The rhythms of African music: This beautiful continent is filled with a plethora of melodies, beats and unique sounds. You can’t think of Africa without being reminded of its music with golden rhythms that are everywhere. As an ode to my favourite continent, today I want to share with you my Africa Playlist. Read on to discover a list of songs about Africa, songs with Africa in the lyrics, African inspired songs that remind you of Africa, traditional and famous African songs. I hope that it brings you much joy, puts a smile on your face, maybe gets you dancing, and gives you an authentic taste of Mother Africa.

As often said in Africa, “the Gods will not descend without a song.”

Africa is a highly musical continent. Music, song, and dance is often an essential component of most African cultures. As the cradle of humankind, the land has served as inspiration over millennia. I’ve noticed that music is a key feature of life in Africa.

The rhythms are everywhere, from traditional events, social activities, and cultural gatherings to individual homes, stores, and public transport. The rhythms and beats of Africa song are catchy and compelling, getting all those who listen to smile and dance.

Will it have the same affect on you? Scroll below and let’s find out, shall we?

The curious beauty of African music is that it uplifts even as it tells a sad tale. You may be poor, you may have only a ramshackle house, you may have lost your job, but that song gives you hope.

Music lover? Check out this list of the:
Top 50 Songs about Adventure and Travel

With musical preferences and traditions as diverse as the people that call this continent home, African music is rich and vibrant.

Different countries and even regions have their own distinctive musical style, but the sounds in African songs often transcend beyond the region or country of origin. Genres include afrobeat, afropop, kwaito, reggae, gospel, house, R&B, hip-hop, and bongo, just to name a few.

Check out the full details and discover some musicians from Africa in this popular list below. 

Compiling a list of the best Africa songs is a formidable task and this list below is by no means complete.

What is your favourite African song? I would love to add it to this playlist for others to discover and enjoy it too. 

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THE BEST SONGS ABOUT AFRICA

For the love of music: Let’s take a journey around Africa with these famous and popular songs.

This section comprises songs by artists around the world that have been inspired by Africa or have Africa in the lyrics. They highlight the continent and serve to foster a connection with our African heritage.

No musical collection is complete without it…

What are the best songs about Africa? Let’s get into it….

1 | AFRICA
— TOTO

From: USA
Album: Toto IV
Released: 1982
Genre: Classic Rock

The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what’s right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve become

It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)

Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you
It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa

Another very popular song about Africa:

2 | WAKA WAKA (THIS TIME FOR AFRICA)
— SHAKIRA FT. FRESHLYGROUND

From: Colombia
Album: Sale el Sol
Released: 2010
Genre: Pop

When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
‘Cause this is Africa

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Listen to your God, this is our motto
Your time to shine, don’t wait in line
Y vamos por todo

This time for Africa
This time for Africa
We’re all Africa
We’re all Africa

3 | AFRICA IS WHERE MY HEART LIES
— MIRIAM MAKEBA

From: South Africa
Album: Homeland
Released: 2000
Genre: Afropop

A picturesque sunset lights up the sky
A magical moment of light passing by
Romantic rhythms that beat through the night
Mother nature’s gift for you and I
Oh! Oh!
Africa is my hope

Don’t you know that home is
Where my heart lies
Across the ocean
Into the African skies
Through the hills and valleys

Over the mountains
Africa, is where my heart lies

4 | VICKY SAMPSON
— MY AFRIKAN DREAM

From: South Africa
Album: Zai
Released: 1995
Genre: Pop

Sometimes alone in the evening
I look outside my window
At the shadows in the night
I hear the sound of distant crying
The darkness multiplying
And weary hearts denied

‘Cause in my African dream, there’s a new tomorrow
My African dream is a dream that we can follow
And though it would seem my hope’s an illusion
My African dream is an end to the confusion

Mawetbu we Afrika (This is my African dream)
Nine kusasa Elittlbe
Igugu e Afrika (Yeah, let us left our voices)
Sizoni landela ma Afrika (Sing in harmony, you and me yeah yeah)
Siyayibona Intlanzi (I want us to live as one)
Ukukbanya Kwentokozo (Ooh, no more wars)
Iguguletbu le Afrika (No more wars, no more wars, no more guns)
Ukupbela Kwenkinga Zonke

5 | AFRICA
— YEMI ALADE FT. SAUTI SOL

From:  Nigeria
Album: Mama Africa
Released: 2016
Genre: Afropop

This my African heart will dey love you
This my African arms they will squeeze you, yeah
My African ears will listen to you
My Kenyan legs will run to you yeah
Na kama umekuja ku-break dance (breakdance)
Umekuja ku, get down (get down)
Umekuja ku, take chance
Hakuna matata eeh
Kama umekuja kulipala yeah, kupiga densi ooh
Hapo ulipo eeeh kata kiuno ioo ioo ioo

Anywhere you go 
London, USA
Nowhere be like Africa
Nowhere be like home
Anywhere you go 
New York, Chicago
Nowhere be like Africa
Nowhere be like home

6 | CIRCLE OF LIFE (LION KING)
— CARMEN TWILLIE, LEBO M.

From: Various
Released: 1994
Genre: The Lion King Movie soundtrack

7 | JAMMU AFRICA
— ISMAËL LÔ

From: Senegal
Album: Jammu Africa
Released: 1996
Genre: Worldbeat Mbalax Afro-pop

Afrika a a a Afrika mon Afrique
Sama gent gi maa ngi ñaan Yalla wonma ko bala may ñibbi barsaq
Ma ne bes du ñakk ci bes yi Afrika don benn reew
D’ici ou d’ailleurs nous somm’ des enfants d’Afrique
Mêm’ si le ciel tombait luttons pour la paix
Kon jammu Afrika moom lay ñaan
Mané jammu Afrika mooy suñu natange
Afrika a a a Afrika a a
Afrika a a a Afrika mon Afrique

Onon bibbe Afrika ngimode, ngimode liggo-den leydi men
Ngaccen hasi daagal yoo Alla suren e musibaadi
Yoo Alla addu jam to Ruanda
Yoo Alla addu jam to Burundi
Yoo Alla addu jam to Casamans
Lawol Mbignona yee

8 | AFRICA UNITE
— BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS

From: Jamaica
Album: Survival
Released: 1979
Genre: Reggae

How good and how pleasant it would be
Before God and man, yeah
To see the unification of all Africans, yeah
As it’s been said already
Let it be done, yeah
We are the children of the Rastaman
We are the children of the Iyaman

So, Africa unite
‘Cause the children (Africa unite) wanna come home, yeah
Africa unite
‘Cause we’re moving right out of Babylon
And we’re grooving to our Father’s land

Unite for the benefit (Africa unite) of your people!
Unite for it’s later (Africa unite) than you think!
Unite for the benefit (Africa unite) of my children!
Unite for it’s later (Africa uniting) than you think!

