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Music

On NAFIDA, Moroccan Rapper Small X Rises Above the Noise and Into Underexplored Musical Territory

Getting signed to Mass Appeal is only the beginning for the Moroccan powerhouse.

Songs You Need To Hear

The Best North African Songs Right Now

In May, music releases were less energetic and more introspective, powerful in their minimalism, and stepping stones towards bigger releases and projects awaiting us in the summer.

Latest

On “The Man Who Lost His Heart,” Marwan Moussa Maps a Pathway Through Grief

The 23-track, deeply personal album confronts the death of the rapper’s mother, embedding the experience of depression and loss in an Egyptian cultural context.

Music

The Best East African Songs Right Now

OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music to come out of Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya this May.

Music

Motherland Sounds Is LA’s Must-Attend East African Party

An event where East African culture, community, and music collide is rewriting the Ethiopian-Eritrean diaspora story in Los Angeles.

Amapiano artists including DJ Maphorisa, Uncle Waffles, Kabza De Small, and Focalistic against a vibrant green background.

Video

Amapiano: The South African Sound That Took Over the World

Born in South Africa’s townships in the early 2010s, this genre found its global moment during lockdown, giving people a reason to dance when the world stood still. This video traces its journey.

Nasty C poses for the camera, hands inside his jacket.

Music

13 South African Hip-Hop Songs About Fatherhood

The four new songs in this updated list add even more heartfelt, complex, and candid takes on fatherhood.

Music

The Best Afrobeats Songs Right Now

The standout records from May include songs from Seyi Vibez, Rowlene, King Paluta, Joshua Baraka, and more.

Latest

The Best Southern African Songs Right Now

For the month of May, we’ve got heaters from Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Latest

Xduppy, South Africa's Rising Star, Thinks Amapiano Can Get Even Bigger

With DJ Maphorisa by his side, the producer moves between genres and generations to deliver a defining statement on South African sound.

Music

Maleek Berry’s Debut Album, ‘If Only Love Was Enough,’ Brings Back 2000s Afropop with a Fresh Twist

After more than a decade pioneering contemporary Afrobeats music, the British Nigerian singer and producer shares his debut album.

Music

The Best West African Songs Right Now

This month’s Best New Music From West Africa features sounds from Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana.

Latest

Estelle Is Returning to Her Joy

The acclaimed singer discusses Stay Alta, her first album in seven years,creative control, and protecting your peace no matter what.

Tems in a blue Ankara suit dress with a puff skirt accented with a green cravat and a matching umbrella

Music

The African Designers Who Stole the Spotlight at the 2025 Met Gala

This year’s Met Gala was always going to make history, but it did so in more ways than expected, as several African designers made their debut on the iconic stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Latest

Louddaaa Is Designing the Sound for Your Favorite Afrobeats Artists

The producer talks to OkayAfrica about his journey from sound engineering to producing, and how he’s orchestrated records for artists like Davido, Ayra Starr, Simi, Magixx, and more.

Latest

Ayra Starr Drops Sultry New Single “Gimme Dat” Featuring Wizkid

With a Latin Diamond plaque, BET nods, and a film debut, 2025 is shaping up to be the singer’s biggest year yet.

Latest

Davido Balances Strong Execution and Purpose on ‘5ive’

The Nigerian Afrobeats superstar doubles down on his ability to make hits, favoring a level of familiarity that pays off positively.

Music

Francis Bebey’s Archives Come Alive

Newly discovered recordings highlight how the late Cameroonian composer anticipated today’s global African electronic music wave.

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OkayAfrica is the premiere digital platform bringing the worlds of African music, art, culture, style, sports and politics to a global audience. Founded in 2010 as an extension of Okayplayer, OkayAfrica serves as a cultural bridge to foster deeper understanding of the continent, while also building meaningful connections with its diaspora.

Music Stories

DJ Snake’s striking seven-minute video for “Patience” features actor Omar Sy and is fueled by a classic Amadou & Mariam song.

Getting signed to Mass Appeal is only the beginning for the Moroccan powerhouse.

In May, music releases were less energetic and more introspective, powerful in their minimalism, and stepping stones towards bigger releases and projects awaiting us in the summer.

