The traditional music of Mozambique has been strongly affected by Portuguese colonization and local languages. The most popular style of modern dance music in Mozambique is called marrabenta. Mozambican music also influenced other Lusophone music, such as maxixe in Brazil and a style called Mozambique in Cuba and New York City.

Culture played an important role in the fight for independence, which started in 1964. Leaders of the independence movement used shared cultural values to gain support from the people, while Portuguese rulers promoted their own culture. By 1975, when independence was achieved, Mozambican musicians stopped trying to make European-style music and instead created new styles based on local folk traditions and African popular music from countries like Zaire, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa.

In 1978, the Ministry of Education and Culture held a National Dance Festival that included more than half a million people. This event helped create many organizations and festivals that continue to promote Mozambican music today.

Timbila

The Chopi people of the coastal Inhambane Province are known for a special type of xylophone called the mbila (pl: timbila) and the music played with it. This music is considered the most advanced way of creating music among groups without written language. Groups of musicians use about ten xylophones in four different sizes. They play long musical pieces called ngomi, which include an introduction and ten sections with different speeds and styles. The leader of the ensemble acts as a poet, composer, conductor, and performer. They create a text, improvise a melody partly based on the Chopi's tone language, and compose a second melody that interacts with the first. The other musicians improvise their parts based on musical style, instrument characteristics, and the leader's instructions. Afterward, the composer works with the choreographer of the ceremony to make changes as needed. (Nettl 1956, p. 18-19)

Marrabenta

Marrabenta is the most well-known type of music from Mozambique. It originated in cities and was created for dancing. Marrabenta developed when European music was mixed with homemade instruments made from materials like tin cans and wood. The name "marrabenta" comes from a Portuguese word meaning "to break," which refers to the weak guitar strings that often snapped. Lyrics in Marrabenta songs were usually in local languages and included themes like social issues and love. Some songs were also written in Portuguese, the official language of Mozambique, to help promote the music across other Portuguese-speaking countries. In the late 1970s, Marrabenta saw major changes when 1001 Music Productions recorded artists and held large concerts. A collection of songs called Amanhecer was released, followed by more albums titled Ngoma.

One of the most important early Marrabenta musicians was Fany Pfumo. His fame grew after his song "Loko ni kumbuka Jorgina" became popular. He recorded music in South Africa and later added elements of South African kwela music to his work. In 1979, the group Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique was formed, led by a long-time performer named Wazimbo. The group toured Europe and other countries, helping Marrabenta gain international recognition.

Many of today's popular Mozambican musicians, such as Stewart Sukuma, Chico António, Mr. Bow, Neyma, José Mucavel, and Mingas, were part of Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique. Other well-known bands include Ghorwane.

Pandza

Pandza is the newest and most popular style of music in Mozambique. It was created by N'Star, Ziqo, and Dj Ardiles in Maputo. Pandza is especially popular with young people in Mozambique and combines elements of marrabenta and ragga. Pandza music has faster beats than marrabenta and includes strong influences from ragga and some hip-hop. Most Pandza songs are sung in Portuguese and the Shangana language from Maputo. The lyrics often describe the everyday lives of young Mozambicans. Notable Pandza singers in Mozambique today include Lizha James, Ziqo, Dj Ardiles, N'Star, DH, Mr. Kuka, MC Roger, Denny Og, Dj Junior, Cízer Boss, and Helio Beatz.

Hip-hop

Mozambican hip-hop is growing slowly and people are liking it more. In the first ten years of the 2000s, artists who helped spread hip-hop included H2O, G-Pro, and Danny OG. Today, hip-hop artists in Mozambique include Bander Artista, Kins Ferna's, Dygo Boy Jurus, Ziqo, Same Blood, and Laylizzy. Azagaia, a rapper from Maputo who spoke out against the Mozambican government, was called "the most influential rapper in Mozambique." After he died in 2023, people held marches across the country to honor him.