The 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa
1. Chinua Achebe, 80, Nigerian, Novelist
The father of African literature authored the 1958 classic, Things Fall Apart which has been translated into over 50 languages and has sold over 10 million copies internationally. In September, Achebe made headlines when he turned down a $1million offer from American Hip-Hop act, Curtis Jackson (A.K.A 50 Cent) for permission to use the Things Fall Apart title for an upcoming movie. The renowned novelist is also an essayist, political critic and currently serves as Professor of African studies at Brown University, Rhode Island.
2. Youssou N'dour, Age: 51, Senegalese, Musician
In 2004, the Rolling Stone Magazine referred to the Senegal’s most coveted musician as "perhaps the most famous singer alive." That’s highly unlikely, particularly in a contemporary music scenery dominated by the likes of Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Justin Bieber. But N’dour, 59, is arguably Africa’s most electrifying and mesmerizing entertainer. He helped popularize Mbalax, an inimitable genre of music which blends western sounds like Pop and rock with sabar, the traditional dance music of the Senegalese. During the course of his career, N’dour has toured with stars like Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman and Dido and has been the subject of two award-winning films- Retour à Gorée and Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love. Also a shrewd businessman, the Grammy-award winner owns a Nightclub, a record label and a Television station. The UNICEF ambassador has been vocal in his campaign for an end to the humanitarian crisis in the horn of Africa.
3. Didier Drogba, 33, Ivorian, Soccer Player
Drogba’s dexterous strength and finesse on the pitch has consistently earned him the admiration of adoring fans across the globe. But it is his transcendent compassion that has endeared him to both soccer aficionados and the uninitiated. In 2006 Drogba had played a pivotal role in establishing peace to Cote D’Ivoire after five years of civil war and unrest. After his country had qualified for the World cup in Germany, Drogba, surrounded by his team mates, famously fell to his knees on live television and urged the warring factions to give up their arms. It worked. In 2009, he donated his $5 million endorsement fee to the construction of a hospital in Abidjan, his hometown. Very recently, the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador joined the Ivory Coast Peace Commission, an organization which aims to heal the wounds left by years of fighting in Ivory Coast.
4. Angelique Kidjo, 51, Beninoise, Musician
At 51, the Beninoise Grammy-award winning musician is still one of Africa’s greatest divas. Over the course of her career she has collaborated with Alicia Keys, Josh Groban and Carlos Santana amongst others on tours and album recordings. The UNICEF Goodwill ambassador is also the founder of the Batonga Foundation, a Washington-based charity which promotes and funds education for African girls. Passionate advocate for African women’s rights.
5. Akon, 38, Senegalese, Musician
The Senegalese-American hip-hop act stepped into the limelight in 2004 with the release of ‘Locked Up’, his first single from his debut album Trouble. Success has been meteoric ever since. He has gone on to produce 3 successful studio albums which have sold millions across the world. Also one of Hip-Hop’s business savviest: Co-owns Kon Live, an Interscope-backed record label which helped jumpstart the career of Lady Gaga and T-Pain; Also owns Konvict clothing. Maintains strong bond with home country, founded the Konfidence Foundation which promotes education and health causes in Senegal and elsewhere in Africa.
6. Wole Soyinka, 77, Nigerian, Playwright
In 1986 the Nigerian Playwright and author became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Easily the most famous playwright ever to emerge from Africa, the erudite wordsmith has published over 20 plays including The Lion and the Jewel, A Dance of the Forests and The Strong Breed.
7. Salif Keita, 62, Malian, Musician
A direct descendant of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire, Salif is one of the pioneers of Afro-pop. As a member of a Malian Noble family, Keita was famously rebuked when he set out to become a musician as it was considered an occupation beneath his status. At 18, he was banished from his village because of a superstitious belief that albinos brought ill fortune. He went on to play for Les Ambassadeurs, a Malian music group before striking out on his own. Success has been phenomenal. His latest album, La Différence is dedicated to ending the stigmatization of albinos across Africa and the world.
8. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, 46, South African, Musician
The ‘Princess of Africa’ is one of Africa’s most illustrious musicians. Debuted on the stage at the age of 18; rose to fame at the height of South Africa’s Apartheid regime with infectious pop melodies, sonorous voice and girlish charm. She gained local and international acclaim with popular songs like "I’m in Love with a DJ" and “I cry for freedom.” Now devotes her time to philanthropy as a United Nations Goodwill ambassador and UN envoy for Africa.
9. Oumou Sangare, 43, Malian, Musician
One of Mali’s most idolized musical legends, Sangare popularized Wassoulou, a popular genre of traditional music peculiar to Mali. Wassoulou is typically performed by women accompanied by traditional instruments like the Djembe drum and the Kora (a traditional African harp). Lyrics dwell on women right issues and feminism. Sangare, a United Nations Goodwill ambassador has been vocal in her advocacy against Polygamy; was named an official ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2003. Also a successful entrepreneur: In 2006 she partnered with a Chinese automobile company to create a car named after her, Oum Sang.
10. Femi Kuti, 49, Nigerian, Musician
The eldest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has his father’s fiery blood flowing through his veins. Toured and performed extensively with his father while he was alive, but his biggest break came with his father’s death in 1999 when the Afrobeat mantle fell on him. Just like his father, Femi attempts to use his music to combat corruption, poverty, and other socio-economic issues prevalent in Nigeria and Africa through his lyrics. In 2001 he collaborated with American acts, Common, Mos Def and Jaguar Fight on his album, Fight to Win, which sold over 500,000 copies. The album is widely regarded as the most influential Neo-Afrobeat album of the 21st century.
11. Toumani Diabaté, Malian, Musician
One of the world’s most famous Kora players and an extremely popular Malian musician, Diabete has gained an international renown for his fusion of traditional Malian music with western influences like flamenco, jazz and the blues. He has released over 13 albums which have sold over 3million copies across the world. One of Diabate’s songs, Tapha Niang, is featured in the Playstation 3 Video game, LittleBigPlanet.
12. Oliver Mtukudzi, 59, Zimbabwean, Musician
Before the year runs out, the Zimbabwean legend will collaborate with Alicia Keys on an album that’ll sensitize African mothers on the importance of HIV programmes. Mtukudzi, 59, is the most popular musician from Zimbabwe to have found substantial success and acclaim in international circles. He sings in Zimbabwe’s dominant Shona language about political violence and struggles of everyday life and has released over 45 albums till date which have sold millions of copies. He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa.
13. Haile Gebrselassie, 38, Ethiopian, Athlete
The world’s number 1 long distance runner has won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively. He has also won the Great Manchester run in England for four times, and boasts 2 Olympic Gold medals for 10,000 Metre races. But Gebrselassie is still searching for gold. After announcing his retirement in November last year, he rescinded on his decision a few days later. Reason: Plans to run in the 2012 London Olympics before bowing out. Gebrselassie is a brand ambassador for Johnnie Walker.
14. Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, 51, Algerian, Musician
Popularly referred to as ‘Khaled’, the Algerian singer and songwriter is the most famous rai singer in the world. His style of music, rai, is a special genre of folk music which intermixes French, Spanish, Arabic and African musical influences. Found mainstream success in France, where his singles “Aicha” and “Didi” topped the charts. Remains one of Africa’s bestselling artists of all time- has reportedly sold over 20 million albums.
15. Samuel Eto'o, 30, Cameroonian, Soccer Player
In August, the Cameroonian striker left Inter Milan to pitch tent with Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala in a deal that has earned him the title of not just the highest earning footballer in the world, but the highest-paid athlete in professional sports. Estimated salary: $29 million per season. The four-time African player of the year also enjoys lucrative endorsements from brands like Ford and Puma.
