I’m a bit old-schooled so the songs you’ll find here are songs that dominated the African Music scene back in the ’90s and early ’00s. Over the years, I have grown to love African music more because of the depth and the stories that are told in these songs. The ’90s was an interesting decade for many African countries: Nigeria was grappling with military rule until the end of that decade (one of the fiercest Nigerian leaders, Sanni Abacha was in power, and he died a mysterious death), Zimbabwe became a republic in 1991, South Africa had its first president in the post-apartheid period in 1994, and in the same period, Rwanda experienced a genocide that would have a long-lasting impact and forever change the course of the country. While there are old songs in this list, there are also some that are very contemporary and recent, as recent as 2017.
Below, in no particular order, is my list of top classical African music.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QK-WYtQxVA&w=560&h=315]Ismael Lo- Baykat
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T24fX_NY4jg&w=560&h=315]Sona Jobarteh – Kemet
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2-HpH__kno&w=560&h=315]Fatoumata Diawara – Kanou
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlgESq5FAx4&w=560&h=315]Angelique Kidjo – Agolo
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLeBi3s7Uw0&w=560&h=315]Ismael Lo – Jammu Africa
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqCpjFMvz-k&w=560&h=315]Youssou N’Dour – 7 Seconds
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ1hx88nz9M&w=560&h=315]Fela Kuti – Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gmGL5SqhaY&w=560&h=315]Fatoumata Diawara – Nterini
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0gSVp0mAEw&w=560&h=315]Salif Keita – Africa
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6dNpHUlSnY&w=560&h=315]Angelique Kidjo – Olofoofo
Special Mentions
Salif Keita – Yamore (Tribute to Cesaria Evora)
Ismael Lo – Tajabone
Cesaria Evora – Sodade
Fela Kuti – Beasts of No Nation
Fatoumata Diawara – Bakonoba
Wyclef Jean & One Million Voices – Rwanda
