Music is a cosmopolitan darling. In a world that speaks the language of travel and tourism, generations of sounds meet, influencing each other in a continuous exchange.
When seventeen African countries gained independence from colonial forces in 1960, the culture and entertainment landscape transformed significantly over the next four decades. Genres like highlife, jùjú, ethio-jazz, Raï, Congolese rumba, marabi, and fuji — which reigned before the '60s — gave way to hybrids such as Afrobeat and Afrorock in the late '60s and early '70s. These new styles blended American funk, jazz, rock and psychedelic elements into distinctly African creations.
In Zambia, Zamrock exploded on the music scene in the early '70s as a political statement, influenced by the heavy rock of Jimi Hendrix and smooth funk of James Brown. Bands like WITCH and Paul Ngozi embraced Western sounds while staying true to their roots by singing in Bemba and Nyanja accordingly.
In Nigeria, rock cults like the Fractions, War-Head Constriction, The Hykkers, Ofo and the Black Company, Ofege, The Lijadu Sisters, and BLO emerged in the wee hours of the Nigerian Civil War, swinging their electric guitars and mixing indigenous material with their newfound sounds. When the Nigeria-Biafran War became full-blown, some of these bands were employed to perform by the army, while some laid low in hotels, singing to anyone who cared to listen.
But while Afrobeat, pioneered by multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti, has gained global recognition and acclaim over the decades as the continent's signature sound, Afrorock has not enjoyed the same achievement. In celebration of the diverse music coming from Africa, here are some classic songs that have defined the Afrorock style over the years.
Monomono — "Kenimania" (1972)
Monomono (Yoruba for "lightning") was one of the first Afrorock bands to emerge from Nigeria. Led by Joni Haastrup on vocals and keyboard, Babá Ken Okulolo on bass and Danjuma "Jimi Lee'' Adamu on the guitars, the group was influenced largely by British rock and Fela Kuti (the album cover literally offers "thanks to brother Fela, for the little hint that did a good job.")
"Kenimania" appeared as a pure instrumental on their popular 1972 LP Give The Beggar A Chance, and vibrates with polyrhythmic drums, and a strained sax riff over a recurring "Hey!" on the track.
BLO — "Chant to Mother Earth" (1973)
The Nigerian trio BLO, short for Berkeley Ike Jones, Laolu Akins Akintobi and Odumosu Gbenga Mike, is often hailed as "the first psych-rock band" from Africa and creators of Nigeria's inaugural psychedelic rock record. What sets BLO apart is their unique sound, which combines a Hendrix-esque rock style with a sleepy, nostalgic texture.
One of their standout tracks, "Chant to Mother Earth" from their 1973 album Chapter One, encapsulates this blend. It's a spiritual and earthy ballad that serves both as a song and an invocation, and it remains one of the trio's enduring hits.
Edzayawa — "Darkness" (1973)
The Ghanaian band Edzawaya developed a distinctive sound rooted in a 6/8 rhythm and heavily influenced by the music of the Ewe people from southeastern Ghana and western Togo, according to Soundway Records. Their only album, Projection One — delivered in 1973 — features "Darkness," a track that blends funk rock with deep percussive elements, part of their unique style. After recording this album under the guidance of Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti and producer Odium Iruoje in Lagos, the band quickly rose to prominence before disbanding in 1975.
War-Head Constriction — "Graceful Bird" (1973)
"Graceful Bird" is a powerful single by the Nigerian band War-Head Constriction, featuring members Etim Bassey, Femi Lasode, and Martin Amenechi. Formed during the Nigerian Civil War, their music captures the intense period of their emergence.
Released under Afrodisia as a single, the track is known for its heavy metal influences, characterized by "long, snarling guitar solos and piles of distortion" according to Pitchfork. The lyrics are a testimony to the harsh turmoil of war and loss. "You just laughed when you saw us cry / Coming to do the slaying / Women fall from grace to grass / Now it's your turn to fade / No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no."
The Funkees — "Breakthrough" (1974)
If BLO pioneered Afrorock, The Funkees evolved it, embedding the spirit of their era in their lyrics. Their upbeat music, particularly popular among the rebellious Biafran youth during the Nigerian Civil War, broke through national borders and resonated with the diaspora. "Breakthrough" from their 1974 album Slipping Into Darkness, is a lyrical exploration of mental liberation. The song's influence continues to echo in modern music, with samples by Kendrick Lamar in "Worldwide Steppers" (2022) and Madlib in "Brothers and Sisters" (2010) cementing its status as a significant work.
Akofa Akoussah — "La Lem" (1976)
In 1966, Julie Akofa Akoussah gained significant exposure on the Togolese music scene when she shared the stage with her compatriot Bella Bellow at the first Negro Arts Festival in Dakar, Senegal.
A decade later, her 1976 eponymous album, Akofa Akoussah, transcended both musical genres and national boundaries. Her music captivated audiences in Ghana and Benin and caught the attention of renowned artists such as Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, and Aycha Koné. "La Lem", a standout track from the album, features a haunting guitar intro that persists throughout the song, complementing its deeply soulful lyrics.
