2022 in African music
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The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2022 in African music.
Events
- April 3 – Angélique Kidjo wins the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for the second time, with her 2021 album Mother Nature.[1]
- May 9 – CKay's "Love Nwantiti" becomes the first-ever African song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.[2]
- May 17 – Interviewed on Asaase Radio, Stonebwoy responds to criticism of himself and other African artists such as Black Sherif for attending a party hosted by Kendrick Lamar in Ghana.[3]
- July 17 – The 18th series of Idols South Africa is launched, with new judges Thembi Seete and JR.[4]
- August 6 – At a political rally in support of Kenyan politician Raila Odinga, Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz endorses Odinga as presidential candidate.[5]
- September 4 – The 15th edition of Nigerian music awards The Headies is held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.[6]
- September 22 – Morocco's Tanjazz Festival is held after a two-year gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
- October 31 – The drowning of Davido's 3-year-old son, in a swimming pool at their Banana Island house,[8] leads to a police investigation.[9]
Albums released in 2022
| Release date | Artist | Album | Genre | Label | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 28 | Nomfundo Moh | Amagama | Afro-pop | Universal | [10] |
| March 25 | Rema | Rave & Roses | Afrorave | Jonzing World/Mavin Records | [11] |
| May 13 | Obongjayar | Some Nights I Dream of Doors | Afrobeat | September Recordings | [12] |
| May 20 | Gigi Lamayne | Set in Stone | Hip hop | [13] | |
| May 27 | Brymo | Theta | Folk, sentimental ballad, quiet storm | Independent | [14] |
| Nduduzo Makhathini | In The Spirit Of Ntu | Jazz | Blue Note Africa | [11] | |
| July 8 | Burna Boy | Love, Damini | Afro-fusion | Atlantic Records | [15] |
| October 25 | Amerado | G.I.N.A | Reggae, Afropop | MicBurnerz Music | [16] |
| November 2 | Seyi Vibez | Billion Dollar Baby | Afrobeats | Vibez Inc / Dvpper Music | [17] |
| November 11 | Gordon Koang | Community | Music in Exile | [18] |
Musical films
- Neptune Frost, starring Elvis Ngabo, Cheryl Isheja and Kaya Free, with music by Saul Williams[19]
Deaths
- February 15 – Vivi l'internationale, 75–76, Beninese singer[20]
- February 23 – Riky Rick, 34, South African rapper (suicide)[21]
- March 28 (death announced on this date) – Mira Calix, 51/52, South African electronic musician and producer[22]
- April 8 – Osinachi Nwachukwu, 42, Nigerian gospel singer (cause undisclosed)[23]
- April 14 – Orlando Julius, 79, Nigerian Afrobeat saxophonist, singer, bandleader, and songwriter[24]
- May 15 – Deborah Fraser, 55, South African gospel singer (stroke)[25]
- June 11 – Amb Osayomore Joseph, 69, Nigerian highlife pioneer[26]
- June 12 – Dawit Nega, 34, Ethiopian singer[27]
- June 21 – Pierre Narcisse, 45, Cameroonian singer[28]
- August 15 – Tokollo Tshabalala, 45, South African Kwaito musician[29]
- August 18 – Hadrawi, 79, Somali poet and songwriter[30]
- September 12 – Dennis East, 73, South African singer, songwriter and producer[31]
- November 6 – Ali Birra, 72, Ethiopian singer[32]
- November 25 – Sammie Okposo, 51, Nigerian gospel singer[33]
- December 5 – Hamsou Garba, 63, Nigerien singer[34]
- December 10
- Tshala Muana, 64, Congolese singer, "Queen of Mutuashi"[35]
- Aziouz Raïs, 68, Algerian chaabi singer.[36]
- December 12 – Ekambi Brillant, 74, Cameroonian makossa singer[37]