9 | UNDER AFRICAN SKIES
— PAUL SIMON

From:  USA
Album: Graceland
Released: 1987
Genre: Pop rock

This is the story of how we begin to remember
This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain
Joseph’s face was as black as the night
And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes
His path was marked
By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere
And he walked the length of his days
Under African skies

10 | OH AFRICA
— AKON FT. KERI HILSON

From:  USA
Album: Oh Africa
Released: 2010
Genre: R&B Soul

Oh Africa

See we’ll never be able to forget this day
’cause it’s the greatest day of our life
See no matter what happens at least we can say
“we came, we saw, we tried”

We’re choosing nowhere,
We’ll do what it takes to get
To the top of the highest mountain
We’ll do anything, we got to prove ourselves
’cause we know
Oh Africa

This is our time to shine,
Our time to fly,
Our time to be inside the sky
Our time to soar,
Our time to saw,
The last one in football
Oh Africa

11 | THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT
— THE TOKENS

From: United States
Album: The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Released: 1961
Genre: Jazz

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheehee weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee weeoh aweem away
Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Near the village, the quiet village\
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheeheehee weeoh aweem away
Rrr, la la la weeoh aweem away

12 | AFRICA
— JOHNNY CLEGG AND JULUKA FT. SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR

From: South Africa
Album: Universal Men
Released: 1979
Genre: African gospel

Afrika kukhala abangcwele
EAfrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Afrika kukhala abangcwele
EAfrika kukhala abangcwele wena
Hlala
Hlala

He was born in the African dawn and orphaned to the land
So gentle in the eye he was as any woman’s child
As he grew people told him, son, don’t you trust anyone

You learn how to trust a stone
This is not gentle and then it breaks those
Who never learned how to be alone
As he grew people told him, son, don’t you trust anyone

13 | TO ZION
— LAURYN HILL

From: USA
Album:  The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
Released: 1998
Genre: Comtemporary soul

Now the joy of my world is in Zion
Now the joy of my world is in Zion

How beautiful if nothing more
Than to wait at Zion’s door
I’ve never been in love like this before
Now let me pray to keep you from
The perils that will surely come
See life for you my prince has just begun
And I thank you for choosing me
To come through unto life to be
A beautiful reflection of his grace
See I know that a gift so great
Is only one God could create
And I’m reminded every time I see your face

14 | LIVE AND DIE IN AFRIKA
— SAUTI SOL

From: Kenya
Album: Live and Die in Afrika
Released: 2015
Genre: Afro-pop

I wanna be rich, I wanna be famous
I wanna have lots, lots of money, soar above the clouds
I wanna be free like Nelson Mandela
Stand tall like a pyramid, so so courageous
No place I’d rather be ooh na na na, ooh na na na
There’s no place I’d rather be ooh na na na, ooh na na na

Live and die in Afrika
I wanna live and die in Afrika
Live and die in Afrika
Live and die in Afrika

15 | PRIDE OF AFRICA
— YAKI-DA

From: Sweden
Album: Pride
Released: 1995
Genre: Pop

Cape-Cairo track runs through the continent,
But is incomplete.
 
Pride of Africa is going through the heart of Africa;
Pride of Africa, the track of south-east Africa;
I don’t care about the Blue Train,
Here’s from Africa, with love;
Pride of Africa, I’m travelling through the heart of Africa.
 
Oh oh oh, with the Pride of Africa;
Oh oh oh, in the heart of Africa;
I see many different places,
From Cape Town to Dar-Es-Salaam,
Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

16 | AFRIKA
— SALIF KEITA

From: Mali
Album: Folon the Past
Released: 2009
Genre: African Blues

Africa is my descent
and here I am far from home
I dwell within a land that is meant
for many men not my tone
The blood of god is my defense
let it drop down to my seed
showers to your innocence
to protect u for all eternity
and with this wood I beat this drum
and we wont see defeat
From kings to queens becomes a prince
knowledge wisdom is
understanding what we need
Ever since the day u came
my whole world began to change
I knew then to dedicate my life
4 your own
everyday I see u grow
and remember what u already know
I receive the love
that radiates from your glow
From which you came was love
And that’s how it all should be
You and my soul are I
Through all the time and history

17 | AFRICA UNITE
— FRESHLYGROUND

From: South Africa
Album: Freshlyground
Released: 2013
Genre: Folk Afropop

Africa unite
Cos we are moving right out of Babylon
And we are going to our fathers’ land
 
How good and how pleasant it would be
Before God and man
To see the unification of all Africans
As it’s been said already
Let it be done
Cos we are the children of the Africa
We are the children of the Iyaman
 
Africa unite
Cos the children wanna go home
Africa unite
Cos we are moving right out of Babylon
And we are going to our fathers land

18 | DIAMONDS FROM SIERRA LEONE
— KANYE WEST FT. JAY Z

From: USA
Album: Late registration
Released: 2005
Genre: Hip Hop

Diamonds are forever
Throw your diamonds in the sky if you feel the vibe
Diamonds are forever
The Roc is still alive every time I rhyme
Forever ever? Forever ever? Ever, ever?
Ever, ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever? Ever, ever?
 
Close your eyes and imagine, feel the magic
Vegas on acid
Seen through Yves St. Laurent glasses
And I’ve realized that I’ve arrived, ’cause
It take more than a magazine to kill my Vibe
Does he write his own rhymes, so sort of, I think, um
That mean I forgot better shit than you ever thought up
Damn, is he really that caught up?
I ask if you talkin’ bout classics, do my name get brought up?

