An Awesome Africa Playlist

Africa Playlist African Music

Just like in the movies, every great adventure needs an epic soundtrack, so I created an Africa playlist!

Music always plays such a big part in my trips to Africa because music is such a big part of Africa. Music has always been a big part of my life too. And believe me, whether you are on an African road trip, or overlanding or just backpacking around, you’ll be popular if you have all these songs on your playlist!

This Africa playlist is a mix of current and classic African songs, songs that are currently popular in Africa (like Enrique, not about Africa, but you always hear his songs in the clubs) and songs about Africa. Either way, they’re all songs that remind me of Africa!

But this list is far from complete so if you have any suggestions, please write them in the comments below so I can add them to the playlist on Spotify. I definitely need some more female artists on the list!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Table of Contents

Fall – Davido

This is my absolute favourite song of the year, sung by Nigerian artist Davido. I pretty much listened to this song on repeat all around Africa this year (I’m actually listening to it now as I’m writing this post). One of the lyrics is “Banana fall on you” – what’s not to love?

He just won Best African Artist at the EMA’s this year too!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Chop My Money (I Don’t Care) – P-Square (feat. MayD)

I love this song by Nigerian artist P-Square. Whenever this comes on I can’t help but do the dance! For the record, I much prefer the original to the Akon remix. Watch the club go wild when this comes on!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Despacito (Remix) – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber)

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but this song is HUGE in Africa right now so it wouldn’t be right to leave it off the list and actually, I bloody LOVE Despacito. Judge me all you want – I don’t care! And secretly we all know you love it too.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Ed Sheeran – Shape of You

Hearing Ed Sheeran played in a club in Arusha for the first time earlier this year, I was surprised. I thought maybe it was a one off, but no, it’s played all the time! Everywhere! I saw Ed Sheeran play live at Glastonbury this year, but this song will always remind me of Africa.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Bruk Off Yuh Back – Konshens

The first bit of the video is a bit weird (hence why I skipped it) but I love the song! It always gets me in the party mood! Perfect to twerk (or attempt to twerk) to.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Unforgettable – French Montana (feat. Swae Lee)

Filmed in Kampala, Uganda, the video for this song is incredible and features a local dance group called Triplets Ghetto Kids.

When filming the video, French visited a small rural clinic called the Suubi Health Center and since returning back to the US, he has partnered with Global Citizen and Mama Hope, to create the #Unforgettable HealthcareCampaign, which has raised over $200,000 to rebuild and improve the healthcare centre.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Love You Die – Pantoranking (feat. Diamond Platnumz)

This played everywhere in Tanzania! It’s a very addictive song that gets inside your head. You will end up singing “I love you my baby, I love you my baby” over and over!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Africa – Toto

Probably my favourite song of all time!

If you know the lyrics of this song, you’ll remember the line “She’s coming in 12.30 flight”.

Well, the first time I flew into Africa, into Livingstone, Zambia to be exact, my flight landed at 12.30. I think it was a sign.

I often wonder if I would still love this song as much if it wasn’t about Africa. I guess we’ll never know… “I bless the rains down in Aaaafricaaaaaaaaa!”

Plan a Trip to Africa

Don’t You Need Somebody – RedOne (feat. Enrique Iglesias, R.City, Serayah & Shaggy)

Such a good anthem song, popular in the clubs!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Hakuna Matata – Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver (Lion King)

“Hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase!” This song never fails to lift the spirits!

And not everyone realises it, but “hakuna matata” literally means “no worries” in Swahili. I use that phrase all the time when I’m there. “Hakuna shida” means ‘no problem’ I used that a lot too!

Plan a Trip to Africa

One More Night – Busy Signal

A super chilled, reggae cover version of the Phil Collins song. I’d often hear this playing in the background at hostels and restaurants or on the playlists of friends.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Pata Pata – Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba, Mama Africa. One of the greatest (if not the greatest), best known and best loved voices in African music. This song is Africa to me. Listen to all of her songs!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Circle of Life – Carmen Twillie & Lebo M (Lion King).