16. Alek Wek, 34, Sudanese, Supermodel
The Sudanese-born supermodel fled her conflict-ridden country to find fame and fortune on the catwalk. She first made her professional debut at the age of 18, featuring in music videos by Tina Turner and Janet Jackson. Today, as one of the world’s most recognizable models, she has modeled for Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret and Christian Lacroix. Wek is an active member of the U.S. Committee for Refugees' Advisory Council and also serves as an ambassador for Doctors without borders in Sudan.
17. Liya Kebede, 33, Ethiopian, Supermodel
Born and raised in Ethiopia, Kebede stepped into the global limelight in 2000 when Gucci offered her an exclusive contract for its Fall/Winter 2000 fashion show. Over the years, the svelte Ethiopian model has strut the catwalk for Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger, Escada, Louis Vuitton and Estee Lauder. Passionate maternal heath advocate. In 2005 Kebede was selected by the World Health Organization as a goodwill ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Through her Liya Kebede foundation she also funds initiatives which promote the use of proven, simple, low-cost strategies to save the lives of mothers and their children.
18. Dobet Gnahoré, 29, Ivorian, Musician
The Ivorian Grammy-award winning dropped out of school at the age of 12 to start singing alongside her father, the famed master percussionist, Boni Gnahore. Today, Gnahore is one of the world’s most sought-after musicians from Africa, and has earned critical applause for her sonorous voice and her eccentric and energetic dance moves. She sings in eight different languages, while the content of her lyrics dwell majorly on social issues and the plight of the African woman.
19. Genevieve Nnaji, 32, Nigerian, Actress
Nnaji has frequently been hailed as Africa’s own answer to the likes of Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon and the rest of the feminine Hollywood stars. She started out in her acting career over 24 years ago, at the age of 8, playing a supporting role in a Nigerian TV series. Today, she is arguably Africa’s most revered actress and the poster girl for Nollywood- Nigeria’s burgeoning movie industry. The Nollywood diva has become one of Africa’s most recognizable faces, and has featured in over 80 successful Nigerian blockbusters.
20. Koffi Olomidé, 55, Congolese, Musician
Olomidé possesses a first degree in Business Economics and reportedly has a Masters Degree in mathematics from the University of Paris, but he found mainstream fame and considerable fortune playing music. Olomidé is one of the more famous performers of soukous- an extremely popular and peculiar genre of African music which intermixes vigorous gyrations with finger-style guitar of Rhumba and African melodies. Olomidé has released over 30 albums during the course of his career which have sold millions across the world.
21. Neill Blomkamp, 32, South African, Movie Director
Someday, Blomkamp just might give Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas a run for their money. The South African movie director and scriptwriter shook the world with District 9, Africa’s first Sci-fi which tells the story of a bunch of extraterrestrial refugees who find themselves in a South African slum. The movie attracted rave reviews from international critics and raked in over $200 million from the Box office. Blomkamp is currently working on a new movie, Elysium, scheduled for release in 2013.
22. Souad Massi, 39, Algerian, Musician
The Algerian-born, Paris-based Guitarist and songwriter is one of North Africa’s most coveted musicians. Got early career start performing with Political rock band, Atakor, which was a vocal critic of the Algerian government. She quit the band in 1999, moving to France to pursue her own independent career. Massi has released four successful studio albums to date. Her 2003 studio album, Heartbroken ranks as one of the most popular Northern African albums of all time, and sold close to one million copies.
23. Baaba Maal, 58, Senegalese, Musician
Arguably Senegal’s biggest music export since Yossou N’dour. The regal Senegalese musician is usually referred to as ‘The Nightingale’ for his resonant and transcendent vocals. The UNDP Youth Emissary has Degrees in music from the University of Dakar and the Beaux-Arts in Paris. Sings in Pulaar, his traditional tongue. Maal remains one of the most internationally recognized musicians from Africa, and has released 16 albums to date.
