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Feature
African music and independence
50 years on…
10/09/2010 -
Africa is celebrating 50 years since the year when a large swathe of African countries gained their independence. 1960 was a dramatic turning point in the continent’s history, triggering massive political and social change. Music benefited substantially from the changes, with independence providing the inspiration for an astonishing burst of creativity. New musical genres were created, while governments committed themselves to supporting musical development. The result was a cultural explosion that saw Africa finally taking its rightful place on the international music scene.
Togo and Benin, non-identical twins
Togo and Benin might share the same cultural roots, but the sound of independence had a very different flavour either side of the border.
Independence and music: Madagascar, land of Surfs and salegy
At the time it gained political independence, the island of Madagascar, which played a strong cultural role in the region, started developing and modernizing...
Independence and music: continental repercussions from the Congos
Congolese rumba is the quintessential music of the African continent and a cultural phenomenon. It first emerged at a decisive politico-economic moment ...
Independence and music: Ivory Coast, a musical El Dorado
From the 1960s to the 1980s Abidjan underwent an extraordinary development, starting as the capital of Ivory Coast and ending up a cultural beacon of all Francophone Africa.
Independence and music: Guinea and authenticity
Guinea was the first sub-Saharan country in Francophone Africa to celebrate its independence, in 1958. It is also something of a model country in terms of music,
Senegal, the transatlantic connection
What do Dakar, Havana and New York have in common ? Musically, more than you might think. While Senegal was gearing up to celebrate its independence in 1960, ...
Cameroon: land of musical contrasts
Home to Manu Dibango and many other renowned international artists, Cameroon boasts a high musical profile today...
Ghana and Nigeria: the golden years
In Ghana and Nigeria new urban sounds emerged during the independence era, from the 1950s through to the end of the 1970s. Highlife, afrobeat and juju music swept across...
Mali, new music for a new nation
In the 1960s, Mali’s own culture provided firm foundations for the construction of a new African state. In their enthusiastic embrace of independence, young artists and musicians came together...
