2021 in African music

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The following is a list of events and releases that have happened or are expected to happen in 2021 in African music.

Events[]

18 June – South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins the Song Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.^[1]

Albums released in 2021[]

Release date	Artist	Album	Genre	Label	Ref
January 8	Monica Ogah	Different (EP)	Christian	Indie	^[2]
Jan 18		The Gospel of the Kingdom	Christian	Indie	^[3]
January 22	Ayra Starr	Ayra Starr (EP)	Afropop, R&B, neo-soul	Mavin Records	^[4]
January 29	KaniBeatz & Bella Alubo	Chrystical (EP)	Pop	Lightcastle Music Global	^[5]
February 4	Joeboy	Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic	Afrobeats, Contemporary R&B	emPawa	^[6]
February 5	Femi Kuti & Made Kuti	Legacy +	AfroBeat/Jazz	Partisan	^[7]
April 9	Peruzzi	Rum & Boogie	Afrobeats	DMW	^[8]
April 23	Osibisa	New Dawn	High Life/Jazz/FunkRock	Marquee Records	^[9]
April 30	Laycon	Shall We Begin	Rap	Fierce Nation	^[10]
May 21	Mdou Moctar	Afrique Victime	Electronic	Matador	^[11]
June 18	Olamide	UY Scuti	Afropop	YBNL Nation Empire Distribution	^[12]
July 9	Les Filles de Illighadad	At Pioneer Works	Tuareg rock	Sahel Sounds	^[9]
July 23	Obongjayar and Sarz	Sweetness	Afrobeat		^[13]

Classical[]

Musical films[]

Deaths[]

January 8 – Dorine Mokha, 31, Congolese dancer and choreographer (malaria)^[14]
January 22 – Guem, 73, Algerian singer, composer and dancer.^[15]
January 23
- Jonas Gwangwa, 83, South African jazz musician^[16]
- Ahmed Achour, 75, Tunisian composer and conductor^[17]
January 28 – Sibongile Khumalo, 63, South African singer^[18]
January 31 – Wambali Mkandawire (Mtebeti Wambali Mkandawire), 68, Malawian jazz singer and activist.^[19]
February 5 – Abdoul Jabbar, 40–41, Guinean singer-songwriter^[20]
February 16 – Soul Jah Love, 31, Zimbabwean reggae/Zimdancehall musician (complications from diabetes)^[21]
March 7 – Josky Kiambukuta, 72, Congolese singer (TPOK Jazz).^[22]
March 14 – Thione Seck, 66, Senegalese mbalakh singer and musician^[23]
April 5 – Haja El Hamdaouia, 91, Moroccan singer and songwriter, known for Chaabi and Aita^[24]
April 18 – Naïma Ababsa, 51, Algerian singer^[25]
April 27 – , 69, Ugandan musician and singer^[26]
May 7 – Jamal Salameh, 75, Egyptian songwriter and composer
June 21 – Mamady Keïta, 70, Guinean drummer^[27]
June 22 – Mzilikazi Khumalo, 89, South African composer and academic^[28]
June 25 – Wes Madiko, 57, Cameroonian singer^[29]
July 1 – Steve Kekana, 63, South African singer^[30]
July 11 – Sound Sultan (Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi), 44, Nigerian rapper and hip hop pioneer (angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma)^[31]
August 3 – Allan Stephenson, 71, British-born South African cellist, conductor and composer^[32]
August 9 (killed in car crash)
- Khanya "The Voice" Hadebe, 20s, South African amapiano musician^[33]
- Killer Kau, 23, South African amapiano musician
- Mpura, 20s South African amapiano musician
August 28 – Victor Uwaifo, 80, Nigerian ogbonge musician and cultural figure^[34]
August 31 – Nobesuthu Mbadu, 76, South African mbaqanga singer^[35]
September 2 – Alemayehu Eshete, 80, Ethiopian singer^[36]

References[]

