Arts and Culture

Music and pan-Africanism in the 60s and 70s: 7 hits

In the 1960s and 1970s when most African countries became independent states, one of the fundamental ultimate goals of rising pan-African ideology was to consolidate aspirations of African unity. Part of those ambitions manifested in ideologically driven cultural festivals such as the Rumble in the Jungle, FESMAN andFESTAC 77 which were pivotal in nurturing pan-African identity. 
Fuelled by ideas of Negritude and the civil right’s movement, these celebrations of African culture and heritage succeeded where pan-Africanist politics often slipped. They united people of African heritage accross the continent and in the diaspora.
Musically speaking, talent spread trans-nationally and cross-continentally; Sunny Ade set off dance floors in Brazil and Clementina de Jesus sang for crowds in Nigeria.

The musical treasures below are examples of songs that were hits not only in their countries, but also contributed to a now vibrant global Afropop culture.

Ofege – Nobody Fails (Nigeria)

Clementina de Jesus - Cocoroco (Brazil)

Super Mama Djombo – Dissan Na M’bera (Guinea Bissau)

Ry-Co Jazz – Mambo Ry-co (Congo)

Orchestra Baobab – Utru Horas (Senegal)

Bella Bellow – Zelie (Togo)

Manu Dibango -Soul Makossa (Cameroon)

For more African music, new and old, check out Shakara, Awesome tapes from Africa andMuseke

By Minna Salammi

www.msafropolitan.com