Artists

Rashid Amin Abdallah aka Rico Single was born in Kikuu village, on Pemba island. He started music at primary school, as part of the school’s traditional dance group.

In 2001 together with friends, Rico Single created Swahili Arts Group which had more than 40 young members, performing traditional dances, read more

Ahmed el Salam was born in Oued Souf, in the Algerian Sahara, where he learnt to play the flute. Later he moved to Algiers where he discovered the guitar. He now lives in France and his music embraces the sounds of his life, combining a sublime combination of strings (guitar, read more

Nfithe features eight talented young musicians from Beira in northern Mozambique. The band was started in 2002. Nfithe (meaning "The Witchdoctors") is inspired by its African traditions yet creates a new, original, modern music that invites the audience to dance.

The line up includes guitar, keyboard, vocals, drums and percussion.

The lyrics read more

Guinean singer and composer Djeli Moussa Diawara is foremost among world players of the kora, the African harp-lute of the Manding people of the Senegambia. Born in Guinea in 1962 into a family whose musical roots span generations, his father was a famous player of the balafon read more

Francesco Nchikala is an artist and musician born in Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a singer, solo guitarist, and composer, his sound incorporates elements of smooth jazz, blues, rock, folklore, and rumba. Alone with his guitar, he plays the griot and sings in French, Swahili, Lingala, Kiluba, and read more

When HAJAmadagascar and his band turn up the heat, even the coolest audience melts after just a short time with a show that generates immense energy around its charismatic guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, and above all showman. "Our music reflects our being", he says. "We love our traditions, but read more