African Music (Reference)

The reference list includes records that have been obtained and/or rated (in blue) as well as many other records that have been recommended from various sources.


Abana Ba Nasery

Dele Abiodun

Abyssinia Infinite

Jewel Ackah (1945–2018)

Mustapha Tettey Addy (1943– )

King Sunny Ade (1946– )

Gboyega Adelaja

Segun Adewale (1955– )

Africa Express

Africa Negra

Africando [1994– ]

Teno Afrika

Afrocubism [2010– ]

Eric Agyeman

Vincent Ahehehinnou

Mahmoud Ahmed

Akanni Animashaun

Pierre Akendengue (1944– )

Al Bilali Soudan

Yemi Alade (1989– )

Tony Allen (1940–2020)

Alostmen

Otim Alpha

Amabutho

Amadou and Mariam [1989– ]

Amanar

Les Amazones d'Afrique

Les Amazones de Guinée

Les Ambassadeurs

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley (1947– )

Nana Ampadu and the African Brothers

Alhousseini Anivolla

The Ano Nobo Quartet

Antibalas

Khaira Arby (1959–2018)

Asake (1995– )

Assiko Golden Band de Grand Yuff

Mulatu Astatke (1943– )

Ata Kak

Aunty Rayzor

Authentically Plastic

Avalanche Kaito

Aster Aweke

Adewale Ayuba

Kofi Ayivor (1939– )

Linda Ayupuka

Jeich Ould Badou

Issa Bagayogo

Julian Bahula

Daby Balde (1969– )

Balimaya Project

Balka Sound

Baloji (1978– )

Amadu Bamba

Kwi Bamba

Sorry Bamba (1938– )

Robson Banda

Les Bantous de la Capitale

Mamane Barka (1959– )

Barrister (1948– )

Waldemar Bastos (1954– )

Batida

Ecko Bazz

BCUC [2012– ]

Francis Bebey (1929–2001)

Roger Bekono (1954–2016)

M'Bilia Bel (1959– )

Bella-Bella

Bembeya Jazz National

Gaby Lita Bembo

Benyoro

Chris Berry

Girma Bèyènè

Bhundu Boys

Moni Bilé (1957– )

Tony Bird (1945– )

Bitori

Black Star Musical Club

Black Umfolosi

Alpha Blondy (1953– )

Afel Bocoum (1955– )

Bola

Bole 2 Harlem

Bombino (1980– )

Bonga (1942– )

Bounaly

Henri Bowane

The Boyoyo Boys

Aziza Brahim (1976– )

Weedie Braimah

The Brother Moves On

Buraka Som Sistema [2008– ]

Burkina Electric

Burna Boy (1991– )

Buruklyn Boyz

Reuben Caluza

Sam Chege (1963– )

John Chibadura (1957–99)

Stella Chiweshe (1948– )

Choc Stars

Chopteeth Afrofunk Big Band [2008– ]

Victor Chukwu

Anansy Cissé

Diabel Cissokho

Diali Cissokho

Ablaye Cissoko

Johnny Clegg (1953– )

Basil Coetzee (1919– )

Julie Coker

Colomach

Le Commandant de Bord

Djeli Moussa Condé (1963– )

Congotronics International

Bako Dagnon

I.K. Dairo (1930–96)

Ya Ntesa Dalienst and Le Maquisard

Dama and D'Gary

Damily (1968– )

Dark City Sisters / Flying Jazz Queens

George Darko

Davido (1992– )

Maria De Barros

Debo Band

Le Général Defao

Kabza De Small (1992– )

D'Gary

Lapiro De Mbanga

Adama Diabaté

Boubacar "Badian" Diabaté

Djanka Diabate

Sekouba Bambino Diabaté

Sona Diabaté

Toumani Diabaté (1965– )

Zani Diabaté (1949–2011)

Ramata Diakité

Amadou Diagne

Alpha Yaya Diallo

Kady Diarra

Pascal Diatta

Fatoumata Diawara (1982– )

