Music

Nigeria: Popular Musician Shot Dead At Enugu Police Station

[Leadership] A popular Enugu-based traditional Ogene musician, Okezie Chikezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah, was shot dead at the premises of the Tactical Squad of Enugu State Police Command late Friday when he reportedly went there for a 'friendly' visit.

Nigeria: Seun Kuti Gets Heavier Yet

[Afropop] Seun Kuti, youngest son of the Afrobeat legend and founder, is just out with his seventh studio album, Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head). It's a strong set of tracks, featuring an updated lineup of the Egypt 80 band, and the requisite deep grooves and trenchant political messages. The album includes Seun's collaboration with Damien Marley, "Dey," and a percussion-driven collaboration with Zambian rapper Sampa the Great. It's fair to say that the album extends the Afrobeat stylistic range, while

Ethiopia: The Atse Tewodros Project Aims At Reconciliation Between Ethiopians and Italians

[Afropop] Gabriella Ghermandi is a singer, performer and writer born in Addis Ababa in 1965 to an Italian father and an Italian-Eritrean mother raised in Ethiopia. Ghermandi moved to Italy in 1979, during the harsh repression of the military Derg regime in Ethiopia. Her work has always revolved around the complex relationship between her two countries. In 2010, she created a musical ensemble, the Atse Tewodros Project, a collective of Italian and Ethiopian musicians dedicated to fostering mutual dialogue and

Africa: Ibrahim Maalouf Embraces the World

[Afropop] Ibrahim Maalouf is shape-shifting Renaissance man. A master of the quarter-tone trumpet, a modified version of the instrument capable of playing Arabic scales (maqamat), Maalouf has performed and recorded classical music, jazz, experimental works, a collaboration with Angelique Kidjo, and other forays into pop music. This year, Maalouf has two new albums, Paris in Love, documenting an epic, sold-out concert held at the iconic Accor Arena in Paris, and also Trumpets of Michel Ange, an album honoring the

Nigeria: Kay Wonder – Gospel Songs Preach Hope, Love, and Unity

[Vanguard] Renowned Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, and composer Kayode Solomon Eludiwura, popularly known as Kay Wonder, has emphasized the need for more music in Nigeria that promotes love, unity, and peaceful coexistence, especially in light of the nation's rising economic challenges.

Namibia: Lioness Set to Drop New Album

[Namibian] If you're a local rap connoisseur with a taste for feisty flows, catchy hooks and stylish visuals, there's a phrase bound to stop your scrolling: "Lioness is coming."