Fonko

Afrobeats, Azonto, Kuduro and South African House are club music styles based on traditional rhythms, becoming a means of expressing the identity for an entire generation.

Well known musical icons take the viewer on a ride into the depth of a continent in deep social, cultural and economical change.

This is rock'n'roll happening to Africa - and spreading to the rest of the whole world. Get the rhythm and the rhymes of modern African urban music and rediscover it in international music trends.

Episode 1: South Africa + Nigeria

South Africa and Nigeria are two countries with a troubled past, that have today become the economic and cultural super powers of the continent. South Africa is the home to styles like kwaito, SA House and Shangaan electro, which is possibly the fastest club music in the world.
Nigeria is a country of extreme income gaps, deeply rooted corruption and violent religious conflicts. Here you find the most commercial music on the continent. But also fierce protest music, as artists are trying to carry on the work from the late Fela Kuti. one of the most hard core protest singers of all times.

Featured artists:
Nozinja, Driemanskap, Ruby Gold, Black Coffee, Nneka, 2Face, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, a.m.o.

Episode 2: Francophone West Africa

Francophone West Africa is bound together by the french language and a common currency. But also by traditions and languages from the vast empires that dominated the region long before colonialism.
Dakar is the unrivalled centre for the West African hip hop-scene. Originating among ivorians in Paris, coupé-décalé is now a major influence all over West Africa. In Burkina Faso the iconic former leader Thomas Sankara is used by musicians to protest against injustices and corruption, and in Benin, the veterans of Orchestre Polyrytmo give a historic background to today's music scene.

Featured artists:
Daara J Family, Youssou N'dour, Didier Awadi, Sister Fa, Waga 3000, Smarty, Orchestre Polyrytmo, Kossi Apeson, Hakim, a.m.o

Episode 3: Angola + Ghana

Ghana and Angola are two of the fastest growing economies in the world, as well as two countries in midst of a musical revolution. Angola is still trying to come to terms with the three decades of civil war that tormented the country. Meanwhile kuduro, which could be described as extravagant ghetto techno, has grown out of the shanty towns to become the country's biggest cultural asset.
Ghana has a totally different tradition of education and democracy. Ghanian musicians don’t need to fight for freedom of speech and therefore focus on artistic luxuries as irony and pastiche.
This freedom is used to challenge religious and traditional sentiments. But also to create ever new styles of light hearted dance music. The latest craze is azonto.


Featured artists:
Wanlov the Kubulor, EL, Sarkodie, Diplo, Sister Deborah, Titica, Tony Amado, Djeff, Sebem, a.m.o.

Gothenburg, London, Rotterdam, FIPA