19 | AFRICAN BEAUTY
— DIAMOND PLATNUMZ FT. OMARION

From: Tanzania
Album: Late registration
Released: 2005
Genre: Hip Hop

You’re my African Beauty
African Beauty
You’re my… African Beauty
Aah! You’re my… African Beauty
You’re my… My African Beauty
 
Found the world
Girl I have been looking for ya
I think I might just find ya in Africa
(I’m in love with you girl)
Girl you know the sound
When I come around
Lost you in the crowd
Girl gon give you crown (yeah)
Do it now, do it do it now
Do it…

20 | MAMA AFRICA
— PETER TOSH

From: Jamaica
Album: Mama Africa
Released: 1983
Genre: Reggae

In you there’s so much beauty
In you there’s so much life
In you there’s so many kingdoms
To me it’s out of sight
 
You’re the maker of gold Mama
You’re the maker of diamond
You’re the maker of pearls
And the maker of all precious goals
 
I’ve been waiting, yearning, looking
Searching to find you
I’ve been crying, praying hoping
That I may find you Mama
 
You’re my mother Africa
You’re my father Africa
I’m proud of you Mama
I love you Mama
I’m proud of you Mama
I love you heavenly

21 | AFRICA FOR AFRICA
— FEMI KUTI

From:  Nigeria
Album: Africa for Africa
Released: 2010
Genre: Afrobeat

Africa for Africa
Africa for Africa
Africa for Africa
Africa for Africa
We must remember we are brothers and sisters
War and conflict will only bring suffering and hunger
Africa for Africa

African leaders must bring us together
Africa for Africa
I say Africans we must love Africa
Africa for Africa
I say Africans we must care for Africa
Africa for Africa
Africa for Africa is the way i say
Africa for Africa
Africa for Africa is the way i say

22 | HAKUNA MATATA (THE LION KING)
— LEBO M & JIMMY CLIFF

From: South Africa
Album: Lion King Soundtrack
Released: 1994
Genre: Children’s Music

Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata!
Ain’t no passing craze
 
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!

23 | BORN IN AFRICA
— PHILLY LUTAAYA

From: Uganda
Album: Born in Africa
Released: 1986

I was born
Born in Africa
Sing my song
Music Africana
 
I was born to sing
I feel the music
It’s in the song
I was born to dance
I feel the music
It’s in the drums
 
Don’t worry where you are coming from
So wonderful when people meet
Down in Africa the land of the sun
We sing and dance it depends on the mood

24 | SCATTERLINGS OF AFRICA
— JOHNNY CLEGG & SAVUKA

From: South Africa
Album: Scatterlings
Released: 1982
Genre: Pop

They are the scatterlings of Africa
Each uprooted one
On the road to Phelamanga
Where the world began
I love the scatterlings of Africa
Each and every one
In their hearts a burning hunger
Beneath the copper sun
 
Ancient bones from Olduvai
Echoes of the very first cry
“Who made me here and why
Beneath the copper sun?”
African idea
African idea
Make the future clear
Make the future clear

25 | LAND OF PROMISE
— DAMIEN MARLEY AND NAS

From: Jamaica
Album: Distant relatives
Released: 2010
Genre: Reggae

Imagine Ghana like California with Sunset Boulevard
Johannesburg would be Miami
Somalia like New York
With the most pretty light
The nuffest pretty car
Ever New Year the African Times Square lock-off
Imagine Lagos like Las Vegas
The Ballers dem a Ball
Angola like Atlanta
A pure plane take off
Bush Gardens inna Mali
Chicago inna Chad
Magic Kingdom inna Egypt
Philadelphia like Sudan
The Congo like Colorado
Fort Knox inna Gabon
People living in Morocco like the state of Oregon
Algeria warmer than Arizona bring your sun lotion
Early morning class of Yoga on the beach in Senegal
Ethiopia the capitol of fi di Congression
A deh so I belong
A deh di The King come from
I can see us all in limos
Jaguars and B’mos
 
There’s alot of work to be done, O gosh
In the Promised Land

26 | I HAD A FARM IN AFRICA
— JOHN BARRY

From: UK
Album: The Ipcress File
Released: 1965
Genre: Film Scores: Main Soundtrack: Out of Africa

27 | BROWN SKIN LADY
— BLACK STAR

From: USA
Album: Mos Def  & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Released: 1998
Genre: Alternative Hip Hop

Fresher than Tony Rebel’s vegetables at african street festivals
Where incredible women is, plentiful
Over the years I met a few, none of them compare to you
Preparing you to make fruit bearable, somethin terrible, let’s see:
You fruitful, beautiful, smart, lovable, huggable
Doable like art, suitable to be part
Of my life, coppertone owe you copyright infringement, pay
You been this tan since way back in the day
It’s like I’m standin there you know appreciatin God’s design
And then you showed up, it’s like you read my mind
Damn she’s fine, I think I add the r-e, in front of that
And see if she d, to get, with a cat like me
 
I like the, I like the, I like the, I like the
Way you walk, yes, I live the way you move

28 | MAMA AFRICA
— AKON

From: Senegal
Album: Konvicted
Released: 2006
Genre: R&B/Soul

Still you don’t know
The land is so gold and green
The place is so fresh and clean
And everyday I water my garden
Tell if you feel it deep in your heart and
The space is so cool and nice
Visit once, guaranteed to visit twice
And if you just believe in the Most High
I know you’ll be all right, Mama Africa has
 
So much love to share
Pure blackness, oneness so rare
So much love to care
And let them know they missin’ out
Mama Africa you, you
So much love to share
 
A
That’s my favorite place when I need to get away
F
Must forgive but we can’t forget to pray
R
Flight lands right on the runway
I
In my homeland and I’m feelin’ so alive
C
Imagine Africa unite
A
Go on and accept her now it’s all right

29 | AFRICA
— D’ANGELO

From: USA
Album: Voodoo       
Released: 2000
Genre: Contemporary Soul

 
Africa is my descent
And here I am far from home
I dwell within a land that is meant
For many men not my tone
 
The blood of god is my defense
Let it drop down to my seed
Showers to your innocence
To protect you for all eternity
And with this wood I beat this drum
And we won’t see defeat

30 | AFRICAN QUEEN
— 2FACE IDIBIA

From: Nigeria
Album: Face 2 Face
Released: 2004
Genre: Hip Hop/Rap

Yeah, yeah, you are my african queen, oooh lord, oooh lord
 
Just like the sun lights up the earth, you light up my life
The only one, I’ve ever seen with a smile so bright
And just yesterday, you came around my way
And changed my whole scenery with your astonishing beauty
 
Ah, you coulda make a brother sing,
You ordinary thing, a supernatural being
 
I know you are just brighter than the moon
Brighter than the star, I love you just the way you are
 
And you are my African Queen, the girl of my dreams.
You take me where I’ve never been
You make my heart go ting-a-ling-a-ling, oh ahh
You are my African Queen, the girl of my dreams
And you remind me of a thing
And that is the African beauty yahhh

31 | MARRKESH EXPRESS
— CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

From: USA
Album: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Released: 1969
Genre: folk

