Abubakari Lunna's life story reveals the rigor of an African musician's education. The erudition, commitment, suffering, and love are profound. Many Africans value the achievements of their ancestors. The Ewe rigorously study Agbekor and re-create it with passionate respect in performance. Innovative chimurenga music draws its inspiration from classics of Shona repertory.
Mande songs link wisdom of the elders to problems of today.
African music-cultures are strongly humanistic. And many kinds of African music foster group participation . The history of an African musical heritage like Mande jaliya casts a humbling light onto recent idioms. When non-Africans play African music, especially those of us with white skin, the legacy of slavery and colonialism affects how an audience receives the performance. Thomas Mapfumo , who as a young rock n' roller faced discrimination, now competes in the commercial marketplace with international bands that cover African pop songs.