5 Top African Music Legends

Here is the list of five top African music legends as powered by The Nation.

They remain unforgettable in the musical scene in Africa. Their songs have sold millions in copies with massive awards and recognitions across the globe.

Here are five African music legends:

1. Fela Kuti

Fela Anikulapo Kuti also known as Abami Eda is the pioneer of Afrobeat. He was a multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, Pan-Africanist and political activist.

He was regarded as one of Africa’s most challenging and charismatic music performers due to his international popularity.

2. Miriam Makeba

Mama Africa, as she was fondly called, was a South African singer who fought against the ideology of apartheid and white-minority leadership in her country. Her songs were on injustice and she acquired legendary status for her works. She died in November 2008.

3. Angelique Kidjo

Angelique Kidjo is a Benin Republic star singer, songwriter and activist with two Grammy awards.

She is known for her musical diversity and video creativity. In 2021, Times was named in a list of 100 most influential people.

4. Lucky Dube

Dube was a Rastafarian and Reggae musician from South Africa.

He was South Africa’s best-selling reggae artist with 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans languages. She was shot dead on the streets of his residence in South Africa.

5. King Sunny Ade

Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye is a royal Yoruba man that makes Afro-Juju music.

He is regarded as one of the all-time most influential musicians and one of the internationally successful musicians of Afro-Pop.