Draft:Music of East Africa
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East African Music has steadily evolved over the years, from the dull yet melancholic and interesting traditional style of music to a diverse rich tapestry of different genres most of which are direct tributaries of the traditional, cultural music style.[1][2][3]
East African Music's inspiration and style is got from the different cultures, historic and social events, fantasies and myths, geographical landscapes and the creative art of East African people.[4][5]
Currently, there are a number of music genres in East Africa. Some are intelligently weaved from the various East African Music styles while others are contemporary sub-genres derived from other global music genres. These genres are perfectly blended by a number of music specialists and the idea keeps expanding as years go by.[6][7]
Modern Music Production has also played a big role in the evolvement of East African Music and development of music genres and sub-genres in the region. [8][1]
Modern Music Producers work hand in hand with musicians, music experts and creative music enthusiasts to come up with a style of music. This style is then adapted by music artists and finds its way through the media and music industry until its popularly recognized and publicly accepted as an authentic mainstream music genre/style.
Elements, Style & Character Of East African Music
[edit]1. Melodies & Scales
[edit]- East African Music often features melodic variations influenced by their diverse traditional cultures.
- Coastal cultures have also directly influenced East African Music and style in infusing the melodies, scale and music with a unique sonic flavor and character.[9]
- The melodies can be soothing, vibey, or melancholic, creating a calm sense of peace and connection.[10]
2. Vocal Harmonies
[edit]- East African Music often contains various harmonious vocal elements. The practice of harmonious singing in East African societies and music in general dates back to the era of traditional music. It has since been weaved and incorporated into urban and mainstream East African music.
- Vocal harmonies are a significant part of East African music, providing a sense of depth, lifting, and vibe to the music.[10]
3. Traditional Instruments
[edit]- East African Music encompasses a wide array of traditional music instruments;
- Oud: A guitar-like stringed music instrument which provides warm resonant sound when played. This instrument is great when layered along with other musical instruments.[11]
- Qanun: A zither-like music instrument with delicate timbre. This music instrument is often used in choruses of many East African songs whether traditional music or in contemporary music genres.[12]
- Aduungu: A harp-like stringed traditional musical instrument. This instrument is widely used in Northern Uganda by the Acholi tribe and North-Western Uganda by the Alur. It is a great musical instrument which can be used as a solo instrument or accompanied by other musical instruments.[13]
- East African music embraces a variety of musical instruments. With modern music production, With modern music production, East African music has adapted even more modern musical instruments such as the guitar, piano and many more. These music instruments altogether contribute to the distinctiveness of East African musical arrangements and style.[14]
4. Rhythms & Percussions
[edit]- Drumming is a defining principle in East African musical performances.[15]
- Drums, along with other percussive instruments have deep roots in East African music, dating back to the traditional music era where drums and other percussion instruments are played during social events.[16]
- Drums have for a long time been a part of East African music.[17]
5. Dance & Drama
[edit]- Music in East Africa is tied to dance an drama. This way it has been for a very long time.[18]
- Music performances in traditional East Africa involved not only singing or drumming but also dancing. These dance movements synced with the rhythm of the drums and percussions being played. During such performances, even story-telling and other traditional activities were involved.[19][20]
6. Modern Music Production
[edit]- Modern music production techniques, equipment and tools play a significant role in the evolvement and urbanization of East African music. East African music has over the years noticeably changed from the raw traditional feel to a more modern sound.[6]
- East African music producers have also played a big part in seeing that such a milestone in the East African music scene has been achieved.[21]
- Modern music production tools, equipment and techniques have also led to the birth of many urban genres in East Africa for example "Pulsy-Afro/Psyfro" which has embodied even more modern instruments such as the leads, synths, pads and many others.[22]
Prominent Music Producers In East Africa
[edit]- Benon Mugumya
- Producer Washington[23]
- Nessim[24]
- Jack Rollen[25]
- Tedd Jossiah
- Eric Musyoka[26]
- Cedo Kadenyi[27]
- Philip Makanda[28]
- Lizer Classic[29]
- Kimambo[30]
- S2Kizzy[31]
Music Of Uganda
[edit]The first form of popular music to arise out of traditional music was the Kadongo Kamu. This style of music rose to prominence in the early 1980s from the Buganda traditional Kiganda Music.[32]
Kadongo Kamu was influenced by various musicians in Uganda at the time for example Philly Lutaaya who released two internationally successful albums(Born In Africa & Merry Christmas) both of which are popular to date.[33]
Many other genres have arose in Uganda over the years for example Kidandali which is also called Afro Ragga. This genre is pursued by many young iconic musicians in Uganda for example Zizza Bafana. Many national and international hits have been made in this genre.[34]
Modern Music Production however, has led to the rise of many more music genres and sub-genres in the country for example;
- Kidandali/Afro Ragga
- Reggae
- Dancehall
- Pulsy-Afro/Psyfro
- Afrobeat
Music Of Tanzania
[edit]Tanzania is one of the most musically established countries in East Africa. Tanzanian musicians mostly sing in Kiswahili. Kiswahili is the most widely used language in East Africa.[35][36]
There are five mainly prominent music genres in Tanzania;
Music Of Kenya
[edit]The music of Kenya diversifies from folk music based on the different languages and cultures within the country. The most dominant music instrument used in Kenyan music is the guitar which is played and arranged with a lot of complexity.[37]
Musical instruments usually interplay with each other and at times involve a repetitive rhythm. Kenyan musicians usually sing in Kiswahili.[38]
Music Genres In Kenya
References
[edit]- ^ a b Perullo, Alex (2022-07-18), "Music in East Africa", Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History, doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.680, ISBN 978-0-19-027773-4, retrieved 2024-04-29
- ^ "East Africa Music Industry Newswire - Music Industry Today - EIN Presswire". music.einnews.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "How one of East Africa's popular musical festivals has survived 20 years amid uncertainties". Monitor. 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Dey, Sayan (2023-02-03). "The incredible story of how East African culture shaped the music of a state in India". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Howard, Karen (April 2014). "Traditional Music of East Africa: Experiencing Ngoma in Tanzania". General Music Today. 27 (3): 44–46. doi:10.1177/1048371313518219. ISSN 1048-3713.
