Introduction and Selection Criteria for Africa's Top Songs of 2017
After the belated publication of Africa's Top Songs for each of the years running from 2010 to 2013, the 2017 list now represents the eighth annual ranking in #TheYamboSelection series. The same criteria have been used this year (January to December 2017) as were used last year to select and rank the best pop songs out of those released or published during the year. The longest list of top songs had 25 titles in 2014, but this number has been set at 40 since 2015.
Before the entire Top 40 list is released, smaller "vertical" segments are released as follows: Top 5, Top 10, Top 20 and Top 25 (particularly where we can't go from 20 straight to 40, for one reason or another). This is intended to facilitate subsequent online search by individuals who may be interested only in specific segments...READ MORE
Before the entire Top 40 list is released, smaller "vertical" segments are released as follows: Top 5, Top 10, Top 20 and Top 25 (particularly where we can't go from 20 straight to 40, for one reason or another). This is intended to facilitate subsequent online search by individuals who may be interested only in specific segments...READ MORE
List of Top 25 Pop Songs of 2017 By/Featuring East Asrican Queens ~ #TYS
[Note: Lists for earlier years appear at the bottom of this page]
[Note: Lists for earlier years appear at the bottom of this page]
Click on a Song's Title to Watch the Video
25. Give it to Me by Lulu Diva (2017):
Lulu Diva's puff-puffing, equatorial train-ride is as a fine an excuse as you can get for another kind of journey she's prepared just for you (guys): a seductive and READ MORE
24. Babiee by Avril ft. A Pass (2017):
Babiee showcases the fine talents of two classy artistes from East Africa -- she from Kenya and he from Uganda. They deliver the lyrics -- about lingering doubts in a boy-girl relationship -- and the totality of this refresh READ MORE
23. Weekend by Sheebah ft. Runtown (2017):
Weekend, sung by Sheebah and Runtown, is a superb collaboration by two musical pillars in Uganda and Nigeria. The video invokes images of weekend dos-and-dos that are clearly the stuff of daydreams, and 'endmont READ MORE
22. Mfata by Charly na Nina (2017):It's clearly
In Mfata, the Charly na (= and) Nina duo sings a very cheerful and quick-paced song in perfect harmony of voice, and dances in wonderful synchronicity with the sounds which the band delivers so effortlessly and with such in READ MORE
21. Najiuliza by Chege ft. Ray C x Sanaipei Tande (2017):
Lulu Diva's puff-puffing, equatorial train-ride is as a fine an excuse as you can get for another kind of journey she's prepared just for you (guys): a seductive and READ MORE
24. Babiee by Avril ft. A Pass (2017):
Babiee showcases the fine talents of two classy artistes from East Africa -- she from Kenya and he from Uganda. They deliver the lyrics -- about lingering doubts in a boy-girl relationship -- and the totality of this refresh READ MORE
23. Weekend by Sheebah ft. Runtown (2017):
Weekend, sung by Sheebah and Runtown, is a superb collaboration by two musical pillars in Uganda and Nigeria. The video invokes images of weekend dos-and-dos that are clearly the stuff of daydreams, and 'endmont READ MORE
22. Mfata by Charly na Nina (2017):It's clearly
In Mfata, the Charly na (= and) Nina duo sings a very cheerful and quick-paced song in perfect harmony of voice, and dances in wonderful synchronicity with the sounds which the band delivers so effortlessly and with such in READ MORE
21. Najiuliza by Chege ft. Ray C x Sanaipei Tande (2017):
Najiuliza is about a 'sisterly' tussle between two fine ladies over a wily man they both love in almost equal measure; and the man's happy dilemma, cast in song, about which one to choose.
20. Oh Na Na by Ang3lina (2017):
Ang3elina is obviously happy here singing her love song, Oh Na Na (as in Go Down). All the dancing we see reflects happy moods too. Love-induced happiness is imprinted in the lyrics.
Zahabu (= Gold), a dance-song in three languages, is a happy song -- though less so than Mfata. Dancing bodies are variously happy bodies. Physically sick bodies don't routinely dance.
In Kigori, Shilole returns to allusions that flavored some of her past songs. Still, it emits happy vibes, after a fashion. You see that in the upbeat tune, and the body texts. All's ample here.
Ray C's earlier songs are fondly remembered by her fans. In tone and mien, Unanimaliza (= you finish me), is back-to-the-future of sorts.The tune's good. Her eyes still finish folks.