What kind of Africa playlist would this be if it didn’t include Circle of Life! I love putting this on when I’m on safari, it just makes it seem that little bit more magical!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Who Knows – Protoje (feat. Chronixx)

Another great chilled out song from Jamaican singer Protoje. Reggae music is huge in Africa so it’s no surprise that you’ll hear this often.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Eneka – Diamond Platnumz

Diamond Platnumz is a popular Tanzanian artist. This song has the same beat as Davido Fall, but with a different tune! Popular in the clubs right now.

Plan a Trip to Africa

If – Davido

Another one from my favourite current African singer, Davido.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley

I could put every Bob Marley song on the list, but I’ll just leave it to Buffalo Soldier for now to stop this list getting too long, but I’ll more to the Spotify playlist!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Seduce Me – Alikiba

The club always goes crazy when this song comes on! You can expect lots of heartfelt singing and hand gestures!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Waka Waka – Shakira

What kind of Africa playlist would this be if it didn’t include Shakira’s Waka Waka.

Although did you know, this wasn’t the original? The chorus of Waka Waka is based on a song called Zangalewa by Cameroonian band, Golden Sounds! Have a listen to the original here.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Antenna – Fuse ODG (feat. Wyclef Jean)

“African lady you know that you drive me crazy!” (or something to that effect). Always a fun song and great to dance to!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Súbeme La Radio – Enrique Iglesias (feat. Descemer Bueno, Zion & Lennox)

Reggaeton is also huge in Africa so this was one of the songs that I would hear played often this summer!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Swalla – Jason Derulo (feat. Nicky Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign)

I couldn’t go anywhere without hearing this song! Lots of shakin’ what your mama gave ya to this song!

Shimmy shimmy yay, shimmy yay, shimmy ya (drank)
Swalla-la-la (drank)
Swalla-la-la (swalla-la-la)
Swalla-la-la

Plan a Trip to Africa

Makeba – Jain

I saw Jain performing live at Glastonbury this year and she was awesome. The track is named after Mama Africa herself, Miriam Makeba.

This is one of my favourite music videos of all time. So clever.

Plan a Trip to Africa

There Will be Time – Mumford & Sons & Baaba Maal

Beautiful and haunting song by Mumford and song featuring Sengalese artist Baaba Maal. love this live in South Africa video. I’ve seen these guys live too and they are incredible!

More collabs like this please!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Mungadzalangidwe – Black Missionaries

The Black Missionaries are one of Malawi’s biggest bands.  I saw these guys a few weeks ago at the Sand Festival in Senga Bay on Lake Malawi. We danced to their music all night long and it was light when they finished!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Bailando – Enrique Iglesias (feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona)

Enrique is super popular in Africa and you’ll often hear his music (I also love his music).

I was in a club in Stone Town, Zanzibar one night and there was this guy with headphones in dancing around. We asked him why he was listening to his own music in the club. He replied “Do you know Enrique?” Yes we told him. He stopped and looked at us, “But do you KNOW Enrique?”

That was the only answer we could get. I guess he just really likes Enrique!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Jambo Bwana  – Safari Sound Band

Probably the cheesiest song on the list, but if you go to East Africa you will undoubtedly hear this popular Swahili song! if fact even if you haven’t been, chances are you’ve heard this one!

Depending where you are, people will often substitute ‘Kenya’ for the relevant place – ‘Tanzania/Kilimanjaro/Zanzibar’.

After hearing their other song ‘Coconut’ one of my Tanzania groups used to sing it ALL THE TIME!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Kasongo – Afrigo Band

This is a great song from the film The Last King of Scotland!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Bad Boy – Fally Ipupa (feat. Aya Nakamura)

Fally Ipupa is probably the biggest artist in Congo right now and this song will just want to make you get up and dance.

Plan a Trip to Africa

Kaokokokorobo – Papa Wemba

Papa Wemba is a Congolese legend. They make some amazing music in Congo, hey?

Plan a Trip to Africa

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes – Paul Simon

(feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo)

From his critically acclaimed album, Graceland, this is my favourite track on the album. I also love them singing ‘I Know What I Know’ together.