The 23-track, deeply personal album confronts the death of the rapper’s mother, embedding the experience of depression and loss in an Egyptian cultural context.

Two music journalists look deeper into the Middle East and North Africa being named the world’s fastest growing music industry region by the IFPI’s Global Music Report.

Featuring the hottest raï, rap, house, and dance music from Morocco to Sudan—and a few introspective ones, too.

The Egyptian government announced 2025 to be the “Year of Umm Kulthum.” Egyptians of different generations share what it takes to really appreciate the icon’s music.

OkayAfrica’s North Africa correspondent shares the region’s most celebrated and underrated songs of the year — from Libya’s electronic Touareg music to Sudan’s rap revolution, and more.

“Sudan is the reason I’m here right now,” says British Sudanese rising star Elmiene about his fourth EP, which marks a full circle moment since his breakout song “Golden.”

Sudanese rap is having a fantastic year, introducing the North African region to its unique sound and dialect, but are non-Sudanese really listening?

In a friendly rap battle, the two rap scenes show off their artistry and respect for each other’s cultures. Watch Part 2 here to decide for yourself who won.

The independent artist will be playing live next to the Pyramids of Giza, proving the ability of grassroots art to take over world stages.

The Berlin-based platform’s music archive features a variety of hip-hop, soul, rap and instrumental performances from North African artists.

The soundtrack of North African summer is filled with melancholy, R&B, rap and electronic music.

The best songs to come out of Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya this year so far.

The rapper, Nadine El Roubi, is back with more sociopolitical commentary, elegant empowerment, and a plea to keep #EyesOnSudan, her home country.

In Amaka Jaji’s own words, TIDET mixes spiritual vibes with trap music, creating a sound that neither his community, nor the world, have heard before.

Tunisian singer EMEL continues her musical exploration, as well as her fight for freedom through an explicitly feminist lens on MRA.

How the artist known as Ethiopian Records brought a bold and rooted vision to Addis Ababa's first take on the electronic music event.

OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music to come out of Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya this May.

An event where East African culture, community, and music collide is rewriting the Ethiopian-Eritrean diaspora story in Los Angeles.

Savara’s solo era after the disbandment of Sauti Sol is less about fame and more about legacy, rhythm, and standing up to be counted.

With her hit “Me Too” quickly climbing the charts, the Tanzanian singer talks to OkayAfrica about rewriting what it means to be a Tanzanian pop star today.

Fusing psych rock and East African rhythms, the new Assassin's Creed: Shadows soundtrack by Thunderdrum and Tiggs Da Author is worth your while.

From backup dancer to chart-topping star, Vinka has built a career on high-energy hits. She opens up about her latest dancehall anthem, working with Latin star Rafa Pabön, and why being a mom hasn’t slowed her down.

In his debut album, ‘Colorful Generation,’ the East African star proves he’s more than just a singles artist who has conquered the region — he’s building a global legacy.

From launching Nairobi R&B to building Soul Headquarters, the Kenyan music executive is carving out space for artists and pushing the region onto the global stage.

Once seen as a niche genre, jazz in Kenya is gaining new audiences and nurturing homegrown talent, thanks to the Bob Collymore International Jazz Festival.

From hip-hop to Afro-house, the former child soldier turned recording artist finds joyful ways to spread a message of peace and unity that is becoming ever more relevant.

Tems withdrew from her Kigali performance, citing the unfolding crisis between Rwanda and the DRC, while pressure mounts on John Legend to follow suit.

From YouTube tutorials to festival stages, here's how an Ethiopian psychology student became one of East Africa's most innovative DJs.

With millions of streams and high-profile collaborations, Joshua Baraka is turning his Kampala roots into global recognition.

From bangers to ballads, these songs have defined the sound of East Africa this year.

How Kenya’s youth are falling hard for the music, moves and magic of K-pop.

The chaotic Nairobi concert brings attention to recurring failures in the organization of music events across Africa, raising urgent questions about crowd safety and artist-audience care.

The Kenyan-born singer embraces a fiery duality in her latest album. She speaks to OkayAfrica about her personal and artistic evolution, and balancing life between L.A. and Nairobi.

Born in South Africa’s townships in the early 2010s, this genre found its global moment during lockdown, giving people a reason to dance when the world stood still. This video traces its journey.

