African Pop Stars Who Use English Lyrics

If you want to enjoy authentic African music, or even music with a real African flare, you sometimes have to sacrifice understanding the lyrics. Here are 10 African pop stars who use English lyrics.

Tiwa Savage

Savage is from Nigeria and makes videos that mix a retro look with an electronic, pop vibe. She usually features African male rappers. Their deep, low, rhythmic voices sound great against her sing-songy voice.

Source: Youtube.com

P-Square

P-Square is a Nigerian rhythm and blues duo that has been nominated for several MTV European Music Awards. It’s made up of twin brothers Paul and Peter Okoye, hence the name P-Square. Their sound is a very modernized African sound—part instrumental and part studio altered.

Source: Mypsquare.com

Camp Mulla

This Kenyan group is considered in the bubblegum hip hop category because their music appeals to a young demographic. It’s very commercial, clean sounding and they use English lyrics.

Source: Campmulla.wordpress.com

Kyla-Rose Smith

This South African singer-songwriter will appeal to fans of Angus and Julia Stone or Regina Spektor. There is a slight folk sound to her music, but it’s just modern enough to fit a romantic comedy soundtrack.

 

Source: Reverbnation.com 

Wizkid

Nigerian artist Wizkid has been nominated for an MTV European Music Award and we can imagine his songs playing in dance-exercise classes. His lyrics are more akin to American rappers (like in his song “Show You The Money”) but his music is distinctly African with strong drums and a chorus that’s more musical than hard hip hop.

Source: Last.fm

D’Banj

Nigerian pop star D’Banj already has global recognition. His music videos tend to take place in real towns in Africa and have a great rhythm often found in African dancing music, but his lyrics are in English and resemble those of Usher or Akon.

Source: Dbanjrecords.com

Davido

Davido is actually American born but he’s lived between the U.S., the U.K. and Nigeria his entire life. He co owns the music label HKN Music and his music has a sort of happy island vibe to it with a combination of English and Nigerian lyrics.

Source: Youtube.com

Don Jazzy

Nigerian-born singer Don Jazzy is often featured in Davido songs. Don Jazzy, like Davido, has a voice that can easily transition from sing-songy to a very rhythmic, almost tribal sound. Together the two make great dance music and they have lyrics in English.

Source: Forbes.com 

Sarkodie

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie won a BET award in 2012 for Best International Act. He raps partly in English and partly in his native language, Twi. Davido has been featured in Sarkodie’s music, but Sarkodie has a very different style with an edgy sound and he raps almost exclusively.

Source: Last.fm

Mi Casa

Mi Casa is a South African group and is considered a house music group, but it’s not the type of music that belongs in a warehouse party with strobe lights. It’s music you could put on while you focus on a creative project or host a dinner party with friends. The group has won several South Africa Music Awards.

Source: Micasamusic.com