Women’s Day playlist: Warrior, beacon, queen 

Within the arts, including music, women have been a driving force of creativity. Replete with ingenuity and artistic passion across genres, they have not only been behind bona fide global hits but have also driven the narrative for important social causes.

International Women’s Day, observed annually on 8 March, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year, the campaign is running under the hashtag #BreaktheBias and seeks to advance equality by bringing attention to individual and collective biases against women that fuel gender inequality. The United Nations notes that this year’s International Women’s Day observance is “in recognition and celebration of the women and girls who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation and response, and to honour their leadership and contribution towards a sustainable future.”

To commemorate this important day, Music In Africa brings you a playlist that honours the dynamic female artists promoting and amplifying the continent and the infinite strength of its women. Notable among them are the late South African great Miriam Makeba, who would have turned 90 this month, as well as Cape Verdean diva Cesaria Evoria, Beninese superstar Angélique Kidjo and Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage. 

Mother Nature by Angélique Kidjo (Benin)

Sodade by Cesaria Evoria (Cape Verde)

Malaika by Miriam Makeba (South Africa)

She’s a Woman by Wiyaala (Ghana)

So Beautiful by Aṣa  (Nigeria)

49-99 by Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)

Woman by Simi (Nigeria)

Anyango ‘Pod Itin’ by Suzanna Owíyo (Kenya)

Who's Got the Power by Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South Africa)

Sowa by Fatoumata Diawara (Mali)

Power by Muthoni Drummer Queen (Kenya)

Ah Ndiya by Oumou Sangaré (Mali)

Buscando La Paz by Aziza Brahim (Western Sahara)

Laidu by Rokia Traoré (Mali)

Ma Bella by Raja Meziane (Algeria)