In the late 1960s heading into the 1970s, music in the U.S. was solidifying its rock ‘n’ roll roots, branching into genres like funk. Artists like George Clinton and Rick James were leading their bands out of obscurity.

There were also singer-songwriters like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix who were becoming rock legends in their own right, while talented artists in Africa were watching them closely. This would eventually manifest itself into the African funk and rock of the 1970s.  

From the idiosyncratic, electric sounds of Nigerian musician William Onyeabor, to the politically charged Afro-Funk of activist Fela Kuti, this period of music gave birth to underappreciated music from Africa. Listen to the playlist on Spotify.