Countries List
Artists
GHANA
V.I.P
Their initial involvement with music started way back in the early nineties, in Nima a suburb of Accra. As a group they easily embodied the greatness and perseverance that reflected a tough, unforgiving and ambitious Ghetto life. V.I.P.’s love for music is without boundaries. This is underscored by their continuous shake –up in the industry with their sleek, baritone voices and typical indigenous hip-life rhythm.
By 1996, together with Bone and Friction they came out with their record breaking hit album, Bibi Ba with tracks like Rana Sala and Mame Kwan. That same year they achieved individual recognition with the album when they featured on a Close up Show at the Ghana International Trade Fair.
VIP was nominated for the Ghana Music Awards 2002 as the Hip Life rap Music of the year. They featured in all the Miss Ghana Pageants, The Ghana Music Awards and lately at the Spacefon legend show.
Obour
Since age, 1, Bice Osei Kuffour has been very adventurous, daring and untouchable. If you hit him with stick, run for your life because he would respond with a stone [Twi meaning for 'Obour'].
And as if a character transplant, that was the exact lifestyle of his late grand dad, Nana Kwesi [O]Buor; hence Bice's showbiz name. "They say I did most of the things my grand dad did", says Obour.
He was born at 'Braha Bebu Me' (Dekyemenso) in the Ashanti Region on November 7, 1981 to Christiana Addo and reverend B.O Kuffour. Of his seven siblings, all his sisters and even his mother sung in the church
At six, he played most of the drums especially the Atumpan in the Juaso-Ashanti Akyem chief's palace where his father used to preside over before accepting Christ. According to him, that inspired him a lot, lyrically.
Rocky Dawuni
Rocky Dawuni burst on to the African reggae scene in 1996 with the release of his debut recording, The Movement. The artists' introspective journey into social and spiritual consciousness garnered rave reviews in the Ghanaian press and spawned two hit singles, with both "Sugar" and "What Goes Around" obtaining massive Ghanaian airplay.
In the U.S., The Movement received critical acclaim and glowing praise. The Beat described Dawuni's freshman effort as a "thoughtful, spiritual and involved debut recording." Urb Magazine, one of the most popular underground publications in the U.S., named Rocky Dawuni one of the "Next 100 People to Watch in the Entertainment Industry."
NIGERIA
2 Face
Innocent Uyah Idibia was born in the northern region of his country Nigeria. From when he was seven years old, he knew he wanted to be a singer therefore he sang with his friends around the house and at school. He got into the music scene as the lead member of the popular R&B group Plantashun Boiz, which included Backface and Faz. He decided to go solo and this has proved to be a huge success all around Africa selling over 2 million copies of his album titled Face 2 Face. His song African Queen has been celebrated massively thereby winning him awards such as Fame Music Awards, Award for musical excellence in Nigeria (AMEN).
Styl Plus
The song Olufunmi was voted MTN Yello Radio show song of the year 2004 by listeners Nationwide The song Olufunmi was voted song of the year 2003 by listeners on 96.9 Cool FM Abuja . It was the most requested song on every major station in the country, including, Ray Power, Rhythm Fm, Cool Fm, Eko Fm, Brilla Fm, Kapital Fm, and Metro Fm Lagos. Olufunmi and Run Away are the most requested love songs on all the R & B or radio love shows nation wide.
Asa
Coming soon...
SOUTH AFRICA
Mandoza
A South African native with 4 platinum selling albums in Africa, he first surfaced as part of a kwaito group Chiskop and he won five awards at the Metro Music Awards in 2001 including Best Album and song of the year.
Bongani Fassie
Son of Brenda Fassie is known for his versatility combining hip-hop and jazz to create his unique style. He started his musical career performing with his mum on stage at a very young age but earned his respect as an artiste. He released his first album at 10-titled African boy; his recent album Makana square produced by him has been very popular in South Africa.
Zamajobe
Zamajobe Sithole is 20-year-old woman who got her breakthrough after being on the Pop Idol Competition in South Africa. Although she did not win the contest she has released a 12-track debut album titled Ndawo yami , with a mixture of soul, jazz, blues and gospel she has won the hearts of the South African people and was nominated for a South African Music Award in the Best newcomer category.
