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The Best North African Songs of 2024

The Best North African Songs of 2024

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Sudanese British musician Elmiene stands in front of a burgundy background, wearing an elaborate red and white kaftan, silver rings and red glasses.

Elmiene’s ‘For The Deported’ is a Love Letter to Sudan

Music
Sudanese rapper Montiyago.

Is the Rise of Sudanese Rap Breaking Down Racist Stereotypes?

Music
Egyptian rappers gathered in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza, one masked man is holding a microphone to a young woman rapping in the middle of the group.

Sudanese and Egyptian Rappers Battle in the Latest ‘Rap Shar3’

North Africa
A black and white photo of Rhita Nattah.

The Best North African Songs Right Now

Latest
Egyptian French musician Ash standing knee deep in the sea, wearing a white shirt and white pants.

For Ash, Performing at The Pyramids of Giza Marks a Full Circle Moment

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Moroccan pop singer Manal Benchlikha performs in a vegan fur coat in traditional Moroccan jewelry in front of a burgundy background at COLORSxSTUDIOS Berlin.

The Best North African COLORS Performances

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Soulja standing inside a green door frame, rapping. To his left and right are colorful walls with flower print.

The 13 Best North African Songs Right Now

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Moroccan rapper Stormy rides a motorbike in his music video for “POPO.”

The Best North African Songs of 2024 So Far

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Libyan musician Amaka Jaji.

Amaka Jaji’s Debut Album, ‘TIDET,’ Fuses Tuareg Tradition With Modernity

Latest
EMEL Summons Action and Resistance on Fifth Studio Album ‘MRA’

EMEL Summons Action and Resistance on Fifth Studio Album ‘MRA’

Latest
A photo of Moroccan rapper Stormy.

Unraveling the 'ICEBERG,' Stormy Sets Out to Reinvent Moroccan Rap

Latest
DJ set at Sandbox Festival in El Gouna, Egypt.

Five North African Music Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer

Latest
Moroccan rappers Small X, YP, and Di-Meh filmed in Hassan Hajjaj’s store in Marrakech wearing fashionable and brightly colored street clothing.

Norfafrica Shares the Sounds of a Region on the Rise

Latest
Close up shot of a scene from Queen Cleopatra.

WATCH: Netflix Unveils Ancient Egypt’s ‘Queen Cleopatra’

Music
Egyptian rapper FL EX poses and points to the camera in sunglasses

FL EX is Bringing Egyptian Drill to the World

Music
blaqbonez back in uni

The 15 Best Music Videos of 2022

Music
The cover art for OkayAfrica’s Best East African Songs of 2024 list featuring Element Eleéeh, Dyana Cods, and Diamond Platnumz.

The Best East African Songs of 2024

Music
A group of dancers in K-Pop-inspired outfits performs on stage at the Nairobi Comic-Convention, featuring synchronized moves and energetic poses.

From Nairobi to Seoul: Kenya Joins the K-Pop Wave

Music
Celebrated Amapiano DJ, Uncle Waffles, stands behind a disc jockey set up.

Opinion: Uncle Waffles’ Nairobi Event Highlights Broader Issues With African Music Concerts

Events
A close-up of Kenyan artist Xenia Manasseh’s dragon themed cover artwork for her new album.

Xenia Manasseh Unveils Her Boldest Work Yet with ‘Love/Hate Pt. 2’

Music
Bien, wearing a shiny green outfit, stands on a sandy beach with the ocean and sky in the background.

For Kenya’s Bien, Music After Sauti Sol Is About “Starting Again”

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A still showing actress Njambi Mburu, lead star of ‘Wamaitha.’

What to Watch in East Africa This October

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DJ Neptune and Joshua Baraka in a colorful outdoor setting, surrounded by partygoers.

The Best East African Songs Right Now

Music
A photo of Maranata Tegegne sitting in front of Shifta, Ethiopia’s first Afro-Caribbean-inspired vegan-friendly restaurant.

Maranata Tegegne is the Creative Directing Ethiopia’s Artistic Future

Beauty
With "Set It" topping the charts, Dyana Cods is making waves in the Kenyan music scene.

Meet Dyana Cods, the Rising Star Behind Kenya’s Latest Dancehall Hit

Latest
Rising Kenyan artist tg.blk.

tg.blk is Pioneering the Next Wave of Hip-Hop from Kenya to the World

Latest
Fire is blown into the air and partygoers raise their hands during a rave.

