2017 in African music

Events

January 2 - The annual Kaapse Klopse minstrel festival takes place in Cape Town.
February 24-25 - "Ultra South Africa" festival is held in Cape Town and Johannesburg, headlined by Dash Berlin, David Guetta and KSHMR.
March 13 - The 30th anniversary of the death of Nigerian organist and composer Fela Sowande is marked by an article by Godwin Sadoh.
July 5 - The grave of George Wilberforce Kakoma, composer of the Ugandan National anthem, is reported to have been vandalised and the composer's body stolen.
September 5 - Mauritanian singer and politician Malouma Mint El Meidah is placed under house arrest by the government, following an investigation into "economic crimes".

Albums

March 11 - Korede Bello - Belloved
March 30 - Iyanya - Signature
March 31 - Orchestra Baobab - Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng
April 14 - Spoek Mathambo - Mzansi Beat Code
May 14 - Ike Moriz - Gold Rush
May 29 - Skales - The Never Say Never Guy
June 1 - Banky W. - Songs About U
June 9 - Bemyoda - Stark
June 27 - Flavour - Ijele the Traveler
June 30 - Omawumi - Timeless
July 7 - Fally Ipupa - Tokooos
July 14 - TUKS Camerata - Indodana
July 14 - Wizkid - Sounds from the Other Side
August 1 - Youssou N'Dour - Seeni Valeurs
August 25 - D'banj - King Don Come
August 31 - Ric Hassani - The African Gentleman
September 1 - A-Q - Blessed Forever
September 8 - Simi - Simisola
September 22 - Maurice Louca, Maryam Saleh & Tamer Abu Ghazaleh - Lekhfa
September 22 - Tiwa Savage - Sugarcane
October 8 - DJ Spinall - Dreams
October 27 - Johnny Clegg - King of Time
October 27 - Falz - 27
November 17 - Olamide - Lagos Nawa
November 24 - Yung6ix - High Star
November 24 - Ajebutter22 – ''What Happens In Lagos''

Classical

Amr Okba - "Lonely, I Am Lonely"

Musical films

Lotanna, starring Liz Benson and Jide Kosoko

Deaths

January 16 - William Onyeabor, 70, Nigerian musician and businessman
August 11 - Segun Bucknor, 71, Nigerian musician
September 2 - Halim El-Dabh, 96, Egyptian composer and ethnomusicologist
December 1 -, 59, Equatorial Guinean singer