Davido And Martell Is A Partnership Rooted In Authenticity

Posted on by Damilola Animashaun

Celebrity brand endorsements have become a stamp of artists’ weight in the game, and Davido has been certified many times over. His recent album rollout for ‘5ive’ included partnerships with brands like FoodCourt, Stake, PlayStation, and of course, Martell with whom he has had a long-standing relationship for the past few years. 

When Davido’s face first lit up Martell billboards across Lagos in 2021, it marked the beginning of a broader cultural shift. In the years since, Martell has soared to the top as Nigeria’s number one cognac brand, and the world has been watching.

Ask Davido why this partnership works, and his answer is simple: authenticity. “Honestly, it’s just a real alignment,” he says. “Martell stands for boldness, legacy, moving with purpose, and that’s exactly how I operate. From day one, it didn’t feel like a typical brand partnership; it felt like a collaboration. We both represent excellence, and we’re not afraid to shake things up. That’s why it works.”

That authenticity has proven to be Martell’s secret weapon. Rather than treating Davido as a decorative face, the brand invited him into the room to shape the narrative. “I didn’t want to just be the face, I wanted to shape the story,” he explains. “I saw the opportunity to bring in a new energy, a new vibe that speaks to the culture. Something that’s fresh but still classy. We’ve been able to infuse that African excellence, that Naija spirit, into everything we do. That’s what makes it different.”

Martell’s campaigns under Davido’s influence have been electric, thrumming with the same energy that animates the streets of Lagos and beyond. The now-iconic “Be the Standout Swift” campaign particularly stands out. It featured sleek visuals, a thumping soundtrack, and Davido himself front and center, embodying exactly what it means to move with purpose. “The response was mad,” Davido recalls to The NATIVE. “The visuals went crazy, the soundtrack hit, and people connected with it instantly. I remember seeing Martell billboards with my face on it and realising it meant representation for African artists. That made the whole thing bigger than just branding.”

It’s precisely the point of their collaboration. The Martell-Davido partnership has been more about rewriting the rules than it has been about selling bottles of cognac. In the past, African artists were often brought in to add flavour to campaigns conceived elsewhere or were typically not the main characters. Now, thanks to moves like the Martell-Davido partnership, they’re leading them. “It set a new tone,” Davido notes. “I think it made a lot of brands wake up and realise that African culture is global culture now, you can’t ignore it. You have to invest in it properly.”

This shift in thinking has had real-world impact. Martell, which once competed with long-entrenched cognac brands in Nigeria, is now the market leader. Beyond the sales, this connection marks a strategic victory for culturally-grounded branding. Its connection to youth culture, Afrobeats, and the aspirational lifestyle Davido embodies has turned it into a status symbol at the center of Nigeria’s thriving nightlife and social scene. 

For Davido, these wins go beyond commercial success. He’s acutely aware of the weight of his platform and chooses partnerships accordingly. “I’m very, very conscious,” he admits, “I know the power of my platform. I’m not just repping myself, I’m repping Africa. So, any brand I align with has to respect that. It’s not just about money or clout. It’s about legacy. It’s about how we tell our story, how we elevate the culture. I always ask myself: ‘Does this partnership open doors for others? Does it make the culture look good?’ If the answer is yes, then we move.”

That consciousness is perhaps the biggest driver of Martell’s success story. By aligning with a figure whose influence runs deeper than celebrity, Martell has built a bond with Nigerian consumers that feels personal; their fave is drinking Martell, and so they will. Davido’s swagger, his work ethic, and his sense of cultural pride are now the same as Martell’s. 

The biggest takeaway from this partnership is that true cultural resonance comes from collaboration, not co-option. Davido getting the space to lead and align his core self with the brand has not only boosted sales but also given Martell the credibility needed for that. This sort of influence flattens the curve and builds the culture. 

With Davido at its side, Martell has become more than a cognac. 

In Tribute To Daddy Lumba, Ghana’s Most Beloved Maverick

Posted on by Nana Kojo Mula

Death is said to be the end of all things, but for some, it is just a process of immortalization. That is the case for legendary Ghanaian artist Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, also known as Daddy Lumba. On the 26th of July, 2025, reports of his demise spread across the world, causing doubts and confusion until his family released an official statement through its lawyer, Fati Ali Yallah, Esq., confirming the devastating news. 