Plan a Trip to Africa

The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Karolina – Awilo Longomba

Awilo Longomba is another super popular Congolese artist. I saw him at Sand Festival in Malawi and he really got the crowd going!

Plan a Trip to Africa

African Queen – 2Face Idibia

I love this song! I heard an awesome version of it in Nairobi, by local singer Elvis. He mashed it up with Sweat (A La La La La Long) and it was awesome.

He also mixed P-Square’s Chop My Money with Coldplay’s Sky Full of Stars which was even more awesome.

Plan a Trip to Africa

7 Seconds – Youssou N’Dour (feat. Neneh Cherry)

I loved this song when it came out when I was 16 (showing my age now) and I still love it now. I love Youssou N’Dour’s voice!

Plan a Trip to Africa

Nomathemba – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

And last but by no means least, the incredible voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Probably the most influential music groups in African history. Nelson Mandela himself called them “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors” and they accompanied him to accept his Nobel Peace Prize in Norway in 1993 and sang at his inauguration in 1994. 

Plan a Trip to AfricaNew Editions

Below are some of the some of the songs I missed from my original post but are awesome and definitely need a place on your playlist!

* Particula (feat. Nasty C, Ice Prince, Patoranking & Jidenna) – Major Lazor & DJ Maphorisa

* Try Me (feat. Jennifer Lopez & Matoma) – Jason Derulo

* Muziki (feat. Ben Pol) – Darassa

* Live and Die in Afrika – Sauti Sol

* Let’s Do It Again – J Boog

* Kamatia – Navy Kenzo

* Melanin (feat. Patoranking) – Sauti Sol

* Watori Mari – Jah Prayzah & The 3rd Generation Band

* Pana – Tekno


Have a listen on Spotify!

Or SoundCloud!

What songs would you add to the list? Leave them in the comments below! 

Plan a Trip to Africa

Want to come on an incredible African adventure in 2018 or 2019?

If you want to go backpacking with an awesome group of likeminded travellers, then join one of my 2018 or 2019 Rock My Adventure small group tours to Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda & the DRC, Zambia, Botswana & Malawi and Morocco! 

I will show you a different side of Africa. Not the Africa you see in the media, but the colourful, adventurous, wild and real Africa I know and love.

Rock My Adventure tours are experiential and culturally immersive adventures, but without the hassle of having to find accommodation, working out how to get from A to B and booking all your own activities.

They are laid-back and fun, a bit like an independent backpacking trip (so it doesn’t feel like a tour) but with a group of friends built in ”“ the best of both worlds! Plus you get comprehensive pre-departure support and advice from me!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE!

Rock My Adventure Tours

Similar Posts

11 Comments

  1. I love the song ‘Live and Die in Afrika’ by Sauti Sol – they played it on my Cape Town to Vic Falls overland trip and it always brings back great memories when I listen to it! 🙂

      1. Believe me or not – I’ve heard about him the first time only when I saw the B.Jones’ diary-3 movie!
        Since then he made appearance in the Game of Thrones and even become popular in Africa!

  2. Ever since I first visited South Africa back in the early 2000s, I’ve LOVED Johnny Clegg! He has loads of great songs with his bands Juluka & Savuka.

  3. That’s not an african playlist, lots of those artists are not african and their style can’t be associated with african music… nice try though 😉

    1. Hey Dani,

      Thanks for your comment, but please re-read the post more carefully. Over half the songs on the list are by or featuring African artists and as you can see i clearly say at the beginning of the post… “This Africa playlist is a mix of current and classic African songs, songs that are currently popular in Africa (like Enrique, not about Africa, but you always hear his songs in the clubs) and songs about Africa. Either way, they’re all songs that remind me of Africa! But this list is far from complete so if you have any suggestions, please write them in the comments below so I can add them to the playlist on Spotify. I definitely need some more female artists on the list!”

      I’ve been travelling around Africa for the last year and constantly listening to all of the songs on the list above in hostels, bars, on safari… this is MY Africa playlist.

      If you have more/better suggestions, feel free write them in the comments below… that would have been more helpful, nice try though 😉

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *