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Best music destinations in Africa

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Dakar
Vibrant markets and historic waterfront charm
7.6
Mbalax developed in the 1970s as bands blended sabar and tama drums into Latin influenced nightclub music. Etoile de Dakar formed in 1977 and launched Youssou N'Dour. Orchestra Baobab broke from the Star Band in 1970. The city was the centre of the 1960s nightclub scene.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Visit Gorée Island's historic slave trade museum
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the bustling Boulevard de l'Indépendance
  • 🛍️ Explore Dakar's vibrant Sandaga market for local crafts
Kinshasa
Vibrant riverfront city pulsing with music
6.0
Le Grand Kalle formed African Jazz in 1953. Its song Independance Cha Cha became an anthem for independence movements across Francophone Africa. Franco's TPOK Jazz dominated for about two decades. Soukous emerged as a faster offshoot of rumba in 1966. Papa Wemba became closely linked with the flamboyant La Sape movement.
Highlights:
  • 🍲 Taste local cuisine at a riverside restaurant
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the bustling Boulevard du 30 Juin
  • 🛍️ Explore the vibrant Congo Square markets
Cape Verde
Islands of eternal summer
7.5
Morna is by far the most popular genre and produced the international star Cesaria Evora. It is believed to have started on Boa Vista before spreading to Sao Vicente. Coladeira grew faster and more humorous in the 1930s. Funana is an accordion based style from Santiago. Batuque began as women's folk music.
Highlights:
  • ⛵ Sail between the islands and enjoy ocean breezes
  • ⛰️ Hike to the volcanic summit of Pico do Fogo
  • 🏖️ Relax on the golden beaches of Santa Maria, Sal Island
Lagos
Buzzing Metropolis with Coastal Charm
5.7
Fela Kuti recorded with Africa 70 and opened The Shrine, one of the city's most popular music spots. Juju grew out of palm wine music in the 1920s. King Sunny Ade carried it abroad in the early 1980s. Burna Boy's Twice as Tall won a Grammy in 2021.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at beautiful Tarkwa Bay Beach
  • 🌿 Walk the longest canopy walkway at Lekki Conservation Centre
  • 🛍️ Explore vibrant Balogun Market for local crafts and textiles
Accra
Vibrant Culture and Coastal Charm
6.1
Highlife formed in the Gold Coast era from local rhythms, guitar styles and European brass bands. After independence in 1957 E.T. Mensah and his band The Tempos often played for the president. The 1971 Soul to Soul festival here featured Wilson Pickett, Ike and Tina Turner and Carlos Santana.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at Bojo Beach
  • 🛍️ Shop vibrant stalls at Makola Market
  • 🕊️ Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum
Nairobi
Where urban life meets wild adventures
6.4
Neo soul acts such as Sauti Sol played the city's Blankets and Wine events. Hotel bands like Them Mushrooms started here in 1987. Genge hip hop brought artists such as Jua Cali and Nonini. Gengetone emerged in Nairobi in 2019. More than twelve active rock bands were reported in the city.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and meet baby elephants
  • 🦩 Feed endangered giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
  • 🦒 Go on a safari at Nairobi National Park
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