After more than a decade. The legends of 80s Congolese rumba-soukouss play their only London reunion gig

The African charity ADUNA is opening the doors of a prime central London location to raise funds and to celebrate the end of an AFRO YEAR in style. The Africa Centre in COVENT GARDEN is an iconic listed building in the heart of London where nothing seems to have happened since Soul 2 Soul heydayz….

The fifth chapter in the celebrated African Soul Rebels series proves exactly how important music is when it comes to changing the world, and change is in the air. One act points the way to a new future in which African rhythms and rock unite; one is on a mission to explain his continent to the world; and the third provided the soundtracks to a civil war and a revolution

The aim of the Hip-Life Festival which has been celebrated in UK for the past three years is to exhibit the Ghanaian brand of Hip hop called Hip-Life which speaks to the youth more than any other musical form

The Turbine Hall will host a rare showing of two groundbreaking films by the acclaimed Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambéty (1945-1998). Unfortunately due to visa issues, Konono No1 have had to cancel. See below for refund information

The sacred fire of Afrobeat. The heritage of Fela

Upbeat Nigerian R&B sensation D’Banj, Kenyan underground hip hop king Jua Cali, Ghanaian Dancehall king Samini and HHP, South Africa’s hottest hip-hop MC, fly into Munich, Germany this week to participate in the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards, which takes place at Munich’s OlympiaHalle Thursday 1st November

Last year saw the birth of the Hip Life Festival and despite a number of skeptics, seven of the top Hip-Life artists stepped down from Ghana to perform live at the Stratford Rex, London. This event became one of the most memorable events in the Ghanaian music calendar in the UK

MTV Base (UK) will be championing African music in a dedicated new weekly programming slot. Entitled ‘MTV Base Africa’, the late-night block will be based on music sourced by MTV’s African channel — MTV base (Africa)

African DJs and bands galore on Saturday 28 July 2007, 2pm - 10pm will be at North London’s Union Chapel in Islington. The festival will help raise funds for charities working with women and children in Zimbabwe

Ghanaian Artist Climbs New Creative Heights with New Video for ‘Kangaroo’

sumptuous selection of wonderful African bands coming to London including faves like Netsayi, Ba Cissoko and Africando as well as big names like Natacha Atlas…

Combining Western artists with acts from all over Southern Africa the fourth Lake of Stars Festival takes place in October this year. Head out to Malawi, deep in the middle of Africa, for a music event like no other

Once again, three outstanding stars of African music are coming to the UK on this years’ African Soul Rebel tour.

We spoke to Su Hart, one of the founders of Baka Beyond about a unique festival taking place in Southern Ethiopia

South African band Freshlyground scooped the hottest category for the MTV Awards. Simon and Zolani of the band received the award from MTV base VJ Sizwe Dhlomo at the Bella Center, Copenhagen

African music fans are gearing up to learn the result of the Best African Act at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark on Thursday 2 November

October 8th marks a coming of age for African hip hop when Afrolution Records, the London-based African hip hop label, is bringing together some of the biggest names in African hip hop for a night of hip hop from the Motherland to take place at East London’s Cargo

Ghana’s “Rain God” Batman Samini yesterday lifted the MOBO award for “Best African Act”

Batman Samini is one of Ghana’s biggest stars. His sound is a hybrid of old school highlife, dancehall and hip hop, which some journalists have tagged raglife, but which the man himself refuses to classify

Fans of Ghanaian Hip-Hop known as Hip-Life are in for a treat in the coming weeks. On Saturday 2 September, the stage will be set at the Stratford Rex in East London, for one of the biggest Ghanaian live music events to take place in the UK

On 1st August 2006, Ghanaian music will officially enter the digital age thanks to Zongo Junction. On that day, 13 of the most recent albums from top Ghanaian stars like Kwabena Kwabena, Batman and Obour will be released for download on iTunes, CalabashMusic.com, Napster, Rhapsody and all other major music download stores worldwide

The awards event guarantees the best Nigeria can offer in music and unbridled entertainment, bringing together the creme-de-la-creme of the Nigerian and the African Caribbean communities with all the glamour, panache and style that that entails.

‘Namu naala, gisse naala gisse! - I’ve missed you, long time no see!’ Anyone who didn’t understand any Wolof before the Rio Loco festival in Toulouse will have returned home from the 5-day event with those two phrases wedged into their memories…

The Baalbeck International Festival is the oldest and most prestigious event in the Middle East. The Festival is an annual event which takes place in the Roman Acropolis outside Beirut in July and August.