Rising DJs and sonic storytellers reflect on what this day means and what it feels like to be young and free in a country still healing from its past.

The four new songs in this updated list add even more heartfelt, complex, and candid takes on fatherhood.

After six years in Europe, the South African rapper returns with The Illusion of Being, a new album forged from displacement, discipline, and defiance.

OkayAfrica rounds up the best amapiano songs out right now, featuring Kelvin Momo, De Mthuda, Sfarzo Rtee, and more.

The standout records from May include songs from Seyi Vibez, Rowlene, King Paluta, Joshua Baraka, and more.

For the month of May, we’ve got heaters from Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

With DJ Maphorisa by his side, the producer moves between genres and generations to deliver a defining statement on South African sound.

With new work on the horizon, South Africa’s Nakhane reflects on artistry, mourning, and the beauty of sounds that refuse to behave in this exclusive interview with OkayAfrica.

With Coachella kicking off today, Tyla and fellow African artists Amaarae, Rema, and others transform the desert into a showcase of the continent's musical diversity.

Featuring 17 tracks that embody Riky Rick’s fearless spirit, Boss Zonke Forever cements the rapper’s influence on South African music, fashion, and culture.

The Mozambican band opens up about their long hiatus, the chemistry that never faded, and what it took to get back on stage together.

Jesse Clegg will honor his father’s legacy with a powerful tribute concert in New York City.

The South African artist talks to us about crafting warm, soulful sounds against the grain.

The collaboration marks the South African singer’s second foray into the dancehall genre, following her song “Jump.”

He went from a gardener with musical aspirations to one of the most revered artists in Southern Africa at the moment.

The South African artist joins the legendary Miriam Makeba with a new Billboard achievement. She has also announced the on-demand stream of her South African concert on Showmax.

Cape Town outfit Internet Girl is finding its sound and is dead-set on bringing it to you.

For his latest EP, ‘Ckay The Second,’ the emo-Afrobeats star returns to find meaning and reflection.

After more than a decade pioneering contemporary Afrobeats music, the British Nigerian singer and producer shares his debut album.

After years of nominations and near misses, the Nigerian superstar claims the Best International Act Award, while African talent continues its global ascension at the ceremony.

Set to take place in the US, the performance will feature the Nigerian hitmaker alongside other global superstars.

On his fiery new single, Young Jonn’s spirited bounce finds a natural ally in Asake.

Nigeria’s biggest cultural export generates billions in revenue and transforms a megacity into an undisputed party capital.

The Nigerian superstar’s fourth studio album, 'This One is Personal,’ is scheduled for release this summer.

From trade secrets to tough lessons, Donawon reflects on the journey that shaped Tems’ global rise.

This month’s Best New Music From West Africa features sounds from Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana.

The Nigerian and American superstars connect at a warehouse party in the new visuals for "TaTaTa,"the latest single off Burna Boy's upcoming album, No Sign of Weakness.

The acclaimed singer discusses Stay Alta, her first album in seven years,creative control, and protecting your peace no matter what.

The Nigerian music star sits down with media personality and journalist Joey Akan for a candid conversation in the Season 4 premiere of ‘Afrobeats Intelligence’ podcast, presented by OkayAfrica.

This year’s Met Gala was always going to make history, but it did so in more ways than expected, as several African designers made their debut on the iconic stairs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The producer talks to OkayAfrica about his journey from sound engineering to producing, and how he’s orchestrated records for artists like Davido, Ayra Starr, Simi, Magixx, and more.

The Grammy winner swaps bravado for vulnerability on a reggae-tinged single that previews his eighth album, No Sign of Weakness.

The Afrobeat legend talks to OkayAfrica about the making and familial themes of his eleventh studio album, Journey Through Life.

With a Latin Diamond plaque, BET nods, and a film debut, 2025 is shaping up to be the singer’s biggest year yet.

The Nigerian Afrobeats superstar doubles down on his ability to make hits, favoring a level of familiarity that pays off positively.

Newly discovered recordings highlight how the late Cameroonian composer anticipated today’s global African electronic music wave.

Kinshasa-based Fulu Miziki uses recycled trash to make their own, unique musical instruments.