It’s been an incredible year for African music!
Music from every corner of the African continent, from West Africa’s contemporary, vibrant Afrobeats super genre to South Africa’s groovy, bubbling amapiano scene - African sounds have continued expanding their reach across the globe, while further embedding themselves in the U.S. popular music market. From Rema and Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” and Tyla’s “Water” becoming global hits, we have witnessed our favourite continental sounds take center stage; to Uncle Waffles becoming the first amapiano act to perform at Coachella, while Burna Boy became the first Nigerian act to headline a U.S. stadium during his stint at NYC’s Citi Field.
The Grammy’s and American Music Awards have also added new categories honouring African music, celebrating Africa in a major way.
Influencing dance and groove culture, the past twelve months have showcased African artists at their most dazzling and intentional, reaching deeper and wider into popular and alternative culture alike to create transcendental music.
As we wrap up the year that was let’s get into some of our favourite moments of 2023, and we look forward to in the new year ahead. Countdown some of your favourite hits with Channel O Wrap Up 2023 tonight, Sunday 31 December, at 22:00.