The idea of returning to Africa has been an essential theme in American arts and culture ever since Africans were brought to this country. But it is a theme that has dwelt mainly at the margins of mainstream culture, whether by political choice of the artists involved or from lack of interest and commercial appeal outside (or even sometimes within) the African-American community.

Lucky Dube was a different kind of rastaman. He neither smoked marijuana nor did he drink beer but this did not stop him from feeling irie all the time.

Sleek Promotions Ltd is flying in Kevin Lyttle for two performances. The big star that he is, Lyttle is set to perform at the Lugogo Cricket Oval on December 7 and at Resort Beach Entebbe on December 9.

South African reggae superstar, Lucky Dube, was shot dead in an attempted hijacking in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg on Thursday night.

Award winning American rock band Fall Out Boy, in classic Hollywood style showcased the plight of the civil war in Uganda in a music video they shot in the north of Uganda in July.

At the Laura Vicuna Centre for child rehabilitation here in Cotonou, UNICEF Goodwill Angélique Kidjo held in her arms a sobbing Rosine, 13, who had just bravely told her story of abuse.

When Senegalese singer Akon first emerged on The Billboard Hot 100 three years ago, fresh from a jail sentence for car theft that he documented in the top 10 single "Locked Up," listeners weren't sure how to classify his music.

Rapping in African music and culture is a tradition that was carried to the new world in the 1400s. History has come full circle, and rap music and hip hop culture are now being re-created by African youth all over the continent, who have taken rap's current day manifestations and added a new African twist. And just to add to the irony, the word "hip" has been linked to the Wolof word "hepi" or "hipi" which means "to see" or "to open one's eyes". Several scholars debate whether the word "hip" is actually derived from Wolof or whether its usage is simply a coincidence.

Kirk Franklin 's run-away success has seen him collaborate with some of the biggest stars in the music world. Among them are Marry Mary, rocker Bono of U2, Mary J. Blige, R.Kelly, Cristal Lewis and Salt-N-Pepa.

American rapper Keith Murray, currently in South Africa to work on his latest album with local artists, has been robbed and is now offering a R50 000 reward for the return of his laptop.