2021 in African music

The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2021 in African music.

Events

14 March – At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, Nigerian musician Burna Boy wins the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album and is among the live performers.{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2021-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-list|title=2021 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominees List|date=14 March 2021|website=grammy.com|access-date=20 January 2022}}
18 June – South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins the Song Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.classical-music.com/news/masabane-cecilia-rangwanasha-wins-song-prize-at-bbc-cardiff-singer-of-the-world-2021/|title=Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha wins Song Prize at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021|date=18 June 2021|website=Classical Music Magazine|author=Freya Parr|access-date=1 July 2021|language=en}}
9 August – In recognition of South African Women's Day, Apple Music launches the third part of its Visionary Women campaign, celebrating female artists such as Makhadzi.{{cite web|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-apple-music-launches-third-visionary-women-campaign|title=SA: Apple Music launches third Visionary Women campaign|date=2 August 2021|author=Ano Shumba|website=Music in Africa|access-date=20 January 2022}}
October – CKay's "Love Nwantiti" becomes the most-watched music video on YouTube, the first song from Africa to achieve this.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/pop-star-ranking/2021-october/a-nigerian-singer-released-the-biggest-hit-in-african-history.html|title=A Nigerian Singer Released the Biggest Hit in African History|date=28 October 2021|author=Lucas Shaw|website=Bloomberg|access-date=19 November 2021}}
14 November – The 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards takes place in Dallas, Texas.{{cite news |title=SOME ZAMBIANS RESIGNED TO VOTING FOR SLAPDEE IN AFRIMMA ~ |url=https://www.znbc.co.zm/news/some-zambians-resigned-to-voting-for-slapdee-in-afrimma/ |access-date=16 October 2021 |date=11 October 2021}}

