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Top: Arts: Music: Styles: R: Regional_and_Ethnic: African: Bands_and_Artists
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Sites that are not in English should be submitted to the appropriate category under World. Sites of bands and artists playing Middle Eastern styles should be submitted to Arts: Music: Styles: World: Middle Eastern: Bands and Artists. Sites of bands and artists can also be submitted to Regional based on their location. |
Bands and artists that primarily play sub-Saharan African styles of music.
Born in 1961 in Mali, Issa Bagayogo's music career was off to a frustrating start until he began mixing traditional instruments with electronic beats. He was dubbed "Techno Issa" in Mali and the style is called Afro-techno. He's released several CDs and now tours internationally.
Kanda, born in 1955, joined a rhumba group, Bella Bella, while still in school. In 1979 they left for Paris where a chance encounter led to a meeting with Peter Gabriel in London. Iinternational recognition of his soukous style, a blend of rhumba and Zairean rhythms, soon followed.
The group was formed in the 1960s by Joseph Shabalala when he recruited members of his family to sing isicathamiya, Zulu male choral music sung by mine workers in South Africa. Their first recording contract in 1970 has been followed by dozens of recordings. Paul Simon's "Graceland" album featuring the group brought them worldwide attention. They have since been nominated for numerous awards for both their music and the documentary film "On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom" which tells their story.
Coco Mbassi, a native of Cameroon living in France, was a member of The Cherubs, a gospel choir, from 1990 to 1996 and also performed backing vocals for many well-known musicians. In 1996, she won the Radio France Internationale Decouvertes' (discovery) Prize in the African music category and released her first CD, Sepia, in 2001.
Born in 1959 in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, N'Dour began singing at an early age. In 1979, he formed a band which would become The Super Etoile. The group created a modern African pop style which has influenced artists such as Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel, who introduced N'Dour to American and British audiences in 1986.
Daniel Amponsah, aka Koo Nimo, plays traditional music, singing in the Twi language while playing the acoustic guitar in the palm-wine highlife style.
His ensemble Agofomma has perfromed in the United States and United Kingdom, he has toured Australia with the ensemble Adzohu, and has been the artist in residence at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Papa Wemba was orn in 1953 in the Congo as Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba. He helped found the rumba rock band Zaiko Langa Langa, Zaire's most popular youth group. He then formed his own band, Isife Lokole, and in 1976 began Viva La Musica, which went to Paris in the 1980s and added high fashion to the mix. He formed a second version of this group that plays more Westernized music.
Born in 1938 in Tanzania, Hukwe Zawose taught himself to sing and to play the ilimba (thumb piano). He now composes and also plays izezs (traditional violins), filimbi (traditional flute), and nguga (ankle bells). He performs the traditional music of the Wagogo, his people, as well as political celebration songs and his own compositions. Within his country, his powerful voice raised him to legendary status. In 1996, his first CD available in the United States was released. He has also performed in Europe, Australia, and Asia.
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