Nostr notes by African Music Forum (AMF)

Jay Lou Ava – Soir au village ...

2026-03-30T19:35:29Z

Jay Lou Ava – Soir au village

https://amf.didiermary.fr/jay-lou-manu-dibango-soir-village/

A cover of Manu Dibango’s “Soir au village”, from Ava’s album “Ebotan” in 2005.Guitarist Jay Lou Ava, born Israël Jean-Louis Ava in Cameroon, is often described by members of the French media as “the Wes Montgomery of Africa.” His signature music is a fusion of jazz and African music, drawing from both contemporary and traditional […]

#Cameroon #Cover #Jazz #ManuDibango #AfroJazz

Ladysmith Black Mambazo – United We Stand ...

2026-03-30T17:36:37Z

Ladysmith Black Mambazo – United We Stand

https://amf.didiermary.fr/ladysmith-black-mambazo-salif-keita-united-we-stand/

The song “United We Stand” (2015), against the violence against foreigners in South Africa, brings together Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa and Malian singer Salif Keita.

“Africa is our home, make it a better place.
Africa is for all of us.“

#SalifKeita #SouthAfrica

Salif Keita – Africa Remixed ...

2026-03-29T19:18:08Z

Salif Keita – Africa Remixed

https://amf.didiermary.fr/salif-keita-africa-remixed/

“Africa” is a powerful song by Salif Keita, released in 1995 as part of his Folon album, produced by Wally Badarou and Jean-Philippe Rykiel. But the song got a special treatment, as a special CD containing 3 “Africa Remixed” versions. […]

#LiveMusic #Mali #Remixed #SalifKeita #Electro

"You don't expect the people who came to invade us to ...

2026-03-07T09:47:57Z

"You don't expect the people who came to invade us to write the truth about us."
— Miriam Makeba

#Quote #QOTD

Rock art is widespread across southern Africa and includes a wide ...

2026-02-27T11:10:56Z

Rock art is widespread across southern Africa and includes a wide range of depictions such as human figures, animals, dots, handprints, and other painted or engraved imagery on rock surfaces. The rock art tradition of paintings was made by San hunter gatherers over thousands of years.

The first dance scenes in southern African rock art were documented 100 years ago.
https://theconversation.com/dance-scenes-in-south-african-rock-art-a-closer-look-at-ritual-music-and-movement-275489

#SouthAfrica #Archeology

Do you know Agege bread? Here's a short story: ...

2026-02-25T19:35:57Z

Do you know Agege bread?
Here's a short story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDopeh-X4rs

There are many bakeries in Benin baking "Agege-like" bread, that's why you can find it in my home.

#Nigeria #Benin

Lamisi - No Orgasm in Heaven ...

2026-02-22T14:52:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…vmyt
_________________________

Lamisi - No Orgasm in Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB_NOY1-EEY

It was a slogan painted onto the back of a public bus in Accra that inspired ‘No Orgasm in Heaven’. “I like working with funny, open minded people,” says Wanlov, who is also renowned as one half (with M3NSA) of beloved musical pranksters Fokn Bois. “This song has a similar sentiment to ‘No Beer in Heaven’, the 2004 hit by Atongo Zimba. It means enjoy your life now, as heaven is right here.”

Lamisi - Come https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HNP8nqrmiE Lamisi ...

2026-02-22T14:50:47Z

Lamisi - Come
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HNP8nqrmiE

Lamisi — one of Ghana’s most popular artists and an activist for the rights of women and girls — has shared the second single from her forthcoming new album Let Us Clap — a collaboration with innovative music producer and auteur Wanlov the Kubolor, which marks a radical reinvention of her sound.
https://lamisi.bandcamp.com/album/let-us-clap

#Ghana #Rap #Electro

Soul Makossa 2.0 Feat. Wayne Beckford ...

