Fonko: Contemporary Africa Through Its Urban Music

South Africa is a country with a troubled history that has today become the economic and cultural super power of the continent. There is democracy but apartheid and a sea of poverty persist. Music provides a voice to the injustices. South Africa is the home to styles like Kwaito, SA House music and Shangaan electro, which is possibly the fastest club music in the world.

Nigeria is a country of extreme income gaps, deeply rooted corruption and violent religious conflicts. Here you find the most commercial music on the continent. But also fierce protest music, as artists are trying to carry on the work from the late Fela Kuti, one of the most hard-core protest singers of all times.

Dakar is bound together by the French language and currency. But also raditions and languages from the vast empires that dominated the region long before colonialism. Dakar is the unrivalled center for the West African hip hop scene. Originating among Ivorians in Paris, coupé-décalé is now a major influence all over West Africa.

In Burkina Faso the iconic former leader, Thomas Sankara, is used by musicians to protest against injustices and corruption. In Benin, the veterans of Orchestre Polyrytmo give a historic background to today's music scene. In Mali, Tinariwen is an instant hit with the youth around the world.

Ghana has a totally different tradition of education and democracy. Ghanian musicians don't need to fight for freedom of speech and therefore focus on artistic luxuries as irony and pastiche. This freedom is used to challenge religious and traditional sentiments. But also to create ever new styles of light hearted dance music to spin at a house party.

Angola is home to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It is still trying to come to terms with the three decades of civil war that tormented the country. Meanwhile Kuduro, which could be described as extravagant ghetto techno rap music, has grown out of the shantytowns to become the country's biggest cultural asset. Time for a rave dance party.