2025 was the year of the local champion. While last year’s West African sonic landscape was defined by emerging artists breaking ground in established or self-defined genres, this year saw a steadying of those emerging artists.
The year saw a rise in local superstars, breaking ground in their local areas with the goal of making music for their community and not a perceived “global audience.” Data-wise, there weren’t that many “global” hits as defined by charts or award nominations, but there were communities…