Looking at the world through the sunset in your eyes
Travelling the train through clear Moroccan skies
Ducks, and pigs, and chickens call
Animal carpet wall-to-wall
American ladies five-foot tall in blue
 
Sweeping cobwebs from the edges of my mind
Had to get away to see what we could find
Hope the days that lie ahead
Bring us back to where they’ve led
Listen not to what’s been said to you
 
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express
They’re taking me to Marrakesh
All aboard the train, all aboard the train
 
I’ve been saving all my money just to take you there
I smell the garden in your hair

32 | KILIMANDJARO
— PASCAL DANEL

From: France
Album: Kilimandjaro
Released: 1966

33 | MAMA AFRICA
— CHICO CESAR

From: Brasil
Album: Aos Vivos
Released: 1995
Genre: World Music

Oh let me sing, oh let me sing, oh let me sing, oh
Let me sing, let me sing, let me sing, oh oh 
Let me sing, oh let me sing, oh let me sing, oh oh 
Let me sing, oh let me sing, oh let me sing, oh oh
 
Mama África
A minha mãe
É mãe solteira
E tem que fazer mamadeira
Todo dia
Além de trabalhar
Como empacotadeira
Nas Casas Bahia

34 | KILIMANJARO
— JOHNNY CLEGG & JULUKA

From: South Africa
Album: Stand Your Ground
Released: 1984
Genre: Afro-pop

All my heart is yearning
Like a candle burning in the night
Seasons keep on turning
Sometimes hard to keep up the fight
I will climb the ancient mountain
I will find the last flicker of the light
 
I’m sittin’ on the top of Kilimanjaro
I can see a new tomorrow
I’m sittin’ on the top of Kilimanjaro
I cast aways all my sorrows
 
What a strange strange freedom
Only free to choose my chains
So hard not to weaken-
Just give up and walk away
I will climb the ancient mountain
I will find the last flicker of the light

35 | (WE’RE OFF ON THE) ROAD TO MOROCCO
— JIMMY VAN HEUSEN

From: USA
Album: Soundtrack: Road to Morocco
Released: 1942
Genre: Swing

We’re off on the road to Morocco
This taxi is tough on the spine
Beats the bus, huh, Junior
Oh, beats me
Where we’re goin’
Why we’re goin’, how can we be sure
I’ll lay you eight to five that we meet Dorothy Lamour
Yahoo
 
Off on the road to Morocco Hang on till the end of the line
I hear this country’s where they do the dance of the seven veils
We’d tell you more, but we would have the censor on our tails
We certainly do get around
Like Webster’s Dictionary, we’re Morocco bound

36 | SAGA AFRICA
— YANNICK NOAH

From: France
Album: Black & What!
Released: 1991
Genre: Afro-reggae

Saga Africa
Ambiance de la brousse
Saga Africa
Attention les secousses
 
Direction quartier
Pour danser poulet braisé
Avec le meyo
Ah, comment! Goutte le meyo
Comment tu es café?
A élan nou a zout
T es un chaud gars
Tu danses un peu bancal mais c’est bon
Mouvement de hanche
Mouvement bangala

37 | AFRICA LANDÓ
— NOVALIMA

From: Peru
Album: Coba Coba
Released: 2009

38 | TARZAN & JANE
— TOY-BOX

From: Denmark
Album: Fantastic
Released: 1998
Genre: Pop

Deep in the jungle, 
In the land of adventure, lives Tarzan
 
My name is Tarzan, I am Jungle-man 
The tree-top swinger from jungle-land 
Come, baby come, 
I will take you for a swing 
Let’s go, honey, I’m tinkling
 
Tarzan is handsome, Tarzan is strong 
He’s really cute, and his hair is long 
Tarzan is handsome, Tarzan is strong 
So listen to the Jungle-song

39 | PONTA DE LANÇA AFRICANO (UMBABARAUMA) — JORGE BEN JOR

From: Brazil
Album: Africa Brasil
Released: 1976
Genre: Pop

Joga bola, joga bola
Corocondô
Joga bola, joga bola
Jogador
 
Pula, pula, cai, levanta
Sobe, dece, corre, chuta abra espaço
Vibra e agradece
Olha que a cidade toda ficou vazia
Nessa tarde bonita só pra te ver jogar
 
Umbabarauma homem-gol
Umbabarauma homem-gol
Umbabarauma homem-gol

40 | HELLO AFRICA
— DR ALBAN

From: Nigeria
Album: Hello Afrika
Released: 1990
Genre: Pop

Hello Africa! Tell me how you’re doin’
Hello Motherland! Tell me how you’re doin’
Hello Africa! Tell me how you’re doin’
Hello Motherland! Tell me how you’re doin’

Hello Nigeria! That’s my Motherland
Coming to Sweden now causin’ a hysteria
Takes a long time to travel the globe, so why be shy?
Why be humble? I just came straight out the jungle
You can’t compete with me ’cause you know I got the rhythm

The Mandika tribe, the Hausa tribe
The Fulani tribe, the Gooya tribe, the Zulu tribe
Mi no live in a house mi live in a tree
Electricity can give you a shock
Mi no smoke no cig mi no take no coke
All me take is a glass of juice

---

AFRICAN SONGS

This section contains the most popular and famous songs by African artists or musicians that hail from the African diaspora along with some traditional African music.

What are the best African songs? Here you go….

1 | JERUSALEMA
— MASTER KG FT. NOMCEBO

From: South Africa
Album: Jerusalema
Released: 2020
Genre: Gospel House

O wanitwa mos, O wanitwa mos
Master Master KG
O wanitwa mos
 
Jerusalema ikhaya lami
Ngilondoloze
Uhambe nami
Zungangishiyi lana
 
Ngilondoloze ngilondoloze ngilondoloze
Zungangishiyi lana
 
Ndawo yami ayikho lana
Mbuso wami awukho lana
Ngilondoloze
Zuhambe nami

2 | DESTINY
— MALAIKA

From: South Africa
Album: Malaika
Released: 2003
Genre: Pop

I cherish, I guess I have known the day
When heaven sent you my way
There’s something I’ve always been searching for
And you give me so much more
See, I’ve never felt anything like this
It’s something I don’t ever want to miss
 
You’ve brought me so much into my world
Believe me I mean every word
 
You were and, you are and will be
My soul and the air that I breathe
My heart and the love that I need
And you are my destiny

