The Third Case of West African Pop

West African pop music absorbed all the same influences as the pop music scenes in other parts of Africa: European pop styles like jazz, chanson, and jerk; continent-wide African successes such as highlife and Congolese rumba; and above all, Latin sounds from Cuba, Haiti, and the Caribbean. But music throughout West Africa shares a unique cultural influence: before the Colonial era, this part of Africa had the unique institution of the griots, a caste of citizens who memorized ancient songs, created new songs, and performed for royal courts. The griots did not learn to hunt or farm; their sole occupation was music, and griot fathers passed this profession to the eldest son in the family. 

From Senegal to Ghana, various tribes had retained extensive songbooks with material that may be hundreds of years old. In societies without written language, this was historical record keeping and social education. The majority of the songs recall famous deeds by past leaders, ensuring their legacy would live on after their deaths. 

The effect on modern West African music is threefold: first, their is an extensive catalog of ancient compositions that have been reworked for modern audiences. Second, there is a wide range of traditional musical instruments that continue to be popular, including the ngoni, kora, and balafon. Finally, and most pervasively, there is a widely understood cultural context for music that is different from other parts of Africa and the world: being a musician is still considered to be somewhat of a noble and selfless calling, and there is a powerful societal imperative to use the platform responsibly. The content of music is meant to be a positive influence in the society. Even today, the materialistic messaging of modern hip-hop that has become so popular in places like Nigeria still tends to be frowned upon in regions where the ancient traditions have strong influence.

Today's show features music from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. These selections show the mingled influences of ancient West African traditions alongside modern musical styles and instrumentation. The first hour today trends more traditional, while the second hour injects more modern influences.