For six decades, DL, as he is affectionately referred to, has been a son, a husband, a father, an artist, a teacher, an innovator, and a cultural icon. The accumulation of the lives he lived has earned him the admiration and respect of Ghanaians and music lovers around the world for generations. 

Daddy Lumba started exploring his musical talent in the 1980s during his time in secondary school, eventually emerging as the lead of the school choir. Years later, during his stay in Germany, he would be introduced to Highlife music through his friendship and partnership with Nana Acheampong. The duo would form the group “Lumba Brothers” and work on the project ‘Yee Ye, aka Akwantuom,’ which was released in 1989. After the group’s breakup, he launched his solo career with his 1990 solo debut album, ‘Obi Ate Meso Buo.’ 

Daddy Lumba would go on to have an illustrious career. Credited with over 30 albums and more than 200 songs, his seminal works included “Playboy,” Mesom Jesus,” “Aben Wo Aha,” Poison,” and “Sika,” to name a few. Characterized by his charismatic approach, lyricism, and nonconformity, Daddy Lumba reshaped the music and art scene in Ghana. His control over his native language, Twi, allowed him to pen songs that spoke directly to the soul of the listener. His proverbial lyrics and addictive melodies made his songs easy listens for those who didn’t even fully understand the languages he sang in. He composed songs that served as a guide for people across the different facets of life.

Raised in a gospel background, Daddy Lumba blessed the world with multiple gospel albums that showed his admiration for God and were a testament to his past as a choir leader. In an interesting twist of events, he also had songs that dissected his thoughts on lust, love, and relationships and provided motivation and hope, as well as songs that would get you dancing. During his active years, Daddy Lumba’s songs ran wild across the media, streets, pubs, weddings, and funerals, and echoed from home to home across Accra to Europe.

As a student of Highlife, he ensured the growth and evolution of the sound through his songs and albums over the years. He mastered the craft so well that he would be instrumental in ushering in Borga/Burger Highlife, a sub-genre of Highlife that was steeped in contemporary influences and defined by its funky essence. Borga Highlife was not just in the sound but was also evident in his visual identity. He curated music and art in a style that bewildered people at the time. In today’s world, he would have been described as alté. 

Beyond music, his influence on Ghanaian pop culture was immense.  It was rooted in nonconformity and the deconstruction of stereotypes. While aspects of his music appealed to Ghana’s conservative outlook, he was also regarded by some as a moral miscreant. As the moral police came for his sensual lyrics and subversive influence on the youth, the love of the music from the wider public was louder. 

Where traditional media tried to bury his songs, the masses gave them more life at parties, pubs, and any gatherings where music could be played. Around the early 2000s, Daddy Lumba would come to be accepted as a symbol of modern Ghanaian culture, eventually beating the system by finding a balance that appealed to those who wanted songs that mirrored their sensuality, youthfulness, and freedom without alienating the conservative faction of the country. 

He introduced a swagger and flair to Highlife that many were not accustomed to. Winning over not just the older generation but also young people, both at home and abroad. From his many hairstyles–be it a fade, cornrows, or permed hair–he always stood out. Coupled with eye-catching aesthetics, as seen in his photos and music videos, he provided a visual blueprint that rising acts today still draw inspiration from. 

Regardless of the genre, theme, or style, Daddy Lumba kept topping charts and winning over listeners. He wore many hats and played diverse roles, and executed all of them brilliantly. It did not matter if he was paying homage to his long-lost love on “Theresa,” bidding farewell on “Makra Mo,” singing praises to God on “Eye N’adom,” craving intimacy on “Pony/Enko Den,” or even preaching diversity on “Bubra,” it all came together as long as it was orchestrated by Daddy Lumba.

His songs not only mirrored his own experiences but also provided a sonic reflection of the lived experiences of the people who listened to his music. He was an artist for the people, and he never shied away from making his fans feel loved and heard.. DL was so enshrouded in Ghanaian popular culture that it is no surprise how many momentous Ghanaian occasions and memories of the last 30 years are intrinsically tied to his songs. 