Albums released in 2021

class="wikitable"
style="width:10%;"\| Release date ! style="width:15%;"\| Artist ! style="width:20%;"\| Album ! style="width:23%;"\| Genre ! style="width:18%;"\| Label ! style="width:3%;"\| Ref
style="text-align:center;"\| January 8 \|Monica Ogah \|Different (EP) \|Christian \|Indie \|{{cite news\|last=Naija\|first=Bella\|date=January 11, 2021\|title= New EP: Monica Ogah – Different\|work=BellaNaija.com\|url= https://www.bellanaija.com/2021/01/ep-monica-ogah-different/amp/\|access-date=February 4, 2021}}
style="text-align:center;" \| January 22 \|Ayra Starr \|Ayra Starr (EP) \|Afropop, R&B, neo-soul \|Mavin Records \|{{cite news \|title=Don Jazzy Activates Ayra Starr \|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/01/30/don-jazzy-activates-ayra-starr/ \|access-date=23 April 2021 \|work=THISDAYLIVE \|date=30 January 2021}}
style="text-align:center;"\| January 29 \|KaniBeatz & Bella Alubo \|Chrystical (EP) \|Pop \|Lightcastle Music Global \|{{cite news\|date=January 29, 2021\|title= Kanibeatz & Bella Alubo Make Short Work Of Their 'Chrystical' Joint EP \|work=The Bulletin\|url= https://thebulletin.youthshubmusic.com/kanibeatz-bella-alubo-make-short-work-of-their-chrystical-joint-ep/amp/\|access-date=February 4, 2021}}
style="text-align:center;"\| February 4 \|Joeboy \|Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic \|Afrobeats, Contemporary R&B \|emPawa \|{{Cite web\|date=2021-02-04\|title=Joeboy releases 14-track debut album, 'Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic'\|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/stream-joeboy-somewhere-between-beauty-and-magic-new-album/13xj272\|access-date=2021-02-04\|website=Pulse Nigeria\|language=en-US}}
style="text-align:center;"\| February 5 \|Femi Kuti & Made Kuti \|Legacy + \|AfroBeat/Jazz \|Partisan \|{{cite web \|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/femi-and-made-kuti-announce-double-album-share-new-songs-listen/ \|title=Femi and Made Kuti Announce Double Album, Share New Songs \|work=Pitchfork \|date=December 1, 2020 \|access-date=January 29, 2021 \|author=Ruiz, Matthew Ismael}}
style="text-align:center;"\| April 9 \|Peruzzi \|Rum & Boogie \|Afrobeats \|DMW \|{{cite news \|title=Peruzzi Enlists Davido, Don Jazzy, Fireboy And More For Second Album "Rum & Boogie" \|url=https://www.guardian.ng/life/peruzzi-enlists-davido-don-jazzy-and-fireboy-for-second-album-rum-boogie/ \|access-date=23 April 2021 \|work=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News \|date=9 April 2021}}
style="text-align:center;"\| April 23 \|Osibisa \|New Dawn \|High Life/Jazz/FunkRock \|Marquee Records \|
style="text-align:center;"\|April 30 \|Laycon \|Shall We Begin \|Rap \|Fierce Nation \|{{Cite web\|last=Alake\|first=Motolani\|date=2021-04-30\|title=Laycon delivers and shines on, '...Shall We Begin…' [Pulse Album Review]\|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-laycon-shall-we-begin-album/lnz2q37\|url-status=live\|access-date=2021-07-21\|website=Pulse Nigeria\|language=en\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510225801/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-laycon-shall-we-begin-album/lnz2q37 \|archive-date=2021-05-10 }}
style="text-align:center;"\|May 16 \|Kpanto \|Sound from the Xtreetz \|Hipco \|Indie \|{{cite web \|title=Sound From the Xtreetz by Kpanto \|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sound-from-the-xtreetz/1568159660 \|publisher=Apple Music \|access-date=18 March 2023 \|date=May 16, 2021 \|archive-date=20 March 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320231852/https://music.apple.com/us/album/sound-from-the-xtreetz/1568159660 \|url-status=live }}
style="text-align:center;"\| May 21 \|Mdou Moctar \|Afrique Victime \|Electronic \|Matador \|{{cite web \|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/mdou-moctar-announces-new-album-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ \|title=Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song \|work=Pitchfork \|date=March 2, 2021 \|access-date=March 3, 2021 \|author=Yoo, Noah}}
style="text-align:center;"\|June 18 \|Olamide \|UY Scuti \|Afropop \|YBNL Nation Empire Distribution \|{{Cite web\|last=Alake\|first=Motolani\|date=2021-06-18\|title=Olamide visits the Caribbean and delivers timeless music for you on 'UY Scuti' [Pulse Album Review]\|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-olamide-uy-scuti-album/7472cys\|url-status=live\|access-date=2021-07-21\|website=Pulse Nigeria\|language=en\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619194140/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-olamide-uy-scuti-album/7472cys \|archive-date=2021-06-19 }}
style="text-align:center;"\| July 9 \|Les Filles de Illighadad \|At Pioneer Works \|Tuareg rock \|Sahel Sounds \|{{cite web\|url=https://africanmusicguide.co.uk/new-african-music-2021/\|title=Les Filles De Illighadad - At Pioneer Works\|website=African Music Guide\|access-date=29 June 2021}}
style="text-align:center;"\| July 23 \|Obongjayar and Sarz \|Sweetness \|Afrobeat \| \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/obongjayar-and-sarz-unite-on-collaborative-ep-sweetness \|title=Obongjayar and Sarz unite on collaborative EP Sweetness \|work=The Line of Best Fit \|date=July 23, 2021 \|access-date=July 24, 2021 \|author=Kenneally, Cerys}}
style="text-align:center;"\| August 6 \|Ayra Starr \|19 & Dangerous \|Afrobeat, R&B, trap, alté \| Mavin Records \|{{cite web \|title=LISTEN/STREAM: Ayra Starr - 19 & Dangerous [ALBUM] \|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/listenstream-ayra-starr-19-and-dangerous-album/y68lbqy \|website=Pulse Nigeria \|access-date=7 August 2021 \|language=en \|date=6 August 2021}}
style="text-align:center;"\|September 3 \|Big Zulu \|Ichwane Lenyoka \| Rap, Hip hop \| Inkabi Records \|{{cite web\|title=Big Zulu Finally Drops 'Ichwane Lenyoka' Album\|url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/20301/at-bigzulu-zn-finally-drops-ichwanelenyoka-album\|first=Theo\|last=Manjo\|work=Slikouronlife\|date= September 3, 2021}}
style="text-align:center;"\| September 3 \|Sarahmée \|Poupée russe \| Rap, Afropop \| Ste=4 Musique \|{{cite web \|author1=Olivier Boisvert-Magnen \|title=Sarahmée: Welcome to her Life\|url=https://www.socanmagazine.ca/features/sarahmee-welcome-to-her-life/ \|publisher=Words and Music \|accessdate=20 January 2022 \|date=8 September 2020}}
rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"\| September 9 \|rowspan="2"\|Brymo \|9: Èsan \|{{hlist\|Alternative rock\|afro-soul\|sentimental ballad\|folk music}} \|rowspan="2"\|Indie \|rowspan="2"\|{{cite web \|author1=Motolani Alake \|title=On '9: Esan,' Brymo makes his listeners think [Pulse Album Review] \|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-brymo-9-esan-album/xttrss9 \|publisher=Pulse Nigeria \|access-date=26 April 2023 \|date=September 11, 2021 \|archive-date=26 April 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426034303/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-brymo-9-esan-album/xttrss9 \|url-status=live }}
9: Harmattan & Winter \|{{hlist\|Alternative rock\|afro-soul\|sentimental ballad\|folk music}}
style="text-align:center;"\| September 15 \|Tems \|If Orange Was a Place \|alt-R&B, Soul \| RCA/Since '93 \|{{Cite web\|title=Tems: If Orange Was a Place EP\|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tems-if-orange-was-a-place-ep/\|access-date=2021-10-01\|website=Pitchfork\|language=en}}
style="text-align:center;"\| October 26 \|Amerado \|Patience (EP) \|Hiphop/Afrobeat \|MicBurnerz Music \|{{Cite web \|title=Stream Ghanaian artist Amerado's brand new extended play: Patience - GRUNGECAKE \|url=https://grungecake.com/amerado-patience/articles/83696 \|access-date=2022-08-12 \|website=grungecake.com}}
style="text-align:center;"\| November 5 \|Zlatan \|Resan \| \| \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-zlatan-resan-album/l8y8ydt\|title=Wow Zlatan! you did that 'Resan'\|date=9 November 2021\|author=Motolani Alake\|website=Pulse\|access-date=20 December 2021}}