Kampala’s Underground Techno Scene is Creating an Outlet for Freedom

Latest
A young woman wearing headphones is sitting in a chair, recording an unseen subject.

Likikiri Collective Uses Storytelling to Safeguard South Sudanese Women’s Wisdoms

Latest
A still from the video for “Bounce” showing Angell Mutoni and Kivumbi King standing behind her.

The Best East African Songs Right Now

Latest
A portrait photo of Ebrahim Soul’o wearing an all-black look.

Ebrahim Soul’o is Bringing Alternative Hip-Hop to the Spotlight in Uganda

Latest
Protesters make signs with their arms in front of Kenya police officers during a demonstration against tax hikes as Members of the Parliament debate the Finance Bill 2024 in downtown Nairobi, on June 18, 2024.

How Kendrick Lamar is Soundtracking Kenya’s Anti-Finance Bill Protests

Kenya
A photo capturing the audience and DJ booth at The Lab Episode 7 party in Addis Ababa.

Step Inside Addis Ababa’s Coolest New Party, ‘The Lab’

Latest
The cover art for OkayAfrica’s Best Southern African Songs of 2024 featuring Tyla.

The Best Southern African Songs of 2024

Latest
Uncle Waffles in a pink tile bathroom with a man behind her in a bathtub.

Uncle Waffles Drops Surprise EP, ‘4 Da Ho’s’

Latest
Tyla performs on the runway for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2024 on October 15, 2024, in New York City.

Tyla Wraps Up 2024 with Sabrina Carpenter Duet on Netflix

Music
Tyla has made it clear: she represents Amapiano, a genre as distinct and diverse as African music itself.

Tyla to Perform at Coachella 2025: Amapiano Takes the World Stage

Music
South African rapper 25K poses in a red tracksuit and sunglasses in front of a red backdrop.

25K Wants to Be Remembered As a Pioneer of Pitori Rap

Music
Tyla (L), with her sister Sydney (R), accepts the Best Afrobeats award onstage during the MTV EMAs 2024 held at Co-op Live on November 10, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Tyla Wins Big at the MTV EMAs

Events
Fikile Shiba Makhalemele poses for the camera wearing shades.

What It’s Like To…Be A Reggae Promoter In South Africa

Profiles & Interviews
Press image of South African artist Moonchild Sanelly.

The Best Southern African Songs Right Now

Latest
Tyla poses outside of her hotel in NYC, dressed up for the Met Gala.

Opinion: Can Tyla Balance Amapiano Authenticity with Global Pop Dreams?

Music
Wulf, along with Joseph Mizzi, co-founded 14+ Foundation in 2012 to build schools in rural African communities.

How Nchimunya Wulf Found Healing and Purpose By Building Schools in Zambia

Music
Tyla poses in a promotional photo for the deluxe release of her self-titled debut album.

Tyla Keeps the Momentum of Her Debut Album With Deluxe Version

Latest
A close up shot of Solly Moholo performs during the African National Congress (ANC) manifesto launch at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium on April 16, 2016 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Five Essential Solly Moholo Songs

Music
A black and white portrait of Siphiwe Mhlambi wearing glasses and a flat cap and resting his chin on his hands while holding a Mamiya RZ67 camera.

Siphiwe Mhlambi’s Jazz Tales Come From the Dust

Latest
A photo of Tamy Moyo in an all-white look.

Tamy Moyo’s ‘Bold’ Signals a New Direction

Latest
NALEDI poses in a black dress with blue, purple and lilac embellishments and surrounded by Zulu cultural artefacts.

NALEDI’s Quest for Community in a Faraway Land

Latest
A photo of Nakhane on set of their directorial debut ‘B(l)ind the Sacrifice.’

Nakhane’s ‘B(l)ind The Sacrifice’ Asks All the Necessary Questions

Music
A photo of Ofentse Pitse holding a conductor’s baton.

What It’s Like To…Be the First Black Woman to Own and Conduct an Orchestra in South Africa

South Africa
The cover artwork for OkayAfrica’s Best West African Songs of 2024 list featuring Ayra Starr and Tems.

The Best West African Songs of 2024

Latest
A man stands on a stage, wearing a denim jacket and pants while holding up a hand fan.

With “Sade,” Adekunle Gold Challenged The Nigerian Music Industry

News
Watch Davido's New Music Video For “Funds” Featuring Odumodublvck and Chike

Watch Davido's New Music Video For “Funds” Featuring Odumodublvck and Chike

Latest
Tems poses against a brown background with an intricate necklace and her hair blowing in the wind.

