The style is named after a soup popular among the people of the black township. The exponents of that music are the soul Brothers, Juluka, Johnny Clegg, Savuka, Malatini and the Mahottela Queens, Soul Ryders and our own Bay Area Amandla Poets, who also performed at Afribbean 98. Soukous from Congo is the most popular music and dance craze style today in all of sub-Sahara Africa. The slow rumba music of the 50s and 60s developed into an electrifying high octave rhythm performed by some of Africa's best guitarists. Soukous is irresistible.
Soukous music is more popular than ever in all of the five continents.
You may be familiar with Papa Wemba, who was in the Bay Area early this summer, Rigo Star, Pepe Kalle, Koffi Olomide, Wenga Musica, Soukous Stars and many many more. Afropop , as certain people call the new popular music from Africa, is spiced with elements of various African and Western rhythms. One reason the western countries have been able to recognize somewhat the compelling influence of African music is that in the 70s and 80s many African artists and musicians migrated to Europe and America to pursue professional careers. In doing so they reintroduced African music in its contemporary form, with many variations and styles. With all the recording technology available to them they were able to make the best of it.