^ Freya Parr (18 June 2021). "Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins Song Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
^ Naija, Bella (January 11, 2021). "New EP: Monica Ogah – Different". BellaNaija.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ Ekwe, Obedience. "Dunsin Oyekan – The Gospel Of The Kingdom Album". Naija Music. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
^ "Don Jazzy Activates Ayra Starr". THISDAYLIVE. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
^ Bulletin, The (January 29, 2021). "Kanibeatz & Bella Alubo Make Short Work Of Their 'Chrystical' Joint EP". The Bulletin. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Joeboy releases 14-track debut album, 'Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic'". Pulse Nigeria. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (December 1, 2020). "Femi and Made Kuti Announce Double Album, Share New Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
^ "Peruzzi Enlists Davido, Don Jazzy, Fireboy And More For Second Album "Rum & Boogie"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Les Filles De Illighadad - At Pioneer Works". African Music Guide. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
^ Alake, Motolani (2021-04-30). "Laycon delivers and shines on, '...Shall We Begin…' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
^ Yoo, Noah (March 2, 2021). "Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
^ Alake, Motolani (2021-06-18). "Olamide visits the Caribbean and delivers timeless music for you on 'UY Scuti' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
^ Kenneally, Cerys (July 23, 2021). "Obongjayar and Sarz unite on collaborative EP Sweetness". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
^ "Décès du chorégraphe congolais Dorine Mokha à 31 ans". CultInfos.com (in French). 13 January 2021.
^ "Abdelmadjid Guemguem, alias Guem, est décédé". Liberté Algérie (in French). 24 January 2021.
^ Lungelo Matangira (23 January 2021). "Jonas Gwangwa, award-winning jazz legend, passes away aged 83". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
^ "Le chef d'orchestre et compositeur Ahmed Achour est décédé à l'âge de 75 ans". La Presse (in French). 29 January 2021.
^ Matlala, Lerato (28 January 2021). "LISTICLE: Highlights of musician Sibongile Khumalo's life". SABC News. South African Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
^ "Malawi mourns one of its greatest musicians: Wambali laid to rest". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
^ "L'artiste Abdoul Jabbar s'en va !!!". Mediaguinee.com (in French). 5 February 2021.
^ Chronicle, The. "BREAKING: Soul Jah Love dies". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
^ "Veteran Congolese singer Josky Kiambukuta dies in Kinshasa". The East African. 8 March 2021.
^ "Mort du chanteur Thione Seck, l'une des stars de la musique sénégalaise". Le Parisien. Retrieved 14 March 2021. (in French)
^ Kasraoui, Safaa (5 April 2021). "Iconic Moroccan Singer Haja El Hamdaouia Dies at 91". Morocco World News. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
^ "Décès de la chanteuse Naima Ababsa". Algérie Presse Service (in French). 18 April 2021.
^ Afrigo Band’s Sammy Kasule dies
^ Doré, Tokpanon (21 June 2021). "Bruxelles: Mamady Djembé, un monument de la percussion mondiale s'est éteint". Guinéenews (in French). Retrieved 21 June 2021.
^ Pooley, Thomas (24 June 2021). "Iconic composer Mzilikazi Khumalo defied apartheid odds to leave a rich legacy". News24. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
^ "Wes Madiko, la fin d'une histoire". Visages Live (in French). 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
^ Emmanuel Tjiya (1 July 2021). "Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
^ "Veteran Singer Sound Sultan Dies After Battle With Cancer". Guardian.ng. July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
^ "Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died". The Strad. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
^ Ano Shumba (10 August 2021). "South Africa mourns amapiano artists Mpura, Killer Kau and Khanya Hadebe". Music Africa. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
^ "Sir Victor Uwaifo: Joromi, Guitar Boy artiste and ogbonge Nigerian musician die at di age of 80". BBC News. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
^ "Mahotella Queens' star Mbadu passes on after fight with kidney failure". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
^ Admin (3 September 2021). "Alemayehu Eshete, "Ethiopian Elvis Presley", reportedly died". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.

[1] Freya Parr (18 June 2021). "Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins Song Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

[2] Naija, Bella (January 11, 2021). "New EP: Monica Ogah – Different". BellaNaija.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[3] Ekwe, Obedience. "Dunsin Oyekan – The Gospel Of The Kingdom Album". Naija Music. Retrieved 5 May 2021.

[4] "Don Jazzy Activates Ayra Starr". THISDAYLIVE. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.

