Coke Studio Africa expands to include six new countries

This year marks the fourth season of the annual show. Six new countries - representing East Africa, Central Africa and West Africa - have been included. Ivory Coast, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Senegal and Ethiopia are the new countries that have been included, bringing the number of participating countries to 11.

Coke Studio Africa will this year shift its focus from mash-ups and instead explore the continent's diverse and unique sounds.

Artists featuring for the first time on the show include Kenyan gospel singer Bahati, Nigeria's Kiss Daniel and Patoranking, Eddy Kenzo and Radio and Weasel from Uganda, Tanzania's Navy Kenzo, Toofan from Togo and Ethiopia's Haile Roots.

Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee and Nigeria’s 2baba will return for the new season after participating at the show in 2015.

Mdee will collaborate with Nigerian dancehall artist Patoranking. She is known for hits such as ‘Nobody But Me’ (ft. South African rapper K.O), ‘Never Ever’ and ‘Niroge.’ Patoranking has meanwhile been on a hot streak lately, following hits like 'My Woman,’ ‘My Everything’ (ft. Wande Coal), ‘Daniella Whine’ and ‘Girlie O Remix’ (ft Tiwa Savage).

The duo will be produced by South African house producer DJ Maphorisa of ‘Soweto Baby’ fame. Other producers who will work with the participating artists are Kenya's Madtraxx, MasterKraft (Nigeria), Bushingstone (Uganda), Danny Synthe (France) and Kill Beats from Ghana.

"For this season we sought producers and partners who are able to tap into both their creativity and those of the artists to produce a world-class show," said Ahmed Rady, Coca-Cola marketing director for Central, East and West Africa, adding that this season will see the territories expanded and the number of artists increased.

Coke Studio Africa, unlike other music programmes that focus on the emergence of a winner, is a non-competitive show that seeks to unite and showcase the diversity of Africa's musical talent. It gives upcoming artists the opportunity to work with some of the best local and international music and production talent.