Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | Star Congolese rumba singer Koffi Olomide, who was expelled from Kenya at the weekend after allegedly kicking one of his dancers, was charged with assault and battery Tuesday, a judicial source told AFP. The source, who asked not to be identified, said the 60-year-old …
Read More »Zambia show cancelled, Koffi Olomide apologizes
Lusaka, Zambia | AFP | Zambian authorities said on Sunday they had called off a planned show by Congolese singer Koffi Olomide following his deportation from Kenya for kicking one of his female dancers. Olomide was scheduled to perform at the annual agricultural trade show in Lusaka this week. “Following …
Read More »You can now sing ‘Happy Birthday’ free of charge
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | A US federal judge on Monday signed off on a settlement that puts the song “Happy Birthday” — considered one of the most recognizable tunes in the English language — in the public domain. The settlement approved by Los Angeles judge George King …
Read More »Maurice Kirya: I share traits with Bob Marley
Maurice Kirya is a Ugandan musician and actor best known for his ‘soul’ style of music. He spoke to Agnes E. Nantaba about his music journey. Explaining his preference for ‘soul’ music, Maurice Kirya says he wanted to do music that resonates well with Ugandans. “It took me about four …
Read More »Gambia bans music and dancing during Ramadan
Banjul, Gambia | AFP | The Gambia has banned music, dancing and drumming during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on pain of being arrested — and people are complying, police said Monday. Ordinary citizens in the small west African country — whose president declared it an Islamic state in …
Read More »Snoop Dogg returns to rap roots on new album
New York, United States | AFP | Snoop Dogg has returned to his rap roots — as well as his familiar love of marijuana — as he released a new song Tuesday and detailed his upcoming album. “Coolaid,” which will come out on July 1, will be Snoop Dogg’s first …
Read More »Unsweet voices: A chaotic symphony erupts as Ugandans find voice
By Nathan Kiwere Going by the sheer number of artists, the Ugandan music industry appears to overflowwith talent. It is a contrast to a few years ago when the local scene was awash with ‘imported’ music. Congolese Lingala maestros monopolized the few radio stations and patronised Ugandan revelers with their …
Read More »Anne-Marie Nzie, ‘golden voice of Cameroon’, dies at 84
Yaoundé, Cameroon | AFP | Popular Cameroonian singer Anne-Marie Nzie has died at the age of 84 following a career spanning six decades, state media reported Wednesday. Nicknamed the “golden voice of Cameroon”, the singer died Tuesday evening in a hospital in the capital Yaounde where she had been admitted …
Read More »World mourns ‘King of Congolese rumba’ Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba was a warrior of African music & an Africa legend whose music will endure. He acted, sang, wrote songs, performed on world stages — Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) April 24, 2016 Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | Papa Wemba, one of Africa’s greatest music stars, has died …
Read More »Prince cremated in private ceremony
Minneapolis, UNITED STATES | AFP | Loved ones cremated pop icon Prince on Saturday with his final resting place to remain a secret, two days after his sudden death stunned the music world. The 57-year-old “Purple Rain” creator, one of the most acclaimed and unique artists of his generation, will …
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