2021 in African music

	… 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017; ; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; 2024; ; 2025; 2026; 2027; 2028; 2029; 2030; 2031 …;
	Art; Archaeology; Architecture; Literature; Music; Philosophy; Science; +...

The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2021 in African music.

Events

14 March – At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, Nigerian musician Burna Boy wins the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album and is among the live performers.^[1]
18 June – South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins the Song Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.^[2]
9 August – In recognition of South African Women's Day, Apple Music launches the third part of its Visionary Women campaign, celebrating female artists such as Makhadzi.^[3]
October – CKay's "Love Nwantiti" becomes the most-watched music video on YouTube, the first song from Africa to achieve this.^[4]
14 November – The 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards takes place in Dallas, Texas.^[5]

Albums released in 2021

Release date	Artist	Album	Genre	Label	Ref
January 8	Monica Ogah	Different (EP)	Christian	Indie	^[6]
January 22	Ayra Starr	Ayra Starr (EP)	Afropop, R&B, neo-soul	Mavin Records	^[7]
January 29	KaniBeatz & Bella Alubo	Chrystical (EP)	Pop	Lightcastle Music Global	^[8]
February 4	Joeboy	Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic	Afrobeats, Contemporary R&B	emPawa	^[9]
February 5	Femi Kuti & Made Kuti	Legacy +	AfroBeat/Jazz	Partisan	^[10]
April 9	Peruzzi	Rum & Boogie	Afrobeats	DMW	^[11]
April 23	Osibisa	New Dawn	High Life/Jazz/FunkRock	Marquee Records	^[12]
April 30	Laycon	Shall We Begin	Rap	Fierce Nation	^[13]
May 16	Kpanto	Sound from the Xtreetz	Hipco	Indie	^[14]
May 21	Mdou Moctar	Afrique Victime	Electronic	Matador	^[15]
June 18	Olamide	UY Scuti	Afropop	YBNL Nation Empire Distribution	^[16]
July 9	Les Filles de Illighadad	At Pioneer Works	Tuareg rock	Sahel Sounds	^[12]
July 23	Obongjayar and Sarz	Sweetness	Afrobeat		^[17]
August 6	Ayra Starr	19 & Dangerous	Afrobeat, R&B, trap, alté	Mavin Records	^[18]
September 3	Big Zulu	Ichwane Lenyoka	Rap, Hip hop	Inkabi Records	^[19]
September 3	Sarahmée	Poupée russe	Rap, Afropop	Ste=4 Musique	^[20]
September 9	Brymo	9: Èsan	Alternative rock afro-soul sentimental ballad folk music	Indie	^[21]
September 9	Brymo	9: Harmattan & Winter	Alternative rock afro-soul sentimental ballad folk music	Indie	^[21]
September 15	Tems	If Orange Was a Place	alt-R&B, Soul	RCA/Since '93	^[22]
October 26	Amerado	Patience (EP)	Hiphop/Afrobeat	MicBurnerz Music	^[23]
November 5	Zlatan	Resan			^[24]

Musical films

Neptune Frost, with music by Saul Williams^[25]

Deaths

January 8 – Dorine Mokha, 31, Congolese dancer and choreographer (malaria)^[26]
January 22 – Guem, 73, Algerian singer, composer and dancer.^[27]
January 23
- Jonas Gwangwa, 83, South African jazz musician^[28]
- Ahmed Achour, 75, Tunisian composer and conductor^[29]
January 28 – Sibongile Khumalo, 63, South African singer^[30]
January 31 – Wambali Mkandawire (Mtebeti Wambali Mkandawire), 68, Malawian jazz singer and activist.^[31]
February 5 – Abdoul Jabbar, 40–41, Guinean singer-songwriter^[32]
February 16 – Soul Jah Love, 31, Zimbabwean reggae/Zimdancehall musician (complications from diabetes)^[33]
March 7 – Josky Kiambukuta, 72, Congolese singer (TPOK Jazz).^[34]
March 14 – Thione Seck, 66, Senegalese mbalakh singer and musician^[35]
April 5 – Haja El Hamdaouia, 91, Moroccan singer and songwriter, known for Chaabi and Aita^[36]
April 18 – Naïma Ababsa, 51, Algerian singer^[37]
April 27 – Sammy Kasule, 69, Ugandan musician and singer^[38]
May 7 – Jamal Salameh, 75, Egyptian songwriter and composer
June 21 – Mamady Keïta, 70, Guinean drummer^[39]
June 22 – Mzilikazi Khumalo, 89, South African composer and academic^[40]
June 25 – Wes Madiko, 57, Cameroonian singer^[41]
July 1 – Steve Kekana, 63, South African singer^[42]
July 11 – Sound Sultan (Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi), 44, Nigerian rapper and hip hop pioneer (angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma)^[43]
August 3 – Allan Stephenson, 71, British-born South African cellist, conductor and composer^[44]
August 9 (killed in car crash)
- Khanya "The Voice" Hadebe, 20s, South African amapiano musician^[45]
- Killer Kau, 23, South African amapiano musician
- Mpura, 20s South African amapiano musician
August 28 – Victor Uwaifo, 80, Nigerian ogbonge musician and cultural figure^[46]
August 31 – Nobesuthu Mbadu, 76, South African mbaqanga singer^[47]
September 2 – Alemayehu Eshete, 80, Ethiopian singer^[48]
September 28 – Nana Ampadu, 76, Ghanaian musician^[49]
October 3 – Anouman Brou Félix, 86, Ivorian Akyé musician ^[50]
October 8 – Rabah Driassa, 87, Algerian artist and folk singer^[51]
November 7 – Bopol Mansiamina, 72, Congolese guitarist, vocalist, composer, and producer^[52]
November 17 – Theuns Jordaan, 50, South African singer-songwriter (leukaemia)^[53]
December 27 – Defao, 62, Congolese singer-songwriter, COVID-19.^[54]

