Amid the global boom of Afrobeats and Amapiano, one may easily forget a generation of musicians who put Africa on the map during the period when music from the continent was generally categorised as World Music. Three legendary African artistes have released new albums this month, a reminder of their enduring appeal even as their younger counterparts enjoy mainstream pop success.
The voice of Dakar is back with a collection of 12 new songs officially released on April 4, 2025, his country’s Independence Day. The planned release date in February was postponed following the death of his band member, guitarist Jimi Mbaye.
Since his international breakthrough in 1984, N’Dour, the son of a Senegalese griot has been at the forefront of global music with his brand of Mbalax—combining traditional rhythms of his Wolof community, indigenous instruments, and elements of jazz, soul, reggae and Cuban music.
He has faced some criticism from music purists for ‘diluting’ the identity of the sound to create mainstream impact, but this album harks back to the rhythmic authenticity that made N’Dour one of the world’s most accomplished musicians.
His objective in making the album, he says, is to show the strength and diversity of traditional instruments from Africa, such as ngoni, kora, balafon and flute.
In an attempt to give the world a fresh perspective, N’Dour reached out to Michael League, leader and bassist of the US jazz-rock band Snarky Puppy, to produce the album.
He even left the confines of his studio in Dakar where he has recorded many of his masterpieces, to produce the music at League’s home in Calaf, a small town near Barcelona, Spain. Weedie Braimah, the Ghanaian-born American master of the djembe, co-produced, arranged and played on the album.
There are beautiful moments on the album like the delightful percussion on the upbeat, love song Bul ma laaj (Wolof for ‘Don’t Ask Me’) while Noflaay is a reminder to find peace by accepting that God has blessed everyone with a different talent.
He condemns the practice of forced marriage on Sa Ma Habibi and dedicates the sweet sing-along Say Thank You to all mothers.
His 12-year-old son Nelson N’Dour, a big football fan, makes his recording debut along with new Senegalese star, Rema Diop on the soccer anthem On L’ a Fait (We Did It).
The last track on the album, Ahmadou Bamba, is a tribute to the Senegalese religious leader, poet and founder of the Mouride Brotherhood of which N’Dour is a follower.
Salif Keita
So Kono
In 2023, Salif Keita played his first acoustic concert at the Kyotophonie Festival in Japan, set against the backdrop of an ancient temple. He strummed his guitar accompanied by the ngoni (guitar) and calabash percussions.
Salif Keita 'So Kono' (In The Room) album cover.
Photo credit: Pool
As a result of that performance, the Malian legend retreated to his hotel room in Kyoto and recorded his first acoustic album, So Kono, which was released on April 11, 2025, his first album in seven years.
Keita, 75, popularly known as the ‘Golden Voice of Africa’ who has enjoyed an illustrious international career since the 1970s delivers an album of nine songs with stripped-back, sparse instrumentation that allows his exquisite voice to shine through the music.
So Kono which means “in the room” in his native Mandinka, reflects the album’s intimacy, combining reimagined versions of his classics and new compositions.
Salif sings and plays the guitar accompanied by Badie Tounkara on ngoni and Mamadou Kone on tama (talking drums) and calabash. Highlights on the album are Tassi, Cherie, Soundiata and Kante Manfila, the latter named after the virtuoso guitarist and bandleader of Les Ambassaduers, the iconic Malian band that Keita played with in the 1970s before launching his solo career.
Alpha Blondy
Rise
Few African musicians enjoy the revered status of the Ivorian reggae star who was referred to as Bob Marley’s heir in the 1980s (Jerusalem, Cocody Rock, Masada and Brigadier Sabari remain timeless global anthems).
At 72, the singer, and songwriter who has been an international recording and touring artist for more than 40 years, remains an influential voice for championing African unity and prosperity.
Alpha Blondy 'Rise' album cover.
Photo credit: Pool
Hence, the theme of Rise, his 20th album, released on April 11, 2025. The stand-out track is Alpha Blondy’s collaboration with Congolese rumba star Koffi Olomide, Je ne suis pas fache, a one-drop reggae beat with the distinct vocal presence of the Grand Mopao, which may catch you by surprise with a sudden switch to an upbeat soukous rhythm for the last minute of the song.
Jamaican star Capleton adds his trademark high energy to Cold Fire a lively celebration of the unstoppable rise of Africa as a global force.
The album also contains Ayoka the theme song of the last Africa Cup of Nations hosted by the Ivory Coast in 2024. It features Didi B, Soum Bill and Roseline Layo, the current generation of stars from the country.
