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Matias Damasio

Angola |1982| Portuguese

Matias Damásio is a renowned Angolan musician, singer, and songwriter. He gained popularity through his music in the romantic and Kizomba genres. In 2000, he moved to Luanda for better opportunities and started his career singing at religious festivals. His appearance on Estrelas no Palco, a television contest, in 2001 as a finalist and runner-up in the Domingão Coca-Cola contest with the band Maravilha and João Alexandre brought him some recognition. Since then, Damásio has released several albums, won numerous awards in Angola, and achieved chart-topping success in Portugal. He remains a respected artist in Angola and Portugal, known for his exceptional talent and contributions to the music industry.

Najat Aâtabou

Morocco |1960| Arabic

Najat Aâtabou is a Moroccan singer, songwriter, and composer from Khémisset. Her talent was discovered when a friend recorded her voice and the tape was illegally sold, making her famous throughout Morocco. However, her family did not approve of her singing, and she had to flee to Casablanca, where she lived with a music producer for three years. Najat became known for her Chaabi music, which highlights the struggles of modern Moroccan women. She scored her biggest hit with "Hedi Kedba Bayna" and wrote "Shoufi Ghirou," sparking discussions about feminism in Morocco. Najat has brought important changes for women's rights in Morocco through her music. She is also featured in the documentary "Morocco Swings," exploring the lives of two generations of Moroccan singers.

Brymo

Nigeria |1986| Yoruba

Brymo, with real name Ashimi Olawale Ibrahim, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, and composer. He started his music career in a church choir before joining The Aliens in 2002. Brymo gained recognition as a member of Chocolate City, releasing his debut solo album "Brymstone" in 2007. He blends African folk, soul, and R&B and has released several acclaimed albums, including "Merchants, Dealers & Slaves," "Tabula Rasa," and "Oso." Brymo is also a writer and social activist, known for his outspokenness on Nigerian social issues.

Sho Madjozi

South Africa |1992| Tsonga

After concluding her high school in Tanzania, young Maya got a scholarship to study creative writing and African studies at a university in US. While in the US she began writing poems, identifying herself as Maya the Poet. Later, Sho Madjozi returned to South Africa and undertook a fellowship at one of the country's university. There she began writing politically-themed songs and rapping with her new moniker, Sho Madjozi. She rose to fame after her collaboration with another South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat.

Ricky Fataar

South Africa |1952| Afrikaans

Ricky Fataar is a South African musician who has worked as a drummer and guitarist. He rose to prominence as an actor in The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, a satire of the Beatles' true history in which he also played a member of The Rutles. Ricky began playing the drums with his older brothers when he was nine. They formed "The Flames," recorded numerous albums, toured throughout Southern Africa, and became highly popular. The Flames relocated to London in 1968, then to Los Angeles in 1970, after signing to the Beach Boys' "Brother" label, for whom they released two albums. Ricky joined the Beach Boys when The Flames disbanded, travelling extensively and recording in Holland.

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Explore Bands

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Mind Assault

Active | English, Afrikaans | South Africa

Mind Assault is a heavy metal band that formed in 2003 in South Africa by Jacques Fourie, Franscois Pretorius, Patrick Davidson, and Donovan Tose. Th...

Plantashun Boiz

Inactive | English - Pidgin | Nigeria

Plantashun Boiz was a Nigerian hip-hop and R&B music group consisting of 2face, Faze, and Blackface. The first two members of the group (2face and B...

Super Eagles

Inactive | Wolof | Gambia

The Super Eagles band started as a high school group and evolved into one of West Africa's most influential musical groups in the late 1960s and early...

London Lucumi Choir

Active | English | United Kingdom

Though formed 2006 but with 14 years of performance, the London Lucumi Choir is the first non-audition community choir whose primary focus is singing ...

Blogs

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Music: Career or Glorified Hobby?

By Josplay | 5/9/2025 | General

In many African households, music is still seen as just a hobby. But with a $29.6 billion global industry, is it time to change that tune?

Malagasy Jazz

By Josplay | 5/8/2025 | Genres

Jazz started to take shape in Madagascar around the 1950s, driven by a wave of passionate musicians like the Rabeson brothers, Georges Rahoerson, Famille, Arnaud Razafy, and Ramboatina Étienne.

Oral Tradition in African Music and Instrument Knowledge

By Josplay | 5/7/2025 | General

Across Africa, music is a living part of the culture, deeply rooted in oral tradition. Instrument knowledge, playing techniques, and traditions are passed down through spoken words, songs, and practical demonstrations, preserving the rich musical heritage and identity of African communities.

Rapcha: Dont Take God s Credit - Album Review

By Josplay | 5/6/2025 | Reviews

Tanzanian rapper Rapcha releases a 17-track project blending sharp storytelling with brilliant production. The album, primarily in Swahili, features collaborators like Banana Zorro and Lydia Marley, addressing personal growth, experiences and societal issues.

About AML

African Music is rich, yet misunderstood and inaccurately represented. AML is on a mission to change that.

African Music Library is the world's most comprehensive knowledge base for African Music.

The Library is supported by a team of musicologists, engineers and literary experts committed to closing the knowledge gap and codifying African music for better participation in the digital economy.