African popular music , body of music that emerged in Africa in the s, mixing indigenous influences with those of Western popular music. By the s the audience for African popular music had expanded to include Western listeners. Rock and roll had a muted impact in Africa compared with the rest of the world, but during the early s the four-beats-to-the-bar of the twist spread like a virus; it was an easy-to-play style that inspired a new generation across the whole continent to become professional musicians. Nico, favoured the tremolo device featured by the British instrumental group the Shadows, but by the end of the decade the virtuoso pyrotechnics of Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana were more common inspirations.

Naira Marley – Soapy

REGIONAL AFRICAN MUSIC
The list below was published in January , 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! On my new website you can listen to over songs from each and every African country.
50 favourite African songs
After the release of this album, he became a force to be reckoned with in contemporary African music. It also stayed on the number one spot on the iTunes chart for nine consecutive weeks. Nigeria pop singer Yemi Alade burst onto the African music scene in
Compiling a shortlist of the top African songs of can be quite tricky as each country, region and even genre coming from the continent and its diaspora is insular — overflowing with straight hits. Take a listen in this particular order yes, it is a playlist! Viviane Chidid continues to reign supreme as the queen of mbalax , adapting and evolving her sound to reach new generations. Lately, she has been inspired by afrobeat that can be heard in Do Dara — one of her lead singles this year. If there is a sound that has been a beacon for South Africa this year, it is amapiano.