Themes

Electronic music in Africa

By info

01 Oct 2019 - 10:27

Electronic music in Africa has experienced an explosion in recent times, with many musicians on the continent opting to go the electro route. This may be because Africa still has much room for electronic music discovery, especially when there are so many possibilities in marrying modern electronica with the traditional sounds of the many regions on the continent.

Ethiopian producer Rophnan. Photo: Facebook

Of particular interest lately has been the fusion of traditional Ethiopian music with electronic beats, as exemplified by the multitalented musician Rophnan. Then there’s a host of DJs promoted by Uganda’s Nyege Nyege Tapes, which has been at the forefront of exposing alternative electronic music in East Africa and beyond through its international releases and world-renowned festival.

Other musicians such as Kenya’s Blinky Bill and Senegal’s Ibaaku have pushed the envelope to create truly original electronica out of Africa – music that is now being mimicked by some of the most influential DJs and producers around the world.

In South Africa, house music and its many iterations has come to rival some of the biggest EDM scenes such as those in Germany, the UK and the US. Some of South Africa’s top DJs, such as Black Coffee, are collaborating with big international artists and enjoying residencies at dance hubs like Ibiza, London and Berlin. Africa has its own electronic music story to tell and the world is hearing about it every day.

Music In Africa has chosen ‘electronic music’ as its theme for the month of October. In doing so we have compiled a selection of relevant reading, covering many of the key players and events in one of Africa’s truly innovative spaces.

Make sure you visit this page daily in October for exciting electronic music updates.