The call for papers, announced by the journal’s publishers, offers researchers and literary authors an opportunity to contribute to international academic discourse on African music, its cultural significance, evolution and influence.
According to the announcement, the special edition will explore the diversity of African music and musicians, including traditional and contemporary genres, indigenous musical instruments, cultural practices and the growing global influence of African musical expressions.
The journal, which is an open-access publication with ISSN 2764-1244, said submissions would be accepted in African indigenous languages, while abstracts and authors’ profiles must be provided in both an African language and English.
It explained that the initiative was aimed at encouraging greater representation of African languages in academic research and literary discussions, noting that indigenous languages offer important perspectives for communicating African cultural, artistic and linguistic experiences.
The call also highlighted the diversity of African music across the continent’s more than 3,000 cultures and customs, noting that musical traditions have evolved through pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial periods.
It observed that religious, economic, colonial and tourism-related influences, alongside foreign education and cultural exchanges, had contributed to the development of traditional, modern and fused musical styles across African societies.
The journal said the special edition would examine the similarities and differences in musical themes, messages and characteristics across African ethnic groups, as well as the preferences of audiences for traditional, contemporary and hybrid forms of music.
Areas of interest
The proposed edition will cover a wide range of subjects, including African music organisations and management, traditional musical instruments, drumming, dancing, music appreciation, performance, music education and the challenges facing African musicians.
Other areas of interest include Afrobeats, Fuji, Juju and Apala music, African music and spirituality, music piracy, copyright issues, censorship, artificial intelligence and the music industry.
The journal is also interested in contributions examining the relationship between music and politics, religion, the economy, love, conflict, peace, the environment and human rights.
Authors may also explore cultural songs associated with weddings, funerals, royal ceremonies, traditional worship, occupations, children, women and other aspects of African social life.
Literary compositions, interviews with African music stars, biographies of musicians, the families and children of musicians, and the training and professional development of African performers are also among the suggested areas.
Submission guidelines and deadlines
Interested contributors are expected to select a topic from the proposed themes and first send a letter of intention to write to the guest editor, Dr Bayo Omolola, via bayo.omolola@morgan.edu.
Following approval, authors are required to submit an abstract of 100 to 150 words in both an African indigenous language and English.
The submission guidelines also require a 50 to 70-word paragraph and an author’s profile written in an African language and English. Contributors are expected to follow the seventh edition of the American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style.
The journal has outlined the following submission schedule:
- Call opening date: 30 October 2026.
- Abstract submission deadline: 10 February 2027.
- Abstract acceptance notification: On or before 15 February 2027.
- Full manuscript submission deadline: 30 April 2027.
All completed articles, literary works and book reviews are to be submitted to Dr Omolola, the guest editor, through bayo.omolola@morgan.edu.
The journal said the special edition would provide a platform for African and diaspora scholars and writers to document, examine and promote the continent’s musical heritage, while strengthening the place of indigenous African languages in international academic publishing.
