Music of Africa

Umm Kulthum 1969

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Aar maanta

File:PDP-CH - Dominique Manzadi - Muatubaba Kungbekinga - African music in Azande language - Ngoma-1493-j2990.flac

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Abderrahmane Abdelli

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Drumming (7250728078)

Music of Africa encompasses a wide variety of musical genres and styles that originate from the continent of Africa. With its vast cultural diversity and history, African music has influenced music all around the world. It is characterized by its use of drumming, complex rhythms, and call-and-response vocal style. The music of Africa is as diverse as its many ethnic groups, languages, and cultures.

History

The history of African music is ancient, rich, and diverse. Music has always played an integral role in the social, ceremonial, and daily life of African people. It is thought to have a significant role in storytelling, where music often accompanies tales of great heroes and the creation of the world. Traditional music in Africa often involves the use of musical instruments like drums, the mbira (thumb piano), and the kora (a harp-like instrument), among others.

Genres and Styles

African music is divided into several genres and styles that vary across regions and countries. Some of the most prominent include:

- Afrobeat: Originating from Nigeria, Afrobeat combines traditional Nigerian music, jazz, highlife, and funk rhythms, under the influence of Fela Kuti in the 1960s. - Highlife: A genre that originated in Ghana in the early 20th century, highlife incorporates jazz with traditional Akan music. - Soukous: Also known as Congolese rumba, soukous developed in the Congo in the 1940s and is characterized by its upbeat tempo and guitar melodies. - Taarab: Originating from the Swahili coast, Taarab incorporates musical elements from the Arab world and India, alongside African rhythms. - Mbalax: A popular music genre in Senegal and The Gambia, mbalax combines traditional Wolof percussion, with elements of jazz, soul, and Latin music.

Instruments

African music is known for its extensive use of a variety of musical instruments. Some of the most common include:

- Drums: Considered the backbone of African music, drums are used in a variety of forms and sizes, serving both musical and communication purposes. - Djembe: A rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands, originally from West Africa. - Balafon: A kind of wooden xylophone or percussion idiophone which plays melodic tunes, and usually has 16 to 27 keys. - Shekere: A percussion instrument made from a dried gourd with beads woven into a net covering the gourd.

Influence

The influence of African music is seen globally in several music genres such as blues, jazz, salsa, reggae, and hip hop. African rhythms and instruments, particularly the drum, have been integral to the development of these genres. The African diaspora and the slave trade spread African cultural traditions, including music, across the Americas and the Caribbean.

Contemporary African Music

Today, African music continues to evolve, incorporating modern sounds and technologies while staying rooted in traditional elements. Artists like Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo, and Femi Kuti have gained international fame, showcasing the diversity and richness of African music on the global stage.