niger
what it is
Niger is a country in western Africa which has music developed from the traditions of a mix of ethnic groups. Hausa, Beriberi, Songhai, Djerma, Dendi, Fula, Wodaabe, and Tuareg traditions, most of which existed quite independently in the colonial period, have begun to form a mixture of styles since the 1960s. While Niger's popular music has had little international attention (in comparison with the music of neighbors Mali or Nigeria), traditional and new musical styles have flourished since the end of the 1980s.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make niger a playlist
turn these 17 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is niger?
Niger is a country in western Africa which has music developed from the traditions of a mix of ethnic groups. Hausa, Beriberi, Songhai, Djerma, Dendi, Fula, Wodaabe, and Tuareg traditions, most of which existed quite independently in the colonial period, have begun to form a mixture of styles since the 1960s. While Niger's popular music has had little international attention (in comparison with the music of neighbors Mali or Nigeria), traditional and new musical styles have flourished since the end of the 1980s.
What are good niger albums to start with?
Try Black Tenere by Kel Assouf, Funeral for Justice by Mdou Moctar, Tikmawen by Timasniwen, and Mali Music by Afel Bocoum.
Who are some women making niger?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/niger/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making niger, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20