Africa Unite (band)

Africa Unite in 2007

Africa Unite is an Italian reggae band, active since 1981.

Career

The band was founded as Africa United in 1981 in Pinerolo by Vitale Bonino (born 1964) aka Bunna and Francesco Caudullo (born 1965) aka Madaski, on the occasion of a tribute concert for the recently deceased Bob Marley.[1] In 1987, they made their recording debut with the self-produced album Mjekrari.[1][2][3] In 1992, they adopted their current name, and started the hip hop side project To.sse.[1] In 1993, they released their first work in Italian language, Babilonia e poesia.[1][4] Their 1995 album Il sole che brucia marked their mainstream breakout,[2] while their 1996 live album In diretta dal sole was their first work for a major (PolyGram).[1] In the second half of the 1990s, Madaski launched a solo side project, while Bunna started collaboraing with Giuliano Palma & the Bluebeaters.[2] After Vibra (2000), in 2003, they returned to self-produce their works.[2]

Style

Ernesto Assante described Africa Unite's style as "a direct offshoot of 1980s British reggae, stemming from that blend of roots reggae and pop".[5] Enrico De Regibus noted a clear and constant influence of Bob Marley, fused with "Mediterranean elements, and distinctly indigenous ones, which gradually lend a more personal touch to the poetic style of the ensemble".[1]

Discography

Album
  • 1987 – Mjekrari (EP)
  • 1988 – Llaka! (EP)
  • 1991 – People Pie
  • 1992 - Cantè (EP)
  • 1993 – Babilonia e poesia
  • 1995 – Un sole che brucia
  • 1997 – Il gioco
  • 2000 – Vibra
  • 2001 – 20
  • 2003 – Mentre fuori piove
  • 2006 – Controlli
  • 2010 – Rootz
  • 2015 – Il punto di partenza
  • 2019 – In tempo reale (with Architorti)
  • 2022 – Non è fortuna

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Deregibus, Enrico (7 May 2013). "Africa Unite". Dizionario completo della Canzone Italiana. Giunti Editore. ISBN 978-88-09-75625-0.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Biografia di Africa Unite". Rockol (in Italian). Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Africa Unite". Enciclopedia Treccani (in Italian). Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Murizzi, Faustiko (25 February 2002). "Africa Unite: "People pie (ristampa)" recensione". Rockit.it (in Italian). Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Assante, Ernesto (23 June 2022). "Africa Unite, alle radici di una storia lunga 40 anni: "Non abbiamo mai perso la strada"". la Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 27 July 2026.