Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, South Africa, Nigeria and Tanzania are the countries where music transports us today. This is a selection of some of the latest songs released in Africa that are full of good vibes, positive messages, and the desire to overcome difficulties and live. Musicians who are just beginning their career rub shoulders with veterans who contribute their experience and knowledge of the world. Many fusions, different languages, different rhythms, but a common goal: to praise Africa.
Burkina Faso is not experiencing one of its best moments. Terrorism, political instability, the continuous rise in prices and the disenchantment of its youth seem to have plunged the country into depression. However, Mpap La Légende has composed Zamana, a song that tries to encourage all the young people who fight to survive every day and, in addition, have to listen to the criticism of the elders who call them lazy. A call to not give up in the effort to realize one’s dreams, to be resilient.
Malian pop cannot be denied the beauty of its rhymes and the originality of its music. A fusion of tradition with new sounds. A good example is Fakoly Lezy, who for years has been elevating his country’s music to new dimensions, while experimenting with different rhythms. This is demonstrated in the remix that just launched Nankamaan innovation on a topic of its own that already became famous two years ago.
Nigerian Oxlade likes to mix contemporary styles that can highlight his soft voice. Also languages: English and pidgin. And, in his latest success, Ifanationalities. Not in vain, in it he has teamed up with the Congolese Fallay Ipupa, one of the artists who are renewing Congolese rumba.
And since we are dealing with collaborations between two countries, we give the turn to two artists from neighboring states. The Beninese Angelique Kidjo and the Nigerian Davido come together to perform Joy. A combination of rhythms afrobeat and melodies soul that make the best of each of them stand out in this song. A feel-good anthem not only but also a celebration of life.
Along the same path of good vibes, the South African Makhadzi has presented We are one. A song of love and unity that wants to remind us that we are all connected, despite our cultural differences and beliefs. It asks that we all treat each other with respect and, in the case of South Africa, that tribalism be overcome. It has the collaboration of Dr Skaro.
More demands. To do this we returned to Burkina Faso with Amzy. In Nous c’est pas vousthe rapper sings about African identity and the diversity of the continent in the face of globalized standards. He says he is proud of his roots, respect for nature and calls for harmony between peoples.
Now it is the turn of Skales, a Nigerian musician and composer who, although born in the south of the country, in Edo State, grew up in the north, in Kaduna. There he began his musical career. In his last song, Gameshows the life of that area of the country and pays tribute to its culture.
This musical selection concludes with one of the most international African artists, the Congolese Koffi Olomide. In his new single, Déblockéfeatures the collaboration of Cindy Le Coeur and is taken from her latest album, Platinum Vol 2. The video was shot in Dar-es-Salam (Tanzania), further proof of the versatility of this artist. Good Congolese rumba to close this selection.
