The guitar is at the center of so many Afropop styles we love. And it's still going strong even in the age of hip hop. Here, we've presented a collection of articles on these virtuosos of the guitar, and links to related album reviews and classic Afropop Worldwide program streams.

For inspiration, read "Ode to the Guitar" by Princeton University professor Yusef Komunyakaa.
(courtesy of Ploughshares Literary Journal) 
 

Djelimady Tounkara (Mali)

Djelimady Tounkara, lead guitarist for the Super Rail Band of Bamako, Mali, is a master musician, a pioneer in transforming ancient Manding griot music onto guitar, and one of the most powerful electric guitarists in Africa.

FEATURE: "On the Road in Griot Time": part 3
FEATURE: "On the Road in Griot Time": part 4

CD REVIEW: Solon Kôno
CD REVIEW: Sigui

Diblo Dibala (Zaire)

Diblo Dibala hails from Kisangani, Congo, where he mastered the guitar while working with the region's finest musicians, such as Kanda Bongo Man, Franco, and the late Pepe Kalle. His blistering guitar licks, catchy melodies, and distortion-heavy, blast-'em-out-of-their-seats approach to soukous music have propelled him to the forefront of the Congolese scene--he may well be considered the Carlos Santana of the Congo.

Jaojoby (Madagascar)

Malagasy salegy innovator and star, Eusèbe Jaojoby, runs one of the hottest, sweetest Afropop bands in the business, and as the 21st century gets underway, he is at last getting that band on the international tour circuit.

CD REVIEW: Aza Arianao

Boika Hassan, guitarist with Mariem Hassan (Western Sahara)

Afropop was introduced to the rootsy, and emotionally rendering sounds of Mariem Hassan at WOMEX 2005. If you love Tinariwen, then Deseos and her 2002 release Mariem Hassan Con Leyoad (Nubenegra) will definately move you! Boika's guitar riffs provide a soulful accompaniment to Mariem's heartfelt lyrics of love: for one's country, to mankind, and to life. Do get to know the sound of the Sahraoui musical tradition!

Phuzekhemisi Sthandwa (South Africa)

A giant of South African maskanda, Phuzekhemisi helped to make Zulu rural traditions part of urban culture.

Louis Mhlanga (South Africa/Zimbabwe)

Louis Mhlanga, the "African Axe Man", is another in a long line of excellent Zimbabwean guitarists. Better known today for his work with South African stars, he is sometimes mistaken for a South African guitarist. Although his career is currently fuelled south of the border, Mhlanga has had a lasting effect on Zimbabwean music.
(bio courtesy of Music of Zimbabwe)
(photo courtesy of ACMC)

MORE AFROPOP GUITAR HEROES  

AFROPOP CD REVIEWS:

Ali Farka Touré: Red and Green (World Circuit)

Sekou "Bembeya" Diabate: Guitar Fo (Discorama)

V/A: The Guitar and Gun: Highlife Music from Ghana (Earthworks/Sterns)

V/A: Origins of Guitar Music

AFROPOP FEATURES:

Malagasy Guitarists
Kinshasa Journal: Food Scarce, but Guitars Abound

Afropop Worldwide classic program streams:

Where Guitar is King
featuring: Ali Farka Toure-Live in Niafunke, Leave 4/4 at the Door, Let's Celebrate With 6/8
and Kanda Bongo Man-Live

First published: www.afropop.org