Vibrant Vibes: Africa's Music and Art Scene This Week

Africa’s creative heartbeat is pounding louder than ever. This week, from Lagos to Marrakech, the continent’s music and art scenes are dishing out a feast of innovation, emotion, and cultural pride. Let’s dive into what’s been shaking things up, with fresh tracks, bold exhibitions, and festivals that are setting the stage for 2025’s cultural explosion.

Music: Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Everything In Between

The music scene is, frankly, on fire. Afrobeats continues its reign, but it’s not just about catchy hooks—artists are digging deep, blending genres, and crossing borders. Nigeria’s Kizz Daniel dropped Uncle K: Lemon Chase, a five-track EP that’s got everyone talking. With features from Runtown, ODUMODUBLVCK, Bella Shmurda, and FOLA, it’s a rollercoaster of slick production and raw emotion. Tracks like these are why Afrobeats isn’t just a genre—it’s a movement. Meanwhile, Samthing Soweto, Bloody Civilian, Ric Hassani, and Falz made waves on New Music Friday playlists, each bringing their own flavor, from soulful croons to introspective bars.

South Africa’s not slacking either. Jaykatana’s “Sizokthola” is a love letter to TKZee’s classic “Sikelela,” weaving jazz and hip-hop with Blxckie’s razor-sharp verses. It’s the kind of track that feels like a late-night drive through Johannesburg. Over in Port Harcourt, Elestee’s “Space” is a mellow Afrobeats gem with a hip-hop edge—perfect for those introspective moments. And Uganda’s Ugaboys? They’re shaking things up with “Africana Party,” a banger that fuses amapiano’s addictive log drum with bongo flava’s East African swagger. It’s like a musical passport, hopping from Kampala to Dar es Salaam.

Zimbabwe’s dancehall scene is thriving too. Jnr Spragga’s latest work is all about complex bars and high-energy beats, proving the genre’s still got legs. And let’s talk festivals—Uganda’s Milégé World Music Festival is gearing up for its 2025 edition (March 28-30), promising three days of electrifying performances, herbal healing walks, and fashion showcases. It’s not just a festival; it’s a celebration of Africa’s creative soul.

Oh, and a quick shoutout to Tyla, who’s still riding high after her 2025 AMA win. Her global takeover is proof that African music isn’t just crossing borders—it’s obliterating them. Platforms like Apple Music are doubling down, spotlighting music capitals like Accra, Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Dar es Salaam with curated playlists and DJ mixes. Rising stars like Ghana’s MiDi Kwakwa, South Africa’s Jabulile Majola, Nigeria’s Royazdad, and Kenya’s M3LON are the names to watch. Trust me, your playlist needs an update.

Art: Bold Visions and Cultural Conversations

If music’s the pulse, art’s the soul. This week, African art is making waves both on the continent and beyond. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York just reopened its African Art Galleries after a four-year glow-up, celebrated with performances by Baaba Maal, Youssou N’Dour, and Angélique Kidjo on May 29. It’s a big deal—African art getting the global stage it deserves.

In Nigeria, Jeremiah Quarshie’s Memories of Yellow: A Game of Power & Chance is running at Gallery 1957 in Accra until June. His vivid visuals explore power dynamics with a sharpness that hits you right in the chest. At the same gallery, Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali’s Fine Feathers Don’t Make Fine Birds is pushing contemporary African narratives, challenging stereotypes with every brushstroke. Meanwhile, in Marrakech, Dutch-Moroccan designer Mina Abouzahra turned the Bahia Palace into a textile art wonderland, blending Morocco’s rich history with modern flair. It’s the kind of exhibit that makes you rethink what “traditional” even means.

Looking ahead, the Lagos Gallery Weekend (March 28-30, 2025) is shaping up to be a must-visit, with galleries across the city showcasing Nigeria’s art boom. And huge congrats to South African photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa, who just snagged the 2025 Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize. His work, diving deep into African identity, is a reminder of the power of visual storytelling.

Sadly, the art world also felt a loss this week with the passing of Cameroon’s Koyo Kouoh, a trailblazer and former Zeitz MOCAA director. Her legacy as a cultural pioneer will live on, inspiring artists across the continent.

Why It Matters

Africa’s music and art scenes aren’t just creating—they’re redefining. From the log drums of amapiano to exhibitions that challenge global narratives, the continent’s creatives are telling stories that resonate far beyond their borders. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s unapologetically African. Whether you’re vibing to Kizz Daniel’s latest or getting lost in Quarshie’s bold canvases, there’s something here for everyone.

Want to dive in? Stream the latest tracks on Spotify or Apple Music, check out Gallery 1957’s virtual tours, or mark your calendar for Milégé or Lagos Gallery Weekend. Africa’s creative scene is calling—answer it.