2026-02-21T20:11:17Z

Soul Makossa 2.0 Feat. Wayne Beckford

https://amf.didiermary.fr/manu-dibango-soul-makossa-2-wayne-beckford/

Soul Makossa is a song released as a single in 1972 by Cameroonian saxophonist and songwriter Manu Dibango. It was originally recorded as a B-side. The song is probably best known for the chanted vocal refrain, which was adapted and used in songs by many prominent artists such as Michael Jackson in “Wanna Be Startin’ […]

#Cameroon #Makossa #ManuDibango

Imarhan - Tamiditin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuwyKbSCyTY ...

2026-02-04T19:10:24Z

Imarhan - Tamiditin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuwyKbSCyTY

#Algeria #Tuareg

“If there is anything that projects Africa’s image ...

2026-01-29T12:57:28Z

“If there is anything that projects Africa’s image positively, it is music.”
“People abroad are tired of hearing only Western sounds. They want something different, something African.”

https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/28/why-africa-must-rebuild-its-music-education-system/

#Africa #Nigeria #Music

Ola Onabulé – What The Heck ...

2026-01-24T15:17:09Z

Ola Onabulé – What The Heck

https://amf.didiermary.fr/ola-onabule-what-the-heck/

British-Nigerian singer/songwriter Ola Onabulé released his album “Point Less” in 2019, with strong musical and thematic connections to Nigeria, following his critically acclaimed 2015 recording “It’s The Peace That Deafens.”

Onabulé has built an enviably solid music career through a relentless schedule both in the recording studio and as an international touring performer. [...]

#Jazz #Nigeria #AfroJazz

Keturah – Afirika https://amf.didiermary.fr/keturah-afirika/ ...

2026-01-17T11:45:51Z

Keturah – Afirika

https://amf.didiermary.fr/keturah-afirika/

From “Mafunde”, album in 2023 by Keturah, chronicling her journey from the tiny remote home village of Monza, Malawi to the shores of Venice, California.

#Malawi

WITCH performing live in the KEXP gathering space. Recorded ...

2026-01-10T15:33:28Z

WITCH performing live in the KEXP gathering space.
Recorded September 8, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM0CMGGFETU

Album Sogolo on AMF: https://amf.didiermary.fr/new-witch-album-sogolo/

#LiveMusic #Zamrock

Osibisa, the “Flying Elephants” ...

2025-12-31T15:18:49Z

Osibisa, the “Flying Elephants”

https://amf.didiermary.fr/osibisa-flying-elephants/

Osibisa is a British Afro-pop band, founded by Teddy Osei (RIP) in London in 1969 by four expatriate African (Ghana) and three Caribbean musicians. Osibisa were one of the first African bands to become widely popular, leading to claims of founding World Music.

I discovered Osibisa when I was a teen, and this band is […]

#70smusic #Ghana #Jazz

Dobet Gnahoré – Paléa (live) ...

2025-12-29T16:55:23Z

Dobet Gnahoré – Paléa (live)

https://amf.didiermary.fr/dobet-gnahore-palea-live/

“Widely considered one of contemporary African music’s most exciting new talents, Dobet Gnahoré has astounded audiences with her thrilling stage presence, appealing melodies and powerful singing.”

#CoteDIvoire #LiveMusic

Libyan reggae? Yes, by Ibrahim Hesnawi in this compilation! ...

2025-12-24T15:57:36Z

Libyan reggae? Yes, by Ibrahim Hesnawi in this compilation!

https://amf.didiermary.fr/ibrahim-hesnawi-libyan-reggae/

In many countries, reggae was a widespread fad before its popularity gradually subsided. In Libya, however, the genre remained popular since its initial introduction in the late 1970s. Reggae’s thematic throughlines like references to Pan-Africanism, liberation, and the end of oppression and exploitation resonated—and [...]

#70smusic #Libya #Reggae

Fela Kuti – Roforofo Fight ...

