Top 10 African Albums of the Year 2022 – RFI Musique

This year some albums were looped by RFI Musique. Here is a selection of the productions that have delighted us and that we will therefore continue to listen to in 2023! Dimensions and revelations to follow closely.

History by Didi B

Didi B, who has established himself as the undisputed godfather of ivory rap, first with Kiff No Beat and now solo, has unveiled his first album History these last days. The one who calls himself “Mojaveli” announced the color of this work on March 19 when he released the first title, Historyproduced by Dany Synthé.

Badinya Who from Son Jobarteh

There is no doubt about her change of status: in just a few years Sona Jobarteh has become a reference value in West African music, as evidenced by the many concerts held with her group all over the world. Virtuoso of the kora, the 30-year-old Anglo-Gambian and cousin of Malian Toumani Diabaté defends a modern vision of the Mandinka tradition with her new album Badinya Who.

Formula 7 by Fally Ipupa

Fally Ipupa’s seventh album, Formula 7 is dedicated to rumba lovers. Fally Ipupa offers a 31-track album that can be heard like a long love story told by ear, always with this vision of the Congolese artist: a rumba rooted in her classics and aimed at the international scene. Currently on tour in Africa, and in concert in Lomé before flying to Yaoundé, then Abidjan, she who is nicknamed “the Eagle” answered our questions.

Sequana by Souad Massi

Sequana, the tenth album of the Algerian singer and composer, is steeped in folk and chaâbi, but also new wave from Syria, the Caribbean, Chile and Brazil. Eleven lavish songs in Algerian, French and Spanish, fervently celebrate life and nature.

Do not forget de MPR

In the Congolese musical sky, MPR looks like a UFO. In three years, the rapper duo from Kinshasa has managed to establish itself by leaving the usual paths, both in substance and in form: rap nourished by rumba, which loves to revive the memory of Zaire of other times and tries to moralize the society in which it lives. His first album Do not forgetnamed after Marshal Mobutu, it has just been published.

Hals by Oum (with M-Carlos)

His soaring music is very contemporary and spiritual. After Backwards (2019) whose flight was disrupted by the pandemic, Oum returns to the stage with Hals. The Casablancaise explores, with Cuban musician M-Carlos, seven “hals”, universal sensations (such as fear or desire) that crossed our minds in March 2020, when much of the world was on hiatus. An intimate and captivating fifth album.

Sakidila of Pongo

Angolan-born artist Pongo revisits kuduro, inspired by his childhood in Angola, after experiencing intimate episodes. Dancing and partying is like snubbing life’s pitfalls. Portrait of the young woman after the release of her album, Sakidila.

Snail of Sahad

Senegalese artist Sahad returns with a new album titled Snail meaning “market”.” in volof. Engaged in various eco-responsible initiatives, he tries to make his music exist in a global project where it is a matter of eco-village, economic independence but also and above all of identity.

Timbuktu by Oumou Sangare

More than 50 years old, the Malian diva Oumou Sangaré is back Timbuktu, a bluesy-tinged album, recorded in Baltimore. A magnetic disc that confirms the strength of his commitments and the magic of his voice.

Power stroke the Tiken Jah Fakoly

For his eleventh album, Power strokeTiken Jah Fakoly forgets none of the key ingredients that have brought him success since the 90s. A reggae that increasingly anchors itself in Africa and titles that resonate with current political events on the continent.