Burundi music has a rich earthy sound and is normally heavily influenced by drumming, drumming used by the likes of Malcolm McLaren to pioneer the early Adam and the Ants sound. It has been claimed that every Burundian is a musician at heart with a soul likened to a taut string that vibrates at the slightest breeze.

Music flows very naturally in Burundi especially at family gatherings when song bursts spontaneously and all those present join in the 'uruvyino' or mass singing and hand clapping and dancing soon follows.

Music from Burundi gained wider exposure in part due to the conflict there as many Burundi people fled to Belgium who ran the colony in colonial times. Burundi Belgian musicians such as Khadja Nin, a former member of the Burundi Bujumbura choir, and Ciza Muhira have released critically acclaimed albums. Check out our African music store here.