class="wikitable"

style="width:10%;"| Release date

! style="width:15%;"| Artist

! style="width:20%;"| Album

! style="width:23%;"| Genre

! style="width:18%;"| Label

! style="width:3%;"| Ref

style="text-align:center;"| January 8

|Monica Ogah

|Different (EP)

|Christian

|Indie

|{{cite news|last=Naija|first=Bella|date=January 11, 2021|title= New EP: Monica Ogah – Different|work=BellaNaija.com|url= https://www.bellanaija.com/2021/01/ep-monica-ogah-different/amp/|access-date=February 4, 2021}}

style="text-align:center;" | January 22

|Ayra Starr

|Ayra Starr (EP)

|Afropop, R&B, neo-soul

|Mavin Records

|{{cite news |title=Don Jazzy Activates Ayra Starr |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/01/30/don-jazzy-activates-ayra-starr/ |access-date=23 April 2021 |work=THISDAYLIVE |date=30 January 2021}}

style="text-align:center;"| January 29

|KaniBeatz & Bella Alubo

|Chrystical (EP)

|Pop

|Lightcastle Music Global

|{{cite news|date=January 29, 2021|title= Kanibeatz & Bella Alubo Make Short Work Of Their 'Chrystical' Joint EP |work=The Bulletin|url= https://thebulletin.youthshubmusic.com/kanibeatz-bella-alubo-make-short-work-of-their-chrystical-joint-ep/amp/|access-date=February 4, 2021}}

style="text-align:center;"| February 4

|Joeboy

|Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic

|Afrobeats, Contemporary R&B

|emPawa

|{{Cite web|date=2021-02-04|title=Joeboy releases 14-track debut album, 'Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic'|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/stream-joeboy-somewhere-between-beauty-and-magic-new-album/13xj272|access-date=2021-02-04|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US}}

style="text-align:center;"| February 5

|Femi Kuti & Made Kuti

|Legacy +

|AfroBeat/Jazz

|Partisan

|{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/femi-and-made-kuti-announce-double-album-share-new-songs-listen/ |title=Femi and Made Kuti Announce Double Album, Share New Songs |work=Pitchfork |date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |author=Ruiz, Matthew Ismael}}