 

In a country where people often get backlash for showing their political affiliations, Lumba was appreciated more when he took a public stance on supporting a political party. He was so loved that his campaign song “Nana Winner” for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is played at non-partisan events like raves and parties to a wild reception and excitement. Recognizing his influence, he always platformed talents as best as he could. He nurtured and mentored several artists. Through his album ‘Wo Ho Kyere’, he introduced Ofori Amponsah, his protégé, to the wider public. Ofori would go on to become one of Ghana’s most celebrated artists with hits like “Otolege,” “Odwo,” and “Emmanuella.” Daddy Lumba also mentored artists like Felix Owusu, Borax, and Ateaa Tina, among others. 

While his peers were left behind with the advent of music digitalization, Lumba stayed with the times. His music became the stuff of urban legend and was among some of the most-streamed Ghanaian music across platforms in recent times. There were frequent conversations, stories, and breakdowns of his songs on social media, steered by a generation of older listeners, handing down a lived-in perspective for a younger generation. His career is a testament to the fact that good music will always stand the test of time.

When news broke of his death on the 26th of July, 2025, an entire nation fell into a state of mourning. Artists, politicians, and various individuals took to social media to share their condolences with the bereaved family. In a heartfelt message on his Facebook page, his old friend, Nana Acheampong, shared a farewell note to his old friend and brother: “You have indeed done what the creator brought you on earth to do, you will forever inspire generations,” he wrote in a post on Facebook. 

Daddy Lumba lived an exciting life and had an enviable career working with artists of different eras. From Pat Thomas to Samini, Kwabena Kwabena, Okyeame Kwame, and Sarkodie, he collaborated with several acts. He also won awards and performed in multiple countries. However, his biggest win remains earning the love of an entire nation. Perhaps the most loved Ghanaian artist across generations, people were born to his music and buried with his music, completing the lifetime cycle with Daddy Lumba’s music booming in the background. 

There have been public calls for a state burial for Daddy Lumba, with a vigil already planned for August 2, 2025, at Independence Square, Accra. Lumba’s legacy as an innovator and trailblazer will be etched in Ghanaian music history and the hearts of listeners across the world. He was a strong believer that he was just biding his time on earth, doing his best till it was time to leave. 

While he departs the world, his songs and messages will continue to live on throughout time. 

Asake Links With Tiakola On Gritty “BADMAN GANSTA”

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer,  P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.

The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’ 

Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two. 

Following the release of “WHY LOVE,”  Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”  

With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrive before the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.

Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves. 

Listen to “BADMAN GANSTA” here. 

Ayra Starr Releases Her Sizzling Anthem, “Hot Body”

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”

The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.

Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June. 

It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick. 

With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027. 

Listen to “Hot Body” here.

Zulo Details His Evolution On New ‘Z’ EP

Posted on by Wale Oloworekende

ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community.  Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.

Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.

The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.

‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP  follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”

Listen to ‘Z’ here.

NATIVE AND TRUE CLRS ARE BRINGING THE PARTY TO HOUSTON WITH ODUMODUBLVCK AND SARZ

Posted on by Damilola Animashaun

At a time when club culture has become more about the flex than the music and the dance, True Clrs is building something grounded: a travelling party that treats Afropop, Amapiano, and the wider spectrum of African sound as an integral core to the identity of the dancefloor itself.

Launched by a crew of diasporic tastemakers and cultural connectors, Adeola Kofoworade and Menab Tesfu, True Clrs has spent the past two years popping up in cities all over the states: LA, New York, Atlanta, and Houston. These parties have created a consistent environment where sounds from back home feel central to the party and not in the periphery. 

It’s a formula that works because it knows exactly who this is for–a generation of Africans and diasporic kids who grew up moving between genres, cities, and timelines, and still want to dance like they’re in Lagos, Joburg, or Accra.

Houston’s edition of True Clrs, holding this weekend, will mark our first collaboration, with ODUMODUBLVCK and Sarz headlining the Global Sounds Stage, featuring Native SOUND SYSTEM’s DJ Sholz, Lowkey Ade, Khulumars, and a special guest. You can expect a full vibe of Afrobeats, Gqom, Afrohouse, Garage, and Brazilian funk in rotation, without apology. 

True Clrs is a reminder that the best parties are the ones where culture leads. And in a time where African music is dominating charts, this travelling party gives out music a proper home on the dance floor.

