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Aster Aweke
This Ethiopian beauty's Aster and Kabu albums show why she’s sometimes been dubbed the “African Aretha Franklin.”
By Jeff Tamarkin
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Hugh Masekela
This South African trumpeter scored a massive worldwide hit with "Grazin' In The Grass," becoming one of the biggest names in African music in the process.
By Chris Nickson
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Fela Kuti
The founder and king of Afro-beat, Fela’s legend continues to grow long after his death from AIDS-related complications in 1997.
By Tom Pryor
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King Sunny Adé
Adé started off playing percussion in church, then dropped out of school and made his way to Lagos, where he began playing guitar in highlife bands, soon becoming the king of highlife music.
By Chris Nickson
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Babatunde Olatunji
The importance of Babatunde Olatunji is incalculable. At a time when Westerners were exposed to almost nothing of African culture, Olatunji entered the mass consciousness with Drums Of Passion.
By Jeff Tamarkin
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Baaba Maal
If Senegalese master vocalist Baaba Maal had stayed with the family business (fishing) or stuck to his studies (law) instead of taking up singing and guitar, we would be experiencing a tremendous artistic loss.
By Stacy Meyn
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Angelique Kidjo
A diminutive woman from a small country, Angélique Kidjo has had a big impact in world music. Born in Benin, Kidjo had initially intended to be a civil rights attorney.
By Marty Lipp
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Ali Farka Toure
Even though he is no longer with us, Malian guitarist Ali Farka Toure's legend is cemented. Descended from noble ancestors, Toure’s early interest in music was actively discouraged by his family.
By Nils Jacobson
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