Apple Music Launches ‘The Sounds of Africa’ to Celebrate the Continent’s Musical Powerhouses

Apple Music has unveiled a new global campaign, The Sounds of Africa, spotlighting five major music hubs across the continent: Nairobi, Accra, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, and Johannesburg.

The initiative recognizes Africa’s growing influence on the global music stage and aims to celebrate the continent’s vibrant and diverse soundscapes. As part of the campaign, Apple Music has curated five city-specific playlists—each crafted by local artists, DJs, industry tastemakers, and media personalities—to capture the essence of their respective music scenes through both current hits and timeless classics.

Complementing the playlists are exclusive DJ mixes, created in collaboration with top DJs from each featured city.

Representing The Sounds of Nairobi, renowned Kenyan DJ Grauchi curated a dynamic one-hour, 13-minute mix showcasing 54 tracks spanning genge, gengetone, and arbantone. The playlist includes music from artists like Xenia Manasseh, Nikita Kering, and Njerae, whose sounds define Nairobi’s ever-evolving sonic identity.

Describing the playlist, DJ Grauchi said:

“This mix features the best artists Nairobi has to offer right now, along with timeless classics from the past that still resonate in the city today.”

Singer-songwriter Xenia Manasseh echoed the sentiment, describing The Sounds of Nairobi as deeply expressive and unconventional.

“There’s a rebellious and inherently free nature in Nairobi that shows up in our music. It’s spiritual, revolutionary, fun, and experimental—we’ve never followed the rules, and this playlist reflects that freedom,” she said.

Through The Sounds of Africa, Apple Music pays tribute to the cultural richness and creative energy that continues to make African music a global force.