{"id":3451,"date":"2014-03-03T09:40:02","date_gmt":"2014-03-03T09:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=3451"},"modified":"2014-03-03T09:41:48","modified_gmt":"2014-03-03T09:41:48","slug":"5-of-the-greatest-socially-conscious-african-musiciansever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=3451","title":{"rendered":"5 of the greatest socially conscious African musicians ever!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Before there were hip-hop movement\u2019s sprouting in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal or charities launched by Nigerian rap stars, there were African musicians whose songs told stories of a different Africa.<\/p>\n<p>From the 1960s into the early 1990s, it was Fela Kuti who called music \u2018a weapon\u2019 and Nigeria\u2018s military a troop of \u2018zombies\u2019 as he encouraged the country\u2019s people to speak out against their corrupt government. Within the same time period, Miriam Makeba and Salif Keita used their platforms to bring awareness to cultural injustices in South Africa and Mali, respectively. They addressed issues plaguing the continent, and the impact of their lyrics can still be heard and felt today. As they continue to inspire younger musicians to use their platform for greater good, we look back at how some of Africa\u2019s most socially conscious artists have positively impacted the continent and the world:<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. Salif Keita- MALI<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3457\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3457\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Salif-Keita.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3457\" alt=\"Salif Keita at a live performance. Photo credit: VIXID Team, Flickr\" src=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Salif-Keita-300x200.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Salif-Keita-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Salif-Keita.jpg 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3457\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Salif Keita at a live performance.<br \/>Photo credit: VIXID Team, Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Salif Keita knows what it feels like to be ostracized. Growing up, he was often excluded by his family and members of his village community because of his Albinism. When he began his music career in the late 1960s, Keita became a voice for the community, even dedicating his album La Diff\u00e9rence to albinos around the world. Keita has also used his music for advocacy in other areas, bring awareness to HIV\/AIDS through live performances and giving international audiences a taste of Africa with songs like, what else, \u201cAfrica.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"AFRICA by Salif Keita OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rmClOL8Pd1Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>4. Youssou N\u2019dour- SENEGAL<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3458\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3458\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/YNdour.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3458\" alt=\"Youssou N\u2019dour performing live at the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco. Photo Credit: Bob, Flickr\" src=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/YNdour-300x237.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/YNdour-300x237.jpg 300w, https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/YNdour.jpg 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3458\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Youssou N\u2019dour performing live at the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco.<br \/>Photo Credit: Bob, Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In 2012, musician Youssou N\u2019dour placed his name in the pool of potential candidates for Senegal\u2019s presidential race. Though his bid was unsuccessful, the move wasn\u2019t unwarranted. N\u2019dour, often called a modern griot, is a Grammy-award-winning storyteller who has sold out arenas and spent almost three decades making music centered around the idea of a \u2018better Africa.\u2019 As the recently appointed tourism and culture minister, he begins a new chapter of his work to improve Senegal.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love - New Africa\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bFTOqZsLjaw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>3. Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo \u2013BENIN<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3454\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3454\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/AKidjo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3454\" alt=\"Angelique Kidjo performing live. Photo credit: ActiveSteve, Flickr\" src=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/AKidjo-300x199.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/AKidjo-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/AKidjo.jpg 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3454\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Angelique Kidjo performing live.<br \/>Photo credit: ActiveSteve, Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In an interview with Amnesty International, Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo speaks on the conflict in Darfur and asks, \u201cHow can we talk about peace, when fundamental rights are not being respected?\u201d The outspoken Grammy-award winning songstress has made a career of speaking on some of the continent\u2019s most controversial topics and singing songs like \u201cLeila\u201d for international humanitarian efforts. Kidjo has worked with organizations like the Mo Ibrahim foundation and UNICEF to bring attention to health and education issues in Africa\u2019s communities. As co-founder of the Batonga foundation, she now advocates for the increased access of education for girls around the world.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Angelique Kidjo - AGOLO\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a4dERzdBon0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>2. Mariam Makeba- SOUTH AFRICA<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3456\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3456\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Miriam-makeba1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3456\" alt=\"Miriam Makeba performing at the Dedica Festival. Photo credit: Dedica Festival, Flickr\" src=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Miriam-makeba1-300x193.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Miriam-makeba1-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Miriam-makeba1.jpg 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3456\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Miriam Makeba performing at the Dedica Festival.<br \/>Photo credit: Dedica Festival, Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>She\u2019s known popularly as \u201cMama Africa.\u201d Mariam Makeba spent decades bringing awareness to some of the continents most pressing issues. She is one of few African artists to achieve success in the international market, a result of her relocation to the U.S. after speaking out against the country\u2019s apartheid government and subsequently losing her citizenship in 1960. Makeba became widely popular under the management of American performer Harry Belafonte, and even after her death in 2008, the \u201cPata Pata\u201d singer and activist is still remembered for her work fighting against HIV\/AIDS and her contributions to the anti-apartheid movement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Miriam Makeba - Pata Pata\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kCc61z9IFu4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>1. Fela Kuti \u2013 NIGERIA<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3455\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3455\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Fela-Kuti.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3455\" alt=\"Fela Kuti. Photo Credit: deadbeatsjungle , Last.fm\" src=\"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Fela-Kuti-300x292.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Fela-Kuti-300x292.jpg 300w, https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Fela-Kuti.jpg 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3455\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fela Kuti. Photo Credit: deadbeatsjungle , Last.fm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Fela Anikulapo Ransom Kuti is arguably Africa\u2019s most globally recognized musician. Kuti was the self-named \u201cblack president\u201d and creator of Afrobeat music. He believed in using music as a weapon, producing politically charged songs like \u201cZombie\u201d\u2014a compilation of controversial lyrics addressing corruption in Nigeria\u2019s government laid over attractive saxophone and drum arrangements. His wild personal life, fleet of wives and privately owned village, named the Kalakuta republic, made him a legend. Unfortunately, this same lifestyle led to his death from AIDS in 1997. In the years following his untimely passing, Kuti\u2019s music and activism continue to influence the continent\u2019s socially conscious artists.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jeg_video_container jeg_video_content\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Fela Kuti- shakara\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/55YJAk8RzNM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Credit: Africa.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before there were hip-hop movement\u2019s sprouting in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal or charities launched by Nigerian rap stars, there were African musicians whose songs told stories of a different Africa. From the 1960s into the early 1990s, it was Fela Kuti who called music \u2018a weapon\u2019 and Nigeria\u2018s military a troop of \u2018zombies\u2019 as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":3455,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[35,6],"class_list":["post-3451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-lpg","tag-togbe-afede"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3451"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3451\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}