Sounds of Togo ~ Azonto

"The CD I'm sending home is a DVD actually of all of the music that is HUGE here! Some of it is Togolese,  some Jamaican,  just kind of from all over the place. I didn't want the videos but the guy did them anyways... Because they are more expensive haha. But I thought that would be fun for you guys to have to hear what I hear as I walk the streets everywhere!!!" -Elder Layton
Here are a few...

CHIDINMA

MICHEL TELO

AZONTO

AZONTO GIRL

AZONTO LESSON

"I am glad that you guys liked the music I sent home! My favorite one is Azonto! Everyone here, and I mean everyone, even the old mammas know that dance from start to finish. Pretty cool huh? I bought some other Togolese music too so we will rock out to that when I get back!" -Elder Layton 

Azonto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Azonto is a dance and a music genre originating from Ghana.

The dance involves a frenzied set of hand movements that either mimic everyday activities or are meant to signal an often comical intention. It begun with one or two step movements but has been advanced to more complex and almost acrobatic movements. Just like most African dances, knee bending and hip movements are rudiments to dancing it. The dance has effectively evolved from a few rudimentary moves to embrace depictions of ironing,washing, driving, boxing, grooming, praying, swimming, and others.

Generally, the dance reflects the creativity and sense of humour of the Ghanaian people. The dance, which is usually performed with an accompanying smile, evolved from the combination of several local dance moves that originated from Ghana during the early 2000s. The dance has evolved with the fast pace dance culture of modern West Africa.