10 Songs That Make Us Extremely Proud to be African
For Africa Day, we asked our OkayAfrica staff members to reflect on a song that makes them feel proud to be African.
Africa Day, celebrated annually on May 25, was established to mark the day the Organisation of African Unity (African Union) was founded 58 years ago in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The day, however, has evolved into one of deep reflection on the strides our continent has made while also serving as a reminder to stay committed to our peace and unity goals and finding solutions to the deep-seated challenges that continue to plague the continent.
To celebrate Africa Day in song, we asked our OkayAfrica staff members to share a song that makes them proud to be African. Find their selections below!Sun-EL Musician & Msaki “Ubomi Abumanga”
When a bout of homesickness comes over me, I put on a playlist with something fromMsaki. Her voice is able to soothe me, inspire me, ignite me, and connect me with my loved ones back home, no matter the distance between us. There are many songs I'd list from her — "Nal'Ithemba,"off her debut album Zaneliza: How the Water Moves, comforts as it lifts, and every track on her double-album offering Platinum Heart Beating/Open is a journey towards the light. But I'll go with "Ubomi Abumanga," a song that helped Msaki gain more popularity when she first teamed up withSun-EL Musician to begin making a feast of tunes for us to enjoy. Whenever Msaki's voice is on a track, you know it will be good, and in this song, she beckons us always to remember who we are and to stand fast in that, no matter what comes our way. — Nadia Neophytou, Director of Content
MaMan “Dafnino”
"'Dafnino," Sudanese slang referring to the secrets and dreams we hold close but keep buried, is one of the tracks MaMan brought with him when fleeing Sudan for Egypt. It marked his return to the music scene after a lengthy break, as he's given renewed attention to his talent and soulful voice. The lyrics weave in a Sudanese proverb that warns how morning light can erase the plans and promises made at night, a feeling that resonates through the koto-like instrumentation even if you don't understand the lyrics. It is remarkable how much hope and beauty people manage to nurture throughout the darkest of times without losing sight of our complex and often difficult realities. Having a connection to these bearers of light makes me feel proud and incredibly lucky." — Amuna Wagner, North Africa Correspondent
Thandiswa Mazwai “Zabalaza”
"Zabalaza" was a soundtrack to a new South Africa, and it still carries that spirit of movement and change. The title means "struggle," but the song is filled with hope and urgency.Thandiswa Mazwai's voice is both comforting and commanding. It makes me proud to be African because it reflects how we fight - not just with fists, but with music, truth, and beauty. — Lihle Z. Mtshali, Digital Producer
Tomi Owó "Beautiful"
Beautiful is a soft, enchanting song about identity and perception, but it speaks to various moments of existential dread. Made by Nigerian singer Tomi Owó, it's an incredibly well-crafted song that feels complete and rich with meaning and storytelling. It's a song that reminds me of the outstanding talent in Nigeria's music scene beyond Afrobeats and Afropop. — Nelson C.J., West Africa Correspondent
Lucky Dube “Romeo”
Lucky Dube's voice was a towering presence in my childhood. Now, as an adult, I listen to him for the honesty and perspective in his music. "Romeo" is one of his songs I came late to, but it's nevertheless an earthy, brilliant song — a ravishing ode to love. The seamless arrangement of each element gives the song the feeling of a well-brewed glass of beer on a hot day. — Emmanuel Esomnofu, Contributing Writer
Nasty C & Runtown “Said”
As Nigeria's Runtown and South Africa's Nasty C sing and rap about their success despite setbacks in "Said," I'm reminded of how far music from the continent has come. Released at a time when music from Africa was gaining serious global attention, the song felt like a celebration of the resilience of the people who made sure the world paid attention to us. —Ik Nwosu, Special Projects Editor
Omawumi “Megbele” oil
This beautiful song reminds me that Nigeria has hundreds of ethnic groups beyond the 'major' ones — Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa. Omawumi sings "Megbele" in her native language, and the video also displays her culture, Itsekiri. It resonates with me because I'm Ikale, a minor ethnic group usually categorized as Yoruba. Some Itsekiri names and words are similar to those of the Ikale people, and I always admire cultural diversity in music or dance. I admire Omawumi for revisiting her roots in this song; the danceable tunes make it even better! — Olayinka Owate, Social Media Reporter
Sun-EL Musician "Sonini" feat. Simmy & Leo Kamau
Sun-el Musician's album Africa to the World is still one of my favorites to listen to from top to bottom — it feels like home. "Sonini," in particular, is just such a beautiful song. The lyrics "Qamata, Sonini; Themba Lam, Nguwe" loosely translate to a cry for help to a God/deity (Qamata) and the second half to "My trust is in you." It's a spiritual, healing song slapped on top of a beat that you can't help but move your feet to. I've seen Africans from across the continent and diaspora show this song and album some love, which makes me feel extra proud of the sounds coming out of Mzansi. — Zee Ngema, Social Media Reporter
Thandiswa Mazwai "Emini"
"Emini" starts ominously, a bass-and-drum combo that doesn't resolve but maintains its gripping, unsettling, intense groove, clutching at the seams to make way for King Tha's commanding presence - her voice a sonic entree, a palette cleanser that enters the conversation to remind us of who we are while declaring what we are against. The song echoes her past work; when she sings "ishluthu phambili/ simnyama ngenkani" ("My hair is long and strong/ We are black by force"), it's reminiscent of her asking "nizilibel'uba nizalwa ngobani" ("have you forgotten the greatness from which you come?") on her groundbreaking debut album, 2004's incredible Zabalaza. "Emini"'s message of grift by careless politicians echoes across the continent. It's black, beautiful, stubborn in its resolve, and very much anti-thievery. — Tseliso Monaheng, Contributing Writer
Paybac Iboro "Boy Band"
Very few artists reflect the variety of emotions young Nigerians feel at constantly living on the precipice of sociopolitical chaos like Paybac Iboro. "Boy Band" is arguably the Lagos-based rap artist's most exuberant, uplifting song, contrasting the angst and frustration in many of his other songs. It's a show of defiance, proof that the daily act of being young and vibrant as a Nigerian — as an African — is a triumph to be proud of. — Dennis Ade Peter, Staff Writer
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