in pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.
Tune into Africa’s top sounds and discover the rhythm of the continent with us – coming soon!
