West African Music Recommendation by Gabriel Dedji

As a West African who absolutely adores my culture, I’m often excited by the influence of our music on the Western World. Thus, I have decided to make a short list of songs that exemplify the African styles of the 1960s and 70s that have played a part in shaping the music of Michael Jackson, J.Cole, Burna Boy and many other popular artists of recent times. Surprisingly you’ll probably recognize some of them if you listen to any of the aforementioned musicians. These songs that span between the 60s to the present day feature Western and Asian artists as well as native West Africans but all of the music roots itself very deeply in the sound of my home region.

Kokoroko- Ti-de (2018)

Fela Kuti- Water No Get Enemy (1975)

Balla et ses Balladins- Paulette (1980)

Damon Albarn & Tony Allen- Go Back (2011)

Adekunle Gold & Seun Kuti- Mr. Foolish (2018)

Fela Kuti- Sorrow, Tears and Blood (1977)

Ezra Collective- Shakara (2019)

Ebo Taylor- Love and Death (1980)

Kokoroko- Adwa (2018)

Fela Kuti- Gentleman (1973)

Rocket Juice & The Moon-1-2-3-4-5-6 (2012)

Manu Dibango- Soul Makossa (1973)

Fela Kuti- Ako (1969)

Antibalas- Dirty Money (2012)

Takuya Kuroda- Zigzagger (2016)

Ebo Taylor- Will You Promise (1975)

Femi Kuti- Truth Don Die (1998)

Afrodizz- Propaganda (2004)

Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo- Aihe Ni Kpe We (2004)

Fela Kuti- Zombie (1976)

Manu Dibango- Electric Africa (1985)