Abdullah Ibrahim is a jazz pianist and composer from South Africa, born in 1934. He is considered one of the most important and influential musicians in South African jazz history, collaborating with jazz greats like Duke Ellington and John Coltrane.

Dolly Rathebe was a South African jazz and blues singer and actress born in 1928. Known as the "Queen of South African Jazz", she was a trailblazer for female musicians in the country and performed with top jazz bands and in films. She passed away in 2004.

Busi Mhlongo was a South African singer and songwriter born in 1947, known for blending traditional Zulu music with contemporary rhythms. She had a successful career as a solo artist, releasing acclaimed albums like "Urban Zulu" and "Freedom", and passed away in 2010.

Lemmy "Special" Mabaso was a South African musician known for mastering the pennywhistle. He played in the renowned music group Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, contributing to the distinctive sound of the band. He passed away in 1998.

Ihashi Elimhlophe is a South African musician specializing in traditional Zulu music. Born in 1964, he released his own solo album in 1991 and has since become known for his unique blend of traditional and modern sounds. He has won several awards and is a highly regarded figure in the Maskandi genre.

Mgqashiyo Ndlovu, born in 1938, was a legendary South African musician specializing in the traditional Zulu music genre known as Maskandi. He had a successful career releasing several albums and was known for his powerful voice and performances. He passed away in 2003.

The Mahotella Queens is a South African female group formed in 1964, known for their mbaqanga music style that blends traditional Zulu rhythms with modern instruments. They are recognized for their distinctive three-part harmonies and have released many albums and collaborated with numerous artists.

Moreira Chonguica is a Mozambican saxophonist and composer born in 1977. He has known for his unique blend of African, jazz, and contemporary music styles and has released several successful albums.

Wazimbo is a Mozambican singer-songwriter known for his socially conscious lyrics and contributions to the marrabenta music genre. He has released numerous albums and received several awards for his music.

Xidiminguana is a Mozambican musician known for blending traditional Mozambican music with modern rhythms and socially conscious lyrics. He has released several albums and is recognized for his contributions to Mozambique's cultural heritage.

Ghorwane is a Mozambican band known for their fusion of traditional Mozambican rhythms with modern styles and socially conscious lyrics. They gained international recognition in the 1990s and remain a highly respected and influential group in Mozambique.

Nawal is a Comorian singer-songwriter known for her fusion of traditional Comorian rhythms with modern styles and socially conscious lyrics. She has released several critically acclaimed albums and performed at music festivals and concerts across the world.

Eric Manana is a Malagasy guitarist and singer-songwriter known for his blend of traditional Malagasy music with contemporary styles. He has released several albums and collaborated with renowned musicians.

Hanitra Ranaivo is a musician from Madagascar known for blending traditional Malagasy music with contemporary jazz and pop influences. She has released several albums and performed at international music festivals, and is a cultural ambassador for Madagascar.

Hukwe Zawose - Tanzanian musician and composer, known for blending traditional Gogo rhythms and melodies with contemporary elements, played traditional instruments including ilimba, zeze, and ngoma, collaborated with international musicians, passed away in 2003.

Siti binti Saad - Legendary Taarab singer from Zanzibar, Tanzania, born in 1880, credited with popularizing Taarab music in East Africa, passed away in 1950.

Bi Kidude - Tanzanian musician and cultural icon, considered the "Queen of Taarab" music, gained international recognition for her powerful singing, passed away in 2013 at either 100 or 89 years old.

Maulidi and Musical Party - Traditional music group from Zanzibar, specializes in Taarab music, formed in the 1990s, known for vibrant performances and fusing traditional and contemporary elements, involved in community outreach programs.

Maulidi Juma - Tanzanian musician known for contributions to Taarab music, born in 1948, started career as a percussionist, released albums such as "Kashfa" and "Alaminadura", considered one of the most influential Taarab musicians in Tanzania, awarded various honors.

Ikhwan Safaa Musical Club - Musical group from Zanzibar that plays traditional Taarab music, founded in 1905, renowned and respected in East Africa, led by several prominent musicians over the years, music blends elements of Arab, Indian, and African music.

Culture Musical Club - Taarab group from Zanzibar, founded in 1958, one of the oldest and most prominent Taarab groups in East Africa, released numerous albums and toured internationally.

Super Wanyika - Kenyan band formed in 1971 by brothers Wilson and George Peter Kinyonga.

Orchestra Super Mazembe - Popular band from Kenya that combined Congolese rumba and Kenyan Benga music, formed in the 1970s by Congolese musicians, known for songs like "Shauri Yako", "Kasongo", and "Mwana Mazembe".

Les Wanyika - Kenyan band formed in the late 1970s by brothers Issa Juma and Wilson Kinyonga, known for unique blend of Congolese rumba and Kenyan benga music, became one of the most popular bands in East Africa in the 1980s, disbanded in the early 1990s but music still enjoyed by fans.

Fadhili William, born on November 11, 1938, in Taita Taveta, Kenya, was a Kenyan musician, songwriter, and bandleader, known for composing the song "Malaika."