Dieuf-Dieul de Thiès

Élage Diouf

DJ Finale

DJ Lag (1995– )

DJ Maphorisa (1987– )

DJ Travella

Djeli Moussa Diawara (1961– )

Diblo Dibala (1954– )

Manu Dibango (1934– )

Fallou Dieng

Henri Dikongué (1968– )

Aby Ngana Diop

Vieux Diop

Wasis Diop

Oumou Dioubate

DJ Black Low

DJ Katapila ( –2023)

DJ Sandji

Ernesto Djédjé (1947–83)

Tahirou Djembé

Dogo du Togo

Group Doueh [2007– ]

Nahawa Doumbia (1959– )

Drummers of Burundi

Lucky Dube

Duma

Dur-Dur Band

Bokani Dyer (1986– )

Mr Eazi (1991– )

Edoheart

Ekiti Sound

El Rego (1936– )

Coco Em

Entoto Band

Alèmayèhu Eshèté (1941– )

Etoile De Dakar [1978–1982]

Etoile 2000

Etran De L'Aïr

Etran Finatawa

Césaria Évora (1940–2011)

Extra Golden

Extra Soul Perception

Eyuphuro

Sister Fa (1982– )

Mose Fan Fan (1945–2019)

Alou Fané's Foté Mocoba

Fanga

Fantasma

Fantcha

Farafina

Majek Fashek (1963–2020)

Brenda Fassie (1964–2004)

Fireboy DML (1996– )

Paulo Flores

Focalistic (1996– )

Fokn Bois

The Four Brothers

Fra Fra

Franco (1938–89)

Fulu Miziki

The Funkees

Gambari Band

Abba Gargando

Gato Preto [2011– ]

Awalom Gebremariam

Asnake Gebreyes (1963– )

Ghorwane

Gigi (1974– )

The Good Ones

Dobet Gnahoré

Gonora Sounds

The Green Arrows [1974–1979]

Groupe RTD

Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou (1923–2023)

Guelewar

Guiss Guiss Bou Bess

Kiki Gyan (1957–2004)

Smokey Haangala (1950–88)

Hallelujah Chicken Run Band

Hama

Harari [1975–1986]

Las Hijas del Sol

Inyang Henshaw

The Heshoo Beshoo Group [1970– ]

The Highlife Allstars

Ibibio Sound Machine

Iftin Band

Ikebe Shakedown

Solomon Ilori

Imarhan

Imarhan Timbuktu [2014– ]

Haruna Ishola

Jagwa Music

Emmanuel Jal (1980– )

Jaojoby (1955– )

Dawda Jobarteh (1976– )

Dexter Johnson

Orlando Julius (1943– )

Issa Juma

Jupiter and Okwess

Kabaka International Guitar Band [1977–1989]

Kabeaushé

Ahmed Ag Kaedy

Dominic Kakolobango

SK Kakraba

Kala Jula

Hamad Kalkaba

Le Grand Kallé (1930–83)

Pépé Kallé (1951– )

Kanda Bongo Man (1955– )

Nuru Kane

Kanif the Jhatmaster

Kantata

Mory Kanté (1950–2020)

Vieux Kanté (1974–2005)

Lokua Kanza (1958– )

Karantamba

Kasai Allstars

Ndala Kasheba

Kassmasse

Cécile Kayirebwa

Aly Keïta

Salif Keita (1949– )

Mamani Keita

Kékélé

Kel Assouf

Keleketla

Wouter Kellerman (1961– )

Kenge Kenge

Angélique Kidjo (1960– )

Kakai Kilonzo (1954–87)

Kinobe (1983– )

KMRU

K.O.G.

Amy Koita (1952– )

Habib Koité (1958– )

Sourakata Koité (1955– )

Kokoko!