style="text-align:center;"| April 9

|Peruzzi

|Rum & Boogie

|Afrobeats

|DMW

|{{cite news |title=Peruzzi Enlists Davido, Don Jazzy, Fireboy And More For Second Album "Rum & Boogie" |url=https://www.guardian.ng/life/peruzzi-enlists-davido-don-jazzy-and-fireboy-for-second-album-rum-boogie/ |access-date=23 April 2021 |work=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |date=9 April 2021}}

style="text-align:center;"| April 23

|Osibisa

|New Dawn

|High Life/Jazz/FunkRock

|Marquee Records

style="text-align:center;"|April 30

|Laycon

|Shall We Begin

|Rap

|Fierce Nation

|{{Cite web|last=Alake|first=Motolani|date=2021-04-30|title=Laycon delivers and shines on, '...Shall We Begin…' [Pulse Album Review]|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-laycon-shall-we-begin-album/lnz2q37|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510225801/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-laycon-shall-we-begin-album/lnz2q37 |archive-date=2021-05-10 }}

style="text-align:center;"|May 16

|Kpanto

|Sound from the Xtreetz

|Hipco

|Indie

|{{cite web |title=Sound From the Xtreetz by Kpanto |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sound-from-the-xtreetz/1568159660 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=18 March 2023 |date=May 16, 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320231852/https://music.apple.com/us/album/sound-from-the-xtreetz/1568159660 |url-status=live }}

style="text-align:center;"| May 21

|Mdou Moctar

|Afrique Victime

|Electronic

|Matador

|{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/mdou-moctar-announces-new-album-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ |title=Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song |work=Pitchfork |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |author=Yoo, Noah}}

style="text-align:center;"|June 18

|Olamide

|UY Scuti

|Afropop

|YBNL Nation Empire Distribution

|{{Cite web|last=Alake|first=Motolani|date=2021-06-18|title=Olamide visits the Caribbean and delivers timeless music for you on 'UY Scuti' [Pulse Album Review]|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-olamide-uy-scuti-album/7472cys|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619194140/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-olamide-uy-scuti-album/7472cys |archive-date=2021-06-19 }}

style="text-align:center;"| July 9

|Les Filles de Illighadad

|At Pioneer Works

|Tuareg rock

|Sahel Sounds

|{{cite web|url=https://africanmusicguide.co.uk/new-african-music-2021/|title=Les Filles De Illighadad - At Pioneer Works|website=African Music Guide|access-date=29 June 2021}}

style="text-align:center;"| July 23

|Obongjayar and Sarz

|Sweetness

|Afrobeat

|{{cite web |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/obongjayar-and-sarz-unite-on-collaborative-ep-sweetness |title=Obongjayar and Sarz unite on collaborative EP Sweetness |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=July 23, 2021 |access-date=July 24, 2021 |author=Kenneally, Cerys}}

style="text-align:center;"| August 6

|Ayra Starr

|19 & Dangerous

|Afrobeat, R&B, trap, alté

| Mavin Records

|{{cite web |title=LISTEN/STREAM: Ayra Starr - 19 & Dangerous [ALBUM] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/listenstream-ayra-starr-19-and-dangerous-album/y68lbqy |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=7 August 2021 |language=en |date=6 August 2021}}

style="text-align:center;"|September 3

|Big Zulu

|Ichwane Lenyoka

| Rap, Hip hop

| Inkabi Records

|{{cite web|title=Big Zulu Finally Drops 'Ichwane Lenyoka' Album|url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/20301/at-bigzulu-zn-finally-drops-ichwanelenyoka-album|first=Theo|last=Manjo|work=Slikouronlife|date= September 3, 2021}}

style="text-align:center;"| September 3

|Sarahmée

|Poupée russe

| Rap, Afropop

| Ste=4 Musique

|{{cite web |author1=Olivier Boisvert-Magnen |title=Sarahmée: Welcome to her Life|url=https://www.socanmagazine.ca/features/sarahmee-welcome-to-her-life/ |publisher=Words and Music |accessdate=20 January 2022 |date=8 September 2020}}

