Apple Music spotlights Luanda in Africa Month 2026

The platform has released Sounds of Luanda, a curated playlist developed with contributions from artists and tastemakers including Teo No Beat, Anna Joyce and MC Prodígio. The selection brings together older recordings and recent releases, aiming to reflect the evolution of the city’s sound across different generations.

Luanda is widely regarded as a key centre in African music, with genres such as semba forming part of its cultural foundation. Semba has also influenced international styles, including Brazilian samba, while later developments from Angola have contributed to the global spread of genres such as kizomba, kuduro and tarraxinha.

Producer Teo No Beat said Luanda plays a central role in his creative identity. “Luanda is more than a city to me, it is my school, my stage and my source of inspiration,” he said. “These songs represent our streets, our struggles, our celebrations, our love stories and our dreams… this playlist tells the story of who we are and where we are going.”

Alongside the playlist, Apple Music has released a DJ mix curated by Angolan DJ Malvado, featuring contributions from artists including AfroKillerz, Djeff, DJ Waldo and Teo No Beat. The mix focuses on contemporary dance music from Luanda and highlights the city’s club culture.

DJ Malvado said the project reflects the energy of Angola’s music scene. “Through this selection, I can share the joy, energy, and spirit of our music,” he said. “Angola is one of the countries where music and dance always go hand in hand, full of rhythm, creativity and passion.”

The Sounds of Africa initiative forms part of Apple Music’s broader programming aimed at showcasing regional music scenes across the continent.