From Afrobeat to Akon: Why African music finally has the world's ear

Phoebe Parke, for CNN

Updated 1:30 PM ET, Fri November 18, 2016

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African music is on the up, as evidenced by the diverse range of exciting and internationally popular artists that come from and are inspired by the continent.
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African music is on the up, as evidenced by the diverse range of exciting and internationally popular artists that come from and are inspired by the continent.
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<a href="http://www.fuseodg.com/" target="_blank">Fuse ODG</a> is the most popular Afrobeats artist on Spotify according to data provided by the music streaming service. The artist also started the TINA movement, which stands for This Is New Africa.
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Fuse ODG is the most popular Afrobeats artist on Spotify according to data provided by the music streaming service. The artist also started the TINA movement, which stands for This Is New Africa.
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Angelique Kidjo is a Benin-born singer with two Grammy awards under her belt. She has spoken out on <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/12/world/africa/angelique-kidjo-do-i-look-ebola/" target="_blank">Ebola hysteria</a>, AIDS, female genital mutilation and homosexuality.
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Angelique Kidjo is a Benin-born singer with two Grammy awards under her belt. She has spoken out on Ebola hysteria, AIDS, female genital mutilation and homosexuality.
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Arguably Senegal's most famous musical export is Akon, a multi-platinum selling artist and producer who has collaborated with Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga.
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Arguably Senegal's most famous musical export is Akon, a multi-platinum selling artist and producer who has collaborated with Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga.
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Nigeria's <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/03/africa/nneka-interview-music-powerful-politics/" target="_blank">soul superstar Nneka</a> combines reggae and afrobeat in her music, while her lyrics tackle politics, love and forgiveness.
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Nigeria's soul superstar Nneka combines reggae and afrobeat in her music, while her lyrics tackle politics, love and forgiveness.
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Nigeria-based twins Paul and Peter Okoye, who form musical group P-Square, perform at the 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.
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Nigeria-based twins Paul and Peter Okoye, who form musical group P-Square, perform at the 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.
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<a href="http://fela.net/about/fela-obituary/" target="_blank">Fela Kuti</a> is widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat. Born in Nigeria in 1938, he sang throughout the sixties and seventies with his band Africa '70.
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Fela Kuti is widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat. Born in Nigeria in 1938, he sang throughout the sixties and seventies with his band Africa '70.
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South-African singer Lira has released five platinum selling albums over the past decade and was nominated at the BET Awards for "Best International Artist."
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South-African singer Lira has released five platinum selling albums over the past decade and was nominated at the BET Awards for "Best International Artist."
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Kenya-based afropop group Sauti Sol, which is made up of Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Austin Chimano, Savara Mudigi and Polycarp Otieno, tops the list of <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/17/world/africa/mdundo-african-download-site/" target="_blank">streaming service Mdundo</a>'s most downloaded artists.
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Kenya-based afropop group Sauti Sol, which is made up of Bien-Aime Baraza, Willis Austin Chimano, Savara Mudigi and Polycarp Otieno, tops the list of streaming service Mdundo's most downloaded artists.
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