Fundi Konde, born on August 15, 1938, in Tanga, Tanzania, was a musician known for his distinctive voice and guitar playing. He was a prominent figure in the Tanzanian music scene and formed the Mlimani Park Orchestra.

Gabriel Omolo, born in 1939 in Bondo, Kenya, was a prolific singer and songwriter who performed in various styles including Benga, Rhumba, and Congolese music.

Daudi Kabaka, born in 1939 in Bukoba, Tanzania, was a prolific singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and was one of the leading figures in Tanzanian music during the 1960s and 1970s.

The Safari Sound Band was a Kenyan band formed in the late 1970s.

Abdullahi Qarshe, born in 1928 in Burao, Somaliland, was a prominent Somali musician, composer, and playwright, considered one of the founding fathers of modern Somali music.

Sahra Halgan, born in 1989 in Hargeisa, Somaliland, is a Somali singer and songwriter known for her fusion of Somali music with various other styles, using her music as a platform to promote peace, reconciliation, and women's empowerment.

Mohamed Mooge, born in the 1950s in Burao, Somalia, was a popular singer, songwriter, and composer, known for his socially conscious lyrics and unique blend of Somali folk music with modern instrumentation.

Maryam Mursal, born on May 1, 1949, in Baidoa, Somalia, is a Somali singer and songwriter known for blending traditional Somali music with contemporary styles and for her advocacy work on behalf of refugees and women's rights.

Magool, born on August 2, 1948 in Mogadishu, Somalia, was a prominent female vocalist in Somali music history, known for combining traditional Somali rhythms with modern sounds.

Tsehaytu Beraki, born on December 27, 1939, in Asmara, Eritrea, was a prominent and influential Eritrean singer and actress, known for her distinctive voice and ability to combine traditional Eritrean music with modern sounds.

Dawit Woldemichael: Eritrean musician and composer, blends traditional Eritrean music with jazz and blues influences, released albums "Abaditey" and "Mada", professor of sociology at University of Asmara.

Yemane Baria: Eritrean singer, songwriter, and composer, blended traditional Eritrean rhythms with modern influences, prominent figure in Eritrea's struggle for independence, songs carried political and social messages, popular songs include "Hanti Mealti", "Abeba", and "Baba."

Bereket Mengisteab: Eritrean singer and songwriter, active since the 1970s, contributions to Tigrigna and Tigre music, released numerous albums, won Eritrean Golden Jubilee Award in 1991, advocate for Eritrean refugees and political prisoners.

Alamin Abdeletif: Eritrean singer and songwriter, blends traditional Eritrean music with modern sounds, released albums including "Yehnan Adom", "Firawiya", and "Seb Ela", explores themes of love, unity, and patriotism, considered influential in Eritrea.

Hamza El Din: Egyptian Nubian musician and composer, blended traditional Nubian music with modern music, famous for playing the oud and tar, collaborated with American musicians in the 1960s, died in 2006.

Mohammed Wardi: Sudanese singer and composer, popularized modern Sudanese music, known as the "King of Sudanese Music", combined classical Arabic style with traditional Sudanese music, themes included love, politics, and social justice, released over 300 songs, awarded Order of Cultural Merit.

Abdel Aziz El Mubarak: Sudanese singer and oud player, blended traditional Sudanese music with modern sounds, lyrics addressed social and political issues, released several albums including "Khartoum Blues" and "Abdel Aziz El Mubarak and His Group", passed away in 2018.

Ali Hassan Kuban: Egyptian musician and bandleader, blended traditional Egyptian music, Nubian rhythms, and Western influences, gained international recognition in the 1980s and 1990s, toured extensively and collaborated with musicians from around the world, passed away in 2001.

Abu Obaida Hassan: Sudanese musician known for blending traditional Sudanese music with Western influences; addressed social and political issues through his music; died in 2018.

Mohammed Abdel Wahab: Egyptian composer, singer, and actor regarded as one of the greatest and most influential musicians in Arab music history; composed hundreds of songs and scores for films and theatre productions.

Abdel Halim Hafez: Egyptian singer, actor, and songwriter known for his powerful voice and ability to sing various musical genres; died at the age of 47 after battling liver disease; his music and legacy continue to be celebrated.

Hany Shaker: Egyptian singer and actor who gained popularity in the 1970s; released numerous albums and singles popular in Egypt and the Arab world; considered one of the most prominent and successful musicians in the region.

Mohamed Mounir: Egyptian singer and actor known for his fusion of traditional Egyptian music with other styles; pioneer of the "Jeel" music movement; released over 30 albums throughout his career.

Sayed Darwish: Egyptian composer, singer, and oud player known as the father of Egyptian popular music; used music to express his political views; some of his most famous songs include "Bilady, Bilady" and "El Helwa Di".

Umm Kulthum: Egyptian singer, songwriter, and actress regarded as one of the greatest Arab singers and musicians of the 20th century; known for her unique vocal style, emotional performances, and socially conscious lyrics; remains a cultural icon in Egypt and beyond.