Apple Music launches Africa Month celebration

Apple Music has launched a month-long campaign to showcase the best playlists, artists and albums from all corners of Africa to commemorate Africa Month.

This follows the expansion last week of Apple Music into an additional 52 new countries around the world bringing the total number of countries across Sub-Saharan Africa to 33.

For Africa Month, Apple Music commissioned 15 exclusive guest playlists curated by some of the continent’s finest artists as well as a playlist featuring the biggest African songs of all time.

Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Afrobeats superstar Davido (Nigeria), Jazz icon Abdullah Ibrahim (South Africa) and Afro-pop group Sauti Sol (Kenya) are a few of the musicians who have curated playlists featuring their favourite African songs.

“African music is rich and diverse because Africa is a continent, not a country,” said Angelique Kidjo in a statement.

“Its music ranges from Uum Kulthum of Egypt down to Miriam Makeba of South Africa, with many distinct styles and subcultures in-between. This playlist is not an exhaustive snapshot of all of the important artists and genres, but is more like a journey through my musical life with the songs that inspired me and the many friendships I’ve found with my fellow African musicians.”

Rounding off the list are Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, superstar Aya Nakamura, Jimmy Dludlu, Kiff No Beat, Msaki, Simphiwe Dana, Stanley Enow as well as African artist, Laolu Senbanjo and designer, Karabo Poppy who created Apple Music’s playlist art for Naija Hits and Afrobeats Hits.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_E57DoH8Pv/

“Yes the world is currently in an odd place but I am staying positive and hoping for the best,” exclaimed Davido.

“It has given me a chance to enjoy some of the good things of life that work normally does not let me enjoy as much. For example, spending time with my family, especially my fiancé and son! The tracks on this playlist have made our mini house parties a lit situation!”

As Jimmy Dludlu says based on his guest playlist, “This is who we are, where we come from and where we are going”.

In addition to the exclusive guest playlists, Apple Music’s Africa Month playlist features the biggest African songs of all time, featuring the music of Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Brenda Fassie, Wizkid, D’Banj, Youssou Ndour, Angelique Kidjo, Baba Maal, Hugh Masekela, Amadou & Mariam, King Sunny Ade, Mory Kante and more.

With Apple Music now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music’s Africa Month campaign is set to be celebrated continent-wide.

With over 60 million songs, Apple Music offers a free 3-month trial with no commitment and is ad-free. Apple Music is available on iPhone and iPad and also for download from Google Play for Android devices.

.@RealBlackCoffee x @sabrinaclaudio lead the #AfricaNow playlist with #SBCNCSLY.
Listen here: https://t.co/G5qXPnqifg pic.twitter.com/1DOkzA521A

— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) April 30, 2020

New Apple Music subscribers in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe can enjoy a 6-month free trial for a limited time.

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