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Countries That Produce The Best Music in Africa
Africa is home to some of the finest musicians. From Nigeria to S/A, here are the top 10 countries that produce the best music in Africa.
Africa is blessed with some of the world’s finest musicians. From global recognitions to bagging top awards and even world tours, the continent is not lagging behind.
On this list of “Countries that produce the best music in Africa”, you may be shocked to see that some artists don’t come from the countries you once thought they came from. This is because, in many parts of the world, music produced in any African country is merely referred to as “African music”. African countries are sometimes not called by their country names; they are generalized by the name of the continent.
This article will, therefore, categorize some of your favorite African artists into their respective countries to further enlighten you on the topic.
Before we delve into the African countries that produce the best music, it is important to know that this list is based on music recognition on the international scene as well as the best musicians each country has produced over the years.
Here are the top 10 countries that produce the best music in Africa.
10. Uganda
There really isn’t much to say about Ugandan artists being on the international scene, however, the country does have great artists and music. Uganda generates more dance hall music than any other African country. Bebe Cool is one artist that contributed to blending dance hall music with an afrobeat sub-genre called Kidandali.
Dancehall musicians like Roja, Eddy Kenzo, and Slick Stuart have promoted the genre in Uganda and other parts of Africa. Ugandan artists are known to feature other African artists from Nigeria and other countries in their songs. Whether or not they have many intercontinental features or awards, the country still makes the top 10 list of countries that produce the best music in Africa, when compared to their counterparts.
9. Cameroon
Makossa lovers just have to be lovers of Cameroonian music. The music genre is most common in Cameroon among other African countries. Mr. Leo, and Mimie are top performers in the country. They are known to produce hit songs from time to time, thereby putting the country on the global scene.
Zangalewa still remains Cameroon’s best hit to date, even though it hit the airwaves in 2014. Some well-known artists in Cameroon include Manu Dibango, Richard Bona, Francis Bebey, and Sam Fan Thomas.
In recent times, however, Cameroon has experienced the emergence of new young artists bringing in contemporary rhythms and youthful trends.
8. Angola
Angola is yet another country that produces the best music in Africa. The Central African country’s music dates back to as far as the 1940s when the group Ngola Ritmos exposed the country to urban music under its Portuguese administration. Angolan music played a key role in the country’s fight for independence with its native songs and national rhythms.
If Windeck rings a bell, then you have come across Angolan music. “Prakata Tumba” is another Angolan hit recognized worldwide. Riu Orlando and Apology are the most popular artists in Angola at the moment.
7. Côte d’Ivoire
Sometimes called Ivory Coast, Côte d’Ivoire is one African country that also produces good music and has produced great artists too. Ivorian artists are known for featuring blends of music from all over the world. Alpha Blondy is one of the most popular artists the country has produced so far.
Artists from Côte d’Ivoire are known to be very talented and diverse. The country is also responsible for expanding the prominence of Afrobeat/Afropop. Some renowned Ivorian performers include Josey, Kaaris, and Ariel Sheney.
6. Tanzania
Tanzania has equally produced some of the biggest artists in the world today. The most popular musician from the country, however, is Diamond Platnumz. Platnumz can literally be called the face of Tanzanian music. The artist boasts of international collaborations with artists like Omarion, Ne-Yo, and Rick Ross, as well as African artists like Davido, Fally Ipupa, and Tiwa Savage.
Tanzanian music features a blend of bongo Flava and afrobeat. Singeli is also a new music genre common in the country for those who love faster beats, compared to the norm. Some other notable African musicians in Tanzania are Ravanny, Harmoniz, and Lady Jaydee.
5. DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo sits pretty as the 5th on our list of “Countries that produce the best music in Africa”. If you’ve come across African women dancing to a song and doing a dance referred to as “whining your waist“, chances are, you have come across a Congolese woman.
