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 for mixing Malian music traditions with international styles, here is his 1995 hit, “Africa.”

A couple years ago, 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.