24. Hugh Masekela, 72, South African, Musician
The 72 year-old South African Jazz maestro and internationally-acclaimed trumpeter shows no signs of slowing down. Started out playing the Trumpet at the age of 14; used his music to protest against apartheid, slavery, and socio-economic exploitation. In 2004 he published his autobiography: Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela. Masekela sits on the board of the Lunchbox Fund, a charity which provides a daily meal to students of township schools in the sprawling slums of Soweto.
25. K'Naan, 33, Somali, Rapper
At the age of 13, K’Naan left his homeland of Somalia in the heat of a civil war. With his family, escaped to New York, and later to Ontario, Canada where he joined a thriving Somali community and started rapping. In 2006 he released his debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher to modest success. His biggest break came in 2009 when Coca-Cola used a remixed version of his hit single, ‘Wavin’ Flag’ as its anthem for the 2010 World Cup. K’Naan has been a very vocal advocate for aid to Somalia in the wake of the country’s recent famine.
26. Amadou and Mariam, Malian, Musicians
The visually-impaired wonder couple met at the Institute for the Blind in Bamako, Mali in 1977. Both discovered their love for music and started recording together; married in 1980. The couple is generally considered as pioneers of Afro-blues, a distinct genre of music which fuses traditional Malian sounds and music with foreign instruments like rock guitars, Syrian violins and Cuban trumpets. They have released 3 successful studio albums till date and have played alongside international acts like Irish rock band, U2 and Coldplay. The duo’s lyrics dwell mainly on socio-political issues in Mali and across Africa.
27. Awilo Longomba, Congolese, Musician
The Congolese musician is one of the most notable proponents of the Soukous music genre which has gained an increasing international acceptance not only in Africa, but the rest of the world. Longomba started out as a drummer, but quit in 1995 to pursue his first love, music. Has released four albums to date. Now lives in France.
28. Eric Wainaina, 38, Kenyan, Musician
Kenya’s most famous singer-songwriter studied at Berklee College of Music. After the infamous 1998 Terrorist bombing in Nairobi, he instantly released Kenya Only- a song which went on to become the official mourning song for the period. His debut album, Sawa Sawa which he released in 2001 has sold over two million copies, making it one of the bestselling Kenyan albums of all time. The multi-award winner released his third studio album, Love and Protest earlier this year. In 2009 he produced the musical, Mo Faya which was shown at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and received rave reviews.
29. Binyavanga Wainaina, 40, Kenyan, Author
The Kenyan writer authored the essay “How To Write About Africa”- one of the most satirical pieces ever written about the continent. In June, the 2002 Caine Prize winner published his debut novel, One Day I Will Write About This Place which was selected by the Oprah Magazine for its 2011 summer reading list. Wainaina is one of Africa’s most popular new generation of storytellers and is the founder of Kwani, the first literary magazine in East Africa.
30. Ngugi Wa Thiongo, 73, Kenyan, Author
Kenya’s most cerebral author and playwright published his first novel, Weep Not, Child in 1964. He was forced out of Kenya and sent on exile in the 70s because of his intense criticisms of the Kenyan government which he usually channeled through his plays and novels. In 2006 he published his first novel in two decades, Wizard of the Crow which tells the story of an imaginary African state governed by its despotic ruler. Currently serves as a Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Irvine.
31. Freshlyground, South African, Musicians
The 7-member South African Afro-fusion band started out in Capetown in 2002. Success came almost immediately. In 2003 the band released their debut album, Jika Jika, which went on to achieve immense commercial success. They’ve gone on to release four successful studio albums to date. Last year, the band collaborated with Colombian pop star, Shakira, in writing and performing "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”which was the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The band members hail from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
32. Chimamanda Adichie, 34, Nigerian, Writer
The Nigerian-born author is arguably the most popular new-generation writer to emerge from Africa and one of the continent’s leading contemporary literary voices at the moment. In 2006, her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun won the coveted Orange Prize.
