East Africa

Inside the First Ever Boiler Room in Ethiopia
Latest

Inside the First Ever Boiler Room in Ethiopia

How the artist known as Ethiopian Records brought a bold and rooted vision to Addis Ababa's first take on the electronic music event.

The Best East African Songs Right Now
Music

The Best East African Songs Right Now

OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music to come out of Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya this May.

Motherland Sounds Is LA’s Must-Attend East African Party
Music

Motherland Sounds Is LA’s Must-Attend East African Party

An event where East African culture, community, and music collide is rewriting the Ethiopian-Eritrean diaspora story in Los Angeles.

Savara Is Building the Soundtrack to a New Kenya
Latest

Savara Is Building the Soundtrack to a New Kenya

Savara’s solo era after the disbandment of Sauti Sol is less about fame and more about legacy, rhythm, and standing up to be counted.

Tanzania’s Abigail Chams Is on the Brink of Superstardom
News

Tanzania’s Abigail Chams Is on the Brink of Superstardom

With her hit “Me Too” quickly climbing the charts, the Tanzanian singer talks to OkayAfrica about rewriting what it means to be a Tanzanian pop star today.

The New ‘Assassin's Creed’ Video Game Has a Distinctly East African Soundtrack
Latest

The New ‘Assassin's Creed’ Video Game Has a Distinctly East African Soundtrack

Fusing psych rock and East African rhythms, the new Assassin's Creed: Shadows soundtrack by Thunderdrum and Tiggs Da Author is worth your while.

Ugandan artist Vinka in a white ruffled crop top with pearl-adorned shorts.
Latest

Uganda’s Vinka is Here to Make You Dance — and She’s Just Getting Started

From backup dancer to chart-topping star, Vinka has built a career on high-energy hits. She opens up about her latest dancehall anthem, working with Latin star Rafa Pabön, and why being a mom hasn’t slowed her down.

Bruce Melodie wearing a fur-trimmed jacket and sunglasses, looking off to the side.
Latest

Rwanda’s Bruce Melodie is Ready to go From Kigali to the World

In his debut album, ‘Colorful Generation,’ the East African star proves he’s more than just a singles artist who has conquered the region — he’s building a global legacy.

Faiza Hersi poses in a soft pink dress, sitting on a white block against a white background
Latest

Faiza Hersi is Changing the Blueprint for East Africa’s Music Industry

From launching Nairobi R&B to building Soul Headquarters, the Kenyan music executive is carving out space for artists and pushing the region onto the global stage.

Saxophonists and a clarinetist perform on stage at the Bob Collymore International Jazz Festival
Latest

How East Africa’s Biggest Jazz Festival is Shaping Kenya’s Next Generation of Jazz Lovers

Once seen as a niche genre, jazz in Kenya is gaining new audiences and nurturing homegrown talent, thanks to the Bob Collymore International Jazz Festival.

Front view of Emmanuel Jal wearing a yellow suit jacket, a white necklace, and golden flower-shaped broach in his hair. To his left and right are two women wearing all-white dresses, jewelry, and white eyeliner.
Latest

Emmanuel Jal Wants His People to Shower With Milk

From hip-hop to Afro-house, the former child soldier turned recording artist finds joyful ways to spread a message of peace and unity that is becoming ever more relevant.

Tems performs at the Mojave Tent during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 21, 2024 in Indio, California.
Latest

Mixed Reaction from Fans as Tems Cancels Rwanda Concert Amid Regional Tensions

Tems withdrew from her Kigali performance, citing the unfolding crisis between Rwanda and the DRC, while pressure mounts on John Legend to follow suit.

Lady Hash sits confidently in front of a blue metal wall.
Latest

Lady Hash is on a Quest to Transform East African Electronic Music

From YouTube tutorials to festival stages, here's how an Ethiopian psychology student became one of East Africa's most innovative DJs.

A portrait of Joshua Baraka wearing a light blue jacket and standing in a city street.
Latest

Uganda's Soul-Baring Star Joshua Baraka is Creating Networks for East African Music

With millions of streams and high-profile collaborations, Joshua Baraka is turning his Kampala roots into global recognition.

The cover art for OkayAfrica’s Best East African Songs of 2024 list featuring Element Eleéeh, Dyana Cods, and Diamond Platnumz.
Music

The Best East African Songs of 2024

From bangers to ballads, these songs have defined the sound of East Africa this year.

A group of dancers in K-Pop-inspired outfits performs on stage at the Nairobi Comic-Convention, featuring synchronized moves and energetic poses.
Music

From Nairobi to Seoul: Kenya Joins the K-Pop Wave

How Kenya’s youth are falling hard for the music, moves and magic of K-pop.

Celebrated Amapiano DJ, Uncle Waffles, stands behind a disc jockey set up.
Events

Opinion: Uncle Waffles’ Nairobi Event Highlights Broader Issues With African Music Concerts

The chaotic Nairobi concert brings attention to recurring failures in the organization of music events across Africa, raising urgent questions about crowd safety and artist-audience care.

A close-up of Kenyan artist Xenia Manasseh’s dragon themed cover artwork for her new album.
Music

Xenia Manasseh Unveils Her Boldest Work Yet with ‘Love/Hate Pt. 2’

The Kenyan-born singer embraces a fiery duality in her latest album. She speaks to OkayAfrica about her personal and artistic evolution, and balancing life between L.A. and Nairobi.

OkayAfrica is the premiere digital platform bringing the worlds of African music, art, culture, style, sports and politics to a global audience. Founded in 2010 as an extension of Okayplayer, OkayAfrica serves as a cultural bridge to foster deeper understanding of the continent, while also building meaningful connections with its diaspora.

OkayAfrica is the premiere digital platform bringing the worlds of African music, art, culture, style, sports and politics to a global audience. Founded in 2010 as an extension of Okayplayer, OkayAfrica serves as a cultural bridge to foster deeper understanding of the continent, while also building meaningful connections with its diaspora.

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