2025-12-22T14:59:45Z

Fela Kuti – Roforofo Fight

https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-roforofo-fight/

Roforofo Fight refers to senseless violence: it describes 2 fools who batter themselves into the mud as a crowd gathers to watch them. Roforofo Fight is about human intolerance towards each other. Issues that could be resolved amicably usually end up in fist fights. Sometimes such fights end up bloody or muddy. Dramatizing the scenario […]

#70smusic #FelaKuti #FullAlbum #Nigeria #AfroBeat

Tracing Africa’s Photographic History in Books The curator ...

2025-12-14T18:25:33Z

Tracing Africa’s Photographic History in Books

The curator Oluremi C. Onabanjo speaks about Africa’s political transformations and the role of publishing in shaping artistic knowledge.

https://aperture.org/editorial/tracing-africas-photographic-history-in-books/

#Africa #Photography

The Afrorack https://amf.didiermary.fr/afrorack-bamanya/ Bamanya ...

2025-12-14T15:46:23Z

The Afrorack

https://amf.didiermary.fr/afrorack-bamanya/

Bamanya is responsible for building Africa’s first DIY modular synthesizer, a huge wall of home-made modules and FX units that he dubbed, fittingly, The Afrorack.

His reason for embarking on this difficult project was simple: as he began to investigate the world of modular synthesizers, he realized it would be difficult to acquire the technology […]

#AfroHouse #Documentary #Uganda #Electro

Ammar 808 - Aman Aman Feat. Meriem Bettouhami ...

2025-12-13T23:40:26Z

Ammar 808 - Aman Aman Feat. Meriem Bettouhami
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAXb1mMw5M4

Sofyann Ben Youssef, aka AMMAR 808, released his third album, Club Tounsi, blending Mezoued folk music & rhythms with bass-heavy instrumentation.

https://ammar808.bandcamp.com/album/club-tounsi

#Tunisia #Electro

Mysterious two-song release from Mali ...

2025-12-06T13:10:43Z

Mysterious two-song release from Mali

https://amf.didiermary.fr/mysterious-tracks-mali-black-mango/

A mysterious two-song release, licensed directly from a group of Bamako musicians who, with the exception of the Souku master Zoumana Tereta, chose to remain anonymous.

In the last years, the political turmoil in Mali has caused many of the cities clubs to shutdown and dried up other sources of musician income like weddings and […]

#Mali #Soundcloud

Reggae Giant, Dead at 81 The Harder They Come - Studio Session ...

2025-11-24T18:17:00Z

Reggae Giant, Dead at 81

The Harder They Come - Studio Session
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHAbj1pIT4g

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jimmy-cliff-dead-obituary-1234816631/

#Reggae

Montparnasse Musique – Panter ...

2025-11-21T20:54:34Z

Montparnasse Musique – Panter

https://amf.didiermary.fr/montparnasse-musique-panter/

Montparnasse Musique is a balance of two distinct sensibilities: Algerian-French producer Nadjib Ben Bella’s passion for raw organic beats, and South African DJ Aero Manyelo’s love of DIY synthesis in the digital realm. It’s a bold blend of fresh and processed flavours; the acoustic grit of traditional Africa combined with the pulse

#AfroHouse #Algeria #Congo(s) #SouthAfrica #Electro(House,EDM...)

Angelique Kidjo – Born Under Punches ...

2025-11-12T14:10:40Z

Angelique Kidjo – Born Under Punches

https://amf.didiermary.fr/angelique-kidjo-remain-in-light/

Kidjo’s always been an eclectic singer… From her cover in 2018 of the Talking Heads album, “Remain In Light.”

“The record is a track-by-track re-imagination of the original, considered to be one of the greatest albums of the ‘80s and deeply influenced by music from West Africa, notably Fela Kuti‘s Afrobeat.” […]

#AngéliqueKidjo #Bénin #Cover #Global

Nigeria Special 1970-76 ...

2025-11-04T11:52:49Z

Nigeria Special 1970-76

https://amf.didiermary.fr/nigeria-special-1970-76/

“Nigeria Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Nigerian Blues 1970-76” is a compilation released in 2008.