UGANDA
Peter Miles
Peter Kanyike Miles was born in Uganda. Growing up around a very musical family inspired him to follow his dreams. His came into the music scene in 1994 with his unique combination of Dancehall and local rhythms. This style put him at the top of East Africa’s music scene and has enabled him perform alongside artists such as Chaka Demus, TOK, Glamma Kid and Buju Banton. In 2004 he was nominated for two KISIMA Awards including Best Male artist and Best Video.
Klear Kut
This hip-hop group from Uganda came into the music scene and captivated the whole of Uganda and East Africa with their flow. They are Papito, Navio, JB, Lungman and The Mith. They are young and talented individuals with the goal of conquering the music world. Their debut album, Mind Body and Soul features tracks like 'I remember' and 'Superstar' and these songs stayed at the top of the charts for several weeks. They have also performed at the Miss Kenya Competition and were nominated for the Kora Awards 2002.
Chameleone
Born Joseph Mayanja to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja 22 years ago, Chameleone knew from his childhood that music was his forte. His blend of traditional folk, zouk, tarabou and raga it is no doubt he has his special style. His first album, Bagevahad positive response in all of East Africa and his song Bageya spent five months in the charts peaking at No. 1 for three weeks. He has performed alongside artists like Shaggy and has developed the reputation for his stage performances.
ANGOLA
Bruna
Bruna Tatiana Lemmas Estevao aged 26; she was born in Lobito Angola on 1978 of Angolan and Portuguese parents. At school, she would spend a lot of time attempting to sound like Whitney Houston, Sade, Madonna and many more female divas of the 80s and early 90s until she developed her own style. During her school days, she was involved in many stage plays as an actor and a singer. In 1996, she started being a back up vocalist for her father who was a musician part-time. She later found and started a nine-piece band. In addition, 1997 she joined SSP, which was a very huge group in Angola, where she learnt and grew as an artist. In between that, she was also performing with Don Kikas from Angola; at the same time she was with a Portuguese gospel group called Shout. In 1997, she recorded her first solo album called “my zouk side” which won an award for best new female artist at the Angola awards. In 2002 she recorded her second album called “Bruna” which was received and celebrated well in most parts of Africa, 2003 December she won the channel O reel music video awards; she was awarded the best newcomer and won the best Ballard in the Angolan music award, and also took part in the big brother Africa. In 2004, she won best female award at the Angolan music awards and has been touring around Africa promoting her album.
O2
The band founded in December 1998, composed of four members is with no doubt a necessary reference when talking about Angolan music. Ex-members of a band called N’ Sex Love, which was one of the main driving forces of the young Angolan music between 1994 and 1998, by the means of their album “Loucura” and it’s remix “Remix-Loucura”, “O2” bases its music style on the rhythmic fusion between Kizomba (Angolan Zouk) and Soul R&B, with a strong passage through Afro-Jazz. January 1999, they released their first album entitled “Bye Bye N’ Sex Love”, under musical direction of the well-known West Indies musician Jean Michel Rotin among others. Recorded completely in France, this album was edited and distributed under the label Lusafrica, becoming a success in some African and European countries specially in France.
SENEGAL
Daara J
Formed in 1997, Senegalese rappers Daara J were influenced by local heroes Positive Black Soul but looked to bring other musical influences to their hip-hop sound. Members N'Dango D, Aladji Man, and Faada Freddy started out by rapping over any instrumental versions of America or French rap they could find and adding their own percussion over the tracks. Eventually they got a drum machine, but with only a drum machine, one of the members would have to "sing" all the instruments. It brought a great sense of melody to the group, which allowed them to incorporate the sounds of their beloved reggae, funk, and Cuban music into their hip-hop groove; they are massively sought after in their country today.
Baaba Maal
Catlike and delicate in appearance, Baaba Maal sings with hurricane force. From the northern, riverside town of Podor comes a modern musician filled with the mysteries of ancient Africa. Baaba has a thrilling voice and an ability to experiment with western styles while remaining deeply, passionately African. Live performances, with his superbly drilled band Dande Yenol, are magnificent. Alongside Youssou N'Dour he is Senegal's biggest international star.