3 | FALL
— DAVIDO

From: Nigeria
Album: A Good Time
Released: 2019
Genre: Afrobeat Pop

Money fall on you
Banana fall on you
Prada fall on you oh
‘Cause, I’m in love with you oh, eh
Money fall on you
Banana fall on you
Paparazzi follow you
‘Cause, I’m in love with you oh, Yeah
 
Are you done talking?
Tell me baby, are you done talking? Yeah

4 | 7 SECONDS
— YOUSSOU N’DOUR (FEAT. NENEH CHERRY)

From: Senegal
Album: The Guide
Released: 1994
Genre: R&B/Soul

Roughneck and rudeness
We should be using, on the ones who practice wicked charms
For the sword and the stone
Bad to the bone
Battle’s not over
Even when it’s won
And when a child is born into this world
It has no concept
Of the tone the skin is living in
 
It’s not a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I’ll be waiting
It’s not a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I’ll be waiting
I’ll be waiting
I’ll be waiting
 
J’assume les raisons qui nous poussent de changer tout
J’aimerais qu’on oublie leur couleur pour qu’ils esperent
Beaucoup de sentiments de race qui font qu’ils desesperent
Je veux les grandements ouvertes
Des amis pour parler de leur peine, de leur joie
Pour qu’ils leur filent des infos qui ne divisent pas changer

5 | PARTICULA
— MAJOR LAZER & DJ MAPHORISA

Featuring: (ft. Nasty C, Ice Prince, Patoranking & Jidenna)
From: Several Countries
Album: Know No Better
Released: 2017
Genre: Dance Electronic

They told me everybody’s fifteen minutes in a different timezone
And since I have it at the moment
You the one I wanna shine my light on
Get your life, get your life, little mama
Won’t you get your life on?
Ain’t nothing cooler than the wrong moves
When you do ’em to the right song, the right song about Africa
Let’s shoot this movie and put the shit on repeat
I hope this Mary’s not making you fall asleep
Before we hit the road, put our phones on silent
Nobody’s tryna bring sand to the beach
What would it take to change your plans for the weekend?
‘Cause I am tryna kick it like EA
The whole thing, the pre-party, the pre-sex
Now we hit the Major League where the G’s at
 
I like you, girl, in particula
You in particula
Said I like your waist in particula, ah ha, eh
I like you, girl, in particula, yeah
You in particula
Said I like your waist in particula, ah ha, eh

6 | PATA PATA
— MIRIAM MAKEBA

From: South Africa
Album: Pata Pata
Released: 1967
Genre: Afro-pop dance

Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Hiyo mama hiyo ma nantsi Pata Pata
Hiyo mama hiyo ma nantsi Pata Pata
 
“Pata Pata” is the name of a dance we do down Johannesburg way.
And everybody starts to move as soon as “Pata Pata” starts to play – whoo
 
Whoo, every Friday and Saturday night it’s “Pata Pata” time
The dance keeps going all night long till the morning sun begins to shine – hey!
Aya sat wuguga sat – wo-ho-o

7 | WOMBO LOMBO
— ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO 

From: Benin
Album: Fifa
Released: 1996
Genre: Afropop Afrobeat

Wombo lombo
Wombo lombo Gbogbo ènyan n’ so houn kpé onindjo kan m’bè
Niboni mon léri ènikan odamin lohoun
Ilé onindjo wa lègbè odo
Inou gbèrèko oman tou oko akpèdja
Have you ever seen this man moving?
Do you think anyone else can do it?
Really this dance has got something
Something, no way you can’t beat it
Wombo lombo
Wombo lombo

8 | UMQOMBOTHI
— YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA

From: South Africa
Album: Hotel Rwanda
Released: 2005
Genre: Afropop

I work hard every day
To make my beer
(Umqombothi)
Wake up early every morning
To please my people with African beer
(Umqombothi)
 
I make sure the fire burns
To make my beer
(Umqombothi)
My special beer Umqombothi
(Umqombothi)
Is African beer
 
We Madlamini (Everybody)
Uph’umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We Madlamini (Magic beer)
Uph’umqombothi
We Madlamini (Everybody)
Uph’umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We Madlamini (African beer)
Uph’umqombothi

9 | WAVIN’ FLAG
— K’NAAN

From: Somalia
Album: Troubadour
Released: 2008
Genre: Reggae fusion

When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom just like a wavin’ flag
 
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back, oh
 
Born to a throne, stronger than Rome
But violent prone, poor people zone
But it’s my home, all I have known
Where I got grown, streets we would roam
 
Out of the darkness, I came the farthest
Among the hardest survival
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak
Accept no defeat, surrender, retreat

10 | NKALAKATHA
— MANDOZA

From: South Africa
Album: Nkalakatha
Released: 2000
Genre: Afro-Pop

Ngamtshela ngathi onomona akagcumele isigubu saMandoza
Ang’tshele yini inkinga yakhe sibonisane ejenga madoda
Ngamtshela ngathi onomona akagcumele isigubu saMandoza
Ang’tshele yini inkinga yakhe sibonisane ejenga mabane

Nkalakatha
Nkalakatha

Sesdlala esikaJanuw ezuhudube
Sodlala esikaJanuw izihidube
Oh Nklalakatha Nkalakatha

11 | WEEKEND SPECIAL
— BRENDA FASSIE

From: South Africa
Album: Legends
Released: 1999
Genre: R&B

You don’t come around
To see me in the week
You don’t have a chance
To call me on the phone
You don’t come around
To me see in the week
You don’t have a chance
Call me on the phone, yeah
 
But Friday night, yes I know
I know I must be ready for you, just be waiting for you
Friday night, yes I know
I know I must be ready for you, just be waiting for you
 
I’m your weekend, weekend special
I’m your weekend, weekend special

12 | ANTENNA
— FUSE ODG FT. WYCLEF JEAN

From: England
Album: T.I.N.A.
Released: 2014
Genre: Dance/Electronic

She wanna shop my P do I look like square
I mean do you really care
It was yours to keep, you don’t really share
I see how you moving that
You better just stay in line
All I wanna do is just make you mine
You make my heart be like playing ground
Now you wan leave and say goodbye
 
African lady you know say you got me crazy
I call that you do me shege
The things that you do don fake (down on the floor)
Loving baby you know say you got me crazy
I call that you do me shege
The things that you do don fake (down on the floor)