References

^ "2021 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominees List". grammy.com. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
^ Freya Parr (18 June 2021). "Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins Song Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
^ Ano Shumba (2 August 2021). "SA: Apple Music launches third Visionary Women campaign". Music in Africa. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
^ Lucas Shaw (28 October 2021). "A Nigerian Singer Released the Biggest Hit in African History". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ "SOME ZAMBIANS RESIGNED TO VOTING FOR SLAPDEE IN AFRIMMA ~". 11 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
^ Naija, Bella (January 11, 2021). "New EP: Monica Ogah – Different". BellaNaija.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Don Jazzy Activates Ayra Starr". THISDAYLIVE. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
^ "Kanibeatz & Bella Alubo Make Short Work Of Their 'Chrystical' Joint EP". The Bulletin. January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Joeboy releases 14-track debut album, 'Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic'". Pulse Nigeria. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (December 1, 2020). "Femi and Made Kuti Announce Double Album, Share New Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
^ "Peruzzi Enlists Davido, Don Jazzy, Fireboy And More For Second Album "Rum & Boogie"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Les Filles De Illighadad - At Pioneer Works". African Music Guide. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
^ Alake, Motolani (2021-04-30). "Laycon delivers and shines on, '...Shall We Begin…' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2021-05-10. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
^ "Sound From the Xtreetz by Kpanto". Apple Music. May 16, 2021. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
^ Yoo, Noah (March 2, 2021). "Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
^ Alake, Motolani (2021-06-18). "Olamide visits the Caribbean and delivers timeless music for you on 'UY Scuti' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2021-06-19. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
^ Kenneally, Cerys (July 23, 2021). "Obongjayar and Sarz unite on collaborative EP Sweetness". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
^ "LISTEN/STREAM: Ayra Starr - 19 & Dangerous [ALBUM]". Pulse Nigeria. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
^ Manjo, Theo (September 3, 2021). "Big Zulu Finally Drops 'Ichwane Lenyoka' Album". Slikouronlife.
^ Olivier Boisvert-Magnen (8 September 2020). "Sarahmée: Welcome to her Life". Words and Music. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
^ Motolani Alake (September 11, 2021). "On '9: Esan,' Brymo makes his listeners think [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
^ "Tems: If Orange Was a Place EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
^ "Stream Ghanaian artist Amerado's brand new extended play: Patience - GRUNGECAKE". grungecake.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
^ Motolani Alake (9 November 2021). "Wow Zlatan! you did that 'Resan'". Pulse. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
^ Gates, Marya E. "Female Filmmakers in Focus: Anisia Uzeyman and Saul Williams on Neptune Frost | Interviews | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com/. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
^ "Décès du chorégraphe congolais Dorine Mokha à 31 ans". CultInfos.com (in French). 13 January 2021.
^ "Abdelmadjid Guemguem, alias Guem, est décédé". Liberté Algérie (in French). 24 January 2021.
^ Matangira, Lungelo (23 January 2021). "Jonas Gwangwa, award-winning jazz legend, passes away aged 83". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
^ "Le chef d'orchestre et compositeur Ahmed Achour est décédé à l'âge de 75 ans". La Presse (in French). 29 January 2021.
^ Matlala, Lerato (28 January 2021). "LISTICLE: Highlights of musician Sibongile Khumalo's life". SABC News. South African Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
^ "Malawi mourns one of its greatest musicians: Wambali laid to rest". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
^ "L'artiste Abdoul Jabbar s'en va !!!". Mediaguinee.com (in French). 5 February 2021.
^ Chronicle, The. "BREAKING: Soul Jah Love dies". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
^ "Veteran Congolese singer Josky Kiambukuta dies in Kinshasa". The East African. 8 March 2021.
^ "Mort du chanteur Thione Seck, l'une des stars de la musique sénégalaise". Le Parisien. Retrieved 14 March 2021. (in French)
^ Kasraoui, Safaa (5 April 2021). "Iconic Moroccan Singer Haja El Hamdaouia Dies at 91". Morocco World News. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
^ "Décès de la chanteuse Naima Ababsa". Algérie Presse Service (in French). 18 April 2021.
^ Afrigo Band's Sammy Kasule dies
^ Doré, Tokpanon (21 June 2021). "Bruxelles: Mamady Djembé, un monument de la percussion mondiale s'est éteint". Guinéenews (in French). Retrieved 21 June 2021.
^ Pooley, Thomas (24 June 2021). "Iconic composer Mzilikazi Khumalo defied apartheid odds to leave a rich legacy". News24. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
^ "Wes Madiko, la fin d'une histoire". Visages Live (in French). 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
^ Emmanuel Tjiya (1 July 2021). "Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
^ "Veteran Singer Sound Sultan Dies After Battle With Cancer". Guardian.ng. July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
^ "Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died". The Strad. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
^ Shumba, Ano (10 August 2021). "South Africa mourns amapiano artists Mpura, Killer Kau and Khanya Hadebe". Music Africa. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
^ "Sir Victor Uwaifo: Joromi, Guitar Boy artiste and ogbonge Nigerian musician die at di age of 80". BBC News. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
^ "Mahotella Queens' star Mbadu passes on after fight with kidney failure". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
^ Admin (3 September 2021). "Alemayehu Eshete, "Ethiopian Elvis Presley", reportedly died". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
^ "Highlife Legend Nana Ampadu is Dead". Plug Times. September 28, 2021.
^ "Culture : Deuil, Anoman Brouh Félix, pionnier de la musique Akyé est décédé". akody (in French). October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
^ "Décès de l'artiste algérien Rabeh Deriassa". Mosaique FM (in French). October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
^ Diaz, Jonathan (7 November 2021). "Muere Bopol Mansiamina, un grande de la Música Africana". El Heraldo (Barranquilla, Colombia) (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2021.
^ "Theuns Jordaan oorlede". Retrieved 17 November 2021.
^ "Le congolais Général Défao, vedette de la rumba, est mort". rfi.fr/ (in French). December 28, 2021.