Tems and Asake are Cinematic Figures in the Visuals for “Get it Right”

Latest
Gospel artist Nathaniel Bassey in a live performance of “Tobechukwu (Praise God).”

14 Afro-Gospel Songs You Should Know

Music
Angélique Kidjo performs onstage at NYC’s Carnegie Hall during her 40th Anniversary concert.

Four Decades Later, Angélique Kidjo is Still Raising the Bar

Music
Wizkid wearing a black t-shirt and pants, a brown jacket, a gold chain with a Chanel logo pendant, a gray beret, and sunglasses.

Wizkid’s ‘Morayo’ Is Finally Here

Latest
Wizkid poses for a photo wearing a white tank shirt, black leather pants, black beret, and a bright smile.

Wizkid Makes a Powerful Return to the Dance Floor on “Kese”

Latest
Nigerian artist Tems performs onstage during a music festival in London.

Tems' Grammy Nominations Can Help Us Reconsider How We View Afrobeats Artists

Latest
Nigerian Afrobeats artist Fave sits on top of a washing machine in a colorful laundromat on the cover for her new EP, Dutty Love.

Fave is Not Afraid to Talk About Unpleasant Love Stories

Profiles & Interviews
A still from the music video of Davido and YG Marley’s “Awuke”.

Davido Drops His First Single of the Year, “Awuke”

Music
A scene from the music video for “Jëli” from Amadues and Walle B Seck.

The Best West African Songs Right Now

Music
Ghanaian artist Stonebwoy sits in a dark room.

Stonebwoy’s ‘UP & RUNNIN6’ Relays a Colorful and Conscious Vision

Music
Eight Times Nigerian Songs Have (Re)Gained Popularity Thanks to Social Media

Eight Times Nigerian Songs Have (Re)Gained Popularity Thanks to Social Media

Latest
An anime or cartoon style cover artwork showing Nigerian artists BNXN and Rema standing back-to-back.

BNXN and Rema Proclaim Their Legacy on “Fi Kan We Kan”

Latest
Nigerian rapper Phyno smiles while wearing dark sunglasses, showing grills in his teeth.

Phyno Understands that Greatness is a ‘Full Time Job’

Latest
Fulu Miziki believes in second chances by making harmony from scraps.

Get to Know Congolese Collective Fulu Miziki

Music
Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper Rema performs on the Arena Stage during Roskilde Festival 2023 music festival on June 28, 2023. Roskilde Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe.

Afrobeats Stars Nominated for 2023 Billboard Music Awards

Latest
Images courtesy of Libianca.

The Indomitable Shine of Cameroon’s Libianca

Latest
Kengol DJ from cameroon stands and poses

Get to Know Kengol DJ’s Cameroonian Drill Music

Music
Rising Star Libianca Shares Visuals to Hit 'People (Check On Me)'

Rising Star Libianca Shares Visuals to Hit 'People (Check On Me)'

Music
Jeune Lio & Magasco Navigate the Pains of Love In Their New EP

Jeune Lio & Magasco Navigate the Pains of Love In Their New EP

Music
Watch Fally Ipupa Deliver a Riveting COLORS Performance

Watch Fally Ipupa Deliver a Riveting COLORS Performance

Music
James BKS Calls to the 'Wolves of Africa' In Debut Album

James BKS Calls to the 'Wolves of Africa' In Debut Album

Music
A group shot of Libende Boyz

DRC's Libende Boyz Are Using Their Voices to Uplift Troubled Beni

Music
10 Standout Francophone Songs From 2021

10 Standout Francophone Songs From 2021

Music
Congolese Rumba Is Now A UNESCO-Protected Cultural Gem

Congolese Rumba Is Now A UNESCO-Protected Cultural Gem

Music
Interview: Fally Ipupa Continues His Legacy With 'Tokooos II'

Interview: Fally Ipupa Continues His Legacy With 'Tokooos II'

Music
Interview: Bamao Yendé Is All Pulsating Emotion

Interview: Bamao Yendé Is All Pulsating Emotion

Music
James BKS - OkayAfrica

James BKS Drops New Single 'No Unga Bunga' & Accompanying Visuals

News
Xplosive DJ posing in his home studio wearing a blue adidas tracksuit and an adidas moon bag.

Interview: Xplosive DJ Calls Many Places Home With His Debut Release ‘Plan B’

Music