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| September 9

|rowspan="2"|Brymo

|9: Èsan

|{{hlist|Alternative rock|afro-soul|sentimental ballad|folk music}}

|rowspan="2"|Indie

|rowspan="2"|{{cite web |author1=Motolani Alake |title=On '9: Esan,' Brymo makes his listeners think [Pulse Album Review] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-brymo-9-esan-album/xttrss9 |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=26 April 2023 |date=September 11, 2021 |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426034303/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-brymo-9-esan-album/xttrss9 |url-status=live }}

9: Harmattan & Winter

|{{hlist|Alternative rock|afro-soul|sentimental ballad|folk music}}

style="text-align:center;"| September 15

|Tems

|If Orange Was a Place

|alt-R&B, Soul

| RCA/Since '93

|{{Cite web|title=Tems: If Orange Was a Place EP|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tems-if-orange-was-a-place-ep/|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Pitchfork|language=en}}

style="text-align:center;"| October 26

|Amerado

|Patience (EP)

|Hiphop/Afrobeat

|MicBurnerz Music

|{{Cite web |title=Stream Ghanaian artist Amerado's brand new extended play: Patience - GRUNGECAKE |url=https://grungecake.com/amerado-patience/articles/83696 |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=grungecake.com}}

style="text-align:center;"| November 5

|Zlatan

|Resan

|{{cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-zlatan-resan-album/l8y8ydt|title=Wow Zlatan! you did that 'Resan'|date=9 November 2021|author=Motolani Alake|website=Pulse|access-date=20 December 2021}}

Musical films

Neptune Frost, with music by Saul Williams{{Cite web |last=Gates |first=Marya E. |title=Female Filmmakers in Focus: Anisia Uzeyman and Saul Williams on Neptune Frost {{!}} Interviews {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/female-filmmakers-in-focus-anisia-uzeyman-and-saul-williams-on-neptune-frost |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.rogerebert.com/ |language=en}}