[1] "2021 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominees List". grammy.com. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.

[2] Freya Parr (18 June 2021). "Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins Song Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

[3] Ano Shumba (2 August 2021). "SA: Apple Music launches third Visionary Women campaign". Music in Africa. Retrieved 20 January 2022.

[4] Lucas Shaw (28 October 2021). "A Nigerian Singer Released the Biggest Hit in African History". Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[5] "SOME ZAMBIANS RESIGNED TO VOTING FOR SLAPDEE IN AFRIMMA ~". 11 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.

[6] Naija, Bella (January 11, 2021). "New EP: Monica Ogah – Different". BellaNaija.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[7] "Don Jazzy Activates Ayra Starr". THISDAYLIVE. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.

[8] "Kanibeatz & Bella Alubo Make Short Work Of Their 'Chrystical' Joint EP". The Bulletin. January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[9] "Joeboy releases 14-track debut album, 'Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic'". Pulse Nigeria. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-02-04.

[10] Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (December 1, 2020). "Femi and Made Kuti Announce Double Album, Share New Songs". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 29, 2021.

[11] "Peruzzi Enlists Davido, Don Jazzy, Fireboy And More For Second Album "Rum & Boogie"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.

[guide-12] "Les Filles De Illighadad - At Pioneer Works". African Music Guide. Retrieved 29 June 2021.

[13] Alake, Motolani (2021-04-30). "Laycon delivers and shines on, '...Shall We Begin…' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2021-05-10. Retrieved 2021-07-21.

[14] "Sound From the Xtreetz by Kpanto". Apple Music. May 16, 2021. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.

[15] Yoo, Noah (March 2, 2021). "Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 3, 2021.

[16] Alake, Motolani (2021-06-18). "Olamide visits the Caribbean and delivers timeless music for you on 'UY Scuti' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2021-06-19. Retrieved 2021-07-21.

[17] Kenneally, Cerys (July 23, 2021). "Obongjayar and Sarz unite on collaborative EP Sweetness". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 24, 2021.

[18] "LISTEN/STREAM: Ayra Starr - 19 & Dangerous [ALBUM]". Pulse Nigeria. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.