#70smusic #AfroFunk #Compilation #Highlife #Nigeria

TAXI KEBAB تاكسي كباب – Leïla Jiqqir & Romain ...

2025-10-26T19:59:29Z

TAXI KEBAB تاكسي كباب – Leïla Jiqqir & Romain Henry

https://taxikebab.bandcamp.com/album/visions-al-2ard

"At the crossroads of influences from all sides, Taxi Kebab is the collision between synthesizers, machines, modulated guitars and buzuq.
Through a poetic register in darija, Leïla Jiqqir interferes with the acid arpeggios led by Romain Henry (machines).
Mainly electronic, their influences are haunted by the specter of North African roots. A rough, psyche sound, disoriented and 'disoriental'."

#Electro

Pablo Nouvelle Feat. Angelique Kidjo – Milambi ...

2025-10-25T14:18:00Z

Pablo Nouvelle Feat. Angelique Kidjo – Milambi

https://amf.didiermary.fr/pablo-nouvelle-angelique-kidjo-milambi/

Beninese legend Angelique Kidjo, fresh from her 4th Grammy, explored electronic music with Swiss DJ/producer Pablo Nouvelle on ‘Milambi,’ first track/single from the newly released EP Eliso (2020).

#AngéliqueKidjo #Bénin #Electro

Bembeya Jazz - Wa Kele ...

2025-10-24T20:24:53Z

Bembeya Jazz - Wa Kele
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3JlD2IO0AU

This is quite a cover for this album released in 1989. The song above has some Zouk influences...

https://www.discogs.com/release/3488027-Bembeya-Jazz-W%C3%A2-K%C3%A9l%C3%AA

#80sMusic #Guinea

Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble – Min He Mon Egbé ...

2025-10-23T11:33:57Z

Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble – Min He Mon Egbé

https://amf.didiermary.fr/helsinki-cotonou-ensemble-min-he-mon-egbe/

I met Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble a few years ago and even organized a live show in the suburbs of Cotonou in 2015, with a few members of the Alle’sTones band I produced at the time.

This song is from their 3rd album, released in 2021. Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble is a Finnish–Beninese Afrobeat and Funk band, founded […]

#Bénin #AfroBeat #Finland

Hama – Houmeissa https://amf.didiermary.fr/hama-houmeissa/ ...

2025-10-17T18:30:45Z

Hama – Houmeissa

https://amf.didiermary.fr/hama-houmeissa/

Nigerien composer Hama presents an album of traditional electronic desert folk songs, hovering somewhere between early 90s techno and synthwave. Nomadic herding ballads, ancient caravan songs, and ceremonial wedding chants are all re-imagined into pieces seemingly lifted from a Saharan 1980s sci-fi soundtrack or score to a Tuareg video game. With a deep love and […]

#80smusic #Niger #Electro

Fela Kuti – Birth Anniversary ...

2025-10-15T19:32:20Z

Fela Kuti – Birth Anniversary

https://amf.didiermary.fr/birth-anniversary-fela-kuti/

This is the anniversary of Fela Kuti‘s birth (15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997).

Regarded, with Tony Allen, as the principal innovator of Afrobeat, he was referred to as one of Africa’s most “challenging and charismatic music performers,” at the height of his popularity.

For this birth anniversary, it’s also important to remember that […]

#AIDS #FelaKuti #Nigeria #AfroBeat

Babatunde Olatunji – Jin-Go-Lo-Ba ...

2025-10-15T10:53:57Z

Babatunde Olatunji – Jin-Go-Lo-Ba

https://amf.didiermary.fr/babatunde-olatunji-jin-go-lo-ba/

Here’s where Carlos Santana found the basis for his version… it’s from the great Nigerian drummer Babatunde Olatunji, who lived in USA, and worked with John Coltrane.
Enjoy!

His music was also “covered” by French singer Serge Gainsbourg...

#Drums #Nigeria #OldAfricanMusic

Thievery Corporation – Vampires Feat. Femi Kuti ...

