Jambo and welcome to our global village!

We are Wassalou, a contemporary Afropop band that was created for Harambe Village, Disney Animal Kingdom, on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. Afropop is a term used to refer to contemporary African pop music. This term does not necessarily refer to a specific style or sound, but rather is used as a general reference to popular music originating in Africa.

Our repertoire consists of original songs as well as covers of legendary African artists and bands such as Osibisa, Papa Wemba, Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango and Fela Kuti, to name just a few. We also feature other African dance music similar to that which can be heard on Paul Simon’s Graceland album.

Playing in the Village is a wonderful opportunity to share the music and dance of our African heritage. We would like to acknowledge Harry Belafonte who is our inspiration and the patron of the movement that brought the African sound to contemporary popular music in the person of Miriam Makeba.

We hope that we may touch your hearts with our performance and look forward to seeing all of you time and time again in our global village. Live large and love life, Harambe…. people working together in unity. Share our music with your friends and let them share it with their friends.

Until then, we say Kwaharini, which means, go well, as we do not say goodbye…. it is not in our language. Find more informatino @ www.TheAfricanVillageBand.com