33. Rokia Traoré, 37, Malian, Musician
The daughter of a Malian Diplomat is one of the more popular new generation artists to emerge from Africa. Shot into the limelight in 1997 when she went under the mentorship of famed Malian singer, Ali Farka Touré, under whose mentorship she produced her first album, Mouneissa. Later that year, Radio France Internationale heralded her with an award for ‘Best African Discovery’ in 1997. Career took off afterwards. Fuses traditional Malian sounds with western influences. Traoré has released four successful albums to date, including Tchamantché, her latest work which was produced in 2008.
34. Tuface Idibia, 36, Nigerian, Musician
The Nigerian-born crooner is one of Africa’s most recognizable new-generation singers. He started out his career in the mid 90s with the Plantashun boys, a defunct Nigerian boy band that achieved modest recognition in local circles but disbanded in 2004. Immediately struck out independently, finding success and international renown for hits such as ‘African Queen’ which has become one of the most popular African love songs of all time. Idibia is a recipient of several local and international awards, including the MTV Award for Best African Artist in 2005.
35. P-Square, 29, Nigerian, Musicians
The Nigerian R&B duo attained continental superstardom with romance-laced lyrics and Michael Jackson-styled dance moves. The identical twin brothers released their 5th studio album, “The Invasion” in July this year to critical acclaim. The album reportedly went platinum within eight weeks. Their 2009 album, Danger, has sold close to nine million copies worldwide. The music video for their hit song, “No one like you” has been viewed over 10 million times on YouTube- a top record for any Nigerian artist.
36. Don Jazzy, 30, Nigerian, Music Producer
Africa’s Number 1 beat maker heads the phenomenal Nigerian record label, Mo’ Hits which is home to successful Nigerians artists like D’Banj and Wande Coal. The venerable music producer and occasional singer is also the undisputed King of Social media in Nigeria. Boasts over 130,000 followers on Twitter. Earlier this year, he signed on to Kanye West’s GOOD Music record label along with his protégé, D’Banj. Jazzy also earned production credits for his work on Kanye West and Jay-Z’s collaborative album- Watch The Throne.
37. D'Banj, 31, Nigerian, Musician
Don Jazzy's protégé is one of Africa’s most recognizable new generation artistes. Has sold over 3 million albums worldwide over the last six years and signed a record deal with Kanye West’s GOOD Music earlier this year. The Nigerian crooner and Harmonica player is also one of the savviest entrepreneurs in Africa’s music industry; has stamped his now famous ‘Koko’ brand name unto everything from mobile phones, an entertainment lounge, bottled water and even Garri (a Nigerian staple meal made of processed cassava).
38. Neka, 31, Nigerian, Musician
The Nigerian-German soul musician has become one of Africa’s more popular international singers. Contents of her lyrics dwell majorly on about poverty, war and related social ills. First came into the limelight in 2004 after performing as an opening act for Jamaican Reggae act, Sean Paul during a concert in Germany. Appeared on the David Letterman show in January 2010, and has collaborated with American Hip-Hop act, Nas, for a remix of her internationally acclaimed hit single- Heartbeat. Nneka is a brand ambassador for Nigerian Telecoms Company, Starcomms.
39. Asa, 29, Nigerian, Musician
Real name: Bukola Elemide. The Nigerian singer-songwriter is one of the most popular new-generation artists to emerge from Africa. She released her sophomore album, ‘Beautiful Imperfection’ last year to immense critical acclaim. The Paris-based artist is renowned for her fusion of contemporary Jazz sound, pop and reggae with traditional Yoruba melodies.
40. Patricia Amira, 33, Kenyan, TV Personality
Africa’s own answer to Oprah. The Kenyan-born media queen is one of the continent’s most popular talk-show hosts. Her daytime talk show, The Patricia Show is broadcast in over 45 African countries and watched by over 10 million people. The show focuses on indigenous achievements and human interest stories across Africa.source by forbes
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