With the help of our regional editors across the continent, Music In Africa has curated a two-part playlist of Africa’s most popular music in 2021. We have divided the playlist into the continent’s five regions, namely Southern Africa (part 1), West Africa (part 1), East Africa (part 2), Central Africa (part 2) and North Africa (part 2). We hope that you enjoy the music.

Southern Africa

South Africa is the colossus of the Southern African music industry and its artists keep on producing some of the most discernible releases on the continent. Amapiano has taken South Africa by storm, becoming the mainstream sound in 2021 and playing an influential role across Africa. Artists who dominated the genre throughout the year included Busta 929, Makhadzi, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Lady Du and Durban Gogo. South African hip hop artists Focalistic, Blxckie and Lucasraps also made an impression this year. In Zimbabwe, musicians like Jah Prayzah, Nutty O, Ex Q and Anita Jaxson also worked hard to release memorable music throughout the year.

Umsebenzi Wethu by Busta 929 and Mpura ft. Zuma, Mr JazziQ, Lady Du & Reece Madlisa (SA)

Zwivhuya by Makhadzi ft. John Delinger (SA)

Takarasima by Jah Prayzah (Zim)

Ganama by Makhadzi (SA)

Handipere Power by Nutty O (Zimbabwe)

Izolo by DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU (SA)

Nyeredzi by Jah Prayzah (Zim)

BIG TIME SH'LAPPA by Blxckie ft. Lucasraps (SA)

Pompi by Freeman (Zim)

Ma Yellowbone by Makhadzi ft. Prince Benza (SA)

Be My Girl by Nutty O ft. Kay Chaps (Zim)

LiYoshona by Kwiish SA ft. Njelic, Malumnator and De Mthuda (SA)

Handina by Killer T (Zim)

Banyana by DJ Maphorisa and Tyler ICU (SA)

Vula Mlomo by Musa Keys (SA)

Patati Patata by Roki ft. Koffi Olomide and Rayvanny (Zim)

Gupta by Focalistic and Mr JazziQ ft. Lady Du, Mellow and Sleazy (SA)

Siyathandana by Cassper Nyovest ft. Abidoza and Boohle (SA)

Slide by Lucasraps (SA)

Possible by DBN Gogo, Musa Keys, Dinho and Lebza The Villain (SA)

Nkulunkulu by Kamo Mphela (SA)

Dakiwe by DBN Gogo and Lady Du ft. Mr JazziQ, Seekay and Busta 929 (SA)

Bhurugwa by Poptain (Zim)

John Wick by De Mthuda ft. Sir Trill and Da Muziqal Chef (SA)

Abalele by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa ft. Ami Faku (SA)

Gcina Impilo Yami by DJ Cleo ft. Bucy Radebe (SA)

Vakorinde by Soul Jah Love and Tocky Vibes (SA)

Ebabayo by Prince Kaybee ft. Nokwazi (SA)

Megatron by Anita Jaxson (Zim)

I'm Fallin' by Black Coffee ft. RY X (SA)

Time by Black Coffee ft. Cassie (SA)

High On Your Love by Anita Jaxson (Zim)

Themba Lam by Master KG and Ghetto Kids ft. Mpumi and Prince Benza (SA)

Nezvangu by Ex Q (Zim)

West Africa

In the West Africa Anglophone region, Afrobeats took another step towards global domination. Led by a vibrant cohort of musicians and producers, the genre is responsible for some of 2021’s biggest hits. Nigeria’s Wizkid, Fireboy DML and Ladipoe as well as Ghana’s Black Sherif served as some of Afrobeats’ most notable architects. It was also a prolific year for artists in the West African Francophone industry. Many of them offered urban works, often inspired by the cultures of their land. Successful artists coming from this region were Azaya (Guinea), Josey (Ivory Coast) and Aya Nakamura (Mali/France), among many others.

Essence by Wizkid ft. Tems (Nigeria)

Peru by Fireboy DML (Nigeria)

Feeling by Ladipoe ft. Buju (Nigeria)

Second Sermon by Black Sherif (Ghana)

Forever by Gyakie (Ghana)

Kilometre by Burna Boy (Ghana)

Sip (Alcohol) by Joeboy (Nigeria)

Bunker by Kuami Eugene (Ghana)

Je M'appelle by Darkovibes ft. Davido (Ghana)

Touch It by KiDi (Ghana)

E Choke by Sefa ft. Mr Drew (Ghana)

Infinity by Olamide ft. Omah Lay (Nigeria)

High by Adekunle Gold ft. Davido (Nigeria)

Somebody’s Son by Tiwa Savage ft. Brandy (Nigeria)

Bounce by Ruger (Nigeria)

Monalisa by Lojay and Sarz (Nigeria)

Abotr3 by Amerado ft. Black Sherif (Ghana)

Ozumba Mbadiwe by Reekado Banks (Nigeria)

Kill Me by J Slught ft. Kpanto (Liberia)

Bloody Samaritan by Ayra Starr (Nigeria)

Understand by Omah Lay (Nigeria)

Gnomi avec lait by Fior 2 Bior ft. Niska (Ivory Coast)

Le Goût De by Rémy Adan (Ivory Coast)

Bobo by Aya Nakamura (Mali/France)

Ndeye by Jahman X-Press (Senegal)

Guuy by Jeeba (Senegal)

Trône Tigui by Azaya (Guinea)

Yeke Yeke by DJ Youcef ft. Soul Bang’s and Manamba Kanté (Guinea)

Natural Love by Wally Seck (Senegal)

Zambeleman by Josey ft. Bonigo (Ivory Coast)

Xol Ma Ci Bët by Iss 814 ft. Jeeba (Senegal)

See part 2 of our Top African Songs of 2021 playlist.