Some of the best musicians in the world may be found in Africa. The continent is not falling behind when it comes to receiving widespread acclaim, winning prestigious awards, or even going on world tours.
You might be surprised to learn that some singers on this list of “Countries that produce the best music in Africa” aren’t from the nations you once assumed they were from. This is due to the fact that music created in any African nation is merely referred to as “African music” in many regions of the world. Sometimes, rather than referring to individual African nations by their own names, the continent of Africa is used instead.
In order to properly educate you on the subject, this article will group some of your favorite African musicians into their respective nations.
Top 10 African Countries With the Best Music
It is crucial to note that this ranking of the top musical nations in Africa is based on both the best musicians that each nation has produced over time and how well-known their music is on the global stage. In a descending order, here are the top ten African countries with the best music.
10. Uganda
Although there isn’t much to say about Ugandan artists’ presence on the international stage, the nation does have excellent musicians and artists. More dance hall music is produced in Uganda than any other nation in Africa. One musician who helped combine dance hall music with the Kidandali subgenre of afrobeat is Bebe Cool.
African countries like Uganda have benefited from the promotion of dancehall music by artists like Roja, Eddy Kenzo, and Slick Stuart. It is common for Ugandan musicians to include African musicians from Nigeria and other nations in their songs. When compared to their rivals, the nation still ranks among the top 10 African nations that produce the best music, regardless of how many international features or prizes they have received.
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.
However, in recent years, Cameroon has seen the rise of new, young performers that bring in modern rhythms and younger tendencies.
8. Angola
Another nation that makes the best music in Africa is Angola. The 1940s saw the introduction of urban music to the Central African nation while it was governed by the Portuguese, thanks to the group Ngola Ritmos. With its local melodies and national rhythms, Angolan music significantly contributed to the country’s struggle for independence.
If Windeck sounds familiar, then you have heard music from Angola. Another internationally renowned Angolan hit is “Prakata Tumba.”
7. Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire, usually known as Ivory Coast, is one of the African nations that makes excellent music and has produced outstanding singers. Ivorian musicians are renowned for incorporating fusions of music from throughout the globe. One of the most well-known musicians the nation has so far produced is Alpha Blondy.
It is well recognized that Côte d’Ivoire’s artists are extremely gifted and diversified. The nation is also to blame for increasing Afrobeat and Afropop’s notoriety. The well-known Ivorian artists Josey, Kaaris, and Ariel Sheney are just a few.
6. Tanzania
A number of the biggest performers in the world today are also from Tanzania. But Diamond Platnumz is the most well-known artist from the nation. You may figuratively refer to Platnumz as the face of Tanzanian music. The musician claims of working with musicians from several countries, including African singers Davido, Fally Ipupa, and Tiwa Savage as well as American artists Omarion, Ne-Yo, and Rick Ross.
Afrobeat and bongo Flava are frequently combined in Tanzanian music. For people who prefer faster beats than the norm, Singeli is a new music style that is popular in the nation. Other well-known African musicians in Tanzania include Lady Jaydee, Harmoniz, and Ravanny.
5. DR Congo
According to our ranking of the countries that produce the best music in Africa,” the Democratic Republic of the Congo comes in at number five. It’s likely that you have encountered a Congolese woman if you have ever seen African ladies dancing to music and “whining your waist.”
Congolese artists are renowned for their most well-liked musical genres, Lingalala and Rhumba, in addition to their fantastic dance moves and styles. Veteran African musicians like the late Papa Wemba, Kofi Olomide, and a few other Rhumba performers are known to have come from the nation. The four artists the nation has so far produced are Faly Ipupa, Werrason, Lokua Kanza, and Grace Lokwa.
4. Kenya
Do you recognize the name “Khaligraph Jones”? If so, you may have unknowingly listened to Kenyan rap music. One of Kenya’s greatest artists that the world has ever seen is Papa Jones, as he is affectionately known.
Adding Kenyan music to your playlist will complete it. Through the success of songs like “Sura Yako,” “Rafiki,” and “Unajua,” the East African country helped to popularize the continent on a global scale. Among other well-known Kenyan artists, list includes Victoria Kimani, Sauti Sol, Bahati, Lady Wanja, and P-unit.
Gengestone, kapooka bongo, and afrobeat are the most prominent musical genres in East Africa.
3. Ghana
Ghana most certainly isn’t left out of the African nations with the strongest musical output. Ghana produced well-known performers like Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, and Fuse ODG. The nation is also well known for having some of Africa’s most well-known dance moves, like as the Azonto dance. Kidi’s “Touch it,” Sarkodie’s “No fugazi,” Fuse ODG’s “Azonto,” and Kwami Eugene’s “Dollar on You” are a few Ghanaian songs that have gone viral.
The nation is deserving of praise for being a pioneer in the development of Afrobeat, Highlife, Rap, and African Rhythm and Style music.
2. South Africa
Some of Africa’s best musicians, such as Hugh Masekela, Rebecca Malope, Nasty-C, Brenda Fassie, and Lucky Dube, are from South Africa. You can instantly distinguish South African music because of its distinctive sound. Kwaito and Amapiano, the two most popular music genres in the nation, are now leading the music scene in South Africa. The latest type of music to come out of S/A is amapiano (it originated in 2012).
Additionally, South African music isn’t falling behind in the global music industry. The nation has so far produced some of the best music and musicians, resulting in transcontinental partnerships, international recognition, and Billboard placement.
1. Nigeria
Without a doubt, and for the right reasons, Nigeria is Africa’s music hub. This is a result of both the amount of local musicians who have achieved recognition on the international music scene and the level of national economic success. Never before than now, the world is more aware of Nigerian artists (Talk about the country with the kings and queens of Afrobeat).
A few years ago, artists like 2face and D’Banj were credited with helping to spearhead Nigeria’s entry into the global music scene by winning both worldwide features and major awards. International music collaborations, however, are the norm for Nigerian musicians these days. These musicians consistently elevate Nigerian music to the pinnacle of African music in the larger global music scene, whether they include other musicians or are featured by others.
Among the Nigerian musicians whose songs have appeared on Billboard’s Hot 100 include Tiwa Savage, Tems, Wizkid, Burna Boy, CKay, Olamide, and Fireboy DML. While other artists, including Tiwa Savage, Tems, Davido, and 2baba among others, have won various international honors, such as the Bet Awards, Grammy winners include Burna Boy and Wizkid. Afrobeat has been exported from Africa to all corners of the globe by Nigerian musicians.