African Music Library

Powered by Josplay Music Intelligence

Discover African Music through Data

Find African Music Metadata. Explore Knowledge.

Test your knowledge of African Genres!

Test your knowledge of African music with our fun and informative quiz. A must-try for music lovers and curious beginners.

Celebrating Today

See All

Lady Squanda

Zimbabwe |1991| Ndebele

Sandra Muchaneta Gazi, widely recognized as Lady Squanda, is a prominent dancehall artist from Zimbabwe. From a young age, she aspired to become a DJ, and her musical journey began when she started performing with sounds at the age of 15. During her teenage years, she embraced dancehall music as her genre of choice. Lady Squanda gained notable recognition for her distinctive slack style, with tracks like "Cracker" contributing to her growing popularity. However, her most significant breakthrough came when she performed at the Zim Sum Fest in 2011. She has continued to make good music and is succesful in the music industry.

Crayon

Nigeria |2000| English - Pidgin

Charles Chibueze Chukwu better known as Crayon, is a talented Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2020 with his single "So Fine" which was featured as Apple Music's African Rising Star. He is signed to Blowtime Entertainment, an offshoot of Mavins Record. Crayon has achieved success in a very short period of time with him being regarded as one of Nigeria's top fast-rising star. He's also collaborated with renowned artists. He's set to continue his success in the music industry.

Herman $uede

Ghana |2002| English

Jason Herman Bortei-Doku, professionally known as Herman $uede, is a Ghanaian Afrofusion and Afropop musician, singer, songwriter, performer, and rapper. His journey into the world of music commenced at the young age of 5 when he discovered his inherent musical abilities. Herman Suede's early years were marked by a passion for classical music, leading him to study piano and receive formal music education. This foundation enabled him to compose his own music at a remarkably young age. In 2019, Herman Suede made history as the youngest Ghanaian musician to organize his solo concert, aptly named "After Prep." During the same year, he released his debut EP titled "Hi I'm Herman," further establishing himself as a rising star in the Ghanaian music scene.

Cheikh Abdelkrim Dali

Algeria |1914| Arabic

Abdelkrim Dali, known as Cheikh Abdelkrim Dali was an Algerian musician, multi-instrumentalist and one of Andalusian music's finest voices who combined the Gharnati and Tlemcenian Hawzi style of music. Hw was into a family with a deep passion for Tlemcenian music, and began recording in the 1930s, marking the start of his illustrious musical journey. He joined the Radio d'Algiers orchestra, led by the renowned Mohamed Fekhardji. Later, in the 1950s, he dedicated himself to nurturing young talents at the Algiers Conservatory. Even after his passing, Abdelkrim Dali's legacy endures through concerts and performances in his memory, exemplified by the "Cheikh-Abdelkrim-Dali" Foundation, preserving the essence of his timeless musical contributions.

Davido

Nigeria |1992| English

David Adedeji Adeleke, known to the world as Davido, is a Nigerian-American Afrobeats singer, songwriter, and record producer. Ditching business administration for music, he gained recognition with hits like "Dami Duro" and his debut album, "Omo Baba Olowo." He further cemented his global impact with collaborations with international stars, earning him awards such as the BET Awards and MTV Africa Music Awards. His fourth studio album, "Timeless" (2023), not only achieved chart-topping success but also secured his first Grammy nomination in the 2024 Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album, among other nominations. Beyond music, Davido excels as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, solidifying his multifaceted influence.

Join AML

Record Label, Publisher

Share metadata about your African music catalog.

Writers, Biographers

Can you write interesting accounts of people's life? Join our Artist Biography Program.

Academia and Researcher

Share journals, research works, scores, talks, etc

Music Expert

I want to contribute knowledge

Explore Bands

See All

Jigeen Ñi

Active | Wolof | Senegal

Jigeen Ñi, translated as "The Women" in Wolof, is an all-female orchestra based in Dakar, Senegal. Formed by five young Senegalese women, this unique ...

Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo

Inactive | Zulu | South Africa

Mahlathini Nezintombi Zomgqashiyo, also known as Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, was a South African supergroup formed by producer Rupert Bopabe ...

The Survivals Band

Active | English | South Africa

Established in 1991 by Franswa Mentoor, The Survivals Band has become a well-known presence in the Eastern Cape music scene. Renowned for their perfor...

Les Espoirs De Coronthie

Active | French | Guinea

It is a Band that was formed in the year 1999...

Blogs

See All

Johnny Drille and Don Jazzy: Hard Guy Confessions - EP Review

By Josplay Last Updated 11/20/2024 Reviews

Johnny Drille with Don Jazzy, releases a 7-track EP, titled Hard Guy Confessions. With this collaborative masterpiece, the duo delivers a sublime blend of masculine vulnerability and passion.

Women Creatives: The Unheard Voices

By Josplay Last Updated 11/19/2024 People

In many African cultures, women have long played a vital role in African music. Despite the many contributions to the world’s musical heritage, women voices in African music are often overlooked or marginalized. Why? What is the way forward?

AML Artist Spotlight: Fatoumata Diawara

By Josplay Last Updated 11/14/2024 People

Fatoumata Diawara, known as Fatou, is a multi-talented Grammy-nominated Malian singer-songwriter and actress, with a powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics.

AlorG: Down I’m A Rebel - Album Review

By Josplay Last Updated 11/12/2024 Reviews

AlorG, Ghanaian artist, has released his debut project, Down I’m A Rebel. According to him, he had worked on the EP over a year and it harbors most of his emotions. In his words, I felt and things I experienced during that period -- Pain, Betrayal, Rage, Growth, Heartbreak, Loneliness and Paranoia.

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.