- ^ a b "14 African musical styles for you to explore". Real World Records. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Music styles that propelled Africa to the global map". www.pd.co.ke. 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "The Music of East Africa". The Music Studio. 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Howard, Karen (April 2014). "Traditional Music of East Africa: Experiencing Ngoma in Tanzania". General Music Today. 27 (3): 44–46. doi:10.1177/1048371313518219. ISSN 1048-3713.
- ^ a b Hopton-Jones, Pamela (1995). "Introducing the Music of East Africa". Music Educators Journal. 82 (3): 26–30. doi:10.2307/3398897. ISSN 0027-4321. JSTOR 3398897.
- ^ Melodica, music (12-11). "Traditional musical instruments of East Africa".
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "East Africa". Hartenberger World Musical Instrument Collection. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ kawlaw (2022-09-12). "Uganda's Traditional Musical Instruments | Uganda Safaris Tours". Uganda Safaris. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Traditional African Musical Instruments". africanmusiclibrary.org. 2023-08-11. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Ethnic Percussions – East African Songs for Celebration by African Dances Academy on Apple Music, 2019-12-12, retrieved 2024-04-29
- ^ "The Music of East Africa". The Music Studio. 2021-11-17. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "East African Drums - Authentic Rhythms". www.universalproductionmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Kenya Joins Uganda in National Music, Dance & Drama Competition". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Mũtonya, Maina wa; Kiiru, Kahithe (2018), wa Mũtonya, Maina (ed.), "Introduction", Music and Dance in Eastern Africa : Current Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, Africae Studies, Nairobi: Africae, pp. 8–14, ISBN 978-2-9573058-4-1, retrieved 2024-04-29
- ^ "WEST NILE REGION TO HOST REGIONAL EAST AFRICAN MDD COMPETITIONS". www.radiopacis.org. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Download a free Pack of Instruments from East Africa | Ableton". www.ableton.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "The creative and technical aspects of music production". Monitor. 2024-03-29. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Ruby, Josh (2023-04-07). "The 'Big Three' are "USELESS" - Producer Washington (VIDEO)". MBU. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Mwesigwa, Solomon (2022-10-31). "Producer Nessim Among Top 10 African Producers". MBU. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ House, Media (2023-05-26). "Jack Rollen Describes The Uganda Music Industry And Opens Up On How 'BAD' Was Made". Medium. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Interview: Eric Musyoka on the state of Kenya's music industry". Music In Africa. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ GROUP, NTV KENYA-NATION MEDIA. "NTV Kenya: Cedooo: One on one with the super producer cum musician on his 20-year journey in the music industry". NTV Kenya. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "The brains behind your favourite hits". Nation. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Digital, Standard. "Meet Lizer Classic, the magical hands behind Wasafi Records hits". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ TZA, Victor Kileo (2018-12-04). "VIDEO: Huyu ndiye Producer Kimambo kafunguka Shetta kutumia biti ya Nandy - Millard Ayo". Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Loui Confirms Paying S2kizzy 45 Million Tshs For Studio Sessions". Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Why musician Wamala founded Kadongo Kamu, later deserted it". Monitor. 2024-01-14. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "From alone, frightened to remembered forever". Monitor. 2024-01-06. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Kadongo Kamu Changing With Modern Society". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Music -- Tanzania Daily News, Dar es Salaam". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "From entertainment to rebellion: The various roles music has played in Tanzania's history". Global Voices. 2024-04-02. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Cardoso, Paul (2022-07-16). "Top 10 Kenyan Music Genres". Buzz. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Onwuamaegbu, Natachi. "'No identity': Why is Kenyan music failing to break through globally?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-04-29.