13 | SWEET MOTHER
— PRINCE NICO MBARGA

From: Nigeria
Album: Sweet Mother
Released: 1976
Genre: Jazz

Sweet mother I no go forget you
For the suffer wey you suffer for me.
Sweet mother I no go forget you
For the suffer wey you suffer for me.
When I dey cry, my mother go carry me–she go say,
My pikin wetin you dey cry ye, ye,
Stop stop, stop stop make you no cry again oh.”
When I won sleep, my mother go pet me,
She go lie me well well for bed,
She cover me cloth, sing me to sleep,
“Sleep sleep my pikin oh.”
When I dey hungry, my mother go run up and down.
She go find me something when I go chop oh.
Sweet mother I no go forget you for the suffer wey you suffer for me
When I dey sick, my mother go cry, cry, cry,

14 | OLIVER TWIST
— D’BANJ

From: Nigeria
Album: King Don Come
Released: 2017
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap

I have a confession
Don’t take it personal
I have a confession so you got to listen
I have a confession
Don’t take it personal
See I like Beyonce, but she dey with Jigga
I like Nikki, her yansh is bigger
I like Rihanna, she dey make me day go gaga
I like Omotola cos people like her
I like Genevieve cos I think that she’s so sweet
And Nadia Buhari
Cos she no dey drink garri
It’s not her fault you know
You cannot blame me though
I wanna have them all
I know it but the truth is that
 
I am just an Oliver
Oliver Oliver Oliver Twist
Just an Oliver

15 | DIDI
— KHALED

From: Algeria
Album: Khaled
Released: 1992
Genre: Raï

أنا بحر عليّ و انتيَ لا
ما نديرك بعيدة ما نبكي عليك
لا زهر لا ميمون لا عرقوب زين
دي دي، دي دي
دي دي، دي دي الزين دي واه
دي دي واه، دي دي
دي دي، دي هالزين داي ايه
ما نديرك بعيدة ما نبكي عليك
ما نديرك بعيدة ما نسقسي عليك
لا زهر لا ميمون لا عرقوب زين
دي دي، دي دي
دي دي، دي دي الزين دي واه
دي دي واه، دي دي
دي دي دي هالزين دي دي دي ايه

16 | SEDUCE ME
— ALIKIBA

From: Tanzania
Album: So Hot
Released: 2020
Genre: Pop

 
Do not do like that
I’m too small dada
Seduce me like what a hell (aaah hold up)
What a hell
 
Don’t do like that
Am too small dada
Seduce me like what a hell (aaah hold up)
What a hell
 
Nakuona unakata
Be careful sister
Nakama unakata
They call me heart breaker (breaker)
 
Na majina mapya
Kila mmoja amenipa
Wananiita kipusa
Ooh pasua kichwa

17 | CLER ACHEL
— TINARIWEN

From: Mali
Album: Aman Iman
Released: 2007
Genre: Folk

Jklerh achel udwer ehadh
Jklerh achel udwer ehadh
Lerh azaman iglaerh
Lerh azaman iglaerh
 
Tigila mela tigilat har takanarh am nounou
Anizdjoum djerh atat diktoh ihal falas oulhin
 
Kay ebedhoun de amarhanak erhik tarhet
Warhak dakhim sel inizdjam ed tid tekted

18 | MALAIKA
— FADHILI WILLIAMS

From: Kenya
Album: Malaika
Released: 1963
Genre: Soft Rock

19 | SOUL MAKOSSA
— MANU DIBANGO

From: Cameroon
Album: Soul Makossa
Released: 1972
Genre: Funk Afrobeat

Makoosa
Akeela Mama
Ko mama
Sa maka makoosa
 
Mama ko mama
Sa maka makoosa
Mama ko mama
Sa maka makoosa

20 | SHOSHOLOZA
— LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

From: South Africa
Album:  In Harmony
Released: 1999
Genre: Isicathamiya

Shosholoza
Ku lezontaba
Stimela si qhamuka e south africa
Shosholoza
Stimela si qhamuka e south africa
 
Wena u ya baleka
Wena u ya baleka
Ku lezontaba
Stimela si qhamuka e south africa
 
Shosholoza
Work, work, working in the sun
We will work as one
Shosholoza
Work, work, working in the rain
‘Til there’s sun again
 
Shosholoza

21 | DOO BE DOO
— FRESHLY GROUND

From: South Africa
Album: Nomvula
Released: 2004
Genre: Pop

Did you hear the news
On the radio today?
People have agreed
To give their love away
I can’t wait to be there in line, no, no
 
Politicians have agreed
To honour and obey
They’ll come down and listen
To what the people say
I can’t wait to be there in line, no no
 
Oh
Doo be doo, be, doo be doo, bye-yeah
Doo be doo, be, doo be doo, bye-yeah

22 | MUNGADZALANGIDWE
— THE BLACK MISSIONARIES

From: Malawi
Album: Kuimba Vol 3
Released: 2014
Genre: Reggae

23 | DO DARA
— VIVIANE CHIDID

From: Senegal
Album: Benen Level
Released: 2020
Genre: Pop

Ndéké yorou lou soucar café barada he heheh
Mouy capém di kossam lépam khotékou oh ohoho
Lékoulo déh nanoulo sa nélaw dématoul né nga yor ngeu he heheh
 
Di fowé sa xel bi molay sonal
Goor souné war nga diom (di déf té lou yomb)
Loufi diar ngey wané (djom ba niawalone nama)
Di digué lo meunoul (so teudé do nélaw)
Dou ni nga beugeu doundé
Dou ni nga beugeu doundé
Ki tothi na kogn ba oh oh oh
 
Ndéké yorou lou soucar café barada he heheh
Mouy capém di kossam lépam khotékou oh ohoho
Lékoulo déh nanoulo sa nélaw dématoul né nga yor ngeu he heheh
 
Do dara, do dara, do dara

24 | FEM
— DAVIDO

From: Nigeria
Album: A better time
Released: 2019
Genre: Afro-pop

E be like you don dey talk too much
Small talk, you don dey talk who talk
Fem
(Baddest)
Oboy, you don dey do too much
Small talk, you don dey look who talk
Fem
(And di baddest)
 
Person wey dey find the pity
Omo no dey give me itty bitty
Just call me, you wan know 30BG
You go know 30BG, when you see 30BG
You wey dey find the pity
Tell odogwu say we like to party
Just call me, you wan know 30BG
You go know 30BG when you see 30BG