16. Shuga by Mimi Mars (2017):
Shuga is a high-spirited love song, packed with tender feelings. Mimi Mars, the songstress, plays here the role of a love-bird getting set to welcome her man (her Shuga) READ MORE
The theme in Juliana Kanyomozi's ballad, Right Here, is love. The song is an affirmation of constant love, where-ever 'her' man may go. The music captures the lyrics' free-flowing mood.
14. Down by Quick Rocca ft. Mimi Mars (2017):
With Down, sung in both Swahili and English, Quick Rocka and Mimi Mars (both Tanzanian) deliver an engaging dance-floor hit. The tunes are superbly primed, with READ MORE
The tunes and the beat that go with Rosa Ree's defiant and self-loving rap, Up in the Air, will draw warm attention from 'most everyone. This gives her the platform to take on READ MORE
12. Hata Sielewi by MwanaFA ft. Maua Sama (2017):
Hata Sielewi ( = I don't really understand what you're saying) portrays the difficulties experienced when attempting to express love sentiments across language barriers READ MORE
11. Binkolera by Sheebah ft. The Ben (2017):
A rousing start to the singing, and the video, places Binkolera
heads-and-shoulders above many of its 'peers'. And we find Sheebah doing her usual naughty and d READ MORE
10. Bajaj by Navy Kenzo ft. Patoranking (2017):
10. Bajaj by Navy Kenzo ft. Patoranking (2017):
As we hear in the song's refrain, the essential message which singers Navy Kenzo (the Tanzanian duo) and Patoranking (the Nigerian) push in Bajaj is: Never treat a woman READ MORE
9. Usimwache by Lulu Diva (2017):
Usimwache ("Don't you leave him") is a friendly, feel-good song of advice. It sugarcoats improbable counsel to a friend contemplating parting ways with her beau. READ MORE
8. Do Me Good by ExQ ft. Lulu Diva (2017):
Do Me Good is a boisterous coming together of yin and yang. It's an imaginary, rough-edged expression of sub-Saharan attraction. The two singers, from READ MORE
7. Tonight by Band Beca ft. Petra (2017):
In Tonight, which gives us nearly 5 minutes of silky funk, the youthful and self-assured Kenyans, Band Beca, sing like seasoned artistes, with seductive pauses and READ MORE
6. Enjala by Sheebah ft. Cathy Patra x Rozmerie Atim x Vee Vicey (2017):
Enjala, one understands, means hunger; and it may mean nails or talons. As a song, Enjala will mean whatever suits Sheebah's fancy. How it's sung and accompanied and READ MORE
5. China Love by Victoria Kimani ft. R. City (2017):
China Love is fine chinaware, so to speak, tastefully punctuated at eight cleverly timed points by a majestic command: GO! Still, the Great Question prompted by the READ MORE
4. Kelele za Chura by Chege ft. Nandy (2017):
Tons of verve here! So much oomph! Kelele za Chura (Swahili phrase for frogs' croaking cacophony) is about the rock of love that ignores all prying eyes and treats all rumor READ MORE
3. Kiba_100 by Rostam ft. Maua Sama (2017):
Gifted with such a precious voice as she has, Maua Sama (Summer Flower, if you want) is at the top of her game in this finely weaved song -- a song with what a drab READ MORE
2. Inspire by Nameless (2017):
Inspire has a truly inspiring tone and an amazingly sunny tune. Nameless, whom we will call Adam, has gone (to the Maasai Mara) and done it, all within sight of the great READ MORE
1. Bounce by Vanessa Mdee ft. Maua Sama x Tommy Flavour (2017):
Bounce features two Tanzanian Divas with smooth-as-silk voices, and a style and charm to match the whole do: Vanessa Mdee and Maua Sama. It might as well be READ MORE
Gifted with such a precious voice as she has, Maua Sama (Summer Flower, if you want) is at the top of her game in this finely weaved song -- a song with what a drab READ MORE
2. Inspire by Nameless (2017):
Inspire has a truly inspiring tone and an amazingly sunny tune. Nameless, whom we will call Adam, has gone (to the Maasai Mara) and done it, all within sight of the great READ MORE
1. Bounce by Vanessa Mdee ft. Maua Sama x Tommy Flavour (2017):
Bounce features two Tanzanian Divas with smooth-as-silk voices, and a style and charm to match the whole do: Vanessa Mdee and Maua Sama. It might as well be READ MORE
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Links To Relevant Lists From Previous Years
Africa:
East Africa:
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