Gqom, also called igqomu, gqom tech, sgubhu, 3-step, or G.Q.O.M, is a type of electronic dance music from South Africa. It is a kind of house music that began in the early 2010s in Durban. Music producers such as Naked Boyz, Rudeboyz, Sbucardo, Griffit Vigo, Nasty Boyz, DJ Lag, Menzi Shabane, Distruction Boyz, and Citizen Boy created and developed this genre.
Kwaito is a type of music that began in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, during the late 1980s and 1990s. It uses sounds and music pieces from South Africa. Kwaito songs have a slower speed compared to other house music styles.
Mbaqanga (Zulu pronunciation: [mɓaˈǃáːŋga]) is a type of music from South Africa that began in the early 1960s in the city areas, especially near Johannesburg. It uses musical traditions from different groups, such as Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Pedi, and Tsonga. Mbaqanga combines traditional South African singing styles, beat patterns, and dances with influences from marabi, kwela, and Western music like jazz.
Ndombolo, also called dombolo, is a type of dance music that began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It developed from soukous music in the 1990s and is known for fast, hip-swaying rhythms. The music often has upbeat, drum-heavy beats and became very popular in the mid-1990s and the following decade across central, eastern, and western Africa.
Soukous is a type of dance music that began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly called Zaire) and the Republic of the Congo (formerly called French Congo). It developed from Congolese rumba in the 1960s, featuring faster rhythms and complex guitar playing. It became popular in France during the 1980s.
Bikutsi is a type of music that comes from Cameroon. It came from the traditional music of the Beti and Ewondo people, who live near the city of Yaoundé. It became popular in the middle of the 20th century across West Africa.
Makossa is a type of music that began in Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon in the late 20th century. Like many other types of music from Sub-Saharan Africa, it uses strong electric bass rhythms and loud brass instruments. Makossa includes guitar music, such as solo and rhythm guitar, with one main singer and a group of backup singers.
Fuji is a type of Yoruba popular music that started in Nigeria in the 1960s. It came from a freeform style of music called wéré, also known as ajísari, which means “waking up for sari” and was played to wake up Muslims before sunrise during the holy month of Ramadan. The music was named after Mount Fuji, a tall mountain in Japan, by Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, who is considered the founder of Fuji.
Juju Music is the first album released by a big record company by the Nigerian jùjú band King Sunny Adé and His African Beats in 1982. The album was created by keyboard player Martin Meissonnier, who added synthesizers and Linn drums to Adé’s traditional jùjú music style. This was the first time Adé’s music was released worldwide, even though he was already very popular in Nigeria, where he was known as the “biggest musical draw and juju music’s reigning monarch.” The album was very successful both with critics and the public, reaching No.
Highlife is a type of music from Ghana that began in the coastal cities of what is now Ghana during the 19th century. It developed during the time Ghana was a British colony and through trade in coastal areas. Highlife combines elements of traditional African rhythms with Western jazz melodies.