The Lijadu Sisters — "Life's Gone Down Low" (1976)
Growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria in the '50s, Taiwo and Kehinde Lijadu listened to a lot of records from Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Cliff Richard and Ella Fitzgerald. Far from limiting themselves to a particular style, the duo also drew influences from western jazz, rock, funk and soul, crafting a diverse and experimental sound.
"Life's Gone Down Low" from their Danger album, is a testament to this eclectic style. The song, which gained popular recognition due to an uncredited sample by the rapper Nas on "Life's Gone Low", features an insistent electric guitar hovering over the chorus "Life's gone down / Down / Down / Down / Down."
Amanaz — "Khala My Friend" (1975)
Amanaz, an acronym for Ask Me About Nice Artistes In Zambia, were a force to reckon with in the Zamrock scene of Zambia. Formed in Kitwe in 1973, the five-piece band featured the compelling vocals of lead singer Keith Kabwe and the acid guitars of John Kanyepa and Isaac Mpofu.
The track "Khala My Friend," from the 1975 album Africa, remains a staple in bars and outdoor events across Zambia today. A fusion of rock, funk, and traditional Zambian music, the song is an expression of camaraderie and longing. It has not only become a definitive record of the Zamrock subgenre, but has also gained worldwide acclaim from music critics and enthusiasts alike.
Fadoul — "Bsslama Hbibti" ('70s)
Fadoul, a Moroccan three-piece band, gained notoriety when "Bsslama Hbibti'' was featured in the first compilation by German record label Habibi Funk, which showcased funk, soul and jazz tracks from the 1970s across Sudan, Libya, Morocco and Egypt. While the exact year this gem was recorded is debatable, "Bsslama Hbibti'' is a vibrant mix of funk with some shiny elements of rock that features raw drum beats, fierce guitar riffs, and Fadoul's intense, impassioned lyrics.
Tinariwen — "Matadjem Yinmixan" (2007)
Malian band Tinariwen has become a cornerstone of desert rock, earning a GRAMMY for Best World Music in 2012 and influencing bands including Kel Assouf and Imarhan. Becoming the Fela Kuti of their genre, their music resonates with a distinctive, gritty essence.
"Matadjem Yinmixan" ("Why All This Hate Between You?") from their 2007 album Cler Achel, offers pointed criticism of the terrorist groups in the Sahara region which have even captured the band's own members. On the track, the electric chomp of the guitar intertwines with a buoyant beat as a chorus of voices heightens the lyrical tension.
Vaudou Game feat. Roger Damawuzan — "Pas Contente" (2014)
Vaudou Game is the collaboration of Togolese singer and guitarist Peter Solo and a quintet of instrumentalists from Lyon, France. Their well-known hit "Pas Contente" ("I'm Not Happy") has been touted as a funk ballad, it stands out for its dreamy psychedelic rock guitar echoing throughout the track.
Baba Commandant and The Mandingo Band — "Wasso" (2015)
From Burkina Faso, Baba Commandant and The Mandingo Band is led by Mamadou Sanou, an activist that bridges traditional Manding music with modern Burkinabe funk.
Influenced by the diverse style of Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Moussa Doumba, the band recorded "Wasso" at the renowned Ouaga Jungle Studios in 2015. The track exemplifies the band's raw and unrefined sound, blending Mandingue guitar, the native harp donso n'goni, dub, and afrobeat into a cohesive funk rock texture.
Imarhan — "Tahabort" (2016)
The desert rock sextet Imarhan is one of the promising avant-garde bands to come out of Northern Africa. Not only do they combine influences as diverse as Algerian Rai music, American jazz, Burkinabe funk, and global pop, they also find solace in ancestral Tamashek poetry.
Off their eponymous album, "Taharbot" stands out as a fast-paced number that skillfully weaves together restless elements of raï and funk. There is a combination of a robust bass, reverb guitar loops, complex polyrhythms, and a sweet spot in the riveting riff.
BCUC — "The Journey with Mr. Van Der Merwe" (2016)
Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (BCUC), formed in Soweto in 2003, uniquely integrates all of South Africa's official languages into their music. The seven-piece act draws from indigenous and modern music, combining ritual songs, fireside chants, church hymns, and rap with a rock and roll spirit.
"The Journey with Mr. Van Der Merwe" from their 2016 The Healing album, is a long spell of different sounds anchored by the presence of a strong electric bass guitar. The song serves as a critique of the exploitation of South Africa's rural poor by the urban elite, and incorporates a traditional South African call-and-response that develops into a dub style mid-song.
Mdou Moctar — "Chismiten" (2021)
From their 2021 album Afrique Victime, "Chismiten" rises amid the politically charged and anti-colonial themes of Mdou Moctar's recent work.
Produced by Michael "Mikey" Coltun, "Chismiten" earned the Tuareg musician and his band attention for challenging conventional definitions of rock music. With its upbeat and danceable sound and strained guitar riffs, Mdou Moctar sings about tişmiten, a Tamasheq word for jealousy. "The song is about how people in a relationship lose their sense of self, they become jealous and envious of others," Mdou explained on Remove.