The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2023 in African music.
Events January 11 – It is announced by Nhanhla Sibisi, head of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) that the 29th edition of the South African Music Awards will begin accepting entries in the first quarter of 2023. March – The marriage between Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Tebogo Motaung end divorce proceedings when it is discovered that they were never legally married. June – The Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, a new award, is announced by the Recording Academy. The inaugural winner, announced at the ceremony in February 2024, is Tyla with the song "Water". November 4 – The 19th and final series of Idols South Africa is won by Thabo Ndlovu.
Albums released in 2023
Release date Artist Album Genre Label RefJanuary 27SjavaIsibukoAfro-pop 1020 CartelFebruary 17King AyisobaWork Hard Folk/Electronic Glitterbeat February 17SpinallTop BoyRap February 24AKAMass CountryHip hopSonyFebruary 24Kimi DjabatéDindinVariousCumbanchaMarch 31DavidoTimelessMarch 31Baaba MaalBeingMay 12Bokani DyerRadio Sechaba JazzBrownswood Recordings15 JuneJantra Synthesised Sudan: Astro-Nubian Electronic Jaglara Dance Sounds from the Fashaga UndergroundJaglaraOstinato Records16 JuneAsake Work of ArtAfrobeats YBNL Nation and Empire Distribution25 AugustBurna Boy I Told Them...Afrofusion Atlantic, Spaceship Records, and Bad Habit 29 September KMRU Dissolution Grip Ambient, drone, experimental OFNOT 4 OctoberKatawa Singers Digital Indigenous 05 Gospel 1 DecemberBrymoMacabreAlternative musicIndie8 DecemberSeyi Vibez NAHAMciagaAfrobeats
Deaths February 8 – Dennis Lotis, 97, South African-born singer February 10 – AKA, 35, South African rapper February 25 – Ismaïla Touré, 73, Senegalese musician and co-founder of Touré Kunda March 14 – Gloria Bosman, 50, South African jazz singer June 9 – Niel Immelman, 78, South African-born classical pianist July 21 – Hafiz Abdelrahman, Sudanese flautist (age unknown) August 17 – OJ Blaq, 40, Ghanaian rapper and actor September 12 – MohBad, 27, Nigerian rapper October 1 – Julian Bahula, 85, South African drummer, composer and bandleader. October 1 – Garry Mapanzure, 25, Zimbabwean Afropop singer October 27 – Axali Doëseb, 69, Namibian composer November 12 – Mohammed al Amin, 80, Sudanese popular musician and oud player December 11 – Zahara, 36, South African singer-songwriter (liver disease) December 20 – Eric Moyo, 41, Zimbabwean singer (brain haemorrhage) December 27 – Mbongeni Ngema, 68, South African lyricist and composer (traffic collision)
See also 2023 in music
References