My friends and family consider me an aficionado of African music, ha ha ha, yes they do. The go to person for the latest African jams. Here is to sharing my playlist of some of the great young African female musicians. These are all African daughters who are making waves in their countries, the diaspora and Africa as a whole through their music. I must confess that this list is a little self-indulgent as these are some of my favourite songs 🙂
chidinma – Kedike – Nigeria
This song must be one of the best love songs I’ve ever come across, this is definitely playing at my wedding reception *wink* *wink*. It took me a while to figure out most parts of the song but thanks to google, I now know what “Kedike (heart beat)” means. Quick lesson: “you dey make my heart go Kedike” – translation “you make my heart beat”.
Nandi Mngoma – Goodtimes – South Africa
Beautiful, super talented and uber stylish!!!
Mampi – walilowelela – Zambia
I’ve seen this woman perform and I can attest to the fact that she moves like she has no bones in her body. I call her the Shakira of Africa. Her latest single Nikutantule has that signature Mampi beat. This woman is the reason why I fell in love with Zambian music
Thandiswa Mazwai – Lahlumlenze – South Africa
Thandiswa has a way of elegantly fusing various musical genres thereby showcasing her renowned artistic and musical capabilities, a talent which transcends borders and music genres.
Shishani – Minority- Namibia
A good friend of mine introduced me to this award winning Namibian songstress’s music, whom she came across while she was doing some work in Namibia. This woman is simply amazing and has a way of addressing social ills that kind of reminds me of the great Tracy Chapman.
Eazzy -Wengeze- Ghana
She is an astonishingly talented woman. Very sweet, down to earth and hard working. She takes her craft seriously and is always on top of her game.
Lira – Rise Again – South Africa
She is a Multi-Platinum Award Winning South African Superstar, a strong believer and supporter in the fight against poverty in Africa and is one of the most beautiful African singers of our generation.
Nneka – Shining Star – Nigeria
Nneka just radiates light, you can’t help but fall in love with her and her music.
Toya delazy- heart – South Africa
A little bit of Toya is all I need to get my weekend started!!!
Meklit Hadero – Leaving Soon – Ethopia
Meklit is the founder of Arba Minch Collective, a group of diasporan artists who perform in Ethiopia in collaboration with local artists. Meklit became a TED Global Fellow in 2009 and a TED Senior Fellow in 2012
Sara Taveres – Bom Feeling – Cape Verde
This song makes me think of mangoes, peaches & figs. The kind of song that makes you want to wake up at dawn, wait for the sun to rise while dancing with words. “Bom Feeling” means “Good feeling”
Sage – So Alive – Kenya
The future of Kenyan music, watch this space!
Ntjam Rosie – Love is Calling – Cameroon
Netherlands-based Cameroonian songwriter and vocalist is soulfully jazzy, her voice supple and classy
fatoumata diawara – Bissa – Mali
Fatoumata combines elements of jazz and funk with the rocking rhythms and plaintive melodies of her ancestral Wassoulou tradition. Her gorgeously melodic songs address the tough choices facing young Africans, especially women.
Tiwa Savage – Kele Kele Love – Nigeria
This song is on that Beyonce girl power kind of swag. It talks about that dordgy kind of love, the “Kele kele kind of love”, this phrase always makes me laugh.
Efya – Getaway – Ghana
Afro-pop with a sultry dose of neo-soul
My dream is to see more collaborations between African musicians, we need more musicians uniting and using music to promote social change within the continent and globally.We need to tell our own stories thereby creating awareness and educating the world. Music is universal and knows no borders!
OLiVEreign 