Apple Music has unveiled its 2025 Africa Month campaign, “The Sounds of Africa” , a vibrant initiative spotlighting five of the continent’s most influential music capitals: Accra, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg.
This campaign features exclusive playlists curated by top artists, industry executives, tastemakers, and media personalities, each capturing the unique sonic essence of their respective cities.
Each city is represented through specially curated playlists that delve into its musical landscape:
- Accra: Highlighting the city’s rich tapestry, the playlist features a blend of highlife, Afropop, and hip-hop, with contributions from artists like Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, and Black Sherif.
- Dar es Salaam: Showcasing Bongo Flava and other Tanzanian genres, the playlist reflects the city’s vibrant and diverse music scene.
- Lagos: Capturing the heartbeat of Nigeria’s music industry, the playlist includes Afrobeats, hip-hop, and R&B tracks from artists such as Davido, Tems, and Wizkid.
- Nairobi: Featuring a mix of gengetone, Afro-pop, and hip-hop, the playlist represents the dynamic and evolving Kenyan music scene.
- Johannesburg: Encompassing genres like Amapiano, Kwaito, and house, the playlist highlights the city’s role as a hub for South African music innovation.
The Sounds Of Africa Exclusive DJ Mixes
Complementing the playlists, Apple Music has collaborated with renowned DJs from each city to produce exclusive mixes:
- AD DJ (Accra)
- DJ Vasley (Dar es Salaam)
- Spaceship Billy (Lagos)
- DJ Grauchi (Nairobi)
- DJ PH (Johannesburg)
These mixes offer listeners an immersive experience into the local club scenes and contemporary sounds of each city.
Africa Now Radio Special Episodes
Throughout May, Africa Now Radio with host Nandi Madida will feature special episodes focusing on each city. These episodes include interviews with cover stars and discussions on the cultural and musical significance of each locale.
The Sounds Of Africa is choosing to celebrating Africa’s musical diversity and this campaign underscores Apple Music’s commitment to celebrating the continent’s rich musical heritage and contemporary creativity. By providing a platform for diverse voices and sounds, the initiative invites global audiences to explore and appreciate the multifaceted nature of African music.
