I remember getting the email that the long-awaited CD from the Afro-Diasporic Groovalicious Funkadocious group, Soulfege was out. Being a huge fan of Soulfege and knowing the political bent of this group, I wasn’t surprised to learn that the name of their new CD is , “Take Back the Mic” - a [...]

Although many know the enigmatic Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the late Nigerian Afrobeat maestro, as a talented musician who used his music to speak to issues in the Nigerian social and political realms, but he didn’t start his career as an activist. In fact, Fela started his career singing songs like this:

This rare footage of Fela [...]

South Africa: Jessica Mbangeni is one of South Africa’s highly sort after female Imbongi (praise poet) – and is currently making waves with a slate of high-profile live performances that have cemented her global reputation as one of the country’s most gifted creative talents.
That she stands alone in a cultural terrain dominated by men is [...]

My introduction to Salif Keita was via the song, “Nou Pas Bouger” on an African Music show that ran on NTA 2 Channel 5 on Sundays’ in Nigeria. I remember running to the television set and staring in awe at the wonderful sounds emanating from this man. Our introduction didn’t end there, as [...]

James Stephen Mzilikazi Khumalo is a South African composer, arranger and choral director, and a Professor Emeritus of African Languages. He was born on June 20, 1932 on a Salvation Army farm called KwaNgwelu, in Natal. SAMRO, the Southern African Music Rights Organization, maintains a comprehensive biography which is the primary source for this post: [...]

Mbilia Bel, the first female transcontinental diva started performing at the age of 17 when she was singing back up for Abeti Masikini and later with Sam Mangwana. Her popularity stems from her lilting soprano voice and exceptional dancing skills - a mixture seen in very few African female performers.
Mbilia joined [...]

The death of a true Africanist: Okosuns created a niche for himself in the 70s through anti-apartheid and pro-freedom songs.