Fela, Miriam, Burna, Brenda, Davido, …? Who really changed the game?

African music has birthed legends — but who among them truly shaped the sound, the culture, history, and the global stage?

So today, we ask this bold question: Who is the most influential African musician of all time?

Wait a minute! What really makes a musician influential, and not just popular? Influence and not fame or streaming numbers.

Did they shape a nation’s or continent’s music identity?

Did their music break barriers internationally? travel far beyond home soil?

Are artists today building on what they created? Are they being sampled or emulated?

We’ve lined up 10 icons - spanning eras, genres, and geographies. Now it’s up to you!

Fela Kuti (Nigeria): The godfather of Afrobeat. Fela fused jazz, funk, and Yoruba rhythms into a new sound — but he didn’t stop there. His politically charged lyrics took on the Nigerian military and made him a cultural icon far beyond music.

Miriam Makeba (South Africa): Mama Africa. The Grammy Award wining artist with a fearless voice against apartheid. Makeba introduced traditional Xhosa and Zulu sounds to the world, all while exiled from her home country.

Youssou N'Dour (Senegal): The king of mbalax. Youssou brought Senegalese music to the world stage, collaborating with everyone from Peter Gabriel to Neneh Cherry — without ever losing his Dakar soul.

Brenda Fassie (South Africa): Africa’s pop queen. A rebel, a voice of the people, and a lightning rod during apartheid’s final years. Brenda's music reflected South Africa’s soul — from pain to euphoria.

Salif Keita (Mali): Dubbed the "Golden Voice of Africa," Keita redefined what African traditional music could be — blending Mandé griot storytelling with global instruments, while challenging societal norms as an albino artist.

Burna Boy (Nigeria): The self-declared “African Giant” brought Afro-fusion to global stages. Grammy wins, sold-out arenas, and collaborations with global stars have positioned Burna as a modern-day legend.

Davido (Nigeria) : The Hitmaker of hitmakers. A symbol of consistency and cross-cultural success, Davido has turned Nigeria’s pop music into a global force, while mentoring younger artists and investing in the scene.

Bien-Aimé Baraza (Kenya, member of disbanded Sauti Sol): A vocal powerhouse and lyrical craftsman, Bien has played a major role in pushing East African music into pan-African and diasporic consciousness. Sauti Sol’s blend of soul, R&B, and traditional Kenyan sounds is uniquely theirs.

Bruce Melodie (Rwanda): A symbol of Rwanda’s rising music scene, Bruce Melodie is putting Kinyarwanda pop on the map — and showing that Rwanda is ready to be part of the continental music conversation.

Fally Ipupa (DR Congo): The soukous sensation. From rumba to ndombolo to Afro-pop, Fally is one of the most charismatic performers Africa has ever produced. His blend of sensuality, dance, and showmanship made Congolese music accessible to new audiences.

The truth is that this isn't a definitive list — and it was not meant to be. Influence is personal. Regional. Emotional.

But now we want to hear from you: So, who gets to wear the Crown for the most influential African artist of all time?

Who gets to wear the Crown for the most influential African artist of all time?

Who is the Most Influential African Musician of All Time?

Who gets to wear the Crown for the most influential African artist of all time?

Share to:

Related Blogs