We would need a semester to explore the musical traditions of Africa – and an experienced musicologist to lead us – but I’ll get us started for our week on African history with a few songs worth listening to.

From Salif Keita, the “golden voice of Africa,” famous fo mixing Malian music traditions with international styles, here is his 1995 hit, “Africa.”

Last summer, Angelique Kidjo provided an update, with the help of Salif Keita himself and the popular Nigerian artist Mr. Eazi: “Africa, One Of A Kind,” She explained: “We are all Africans and the blood of Africa runs through our life. This song, which I recorded with one of the icons of the new generation of African artists, is a declaration of love to the continent. We want to change the way it is portrayed and show its beauty to the world”

And for something a bit different, the hugely popular song from the Nigerian Afro-pop star Yemi Alade. This song and the video, “Johnny,” was a huge hit.