Asides their awesome dance steps/styles, Congolese musicians are known for their most popular music genres, Rhumba and Lingalala. The country is known to have produced veteran African musicians like the late Papa Wemba, Kofi Olomide, and some other Rhumba musicians. Faly Ipupa, Werrason, Lokua Kanza, and Grace Lokwa are four artists the country has produced so far.
4. Kenya
Does the name “Khaligraph Jones” ring a bell? If so, you have come across Kenyan rap music without even knowing it. Papa Jones as he is fondly called is one of Kenya’s finest artists the world has experienced.
Kenyan music is a must-have when updating your African playlist. The East-African nation has contributed to putting the continent on the global scene through hit songs like “Sura Yako”, “Rafiki”, and “Unajua”. Some popular Kenyan talents include Victoria Kimani, Sauti Sol, Bahati, Lady Wanja, and P-unit among others.
The popular music styles in East Africa are gengestone, kapooka bongo, and afrobeat.
3. Ghana
Ghana is definitely not left out of the list of African countries that produce the best music. Big names like Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, and Fuse ODG are artists that Ghana has produced. The country is equally recognized for being one of the African countries with the most viral dance steps like the Azonto dance. Some viral songs produced from Ghana include Kidi’s “Touch it” Sarkodie’s “No fugazi”, Fuse ODG‘s “Azonto”, and Kwami Eugene’s “Dollar on You”.
The country deserves its accolades for being a pioneer in the advancement of African Rhythm and Style, Highlife, Rap, and Afrobeat music. Some international collaborations by Ghanaian artists are highlighted below.
- Sarkodie and Ace Hood (New Guy)
- Stonebwoy and Sean Paul (Most Original)
- Fuse ODG, Ed Sheeran, and Mugeez (Boa Me)
- Shatta Wale and Beyoncé (Already)
2. South Africa
South Africa (S/A) is home to some of Africa’s finest artists including Hugh Masekela, Rebecca Malope, Nasty-C, Brenda Fassie, and Lucky Dube. South African music has a distinct sound that makes you recognize it immediately you hear it. The most popular genres in the country, Kwaito and Amapiano are the two most popular genres of music taking the lead in South Africa right now. The music genres originated from S/A with Amapiano being the latest (it originated in 2012).
South African music is also not lagging behind on the international scene. From intercontinental collaborations to global awards and Billboard placement, the country has produced some of the best music and musicians so far.
Some viral songs that have originated from the country include Jerusalema, Woza, and Banyana (mixed).
1. Nigeria
Nigeria has been referred to as Africa’s music capital by some researchers. This is because of the number of artists recognized in the country on the global scene as well as the level of commercial success recorded in the country. Nigerian artists have never been more recognized globally than they are right now (Talk about the country with the kings and queens of Afrobeat).
A few years back, the likes of 2face and D’Banj were known to pioneer Nigeria’s launch into the world of international music with both international features and global award wins. However, in these times, international music collaborations are the order of the day for Nigerian artists. Whether they feature other artists or are being featured by others, these musicians constantly place Nigeria at the top of African Music in the world of global music.
Nigerian artists who have had their songs featured on Billboard’s Hot 100 include Tiwa Savage, Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, CKay, Olamide, and Fireboy DML among others. Artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid have also bagged Grammy awards while others like Tiwa Savage, Tems, Davido, and 2baba among others have bagged other international awards like the Bet Awards. Nigerian artists have taken afrobeat from Africa to the ends of the world.
Some international collaborations by Nigerian artists include:
- Tiwa Savage ft Brandy- Somebody’s Son
- Chris Brown ft Wizkid- Call Me Everyday
- Davido ft Nicki Minaj- Holy Ground
- Rema ft Chris Brown- Time and Affection
- Beyonce ft Yemi Alade- My Power
Top 10 Countries With The Best Music in Africa (Summary)
Here’s a compiled list of the top 10 African countries with the best music as highlighted in this article.
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Kenya
- DR Congo
- Tanzania
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Angola
- Cameroon
- Uganda