Deaths

January 8 – Dorine Mokha, 31, Congolese dancer and choreographer (malaria){{cite web|url=https://cultinfos.com/buzz/739268-deces-choregraphe-congolais-dorine-mokha-a-31-ans|title=Décès du chorégraphe congolais Dorine Mokha à 31 ans|date=13 January 2021|work=CultInfos.com|language=French}}
January 22 – Guem, 73, Algerian singer, composer and dancer.{{cite web|url=https://www.liberte-algerie.com/culture/abdelmadjid-guemguem-alias-guem-est-decede-352895|title=Abdelmadjid Guemguem, alias Guem, est décédé|date=24 January 2021|work=Liberté Algérie|language=French}}
January 23
Jonas Gwangwa, 83, South African jazz musician{{cite web|url=https://ewn.co.za/2021/01/23/jonas-gwangwa-award-winning-jazz-legend-passes-away-aged-83|title=Jonas Gwangwa, award-winning jazz legend, passes away aged 83|date=23 January 2021|first=Lungelo|last=Matangira|website=ewn.co.za|access-date=23 January 2021}}
Ahmed Achour, 75, Tunisian composer and conductor{{cite web|url=https://lapresse.tn/85927/le-chef-dorchestre-et-compositeur-ahmed-achour-est-decede-a-lage-de-75-ans/|title=Le chef d'orchestre et compositeur Ahmed Achour est décédé à l'âge de 75 ans|date=29 January 2021|website=La Presse|language=fr}}
January 28 – Sibongile Khumalo, 63, South African singer{{cite news|title=LISTICLE: Highlights of musician Sibongile Khumalo's life|url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/listicle-highlights-of-musician-sibongile-khumalos-life/|first=Lerato|last=Matlala|date=28 January 2021|accessdate=28 January 2021|work=SABC News|publisher=South African Broadcasting Corporation}}
January 31 – Wambali Mkandawire (Mtebeti Wambali Mkandawire), 68, Malawian jazz singer and activist.{{cite web |title=Malawi mourns one of its greatest musicians: Wambali laid to rest |url=https://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-mourns-one-of-its-greatest-musicians-wambali-laid-to-rest/ |website=Nyasa Times |access-date=1 February 2021}}
February 5 – Abdoul Jabbar, 40–41, Guinean singer-songwriter{{cite web|url=https://mediaguinee.org/lartiste-abdoul-jabbar-sen-va/|title=L'artiste Abdoul Jabbar s'en va !!!|date=5 February 2021|work=Mediaguinee.com|language=French}}
February 16 – Soul Jah Love, 31, Zimbabwean reggae/Zimdancehall musician (complications from diabetes){{Cite web|last=Chronicle|first=The|title=BREAKING: Soul Jah Love dies|url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/breaking-soul-jah-love-dies/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=The Chronicle|language=en-GB}}
March 7 – Josky Kiambukuta, 72, Congolese singer (TPOK Jazz).{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/tpok-jazz-josky-kiambukuta-dies-3315198|title=Veteran Congolese singer Josky Kiambukuta dies in Kinshasa|date=8 March 2021|website=The East African}}
March 14 – Thione Seck, 66, Senegalese mbalakh singer and musician{{cite web|url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/musique/mort-du-chanteur-thione-seck-lune-des-stars-de-la-musique-senegalaise-14-03-2021-ABJADA4HERDAPGI6E5VJYLNBIU.php|title=Mort du chanteur Thione Seck, l'une des stars de la musique sénégalaise|publisher=Le Parisien|access-date=14 March 2021}} {{in lang|fr}}
April 5 – Haja El Hamdaouia, 91, Moroccan singer and songwriter, known for Chaabi and Aita{{cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/04/338935/iconic-moroccan-singer-haja-el-hamdaouia-dies-at-91/|title=Iconic Moroccan Singer Haja El Hamdaouia Dies at 91|first=Safaa|last=Kasraoui|work=Morocco World News|date=5 April 2021|access-date=5 April 2021}}
April 18 – Naïma Ababsa, 51, Algerian singer{{cite web|url=https://www.aps.dz/culture/120723-deces-de-la-chanteuse-naima-ababsa|title=Décès de la chanteuse Naima Ababsa|date=18 April 2021|work=Algérie Presse Service|language=French}}
April 27 – Sammy Kasule, 69, Ugandan musician and singer[https://www.kfm.co.ug/entertainment-news/afrigo-bands-sammy-kasule-dies.html Afrigo Band's Sammy Kasule dies]
May 7 – Jamal Salameh, 75, Egyptian songwriter and composer
June 21 – Mamady Keïta, 70, Guinean drummer{{cite web |url=https://guineenews.org/bruxelles-mamady-djembe-un-monument-de-la-percussion-mondiale-sest-eteint/ |title=Bruxelles: Mamady Djembé, un monument de la percussion mondiale s'est éteint |date=21 June 2021 |last=Doré |first=Tokpanon |website=Guinéenews |access-date=21 June 2021 |lang=fr}}
June 22 – Mzilikazi Khumalo, 89, South African composer and academic{{cite news |last1=Pooley |first1=Thomas |title=Iconic composer Mzilikazi Khumalo defied apartheid odds to leave a rich legacy |url=https://www.news24.com/arts/music/iconic-composer-mzilikazi-khumalo-defied-apartheid-odds-to-leave-a-rich-legacy-20210624 |access-date=27 June 2021 |work=News24 |date=24 June 2021}}
