Afropop

Many folks' initial encounter with Afropop came via David Byrne or Paul Simon (or, for an earlier generation, via The Tokens' adaptation of "Wimoweh"). Not bad for a start, but it spurs the question, in Kanda Bongo Man's words, "Kwassa Kwassa?" (translation: "What's that? What's that?") Find out here.

You just call them "Ladysmith" now. You're beginning to distinguish mbaqanga from marrabenta. And you no longer need Ry Cooder as a filter to appreciate Ali Farka Toure. But can you tell a kora from a kontingo? Or do you just want to dance? Either way, we got you covered.

Georges Collinet and Sean Barlow are your idols. You'd no more think of confusing King Sunny Ade with Papa Wemba than you would King Crimson with Popa Chubby. You've decided to let your inner jali roll. We heartily support your ongoing safari to illuminate the music of the Dark Continent.

Just as American rock music grew out of local roots, such as country and blues, so it is with Afropop. It's a huge musical umbrella that encompasses the hard-edged, politically-driven Afrobeat of Fela Kuti and the laid-back, hypnotic, equatorial grooves of King Sunny Ade. From Algerian rai in the north to soukous in central Africa to township jive in the south, Afropop unites hundreds of musical styles from all over the continent.