25 | NOMATHEMBA
— LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

From: South Africa
Album: Zibuyinhlazane
Released: 1989
Genre: Isicathamiya

Wangishiyelani Nomathemba
Wangishiya ngingedw’ uNomathemba (Lokho ke) Lokho kuyang’ mangalisa
(Lokho ke) Lokho kuyang’ mangalisa
Mangibon’ intandane Eyayihleli ngaphansi kwomthunzi Lokho kuyang’ mangalisa
Hawu*, hawu, hawu.
Ngayibuz’ igama layo Ayiphendulanga Yabheka phansi yaze yakhala iziNyembezi, iziNyembezi.
Nomathemba Wangishiya la Ngisele ngingedwa Nomathemba wam’
UNomathemba wam’ Wangishiya la Ngisele ngingedwa uNomathemba wam’
Usehambile…
 

26 | MARIO
— FRANCO & LE TPOK JAZZ

From: The Democratic Republic of Congo
Album: The best of Franco
Genre: Congolese Rumba

Oh Mario
Luka ata mwasi yo moko obala- OH MARIO, LOOK FOR ONE WOMAN TO MARRY
Mario mosala kolinga ba mama mobokoli-
YOU HAVE A TENDENCY TO GO AFTER OLDER WOMEN
Basuka yo te?-WILL YOU EVER GET ENOUGH OF THEM?
Lelo makambo lobi makambo
Nalembi-TODAY PROBLEMS, TOMORROW PROBLEMS IM TIRED
Lelo bitumba lobi koswana nabaye-TODAY
FIGHTING, TOMORROW QUARRELLING, I HATE IT
Naboyi kobebisa nzoto na manzaka nalembi eh-I DONT
WANT YOU DESTROYING MY BODY WITH YOUR NAILS ANYMORE
Mario nalembi e e-MARIO AM TIRED
Mario nabaye e e – MARIO I DON’T LIKE IT

27 | POOKIE
— AYA NAKAMURA

From: Mali
Album: Nakamura
Released: 2018
Genre: R&B/Soul

Ah, depuis longtemps
J’au vu dans ça, depuis longtemps
Toi t’es bon qu’à planer
Ouais, je sens t’as l’seum, j’ai la boca
Entre nous y’a un fossé
 
Toi t’es bon qu’à faire la mala
Bébé fait du sale, allô allô allô
Million d’dollars, bébé tu vaux ça
Bébé fait du sale, allô allô allô
Million d’dollars, bébé tu vaux ça
 
J’suis gang, hors game
Boy ne joue pas, bang bang bang
J’suis gang, hors game
Boy ne joue pas, bang bang bang

28 | JOHN CENA
— SHO MADJOZI 

From: South Africa
Album: John Cena
Released: 2019
Genre: Gqom

Some wanna act rough like John Cena
Some wanna get buff like John Cena
We used to be cool, when I used to come through
Now you wanna act tough like John Cena (Hayi bo!)
Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi
Chi! Chi! Chi!
Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi
Chi! Chi! Chi
Some gonna want beef like Hyena
Some gonna get beat, I’m Serena
Some gonna get wild, gonna get loud
Gonna take shots like Tequila (Hayi bo!)
Chi! Chi! Chi! Chi! (Hayi!)
Chi! Chi! Chi (Hayi bo!)

29 | DOUHA(MALI MALI)
— DISCLOSURE AND FATOUMATA DIAWARA

From: Various
Album: Energy
Released: 2020
Genre: Dance/Electronic

Mali Mali, Malidenw ka duwawu kè tunkanadenw ye
Mali Mali, Mali nyènafin b’anw na yan
Mali Mali, Malidenw ka duwawu kè tunkanadenw ye
Mali Mali, Mali nyènafin b’anw na yan
Mali Mali, Malidenw ka duwawu kè tunkanadenw ye
Mali Mali, Mali nyènafin b’anw na yan
Mali Mali, Malidenw ka duwawu kè tunkanadenw ye
Mali Mali, Mali nyènafin b’anw na yan
 
Donsolu bè Africa
Alimamibalu bè Africa
Filosòfulu bè Africa
Balontannabalu bè Africa
Donsolu bè Africa
Alimamibalu bè Africa
Filosòfulu bè Africa
Balontannabalu bè Africa
(Mali Mali)

30 | ZAMINA MINA
— ZANGALEWA

From: Cameroon
Album: Caporal Grille
Released: 2014
Genre: Makossa

Edjibe djibe he edjibe djibe zangalewa 
Edjibe djibe heee eh edjibe djibe zangalewa
 
Edjibe zangalewa
Edibe man no run — [You don’t have to give up]
Edibe money no deh — [With all this there is no money]
Edjibe na me fanam
Edjibe djibe zangalewa
 
Edjibe djibe he edjibe djibe zangalewa edjibe djibe heee edjibe djibe zangalewa

31 | JAMBO BWANA
— SAFARI SOUND BAND

From: Kenya
Album: Jambo Jambo
Released: 2018
Genre: Afro-pop

32 | BANE
— OLIVER NGOMA

From: Gabon
Album: Bane
Released: 1989
Genre: Zouk

Icole usa muboti
Ibile nge nine sisi
Mugatsi na bane b’ami
Ibile nge nine sisi
Tate na mame
Ibile nge nine sisi
Biburu bi’ami biotsu
Ibile nge nine sisi
Bambatsi b’ami
Ibile nge nine sisi
Buale bu’ami

33 | KAOKOKOKOROBO
— PAPA WEMBA

From: Congo
Album: Pôle position
Released: 1995
Genre: Congolese Rumba

Pesa biso nguya, tobare bazembezembe ná bantusa esprit
Torenye lokola yo na likolo
Biso bayanke na se
Amen
Amen
 
Je suis madinken
Tu es mandiken
Elle est mandiken
Nous sommes mandiken
Vous êtes mandiken
Ils sont mandiken
 
Babukaki ligal ya Kaludji na Yacom
Baplan ilfale natelema na yango na ndule wana
Mbila amira pale
Masta batindika ye

34 | BRING HIM BACK HOME
— HUGH MASEKELA

From: South Africa
Album: The Times We Shared
Released: 1987
Genre: Jazz

Bring back Nelson Mandela
Bring him back home to Soweto
I wan’t to see him walking down the streets
Of South Africa (Tomorrow)
 
Bring Back Nelson Mandela
Bring him back home to Soweto
I wan’t to see him walking hand in hand
With Winnie Mandela (No more Pollsmoor)

35 | LOVE YOU DIE
— PATORANKING FT. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ

From: Nigeria
Genre: Reggae

Wha ya Say
Making money was the plan oh
And we go get am pass jagaban oh
Girl I’ll always hold you down oh
Anytime that you feeling down oh
Mama say girl make you settle down oh
Girl I say I don get you down oh
Put a smile make you no dey frown oh
Say no one can pull you down oh
So mi sing say
Win win win, win win win
We go dey, win win win
If them no like, na them know oh
Win win win, win win win
Win win win
If them no like, na them know oh