The fourth edition of the Sauti za Busara music festival will take place in Zanzibar, February 9 -14th 2007; and once again admission is free to all each day before 8pm

Live and Direct from Senegal, “Africa’s answer to Public Enemy” — Pee Froiss — with support from king of the UK dancehall Swel Daag and from Zimbabwe’s DKR plus DJs Heatwave, Eric Soul and Ilka

Mozambiqe’s First Annual Cultural Tourism Festival — the Avante Mozambique! Festival — is scheduled to take place in the capital city Maputo from August 28 until September 10, 2006

In this year’s World Cup in Germany there are five African teams taking part: Angola, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo and Tunisia. You will find numerous pubs, bars etc in London to watch the World Cup matches but for those wishing to support Ghana, Ivory Coast and Angola in a fun atmosphere, check out some of the special events taking at Herbal in Shoreditch

The situation in Kidal in the north east of Mali is still very tense following attacks on two army barracks on the morning of Tuesday 24th May. An armoured division of the Malian army sent north from Gao have taken control of the town and the rebel group have retreated north to a base hidden in the mountains

Different people, different cultures, one language: music…

Experience the powerful variety and vibrancy of African culture and be thrilled by a range of African music, dance, food and crafts on the South Bank at Festival Riverside outside the Royal Festival Hall.

The London African Music Festival starts on the 19th May and runs til 28th May at the Royal Festival Hall. A rich and varied line up including Toumani Diabate, Cheikh Lo and Kanda Bongo Man.

The cream of the world’s Muslim artists assembles in London this summer for the 21st Music Village festival. Guest visiting artists from all over the Islamic world unite with leading UK-based Muslim performers, storytellers, speakers and workshop leaders in a 17-day programme of free events across the city.

Gospel is the biggest-selling music genre throughout Africa and it has had its home in South Africa for a long time. The Soweto Gospel Choir were formed out of this tradition and the group has made a special place for itself in the world’s heart since South Africa told its painful story

The Music Crossroads Inter-Regional Festival 2006 was held in Maputo, Mozambique at the French Cultural Centre with enthusiastic audiences of up to a 1,000 at a time entertained by 22 acts made up of over 150 performers

Clubs, live music, art exhibitions and workshops in London. Lots to see and lots to do…

Andile Carelse and Onitiri Ibironke Join Sizwe Dhlomo putting Youth Issues Under the Lens

Picture This! is a workshop coordinated by Music Mayday Tanzania. Twenty-four young people got together over 6 days and brainstormed on the themes of fashion, life, youth and music.

Further adventures of the poet guitarists and rebel rockers from the southern Sahara desert.

In Association with The Centre of African Studies at SOAS, Friends of Mali-UK invites you to A Celebration of the Life of Ali Farka Toure: Master Musician and Mayor. Tuesday April 4th, 6.30-8.00pm

An exciting, violently rhythmical evening of music inspired by the essence and heritage of African rhythms and melodies and their influence in Venezuela, Cuba and Puerto Rico — and what better location than in the Embassy of Venezuela

Peter Bennett was lucky enough to be in Zanzibar for what has become, in only three short years, one of the global festivals to experience. He files this report…

An annual event highlighting musical excellence from all the countries that border the great river. The Nile Festival this year features Mahmoud Ahmed and El Tanbura. It will take place in London at the Hammersmith Palais on April 27

The upcoming Hip-Hop World Awards to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, this Friday, 10 March 2006 at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan

Youth and music channel MTV base (DStv Channel 88) is launching a lively new TV series which aims to get young Africans talking candidly about common issues which all young people have to face as part of growing up.

Africa’s Hottest Musicians to turn up the temperature on ‘Global Warming’

Advance news of Malawi’s eclectic Lake of Stars clubbing festival taking place in September of this year…

While Pop Idol in the UK, where it originated, is a glossy affair, in Ethiopia a rather more gritty experience has the nation glued to the TV

Stone Town, Zanzibar, February 9th - 12th and Kendwa beach, north coast, February 14th 2006. Non-stop music programme from 4pm to 1am daily

The Saharan Nights of Essouk 3 days of music, dancing, camel racing, poetry and debate on 6th - 8th January 2006 at Essouk, near Kidal, Adrar des Iforas, Mali

JJC has been busy lately fronting a four part series on African hip hop and doing his regular Africa on Your Street gig

It’s official - Nigerian 2-Face Idibia tonight made music history by becoming the first artist to win the Best African Act award at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards in Lisbon. The award was created in 2005 to mark the addition of MTV base, MTV’s pan-African TV channel, to the MTV global television family

The UN and conscious artists join forces to support hip hop and the ghetto youth

With three weeks to go until the 10th anniversary of Saro-Wiwa’s death, there is a season of events in London featurinf the written word and music

The hottest ticket in Nigeria’s party calendar takes place in Lagos on Friday 14 October when MTV base LIVE! Nigeria - the pan-African party tour from music channel MTV base & Nokia - hits town!

