Women in African music

Kidjo, a Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF and vice-president of International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) where she actively promotes the interests of creators worldwide, is just one of the many women who play a pivotal role in popularising African music while advancing human and women’s rights.

When we talk about “women in African music” we sometimes forget that the people who perform onstage constitute a significantly small part of the many music professionals operating in the industry; and although we see quite a large number of women entertaining us live or through audio and video content, many areas of the music business – such as event management, stage management, A&R and digital distribution, to name a few – are seldom headed up by women.

On 8 March every year, the world celebrates International Woman’s Day. This day is an important one for the women’s rights movement; in some countries it is a day of protest while in others it celebrates womanhood.

At Music In Africa we dedicate the entire month of March to content about the work of women in the African music industry – both as music professionals and activists.

Below is some reading about women in African music. Make sure you visit this page daily for updates throughout March.

News and features

• Spotify launches programme for emerging artists
• SA: 2020 Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians Awards announce nominees
• Uganda: Cindy Sanyu becomes first woman to play Lugogo Cricket Oval
• Ami Faku: I'd love to work with Black Coffee
• 8 Naija songs for 8 March
• Deezer unveils most streamed female artists of 2019
• Niniola releases Fantasy featuring Femi Kuti
• SA: Berita to join Lira for Lyric Theatre gig
• Boomplay head of marketing: We’re always ahead of the streaming game
• T'neeya talks about her music style and curiosity to see more of Africa

Women in African Music Overview texts

• Women in Northern Nigerian music
• Ts’iloana and ei-ei music in Lesotho
• Litolobonya music in Lesotho
• Women in South Sudanese music
• Women in Sierra Leone music
• Beninese women in music
• Chadian women in music
• Burkinabe women in music
• Gabonese women in music
• Women in the music industry in Togo
• Women in Senegalese music