[19] Manjo, Theo (September 3, 2021). "Big Zulu Finally Drops 'Ichwane Lenyoka' Album". Slikouronlife.

[20] Olivier Boisvert-Magnen (8 September 2020). "Sarahmée: Welcome to her Life". Words and Music. Retrieved 20 January 2022.

[21] Motolani Alake (September 11, 2021). "On '9: Esan,' Brymo makes his listeners think [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.

[22] "Tems: If Orange Was a Place EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-01.

[23] "Stream Ghanaian artist Amerado's brand new extended play: Patience - GRUNGECAKE". grungecake.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.

[24] Motolani Alake (9 November 2021). "Wow Zlatan! you did that 'Resan'". Pulse. Retrieved 20 December 2021.

[25] Gates, Marya E. "Female Filmmakers in Focus: Anisia Uzeyman and Saul Williams on Neptune Frost | Interviews | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com/. Retrieved 2023-11-17.

[26] "Décès du chorégraphe congolais Dorine Mokha à 31 ans". CultInfos.com (in French). 13 January 2021.

[27] "Abdelmadjid Guemguem, alias Guem, est décédé". Liberté Algérie (in French). 24 January 2021.

[28] Matangira, Lungelo (23 January 2021). "Jonas Gwangwa, award-winning jazz legend, passes away aged 83". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 23 January 2021.

[29] "Le chef d'orchestre et compositeur Ahmed Achour est décédé à l'âge de 75 ans". La Presse (in French). 29 January 2021.

[30] Matlala, Lerato (28 January 2021). "LISTICLE: Highlights of musician Sibongile Khumalo's life". SABC News. South African Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 January 2021.

[31] "Malawi mourns one of its greatest musicians: Wambali laid to rest". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 1 February 2021.

[32] "L'artiste Abdoul Jabbar s'en va !!!". Mediaguinee.com (in French). 5 February 2021.

[33] Chronicle, The. "BREAKING: Soul Jah Love dies". The Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-02-17.

[34] "Veteran Congolese singer Josky Kiambukuta dies in Kinshasa". The East African. 8 March 2021.

[35] "Mort du chanteur Thione Seck, l'une des stars de la musique sénégalaise". Le Parisien. Retrieved 14 March 2021. (in French)

[36] Kasraoui, Safaa (5 April 2021). "Iconic Moroccan Singer Haja El Hamdaouia Dies at 91". Morocco World News. Retrieved 5 April 2021.

[37] "Décès de la chanteuse Naima Ababsa". Algérie Presse Service (in French). 18 April 2021.

[38] Afrigo Band's Sammy Kasule dies

[39] Doré, Tokpanon (21 June 2021). "Bruxelles: Mamady Djembé, un monument de la percussion mondiale s'est éteint". Guinéenews (in French). Retrieved 21 June 2021.

[40] Pooley, Thomas (24 June 2021). "Iconic composer Mzilikazi Khumalo defied apartheid odds to leave a rich legacy". News24. Retrieved 27 June 2021.

[41] "Wes Madiko, la fin d'une histoire". Visages Live (in French). 26 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.

[42] Emmanuel Tjiya (1 July 2021). "Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 1 July 2021.

[43] "Veteran Singer Sound Sultan Dies After Battle With Cancer". Guardian.ng. July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.

[44] "Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died". The Strad. Retrieved August 3, 2021.

[45] Shumba, Ano (10 August 2021). "South Africa mourns amapiano artists Mpura, Killer Kau and Khanya Hadebe". Music Africa. Retrieved 12 August 2021.

[46] "Sir Victor Uwaifo: Joromi, Guitar Boy artiste and ogbonge Nigerian musician die at di age of 80". BBC News. Retrieved 30 August 2021.

[47] "Mahotella Queens' star Mbadu passes on after fight with kidney failure". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 30 August 2021.

[48] Admin (3 September 2021). "Alemayehu Eshete, "Ethiopian Elvis Presley", reportedly died". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.

[49] "Highlife Legend Nana Ampadu is Dead". Plug Times. September 28, 2021.

[50] "Culture : Deuil, Anoman Brouh Félix, pionnier de la musique Akyé est décédé". akody (in French). October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.

[51] "Décès de l'artiste algérien Rabeh Deriassa". Mosaique FM (in French). October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.

[52] Diaz, Jonathan (7 November 2021). "Muere Bopol Mansiamina, un grande de la Música Africana". El Heraldo (Barranquilla, Colombia) (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2021.

[53] "Theuns Jordaan oorlede". Retrieved 17 November 2021.

[54] "Le congolais Général Défao, vedette de la rumba, est mort". rfi.fr/ (in French). December 28, 2021.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

2021 in African music

Events

Albums released in 2021

Musical films

Deaths

See also

References

€4.95