A Celebration of Swahili Heritage and Culture in Kenya
18 - 20 November 2005

It has just been confirmed that African superstars Oumou Sangare and Orchestra Baobab are both to appear at the Live 8 concert at the Mary Fitzgerald Square, Johannesburg, South Africa on July 2nd. They join Salif Keita, who was due to play at the Eden project originally.

From Monday 23 May until Bank Holiday Monday 30 May, Central London's Carnaby Street and the surrounding area will be transformed into a carnival of sounds, colours, voices and tastes as the Out of Africa Festival comes to the West End!

MTV networks around the world will be getting a real flava of African music talent in the next few weeks as all MTV networks join together to air highlights from MTV base 100th LIVE!, the two celebratory urban music concerts staged by MTV base in Abuja, Nigeria and Johannesburg, South Africa

The East Africans invaded the UK — well for a week anyway. With the Sisi Kwa Sisi Tour of 2005 a contingent of Kenyans and Tanzanian hip hop heads have been pounding into UK venues and getting the crowds going.

Last year, the Michiel Borstlap Jazz Trio gave a sold out concert in the Golden Tulip Hotel in Dar es Salaam, the proceeds of went to supporting students' scholarships at the Dhow Countries Music Academy in Zanzibar.

The 19th edition of FESPACO, Africa’s biggest film festival, took place in Ouagadougou - Burkina Faso’s capital city 26th Feb — 5th March 2005. Zola Maseko’s Drum captured everyone’s imagination.

The first ever Fly sponsored Festival sur le Niger in Segou, Mali went off with a bang in early February 2005. Lydia Martin was there to capture it all on film.

Festival director Yusuf Mahmoud gives us his highlights of this year's Sounds of Wisdom Swahili Festival

All aboard on May 1 for an innovative way to spread the jazz message in Madagascar...

Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) kicks off again at the end of February with the most important display of films in Africa.

On the 1-2 April 2005, the global DJ community comes together for the first annual International DJ Conference.

Mali continues its takeover of the world of traditional music by adding the Fly-sponsored Festival on the Niger to its famous northern cousin the Festival in the Desert. We speak to the organisers and we reveal a stunning line-up (now finalised).

Commencing in February 2005, the South Bank Centre presents AFRICA REMIX, a major festival of visual and performing arts, launching the year-long London-wide festival, AFRICA '05.

Roll into Stone Town in Zanzibar for Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) Swahili Music Festival, taking place Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th February, 2005.

Celebrate the life of Bob Marley in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a concert uniting the very best of African musicians from Youssou N'Dour to Angelique Kidjo with reggae stars and Marley family members.

This is the 9th year that Africa, its diaspora and anyone serious about African music have been audience to the Kora Awards. The 2004 awards ceremony took place in South Africa in early December and is a glamorous gathering of musicians, industry-people, promoters and all those involved in the continental music industry.

February 2005 sees the African Soul Rebel Tour in the UK. African Soul? Rebel? Exciting to know we in Europe are broadening our own adjectives when it comes to contemporary African music.

Photographer and Fly correspondent Lydia Martin documented the ZIFF Festival of the Dhow Countries 2004 with a series of stunning images reproduced here

At times there were no fewer than 19 musicians on stage: including special guests Baaba Maal and Courtney Pine. Could Manu, the spry septuagenarian Cameroonian, keep it all locked down?

Linked by their people's use of the traditional boat, the dhow (jahazi), filmakers from around the Indian Ocean area get together for this amazing film festival made special as much by its artistic programme as its unique locations.

Tie-dyed, hand-printed youths drift between tents pulsating with global grooves, amongst the mobile thali restaurants, children's art workshops and giant pastel-coloured flags.

May 28th to June 5th 2004 - 10th edition Traces of Light Fantastic line up including the don himself, Youssou N'Dour.

Tell the world why the place you live is the best. Where are the clubs, who's coming to play and where should people hang out?