June 25 – Wes Madiko, 57, Cameroonian singer{{cite web|url=https://topvisages.net/wes-madiko-la-fin-dune-histoire/|title=Wes Madiko, la fin d'une histoire|date=26 June 2021|website=Visages Live|language=fr|access-date=29 June 2021}}
July 1 – Steve Kekana, 63, South African singer{{cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-07-01-breaking-legendary-musician-steve-kekana-has-died/|title=Breaking: Legendary musician Steve Kekana has died|date=1 July 2021|author=Emmanuel Tjiya|website=Sowetan Live|access-date=1 July 2021}}
July 11 – Sound Sultan (Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi), 44, Nigerian rapper and hip hop pioneer (angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma){{cite web|url=https://m.guardian.ng/life/veteran-singer-sound-sultan-dies-after-battle-with-cancer/ |title=Veteran Singer Sound Sultan Dies After Battle With Cancer |publisher=Guardian.ng |date=July 11, 2021 |access-date=July 11, 2021}}
August 3 – Allan Stephenson, 71, British-born South African cellist, conductor and composer{{cite web|url=https://www.thestrad.com/news/cellist-and-conductor-allan-stephenson-has-died/13393.article|title=Cellist and conductor Allan Stephenson has died|website=The Strad|access-date=August 3, 2021}}
August 9 (killed in car crash)
Khanya "The Voice" Hadebe, 20s, South African amapiano musician{{cite web|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/south-africa-mourns-amapiano-artists-mpura-killer-kau-and-khanya-hadebe|title=South Africa mourns amapiano artists Mpura, Killer Kau and Khanya Hadebe|date=10 August 2021|first=Ano|last=Shumba|website=Music Africa|access-date=12 August 2021}}
Killer Kau, 23, South African amapiano musician
Mpura, 20s South African amapiano musician
August 28 – Victor Uwaifo, 80, Nigerian ogbonge musician and cultural figure{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-58359086|title=Sir Victor Uwaifo: Joromi, Guitar Boy artiste and ogbonge Nigerian musician die at di age of 80|website=BBC News|access-date=30 August 2021}}
August 31 – Nobesuthu Mbadu, 76, South African mbaqanga singer{{cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-08-31-mahotella-queens-star-mbadu-passes-on-after-fight-with-kidney-failure|title=Mahotella Queens' star Mbadu passes on after fight with kidney failure|website=Sowetan Live|access-date=30 August 2021}}
September 2 – Alemayehu Eshete, 80, Ethiopian singer{{Cite web|last=Admin|date=3 September 2021|title=Alemayehu Eshete, "Ethiopian Elvis Presley", reportedly died|url=https://borkena.com/2021/09/02/alemayehu-eshete-ethiopian-elvis-presley-reportedly-died/|access-date=3 September 2021|website=Borkena Ethiopian News|language=en-US}}
September 28 – Nana Ampadu, 76, Ghanaian musician{{cite web|url=https://plugtimes.com/2021/09/highlife-legend-nana-ampadu-dead|title=Highlife Legend Nana Ampadu is Dead|date=September 28, 2021|website=Plug Times}}
October 3 – Anouman Brou Félix, 86, Ivorian Akyé musician {{cite web|url=https://www.akody.com/cote-divoire/news/culture-deuil-anoman-brouh-felix-pionnier-de-la-musique-akye-est-decede-329532|title=Culture : Deuil, Anoman Brouh Félix, pionnier de la musique Akyé est décédé|date=October 4, 2021|language=fr|website=akody|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004231607/https://www.akody.com/cote-divoire/news/culture-deuil-anoman-brouh-felix-pionnier-de-la-musique-akye-est-decede-329532|url-status=dead}}
October 8 – Rabah Driassa, 87, Algerian artist and folk singer{{cite web|url=https://www.mosaiquefm.net/fr/people/969955/deces-de-l-artiste-algerien-rabeh-deriassa |title=Décès de l'artiste algérien Rabeh Deriassa|language=fr|date=October 8, 2021|website=Mosaique FM|access-date=October 11, 2021}}
November 7 – Bopol Mansiamina, 72, Congolese guitarist, vocalist, composer, and producer{{cite news |last1=Diaz |first1=Jonathan |title=Muere Bopol Mansiamina, un grande de la Música Africana |url=https://www.elheraldo.co/entretenimiento/muere-bopol-mansiamina-un-grande-de-la-musica-africana-863497 |access-date=7 November 2021 |work=El Heraldo (Barranquilla, Colombia) |date=7 November 2021 |language=es}}
November 17 – Theuns Jordaan, 50, South African singer-songwriter (leukaemia){{cite news |title=Theuns Jordaan oorlede |url=https://maroelamedia.co.za/nuus/sa-nuus/theuns-jordaan-oorlede/ |access-date=17 November 2021}}
December 27 – Defao, 62, Congolese singer-songwriter, COVID-19.{{cite web|url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20211228-le-congolais-général-défao-vedette-de-la-rumba-est-mort|title=Le congolais Général Défao, vedette de la rumba, est mort|language=fr|website=rfi.fr/|date=December 28, 2021}}

References

Africa

Category:Music of Africa

Category:2021 in Africa