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Fela Kuti
Fela was born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti in Abeokuta, Nigeria, on October 15, 1938. He died as Fela Anikulapo Kuti on August 2, 1997 in Lagos of "many complications arising from Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome.”
By Tom Terrell
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Michael Baird
With the series up to 21 discs, Zambian-born percussionist Michael Baird has turned more people on to Africa’s music than anyone save perhaps Hugh Tracey himself could ever do.
By Bruce Miller
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Super Eagles
As far back as the late ’60s, the Super Eagles stormed Banjul, Gambia stages, decked out in cheap military garb turned Sgt. Pepper-hip, cranking what was essentially Western rock.
By Bruce Miller
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Super Rail Band
Originally calling themselves the Rail Band, Super Rail Band became Mali’s premier dance band, rooting their music in kora-like guitar-driven grooves.
By Bruce Miller
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Tabu Ley Rochereau
It’s been more than half a century since Tabu Ley Rochereau first graced a stage, and to this day there is no more prominent figure in Congolese music.
By Jeff Tamarkin
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Tarika
Madagascar’s Tarika, led by Hanitra Rasoanaivo, has since the mid-1990s introduced the lively rhythms, vocal harmonies and unique instruments of Madagascar to the larger world.
By Jan Fairley
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Remmy Ongala
Remmy Ongala is one of East Africa’s true superstars. He and his band Super Matimila blend elements of Congolese soukous with Kenya’s guitar-heavy benga music into heady brew he calls ubongo.
By Tom Pryor
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Thione Seck
Thione Ballago Seck descends from a famous line of griots, the traditional praise singers of the Wolof people of Senegal. Simply put, he has one of the most beautiful voices in all of Africa.
By Tom Pryor
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Toumani Diabaté
Several gifted musicians are associated with the West African kora harp (Mory Kante and Foday Musa Suso among them), but Toumani Diabaté is arguably the reigning master.
By Jeff Tamarkin
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Toure Kunda
The Casamance region of Senegal is the area from which the brothers that comprise Toure Kunda hail. Ismael, Sixu and Amadou Toure took a keen interest in melding traditional Senegalese rhythms with farther-reaching elements like reggae and jazz.
By Tom Orr
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Umm Kulthum
When Umm Kulthum (also sometimes spelled Oum, Um or any of a number of other variations) died, four million people lined the streets of Cairo for her funeral. She was the greatest Arabic singer of the 20th century.
By Chris Nickson
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