Best New Music: Kabza De Small, Nontokozo Mhkize, And Mthunzi Embrace 3-Step On “Siyabonga”

Posted on by Wale Oloworekende

There’s something profoundly interesting about getting to the pinnacle of one’s field and having the rare benefit of taking a glance from the top of the mountain. For some, all the arduous effort it took to reach such an enviable position can unlock an unexpected level of cynicism that blithely affects their point of view. For others, achieving that level of success requires gratitude and acknowledgment of all the ways things could have gone wrong but didn’t. For a while now,  ‘piano kingpin, Kabza De Small, has been reverential of the immense success of his career and the legacy he’s built. 

2023’s ‘Isimo,’ a collaborative project with vocalist Mthunzi, was a soulful affair replete with songs that showcased Kabza’s evolution as he tweaked his formula for a more percussion-heavy take on amapiano, while his guest provided emotional lucidity across a variety of topics, including betrayal, love, family, and thanksgiving.  Since ‘Isimo,’ Kabza has kept a lower profile than fans and long-term listeners are used to, only working a sprinkling of collabs and one-off features in the last two years, like the hypnotic “3 Step To Funk” and “Hayi Baba.”

As the Amapiano landscape shifted thanks to the work of stars like Kelvin Momo, Uncle Waffles, and Aymos, the man who audaciously proclaimed himself the king of the Jozi-pioneered genre was at work on what would become his fifth solo studio album. ‘Bab’Motha,’ Kabza’s new album, is the super-producer’s most vulnerable album to date, capturing the spiritual essence of the genre and marking a rebirth for one of its most popular acts. Where previous albums like ‘Pretty Girls Love Amapiano’ and the titanic ‘I Am The King Of Amapiano: Sweet & Dust’ were treatises on the scope and direction of the then-ascentant genre, ‘Bab’Motha’ comes to terms with the legacy of what was built and is fastidiously concerned with embracing the current iteration of South African Dance Music. 

No song quite articulates that objective like “Siyabonga.” Featuring rising singer Nontokozo Mhkize and Mthunzi, “Siyabonga,” is steeped in gospel culture, with Mhkize’s soulful singing bringing vivid imagery of a chorister’s impassioned cry to the almighty. Here, the subject matter is not so far; the singers are invoking the protection that a divine being promises his followers, stating that they can’t be stopped.  Interestingly, Kabza leans into the 3-step sub-genre that has risen in popularity over the last two years. The instantly identifiable three kick drum rhythm of the sub-genre combines with the soulful vocals of Nontokozo Mhkize to thrilling effect. 

The slick singing style employed by Mhkize contrasts with the jagged approach taken by Mthunzi. It’s a nod to the traditional Maskandi influence on his music, which allows his emotive style of singing to rise over the instrumental and take center stage in this tribute to the divine and its redemptive powers. On ‘Bab’Motha’,  Kabza De Small is reaffirming his position as the father of the amapiano movement, but even the greatest fathers are aware of how the world is changing around them and find a way to be a part of that progress, like Kabelo Motha does by embracing 3-step on his terms on  “Siyabonga.” There’s also the matter of a spiritual crutch to make sense of the world around him, and this delightful collaboration packs the punch in that regard. 

Tracing The Peerless Influence Of Wande Coal

Posted on by Vincent Desmond

Longevity in the music industry manifests in different ways.  Some artists have maintained their commercial prowess, selling just as much as they did at their peak, as they continue their careers for decades. However, others have continued to have a cultural impact and influence that can outpace their commercial dominance. One way this happens is when an artist spawns a musical dynasty that keeps their name or musical style alive in the game, and those artists from that dynasty go on to influence culture thanks to their musical forebear. 

Globally, we have seen the rise of ‘Taydaughter’-artists whose style is very similar to Taylor Swift’s lyricism and sound like Gracie Abrams. Similarly, we have been witnessing a continued search for the next Beyoncé. Although this trend has gained significant popularity recently, it is not a new phenomenon. People have long understood new artists by placing them alongside established legends in the game, and this isn’t limited to Western audiences either. Within the Nigerian and larger Afrobeats space, however, it seems no other artist has had their style as imitated as much as trailblazer Wande Coal. 

This ‘Wandecoalization’–borrowing the word from Melvitto’s recent tweet–of Afropop wouldn’t shock anyone who paid attention to Wande Coal’s releases in the 2000s. His harmonisation, the production, and the shocking rawness packed in each record made it feel like some of the best music Afropop had to offer during that era, and years later, those songs feel like some of the best to have come out of the genre. 