2025-10-09T18:43:36Z

Thievery Corporation – Vampires Feat. Femi Kuti

https://amf.didiermary.fr/thievery-corporation-vampires-femi-kuti/

“Vampires” featuring Femi Kuti comes from the album, “Radio Retaliation” by Thievery Corporation in 2008.

Radio Retaliation is the fifth studio album by American electronic music duo Thievery Corporation, released on September 23, 2008, and was intended to be a political album.

#FelaKuti #Nigeria #Remixed #Soundcloud #AfroBeat #Electro

Oum – Nia (from Zarabi) ...

2025-10-09T18:40:49Z

Oum – Nia (from Zarabi)

https://amf.didiermary.fr/oum-nia-zarabi/

In September 2015, Oum released her fourth album “Zarabi”, which means “Carpets” in Moroccan Darija and is a tribute to the carpet weavers of the village of M’Hamid El Ghizlane in the Sahara region of the Moroccan South.

#Morocco

King Sunny Ade live ...

2025-10-05T20:35:08Z

King Sunny Ade live

https://amf.didiermary.fr/king-sunny-ade-live/

The King of Juju Music, King Sunny Ade live!

Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye (born September 1946), known professionally as King Sunny Adé, is a Nigerian jùjú singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
He is regarded as one of the first African pop musicians to gain international success, and has been called one of the most influential musicians [...]

#80smusic #FullAlbum #JujuMusic #LiveMusic #Nigeria #OldAfricanMusic

Les Tambours de Brazza ...

2025-10-03T14:37:58Z

Les Tambours de Brazza

https://amf.didiermary.fr/tambours-brazza-congo-drums-1996/

Le magnifique son des Tambours de Brazza sur l’album “Congo Drums” en 1996. Quatorze percussionnistes congolais créent un fabuleux voyage à travers les rites les plus profonds de l’Afrique centrale. Un enregistrement remarquable !

Créé en 1991 sous la direction artistique d’Émile Biayenda, le groupe allie tradition et modernité, offrant des rythmes de toute l’Afrique, […]

#Congo #Drums #FullAlbum

Duke Ellington – Fleurette Africaine ...

2025-10-02T15:39:26Z

Duke Ellington – Fleurette Africaine

https://amf.didiermary.fr/duke-ellington-fleurette-africaine/

Fleurette Africaine aka “African Flower” from album “Money Jungle” in 1962.

“African Flower” or “Little African Flower” (Petite Fleur Africaine) is a composition by jazz pianist and composer Duke Ellington. He first recorded it for his 1962 LP Money Jungle. Ellington originally named it “La Plus Belle Africaine” when he composed it for […]

#60smusic #Jazz

Fela Kuti – Gentleman (LP) ...

2025-09-29T18:02:53Z

Fela Kuti – Gentleman (LP)

https://amf.didiermary.fr/fela-kuti-gentleman-lp/

1973’s “Gentleman” is the 7th in the series of celebratory Fela 50th Anniversary reissues. Like Fela’s other early 70’s releases, he used each side of his LPs to create a deep groove that pulls the listener in and follows with metaphoric lyrics that call out and critique the corrupt hangover of colonialism. Gentleman is the […]

#70smusic #FelaKuti #Nigeria #AfroBeat

Charles & Frida Sonko – Nawuliranga (1968) ...

2025-09-23T14:33:38Z

Charles & Frida Sonko – Nawuliranga (1968)

https://amf.didiermary.fr/charles-frida-sonko-melo-success-nawuliranga/

Nawuliranga, by Charles & Frida Sonko with Orchestre Melo Success comes from a rare compilation “THE KAMPALA SOUND – 1960s UGANDAN DANCE MUSIC” (Original Music, 1988, recorded in Kenya) A lovely sampler of some rare and half-forgotten pop from mid-’60s Uganda. A poor nation, Uganda’s music industry was modest, particularly

#60smusic #Compilation #FullAlbum #Uganda #OldAfricanMusic

Afel Bocoum – Avion ...

