There has been a shift in Africa's Music scene over the last few years that has seen more and more new artists and traditional trailblazers taking center stage in the global music scene. From Burna Boy, Wizkid and Sauti Sol Grammy Winnings and recognitions, to new age sensations and next generation sounds like Omah lay, Buju, Nviiri, Bensoul and so many others, the continent is vibrant. The Amapiano dribbles, popularized by MFR Souls, Kabza de Small, Dj Maphorisa, Kamo Mphela and other leading acts, have taken over to inform and influence today's Afropop sound.
With the onset of the pandemic creatives have had a lot of time in lockdown to ruminate and deliver some of the most sincerest, intentional and intimate music projects ever. We take a deep dive on to 50 of the biggest Albums and Extended Plays of the year 2021.
This year we have seen more Extended Plays (EPs) as opposed to Albums perhaps because Albums in general are more resource intensive and time consuming. And this factors present a major challenge for a lot of independent artists who form the bulk of the Africa's talent pool. Nevertheless, we have seen record labels like Mavins, El World, Openmic Productions, Wasafi, Black-market records and many others up the game and push new talents to greater heights with more fired up and quality productions. For instance, Mavin records has successfully churned out Magixx, Ayra Starr, Crayons, Ladipoe, Rema and co-signee Ruger to an amazing global reception.
New and entry level stars are quickly taking over the airwaves even as the African giants cement leading spots for African Music on the global music scene. The variations and different fusions of African Music are making the sounds off the continent more compelling and influential across global communities with the beautiful rhythms and healing drum patterns becoming more contagious.
The alternative Music fueled by strong South Africa House Music styles has experienced major growth and uptake among audiences with their scintillating sensations. More and more artists are pushing the culture while experimenting with global sounds like Caribbean flows and electronic music muse. Benga, Sokous, Kwela and the finger style guitar have been more evident in contemporary storytelling as more artist are inclining on an identity sound that is definitive and more relatable. This is evident in terms of the music they grew up listening to while coupling this with western style rhythms and vocal expressions. For Instance listening to Paige or Makhadzi you would instantly feel the influence of Brenda Fassie or Yvonne Chaka Chaka Kwela styles with a modern touch. Or even yet listening to many new age artists in Kenya you will quickly note the transgenerational Benga vibes popularized by Sauti Sol. Catch More of this Variations on our 2022 premier Kora Blend : Identity Sound.
| Album Art | Album Title | Summary | Stream |
1 |  | Alari Liya ALari | | |
2 |  | AEDM Sun el-Musician | | |
3 |  | No Pressure Sarkodie | | |
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