Ivory Coast's cultural capital, Abidjan is famous for its thriving music scene thanks to bands such as Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly or reggae artist Kajeem.

When the Africa Kicks bus rolled into town, the BBC asked Kajeem to record a special Network Africa video session.

He performs 'Demain C'est Aujourd'hui' with Adama Diabaté on guitar and Nadege Kablan on backing vocals.

Nikky Okyere, who came to the UK from Ghana, has become the go-to barber for English Premier League footballers from Africa, like Crystal Palace FC's Bakery Sako and Wilfried Zaha. Describing himself as a 'hair therapist', some of his other clients include Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Jordon Ibe, Asamoah Gyan, Christian Atsu, Mario Balotelli, Christian Benteke, and Danny Welbeck. Apart from running his own barbershop in Camberwell, south London, he also does home visits to some of his more famous customers.

Dirt is a common craving in many parts of Africa - especially amongst pregnant women who need the nutrients contained within the soil. In Tanzania the special clay soil is known as "udongo wa pemba", Swahili for "The Soil of Pemba". Focus on Africa's Tulanana Bohela travelled specially to the hills of Morogoro to find out what dirt really tastes like...but her journey begins in a famous market in Dar Es Salaam.

Bassekou Kouyate and his band Ngoni Ba made one of the best received African albums of 2009. "I Speak Fula", released in September followed the hugely successful 2007 Segu Blue album.

Through his music, Bassekou and his band have breathed new life into Ngoni playing.

The traditional string instrument made of wood or calabash with animal skin stretched across it was always played sitting down on stage.

Bassekou and his band changed that, strapping the Ngonis over their shoulders like guitars and bringing the instruments to the front of the stage.

Bassekou and Ngoni Ba headlined on Friday night at the Festival of the Desert.

We made contact with him on Saturday and he invited us to come to where he and his band were staying in Timbuktu to film an unplugged performance in the more traditional style.

Again, we found ourselves racing the setting sun, trying to get the performance recorded before the light failed us.

We borrowed his neighbour's rooftop and Bassekou Kouyate, his wife Amy Sacko, Calabash player Alou Coulibaly and Ngoni bassplayer Moussa Bah performed this beautiful version of "Jonkoloni" from the album Segu Blue.

Many African countries experience violence and intimidation fuelled by tribalism. But Tanzania seems to be an exception. Despite having more than 100 ethnic groups and bordering eight countries, it has succeeded in overcoming tribal tensions in a region where some neighbours have failed to do so. The BBC's Tulanana Bohela reports from Dar Es Salaam.