CONGO
Kaysha
Kaysha is the perfect blend between kizomba, rhumba, zouglou, zouk, calypso, r&b, hip-hop, etc… Since his first show in 1992, Kaysha has been constantly defining a sound of his own.
One of the most eclectic rappers and producers, he was born in Democratic Republic of Congo but immigrated to France with his parents at the age of seven. Kaysha is very well known for his first hit single which uses a sample from West Indian band Kassav’s Oulé in a song called “Bounce Baby”, which introduced him to fans all over the world.
The next year, he changed his whole style to record a more urban album called “Worldwidechico” with a duo with Wu Tang Clan’s Killah Priest. His latest hit to date is “On dit quoi” a huge hit all around Africa, from his latest album “It’s all love” released in his own label Sushiraw.
Kaysha released 4 solo albums and is the successful CEO of Sushiraw entertainment.
Barbara Kanan
Barbara Kanan has an exceptionally beautiful voice and is able to interpret a variety of music genre. With a warm, sensual and smooth voice, she’s absolutely comfortable in singing jazz, soul, R&B, funk, rumba and reggae. Many people who have had an opportunity to see her perform have been amazed by her capacity and talent in interpreting songs of celebrities. In 1991, she was chosen among many other contestants as the lead singer of the band Devotion. In 1992, she registered at Psalmo’dy Academy in Johannesburg to receive a solid training as a gospel singer. In 1998 she released her first album called "Symbiose", with the help of Kone Dondo, the CEO of Alpha Blondy production.
Awilo Longomba
The two time KORA Awards winner grew up attending rehearsals and concerts with father. He joined the band “l’orchestre de Lita Bembo” while with them he was acknowledged as one of the best drummers in France. He went on to join the orchestra “Viva La Musica” where he collaborated with African artists such as Tshala Muana, Oliver Ngoma, Kanda Bongo Man. Awilo has since released four albums and has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to African music and received “Judges Special Awards” during the KORA 2001.
COTE D’IVORE
Meiway
Frederic Desire Ehui was born on March 17th, 1962 in Grand-Bassam, a coastal town west of Abidjan, in the Ivory Coast. With an amateur accordionist father and a chorister mother, it is no surprise he started singing in church. He joined the group pace in high school amongst others and won a Podium award. This group split up and he formed his own group Les Genitaux or Genitos that toured all round Ivory Coast. He moved to Paris where he got recognition in the capital with his group defense d’Ivoire, his first album that introduced the Zoblazo style of dancing was received all of francophone Africa. With his ever-changing style it is no doubt he is a very talented musician. His talent has earned him three KORA Awards.
Magic System
Originating from Ivory Coast and formed in 1996, the band Magic System is composed of Salif ' Asal
The sales are also incredible: nearly a million units sold in Africa including 300.000 specimens in their own country. An unequalled record! On the same occasion, the band embarks for a tour which will lead them everywhere in the continent.
Then it is the turn of Europe to announce spectacular figures of sale: 500.000 albums and singles particularly in France (two Golden discs). Consequently, the proposals of dates for the old continent flow and it is the arrival on the hexagonal ground. Paris, Marseilles, Toulouse, Lyon, Bordeaux and several other cities acclaim them for their unique style.
KENYA & TANZANIA
Necessary Noize
Necessary Noize started several years ago as a trio comprising of female rapper Nazizi, R&B singer Wyre and rapper Bamzi. Their first album (self-titled) was released three years ago and received praise all around Kenya. After their immediate success they went quiet for personal reasons but came back on the scene with a totally re-vamped style combining Kswahili and English in their lyrics, their versatility made them more appealing and expanded their fan base in East Africa.
Juma Nature
Juma Nature aka Sir Nature is one of the country’s most talented hip-hop artists. His ability to play with words and creativity in composition is something which most hip hop artists fail to come close to. His lyrics talk of reality - the situation of ghetto life which many youth face in many parts of the country. Under Bongo Records, Sir Nature has managed to release the stunning album "Nini Chanzo" and has appeared in many other hip hop and r'n’b artists’ works, including Lady Jaydee, Professor Jay, Zay B and others. Watch out for this young talented emcee baptized "Sir Nature" by his fellow artists.