AY is one of the most popular singers in Tanzania. His hard-hitting singles plus partnerships with numerous other artists have secured the rapper’s reputation throughout East Africa, in preparation for a future breakthrough onto the international scene.  

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Although Bholoja is just starting out on his career, he already seems to know exactly where he is going. Originally from Swaziland, an enclave wedged between South Africa and Mozambique, the up-and-coming musician is proud of his roots and a driven by a positive vision of the future. He is the author of an album entitled Swazi soul.

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Elie Kamano is a major star in his country, Guinea-Conakry, where he has released half a dozen successful albums. He takes part in public life in his homeland and is also at the root of initiatives to promote the Guinean music scene.

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Cameroon is a musical hotbed blending language and culture. Koppe, author of the well-known track, Si tu vois ma go, is a good example of this fertile creative environment.

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In this country dominated by ndombolo, hip-hop has forced its way on to the scene thanks to Congolese artists like Lexxus Legal, following the same path as Tiken Jah Fakoli and Awadi. His latest album, released in 2009, is called L'art de la guerre and offers uncompromising rap that still keeps tabs on Congolese culture.

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The guitarist and conductor of Ivorian origin, Mao Otayeck, who has played alongside some of the great names in music, has produced a debut album as a lead, entitled Yeredon.

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The young Maurice Kirya is no longer a musical novice. His numerous collaborations with an eclectic range of musicians have lent him experience and an open mind, culminating in the release of his first album Misubbaawa in 2009.

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The young Angolan singer Sandra Cordeiro offers up a musical world that evokes both sides of the Atlantic: Brazilian bossa and the African rhythms of Angola. Her first album Tata N'Zambi underlines this twofold influence and brings out the artist’s undeniable vocal qualities.

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Smockey has been a major player on the Burkinabé musical stage for ten years. Like some of his African colleagues, he uses his own albums as a platform to make his voice heard and lets other artists express their own views through his production set-up.

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With his delicate voice, the talented Kenyan artist Winyo offers up music that draws from his country’s traditions and is also inspired by contemporary international music, jazz and folk.

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