[5] Bulletin, The (January 29, 2021). "Kanibeatz & Bella Alubo Make Short Work Of Their 'Chrystical' Joint EP". The Bulletin. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[6] "Joeboy releases 14-track debut album, 'Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic'". Pulse Nigeria. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-02-04.

[7] Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (December 1, 2020). "Femi and Made Kuti Announce Double Album, Share New Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 29, 2021.

[8] "Peruzzi Enlists Davido, Don Jazzy, Fireboy And More For Second Album "Rum & Boogie"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.

[guide-9] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Les Filles De Illighadad - At Pioneer Works". African Music Guide. Retrieved 29 June 2021.

[10] Alake, Motolani (2021-04-30). "Laycon delivers and shines on, '...Shall We Begin…' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-07-21.

[11] Yoo, Noah (March 2, 2021). "Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 3, 2021.

[12] Alake, Motolani (2021-06-18). "Olamide visits the Caribbean and delivers timeless music for you on 'UY Scuti' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-07-21.

[13] Kenneally, Cerys (July 23, 2021). "Obongjayar and Sarz unite on collaborative EP Sweetness". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 24, 2021.

[14] "Décès du chorégraphe congolais Dorine Mokha à 31 ans". CultInfos.com (in French). 13 January 2021.

[15] "Abdelmadjid Guemguem, alias Guem, est décédé". Liberté Algérie (in French). 24 January 2021.

[16] Lungelo Matangira (23 January 2021). "Jonas Gwangwa, award-winning jazz legend, passes away aged 83". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 23 January 2021.

[17] "Le chef d'orchestre et compositeur Ahmed Achour est décédé à l'âge de 75 ans". La Presse (in French). 29 January 2021.

[18] Matlala, Lerato (28 January 2021). "LISTICLE: Highlights of musician Sibongile Khumalo's life". SABC News. South African Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 January 2021.

[19] "Malawi mourns one of its greatest musicians: Wambali laid to rest". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 1 February 2021.

[20] "L'artiste Abdoul Jabbar s'en va !!!". Mediaguinee.com (in French). 5 February 2021.

[21] Chronicle, The. "BREAKING: Soul Jah Love dies". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-02-17.

[22] "Veteran Congolese singer Josky Kiambukuta dies in Kinshasa". The East African. 8 March 2021.

[23] "Mort du chanteur Thione Seck, l'une des stars de la musique sénégalaise". Le Parisien. Retrieved 14 March 2021. (in French)

[24] Kasraoui, Safaa (5 April 2021). "Iconic Moroccan Singer Haja El Hamdaouia Dies at 91". Morocco World News. Retrieved 5 April 2021.

[25] "Décès de la chanteuse Naima Ababsa". Algérie Presse Service (in French). 18 April 2021.

[26] Afrigo Band’s Sammy Kasule dies

[27] Doré, Tokpanon (21 June 2021). "Bruxelles: Mamady Djembé, un monument de la percussion mondiale s'est éteint". Guinéenews (in French). Retrieved 21 June 2021.

[28] Pooley, Thomas (24 June 2021). "Iconic composer Mzilikazi Khumalo defied apartheid odds to leave a rich legacy". News24. Retrieved 27 June 2021.

[29] "Wes Madiko, la fin d'une histoire". Visages Live (in French). 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.

[30] Emmanuel Tjiya (1 July 2021). "Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

[31] "Veteran Singer Sound Sultan Dies After Battle With Cancer". Guardian.ng. July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.

[32] "Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died". The Strad. Retrieved August 3, 2021.

[33] Ano Shumba (10 August 2021). "South Africa mourns amapiano artists Mpura, Killer Kau and Khanya Hadebe". Music Africa. Retrieved 12 August 2021.

[34] "Sir Victor Uwaifo: Joromi, Guitar Boy artiste and ogbonge Nigerian musician die at di age of 80". BBC News. Retrieved 30 August 2021.

[35] "Mahotella Queens' star Mbadu passes on after fight with kidney failure". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 30 August 2021.

[36] Admin (3 September 2021). "Alemayehu Eshete, "Ethiopian Elvis Presley", reportedly died". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.

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2021 in African music

Contents

Events[]

Albums released in 2021[]

Classical[]

Musical films[]

Deaths[]

See also[]

References[]