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African Music Library

@amlbyjosplay

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Building the most accurate and comprehensive database on African music.

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A king once said he would hunt down and kill a single fly if it landed on his instrument.

That instrument was the balafon, and the man was Soumaoro Kanté, a sorcerer king who ruled the Sosso kingdom through fear. No one was allowed near it. Then a captured griot named Balla Fasséké broke that rule anyway, and what happened next reshaped an empire.

Swipe through for the full legend, one of the founding stories of the Mali Empire, still tied to a real balafon that exists today.

This is a legend passed down through griot oral tradition and recorded in the Epic of Sundiata, not a verified historical record. The instrument at the center of it, the Sosso Bala, is real and still held by the Kouyaté family in Niagassola, Guinea, recognized by UNESCO in 2001.

#Balafon #SossoBala #EpicOfSundiata #MaliEmpire #AfricanMusicLibrary by @amlbyjosplay

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20 days ago

Sastanàqqàm — “I Question You”
A song about loyalty to the desert, sung by the ones who inherited it.
Six boys from M’hamid el Ghizlane once watched Tinariwen play and dreamed of playing too. Ten years later, they knew the songbook note for note, without speaking a word of Tamashek. In 2016, wrapped in new turbans by their teachers, they stepped up to perform this song themselves.
This is a glimpse of that moment

Source: YouTube (Tinariwen) by @amlbyjosplay

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a month ago

When the Dùndún ensemble plays, they speak as one.
A gathering of Yoruba talking drums, each hourglass-shaped and hand-tuned, weaving pitch and rhythm together to mimic the tone of human speech. For centuries, this ensemble has carried praise, history, and messages across generations.

This is sound as language. This is Yoruba heritage in motion.

Cc: @pappy_drumz
#TalkingDrum #YorubaCulture #Nigeria #OralTradition by @amlbyjosplay

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a month ago

5 African Instruments You Should Know
Exploring Africa’s rich musical heritage, one instrument at a time.

Tambin • Nyatiti • Valiha • Uhadi • Karkeb
How many do you know?

Video Sources: TikTok - powerofafrica ,akselsounds , into_madagascar , thandekamfinyogo37 , renatocardosobass

#AfricanMusic #AfricanInstruments #MusicHeritage #MusicEducation by @amlbyjosplay

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a month ago

Meet Mulatu Astatke, the pioneer of Ethio-jazz, whose journey brought Ethiopian musical traditions and jazz together to create a sound that traveled far beyond Ethiopia.

Swipe through to discover his story.

#AfricanMusic #MulatuAstatke #EthioJazz #EthiopianMusic #AfricanMusicHistory by @amlbyjosplay

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2 months ago

Five African instruments you should know.

From the Balafon to the Mundari hand drum, Kora, Soku, and Kakaki, each instrument carries a unique sound and cultural story.

How many of these instruments did you know?

Follow us for more African instruments you should know.

Video Sources; Tiktok (@afriquenoiremagazine, @tiangsafaris @lmg88825 @okayafrica @africansights) by @amlbyjosplay

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2 months ago

A little glimpse of the final performance from our Foster by AML graduation ceremony. These young learners showed us what happens when children are given the opportunity to connect with African traditional instruments, culture, and music.

#FosterByAML #AfricanMusicLibrary #AfricanMusic #TraditionalInstruments #musiceducation by @amlbyjosplay

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2 months ago

Our journey has been filled with curiosity, laughter, practice, and growth. Every beat, every note, and every rehearsal has brought these children closer to something special.

This is a glimpse into their learning journey as they discovered the beauty of African traditional instruments.

Join us as they take the stage for their final performance at the Foster by African Music Library graduation ceremony on Thursday, 6 August 2026. We can’t wait to celebrate how far they’ve come.

#FosterByAML #AfricanMusicLibrary #AfricanMusic #TraditionalInstruments #MusicEducation @josplaymusic by @amlbyjosplay

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3 months ago

A blind oud player. A poet who wrote his lyrics on tobacco paper and smuggled them out of jail inside a tangerine. Together, they terrified two Egyptian presidents.

This is the story of Sheikh Imam & Ahmed Fouad Negm, Egypt’s most dangerous duo.

Swipe to read the full story.
Video Sources; YouTube
#SheikhImam #AhmedFouadNegm #EgyptianMusic #AfricanMusicLibrary #northafrica by @amlbyjosplay

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3 months ago

A song so powerful that it sparked one of the most infamous attacks in music history.

Discover the story behind Fela Kuti’s “Zombie”. The song that got his house burned down.

Newspaper Image source: Punch

#FelaKuti #Zombie #Afrobeat #MusicHistory #AfricanMusicLibrary by @amlbyjosplay

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3 months ago

What Classic Song is Buzzing in your head? 🎶🎵🤔🎧

Well, ours would be “Baby Girl” by NEL OLIVER @neloliveroff .

The Multilingual Musician recently linked up with legendary talent/artist manager @sunday.are “who suggested that you listen to the station that plays every song you know(ClassicFM973)”, and Happy Yourself 😁.

“Baby Girl” by Nel Oliver @neloliveroff was recorded at his Paris Studio in the Late 80’s. The song approaches love from the point of view of a father’s love and emotional attachment for his Baby Girl(Daughter) as he gives her hand on her wedding day. Nel switches nicely between English, French, Yoruba and Gun(gungbe). It would go on to be featured in Tunde Kelani’s @tkelani movie “Abeni”. 📜 @amlbyjosplay

Do you remember this Classic, Ever Green Song? 🧡💙🤍

#classic #song #buzzing #babygirl #evergreen taken in Evergreen by @amlbyjosplay

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3 months ago

In this exclusive interview, we interviewed an incredible African percussionist to explore the traditions, passion, and cultural heritage behind the music that has shaped generations.
This is just a glimpse of the conversation, there’s so much more to discover.
Anticipate the full interview on YouTube via African Music Library. Stay tuned!

@iamjedalo by @amlbyjosplay

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3 months ago