Joe King Kologbo

Alex Konadu

Antoinette Konan

Oumar Konaté

Kondi Band [2016– ]

Aïcha Koné

Rokia Koné

KonKoma

Konono No. 1

Alhaji Bai Konte (1920–83)

Dembo Konte

Lamine Konte

Kotoja

Bassekou Kouyate (1966– )

Kandia Kouyate (1958– )

Ousmane Kouyate (1952– )

Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938–97)

Femi Kuti (1962– )

Seun Anikulapo Kuti (1983– )

Pierre Kwenders (1985– )

Ladysmith Black Mambazo [1984– ]

Carlos Lamartine

Rex Lawson

Ray Lema (1946– )

Ricardo Lemvo (1957– )

Les Filles De Illighadad [2016– ]

Les Wanyika

The Lijadu Sisters

Pedro Lima (1944–2019)

Cheikh Lô (1955– )

Ismaël Lo (1960– )

Ya Mbongo Lokassa

Loketo

L'Orchestre National Mauritanien

Los Camaroes

Pablo Lubadika

Luka Productions

Lulendo

Lura

Mamadou Ly

Baaba Maal (1953– )

Aurlus Mabele

Mabulu

Sipho Mabuse

Madalitso Band

Ahmoudou Madassane

Sho Madjozi

Kasse Mady (1955–2018)

Vusi Mahlasela (1965– )

Mahlathini (1937–99)

Mahotella Queens

Miriam Makeba (1934– )

Maloko

Malombo

Rebecca Malope

Malouma

The Mandators [1988– ]

Kanté Manfila (1947– )

Sam Mangwana (1945– )

The Manhattan Brothers

Samba Mapangala (1955– )

Thomas Mapfumo (1945– )

Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane (1984– )

Spokes Mashiyane

Masma Dream World

Dorothy Masuka

Spoek Mathambo (1985– )

Siama Matuzungidi

Maulidi and Musical Party

Irene Mawela

Charlotte Mbango

Prince Nico Mbarga (1950– )

Chérif Mbaw (1968– )

Syran M'Benza (1950– )

Mbongwana Star

Mzwakhe Mbuli

MC Yallah

Meiway

DA Mekonnen

Getatchew Mekurya (1935–2016)

E.T. Mensah (1919– )

Joe Mensah

Hailu Mergia (1946– )

Busi Mhlongo

Mila na Utamaduni

Daniel Owino Misiani (1940–2006)

Mindanoo Mistiru

Mlimani Park Orchestra

Mdou Moctar (1986– )

Mohammed "Jimmy" Mohammed

Mokoomba

Monks of Keur Moussa Abbey

Monoswezi [2013– ]

Montparnasse Musique

Moonchild Sanelly (1987– )

Moreno and L'Orch First Moja-One (1955–93)

Harry Mosco

Pamelo Mounk'a (1945–96)

Azuka Moweta

Gwigwi Mrwebi

The Mthembu Queens

Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (1952– )

Tshala Muana (1959– )

Ephat Mujuru (1950–2001)

Vee Mukarati

Maryam Mursal (1950– )

Muwei Power

Jean Bosco Mwenda

Janka Nabay (1964–2018)

Nakhane

Nakibembe Embaire Group

Native Soul

Native Sound System

Youssou N'Dour (1959– )

Ndox Electrique

Shiyani Ngcobo (1953– )

Yaa-Lengi Ngemi

Samba Ngo

Obed Ngobeni

Wally Ngonda

Zim Ngqawana (1959–2011)

Dr. Nico (1939–85)

Nihiloxica

Koo Nimo (1934– )

Khadja Nin

Njava

Nkem Njoku

West Nkosi (1919– )

Papa Noel

Noori and His Dorpa Band

Nozinja

Nyboma

Sally Nyolo

Papé Nziengui (1958– )

Ebenezer Obey (1942– )

Obongjayar

Ayub Ogada

Alogte Oho

Sonny Okosun (1947– )

Babatunde Olatunji (1927–2003)

Koffi Olomide

John Ondolo

Oneness of Juju

Remmy Ongala (1947– )

Onipa

William Onyeabor

King Onyina

Orchestra Baobab

Orchestra Makassy [1982– ]

Orchestra Marrabenta Star of Mocambique

Orchestra Super Mazembe

Orchestre Abass

Orchestre Les Mangelepa

Orchestre Massako

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou [1973– ]