2025-09-21T20:07:16Z

Afel Bocoum – Avion

https://amf.didiermary.fr/afel-bocoum-avion/

Celebrated Malian songwriter and guitarist Afel Bocoum released his studio album “Lindé” in 2020. The first single taken from the record, titled “Avion,” is a playful and optimistic tribute to air travel. The song really does “take off”, soaring skywards on a beat that’s close to Congolese Soukous, with the guitars of Mamadou Kelly, Oumar […]

#Mali #Folk

Biko – Peter Gabriel, Manu Dibango & Playing For Change ...

2025-09-12T17:01:27Z

Biko – Peter Gabriel, Manu Dibango & Playing For Change

https://amf.didiermary.fr/biko-peter-gabriel-playing-for-change/

Today in September 1977, South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko was murdered in police custody.
#RememberSteveBiko ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

#AngeliqueKidjo #ManuDibango #SouthAfrica

Blue Note Africa https://amf.didiermary.fr/blue-note-africa/ In ...

2025-09-04T19:41:55Z

Blue Note Africa

https://amf.didiermary.fr/blue-note-africa/

In 2022, the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records and UMG Africa launched a new brand to promote African Jazz outside of the continent.

The first release, in January 2023, was an album by South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini “In The Spirit Of Ntu.” […]

#EPK #FullAlbum #Jazz #Piano #SouthAfrica

Very open idea: now that this account is fast approaching 300 ...

2025-05-20T22:11:21Z

Very open idea: now that this account is fast approaching 300 followers (3x the number I've ever had via turning the blog into an ActivityPub instance), would some of you be interested in receiving the (3?) latest posts in your mailbox (a "newsletter" of sort)?

Guitars on the road… When you’re a #DesertBlues musician, ...

2025-05-09T13:21:40Z

Guitars on the road…

When you’re a #DesertBlues musician, there aren’t so many ways to travel with your guitars…

Source: unknown

#Photography

"Thomas Sankara playing his red strat into a Peavey amp." ...

2025-02-09T13:02:32Z

"Thomas Sankara playing his red strat into a Peavey amp."
https://imgur.com/gallery/thomas-sankara-playing-his-red-strat-into-peavey-amp-vfGZCtC

#Guitar #BurkinaFaso #Photography

Miriam Makeba & Nina Simone – Thulasizwe ...

2025-02-01T14:55:04Z

Miriam Makeba & Nina Simone – Thulasizwe

https://amf.didiermary.fr/miriam-makeba-nina-simone-thulasizwe/

Nina Simone collaborated with Miriam Makeba on the song “Thulasizwe / I Shall Be Released” and on May 21st, 1961, performed at Carnegie Hall for Church of the Master’s annual benefit concert. […]

#Gospel #Jazz #MiriamMakeba #SouthAfrica #NinaSimone

President Thomas Sankara is surrounded by Miriam Makeba (South ...

2025-01-18T09:55:31Z

President Thomas Sankara is surrounded by Miriam Makeba (South Africa), Tshala Muana (Congo), Nahawa Doumbia (Mali) and Nayanka Bell (Ivory Coast) during the concert of African female artists in 1986 in Burkina Faso. The concept was called the "clash of the Stars".

Sankara was passionate about music and very committed to the cause of women.
He was assassinated in 1987.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sankara

#Africa #AfricanMusic

Lionel Loueke – Cantaloupe Island ...

2024-12-28T21:57:24Z

Lionel Loueke – Cantaloupe Island

https://amf.didiermary.fr/lionel-loueke-cantaloupe-island/

HH, released in 2020, album of solo guitar reworkings of Herbie Hancock’s music by Lionel Loueke.

HH is an album from Lionel Loueke playing the music of his long-term mentor, the legendary Herbie Hancock.
Known for his ability to “transform the guitar into a virtual Afro-Western orchestra” (Jazz Times), he is a musician who transcends genre […]

#Benin #Cover #Jazz #Guitar