36 | MARIA SALOME
— SAIDA KAROLI

From: Tanzania
Album: Zanzibar Festival Classics
Released: 2017
Genre: African Folk

37 | MUZIKI
— DARASSA FT. BEN POL

From: Tanzania
Released: 2017
Genre: Bongo Flava

Rudi utotoni
Usipotembea utabebwa mgongoni
255 champion boy niite Mbwana Samatta
 
Wanaota mapembe waongezee mkia
Na ukinibeep tu nakupigia
An’ let me make one thing clear
Blaa blaa sitaki kusikia
 
So simba so chui so mamba (Hhah)
Ngozi yangu inatosha kujigamba (Hhah)
Na sina maneno ya kwenye kanga
Ni kazi juu ya kazi yaani bambaa tu bambaa

38 | KAMATIA
— NAVY KENZO

From: Tanzania
Album: Kamatia
Released: 2016
Genre: Afrobeat Hip hop

Kamata chini, kamatia chini
Kamata chini, kamatia chini
 
I’m gonna call you lolo,
I’m going to be your coco
Ka gari halifai kuna toyo,
Na tukichoka Dar twende Moro,
Usinipe gonjwa la moyo,
Cause you dem girls ain’t loyal
You die, you die you feel, you know you rocking with the best man
 
And I’ve been so lonely, in my life
But now I can hold on, tonight

39 | BALIWA
— JOSE CHAMELEONE

From: Uganda
Album: Baliwa
Released: 2020
Genre: Folk

Njabala njabala nyaabula
(Njabala)
Chameleone, Baur Sabula
(Njabala)
Yes we come from so far away!!
(Njabala)
Oh gosh
(Njabala)
 
They don’t know about the foundation
(Eeh the foundation)
Tebaaliwo mu intimidation
(Intimidation)

40 | MELANIN
— SAUTI SOL FT. PATORANKING

From: Kenya
Album: Afrikan Sauce
Released: 2019
Genre: Afro-pop

When a good girl gone bad
What you gonna do?
Run go meet her dad?
You don wanna do
Well this is Sauti Sol, Patoranking, world best
Watch this, love confession
What Ya Say
 
She’s a heart breaker
She bend over back breaker
Steaming hot, water vapor
I wanna date her
She’s a heart breaker
She bend over, back breaker
Steaming hot, waterfalls vapor
I wanna date her

41 | WATORA MARI
— JAH PRAYZAH & THE 3RD GENERATION

From: Zimbabwe
Album: Mdhara Vachauya
Released: 2016
Genre: Afro-pop

Zimbabwe neTanzania
Tiri kufamba mamaira
Inzwa Diamond achidaira
(Alelele naDiamond, Diamond)
(Wasafi Records)
 
Hoo-hooo darlie
Ukazunza mazakwatira watora mari
(Oh my mama)
Hoo-hooo darlie
(Eh yeah-heheee)
Anomira mira newe apa ndiani?

42 | PANA
— TEKNO

From: Nigeria
Album: Pana
Released: 2016
Genre: Afrobeat

Folake, gimme love oh
Na you dey catch my shot oh
For your sake I go go church oh
We go drive around for my Porshe oh
 
Baby, pana
They say you like wahala oh
I get wahala oh
Baby, pana
Anywhere that you go
I go follow you dey go
Baby, pana
They say you like cassava
I get big cassava
Baby, pana
My love for you will never die, never die

43 | L’AMOUR A TOUS LES DROITS
— ISMAEL LO

From: Senegal

Tant qu’il y a un regard qui lève tes yeux
Un sourire qui te parle et t’appelle comme il peut
Tant qu’il y a un souffle qui t’effleure
Un geste qui te touche et son manque qui demeure
L’amour a tous les droits
Et nous, tous les devoirs
L’amour a tous les droits
Et nous, tous les devoirs
 
Tant qu’il y a une envie que l’on écoute
Un reste d’attention et quelqu’un dans la foule
Tant qu’on peut encore le ressentir
Ne rien toucher à ça et vouloir y tenir

44 | KWANGWARU
— HARMONIZE FT. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ

From: Tanzania
Album: Afro East
Released: 2020
Genre: Afropop

45 | MOUSSOLOU
— SALIF KEITA

From: Mali
Album: Moffou
Released: 2005
Genre: Gospel

Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah sa menfou
Allah nôlé
Allah nôlé oooh
Allah lé fama allah lé dalimassan, allah makoté
Ngo allah makotala
Komatessi yé fini mi danla kokan fêrobô, Seydou toro karala
Bogolan djama yé fini mi dan na lo wo lof o kadi bèyé, Seydou toro karala
Guéssé dan na lou guéssé mi dan na lo o lo no kadi bèyé Seydou toro karala
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafimoussolou sapélé ko
An bè sapé lé, djama bè sapé lé ko, an bè ko an nou farafitchèlou sapélé ko
Seydou djolimandi, Seydou Seydou koussa woyi

46 | SORROW, TEARS AND BLOOD
— FELA KUTI

From: Nigeria
Album: Sorrow Tears and Blood
Released: 1977
Genre: Afrobeat

Everybody run run run
Eh-ya!
Everybody scatter scatter
Eh-ya!
Some people lost some bread
Eh-ya!
Someone nearly die
Eh-ya!
Someone just die
Eh-ya! Police they come, army they come
Eh-ya!
Confusion everywhere
Eh-ya!
(Huuun un!) Seven minutes later
All don cool down, brother
Police don go away
Army don disappear
Them leave sorrow, tears and blood Them regular trademark
Them leave sorrow, tears and blood Them regular trademark

47 | COLLIDE
— LADY ZAMAR

From: South Africa
Album: King Zamar
Released: 2017
Genre: Pop

The truth is I’m high your love is feelings
And I don’t know what to do
Do I hold my breath as I wait for you?
Can I afford to compromise
These feelings and save my mind?
I feel my head rush as I think of you
And try to put myself to use
Left there in time don’t always heal the wounds
It’s crazy it must be love

Should I hold on the past?
Will you let me crash?
You are a citizen
A resident, a resident in my heart

---

I hope you enjoyed this African playlist and the best songs about Africa. And I hope that it brings your heart a whole lot of the joy, beat, and rhythms of Africa!

What is YOUR favorite African inspired song Africa? Let me know in the comments below.  I welcome any suggestions and am more than happy to add to this list.

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Rai