Music

Curated by @iamsiwas this playlist covers some of the best releases of 2024.

Georgia Black’s favourites, chosen from 10 years of our Spotify playlists.

Curated by Kwasi Darko. A trail of sweet Ghanaian melodies. Dance your stress away.

Curated by ALTÆR (TZ), a space and sound as eclectic as the colourful people who dance within it.

Wogene means my people in Amharic. Curated by @ladyhash takes us through a blend of Ethiopian music.

Curated by @iamsiwas this playlist explores some of the best releases in the first half of 2024.

Izwe Lethu is a slogan and mantra rooted in South Africa’s Pan African movement. It means “Our Land” curated by Kwela Sekele.

Curated by @chandabutposing this is an exploration of sexy, soulful, synth bass coming from Africa and her diaspora.

Nothing beats the feeling of being home & the journeys to the most beautiful places, listening to music from Africa & its Diaspora. Curated by Ulenni Okandlovu.

Nothing beats the feeling of being home & the journeys to the most beautiful places, listening to music from Africa & its Diaspora. Curated by Ulenni Okandlovu.

Nothing beats the feeling of being home & the journeys to the most beautiful places, listening to music from Africa & its Diaspora. Curated by Ulenni Okandlovu.

Nothing beats the feeling of being home & the journeys to the most beautiful places, listening to music from Africa & its Diaspora. Curated by Ulenni Okandlovu.

Good taste low key African sounds curated by @ojwooook, Nairobi photographer and DJ.

The beat of the snare drum sends messages from the ancestors to the present. This playlist follows a journey of Afrobeat from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya, Lesotho, Zambia, South Africa and beyond curated by Jess White featuring legends Fela Kuti, Angelique Kidjo and Remmy Ongala.

An offering of afro-house, soul-house, soulful afrobeats and jazzy house featuring remixes of legends such as Hugh Masekela, Nina Simone and fresh talent such as Ayra Starr, Adekunle Gold, BONJ, Lova Lova, Da Capo, Horatio Luna and much more.

Take a dive into the Afrocentric voices of folk, afrobeat, pop and soul music. Curated by Littlegig Lamu artist DJ IV and featuring artists from Kenya, Rwanda, Mali, Nigeria, Cape Verde, South Africa, Zambia and beyond.

Littlegig Lamu artist Lisa Oduor-Noah curates a journey of African and diasporic rhythms. Shuffle to alternative Amapiano, sail to smooth afro-soul and R&B, or mix it up with fusion jazz melodies.

This playlist is an indie ode to the depths and wonders of love and heartbreak. A playlist featuring acts you should get to know from Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and beyond, curated by Njoki Karu, who is performing at Littlegig Lamu 2023.

A Pan African exploration of the future of Afro indie folk, soul/R&B, pop and noirwave. Including past Littlegig acts Bongeziwe Mabandla (SA), Blinky Bill (KE), and Littlegig Lamu ‘23 acts Valérie June (US) and Njoki Karu (KE). Plus new favourites The Cavemen (NG), Turunesh (TZ), Mpho Sebina (BT), Mumbi Kasumba (ZM), Desire Marea (SA) and more. Curated by Jess White @iamsiwas

Modern, experimental, sometimes strange, always thrilling, this is an exciting exploration into the African artists leading the avant-garde music scene. Includes Kenyan rising star KMRU, pioneer of Senegale electro Ibaaku, and others.

100% Kenyan alternative sounds curated by a master in the scene. Tetu Shani introduces us to some new favourites including Hamzaa, mau from nowhere and Olivia Ambani.

Alternative and RnB sounds from the continent and diaspora. Featuring Karun (Kenya), Blick Bassy (Cameroon), The Cavemen (Nigeria) and Ayo (Germany/Nigeria).

Great tracks from African diaspora artists, from African sounds to electronic, rap and soul. Includes Mercury Prize-winners Arlo Parks, Dizzee Rascal, Benjamin Clementine, Michael Kiwanuka and Dave. Compiled by music afficionado and video maker Eduardo Bernal.

100% African summer jams, released this year. Includes the usual hitmakers: Kwesta (SA), Kabza de Small (SA), Wizkid (NG) and Boddhi Satva (CAR), as well as some new favourite like Mbosso (TZ), Gyakie (GH) and Lizwi Wokuqala (SA). Compiled by Littlegig 22’s music manager, Mishumo.

Soulful sounds, featuring the best in alternative African beats such as Nonku Phiri (SA), Lady Donli (USA) and some jazztronica by BenjiFlow and Layfullstop (UK).
Compiled by a Cape Town jazz and soul scene favourite Kaygee Lehoke.

Nothing beats the feeling of being home & the journeys to the most beautiful places, listening to music from Africa & its Diaspora. Curated by Ulenni Okandlovu.

Because libraries are for music too, we’ve got some new Spotify playlists for you.