Orchestre Super Borgou de Parakou

Orchèstre Vévé

Orchestre Volta-Jazz

Oriental Brothers International

Geoffrey Oryema (1953–2018)

Okwy Osadebe

Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe (1936–2007)

Alhaji Waziri Oshomah (1948– )

Osibisa [1971– ]

Abdallah Ag Oumbadougou

Owiny Sigoma Band

Orlando Owoh

Abiodun Oyewole

Omar Pene

Penny Penny

Penya

Sir Shina Peters (1958– )

Phelimuncasi (2013– )

Pongo

Awa Poulo

Prince Kaybee

Professor Rhythm

Qwanqwa

Barney Rachabane (1946–2021)

Rail Band [1970–1983]

Rakotozafy

Rema (2000– )

Tabu Ley Rochereau (1940–2013)

S.E. Rogie (1926–94)

Rossy

R2Bees

Sibiri Samaké

Sampa the Great (1993– )

Mamman Sani

Hama Sankare

Julia Sarr

Samite

Oumou Sangaré (1968– )

Tiwa Savage (1980– )

Mansour Seck (1955– )

Thione Seck

Sedhiou Band

Lingo Seini

Monique Séka

Séketxe

Seprewa Kasa

Chico Serra

Shirati Jazz

Shorty Skilz

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Simba Wanyika

Jonah Sithole

Gino Sitson

SMOD [2011– ]

Somadina

Songhoy Blues [2015– ]

Dele Sosimi (1963– )

Sotho Sounds

Soul Brothers [1988– ]

Foday Musa Soso

Carmen Souza (1981– )

Soweto Gospel Choir

Idrissa Soumaoro (1949– )

SPAZA

Staff Benda Bilili [2009– ]

Star Band De Dakar

Star Feminine Band [2020– ]

Star Lovers

Sunburst

Super Eagles

Super Mama Djombo

Susso

Sweet Talks

Philip Tabane (1934–2018)

The Tabansi Studio Band

Tal National

Talking Drums

Tallawit Timbouctou

Tamikrest [2010– ]

Tarika [1995– ]

Tarika Sammy [1992– ]

Ebo Taylor (1936– )

Felo Le Tee

Nkono Teles ( –2011)

Terakaft [2007– ]

Les Têtes Brulées [1986– ]

Ablaye Ndiaye Thiossane (1936– )

Pat Thomas (1951– )

Sam Fan Thomas

Dlala Thukzin

Tidiane et Les Dieuf Dieul

Duval Timothy (1989– )

Tinariwen [2000– ]

Ali Farka Touré (1939–2006)

Amara Touré

Daby Touré

Samba Touré

Vieux Farka Touré (1981– )

Djelimady Tounkara

Sidi Touré (1959– )

Touré Kunda [1981– ]

T.P. OK Jazz

Boubacar Traoré (1942– )

Lobi Traoré (1961–2010)

Rokia Traoré (1974– )

Trio Da Kali

Shem Tube (1938– )

Etuk Ubong (1992– )

Ukandanz

Celestine Ukwu (1940–77)

Umoja (1982–91)

Uncle Waffles (2000– )

Sir Victor Uwaifo (1941– )

Christine Vaindirlis

Vakoka

The Very Best

Paulino Vieira

Vijana Jazz Band

Vis-a-Vis

Voz Di Sanicolau

Alune Wade (1978– )

Mirel Wagner (1987– )

Guy Warren

Wau Wau Collectif

Papa Wemba (1949–2016)

Wenge Musica

Asnaqètch Wèrqu (1933–2011)

Western Jazz Band

Max Wild

Shina Williams

Witchcraft Books

Wizkid (1990– )

Babes Wodumo

Kofi Papa Yankson (1944–2017)

Zaïko Langa Langa

Zansa

Hukwe Zawose

Msafiri Zawose (1982– )

Zein Musical Party

Zomba Prison Project

Zshéa

Ndabo Zulu

Various Artists


Introduction