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Black Excellence
TOP 10 AFRICAN MUSICIANS IMPACTING THE WORLD Fela Kuti (1938-1997)
Miriam Makeba (1932-2008)
Angelique Kidjo
As a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, Fela Akinkulapo-Kuti was a great musician and composer who pioneered the Afrobeat music movement. Even after his passing, his music still serves as a beacon of light inspiring minds around the world. He paved the way for many artists to come, just by being an activist who fought for the greater interest of his countrymen.
=“Mama Africa” is the name that was graciously given to Miriam Makeba, a South-African singer-songwriter and all around activist. She is known for standing tall in her political views and fearlessly speaking out against apartheid as well as the overall Civil Rights movement. As the first musician to achieve world-wide popularity, Miriam Makeba is known for her powerful voice and intense impact.
Hailing from Benin, singer-songwriter and activist Angelique Kidjo is known globally for her diversity and creativity through various artforms.Pairing her unique multilingual fusion of Afrobeat, jazz, reggae, and pop with traditional African instruments, Angelique has won many Grammy awards for her impactful contributions. As the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she created the educational Batonga Foundation for the betterment of like-minded people.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Brenda Fassie
This South-African male choral group is known for their unique style of isicathamiya and mbube. Blending vocal harmonies, this group began recording in the mid-1970s, thus gaining great acclaim in their home country and internationally in 1986. Grammy awards and decades of world-touring is carried by this group to this day.
This South-African musician and dancer was nicknamed the “Queen of African Pop” due to her versatile and dynamic voice. Brenda Fassie began performing as a child in Cape Town where her rise and influence began. Openly standing up against apartheid regime, Brenda strategically fused bubblegum pop music with Zulu Jive and other local sounds.