‘‘I like to think that Wande Coal is peerless in regards to his versatility and ability to enhance the work of a producer,’’ music and culture journalist Ify Obi shares. ‘‘I rate Wande Coal highly as one of the Afrobeats’ forebears. His music laid the groundwork for contemporary artists looking to blend R&B with afrobeats while maintaining the uptempo flair of afrobeats.’’  Wale Oloworekende, an editor at The NATIVE, shares the same view, noting: ‘‘He’s comfortably a legend of Afropop. One way or the other, he’s stuck around, and his past work is very integral to understanding the evolutionary era of Afropop. The only case to be made against him is the paucity of his catalogue, but he’s such a gifted artist that he still stands out when all is said and done.’’

Wande Coal’s influence in music can be felt around you, often in bits and pieces, snippets and particular harmonisation choices, but how much can we rightfully claim is directly Wande Coal? Or better yet, who can we establish as part of Coal’s musical dynasty? Who are Wande Coal’s sons and daughters in the music industry who, while naturally having their musical signatures and perspectives, have been sonically shaped and influenced by, admittedly, one of the GOATs of Afropop?

Chances are, if an artist is making Afropop, you can hear Wande Coal in them. With most of the recent Afropop stars being late millennials and Gen Z-think people between the ages of 30 and 22, this slew of artists was shaped by Coal’s music. ‘‘Back in 2006-2009, Wande’s music was so inescapable,’’ Obi tells The NATIVE. ‘‘I remember birthday parties back then and how we always waited for the DJs to play ‘You Bad’ because no party was ever complete without that song. At the time, it just felt like he had been a star for such a long time. I didn’t realise until I was much older that he was just a newbie during that era. I now understand that feeling to have come from the fact that there was so much clarity in his vocals and how skilled he was at crafting the catchiest and most quotable bridges that made his songs unforgettable.’’

There is also the impact of his magnum opus, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits,’  the definitive Afropop Bible still mentioned in Afropop discourse today. It serves as the cornerstone for many people’s listening experience. ‘‘His debut album, ‘Mushin 2 Mo’Hits,’ is such a high watermark for Afropop, and it’s still referenced in rarefied terms because everything came together so perfectly–the instrumentation, approach, lyrical content, and execution,” Nelson C.J., a Nigerian journalist, notes. “That album shifted the genre and firmly established Wande Coal’s genius. I think many people wrongly call a lot of stuff classics, but ‘Mushin 2 Mo’Hits’ is an undisputed classic.’’ 

It’s not hard to surmise that nearly every Afropop artist who defined the late 2010s and early 2020s has been influenced in some fashion by Wande Coal. When Afrofusion and Afropop were all the rage a few years back, and, even now, whenever vocal-powered emotiveness is the more dominant feeling in a record, it is hard not to hear Wande Coal. ‘‘There are a lot of artists that–directly or indirectly– take influence from Wande Coal,’’ Oloworekende shares. ‘‘Stylistically, he’s perhaps the most-imitated Nigerian music act from the early to mid-2010s. I’ve heard and seen Fireboy DML and Oxlade talk about how important Wande Coal is to the type of music they make.’’ 

Obi echoes this, noting: ‘‘No one does Wande Coal like Wande Coal, but it’s not difficult to see that a few contemporary Nigerian artists like Fireboy DML and Oxlade have taken a page or two out of his book when it comes to their vocal texture and sometimes, writing. Cruel Santino also recently sampled ‘Se Ope’ on his track ‘Trilogy.’”

There are consistent picks for who makes up this musical dynasty. Artists like Oxlade, who himself noted that Wande Coal is his biggest musical inspiration, and Fireboy DML are very clear examples of Coal’s lasting impact on Afropop.  There are a few less obvious artists who have earned their spots in this dynasty. Reekado Banks is another artist who isn’t just inspired by Coal but is enthused about talking about it, noting in 2021 that Wande Coal was the first artist he fell in love with and how Coal inspired Banks’s approach to making music. 

Artists like Joeboy should fall under this category. I find it hard to imagine a world where Joeboy would exist the way he does musically without Wande Coal setting the precedent that he did back then. The style of melodic vocal-powered fusion bops that Joeboy is known for is eerily reminiscent of Wande Coal. One of the reasons it is so important to give Wande Coal all his flowers is that when you look at the run of the people who are influenced and inspired by him, they have kept us dancing and in good spirits through the years, sure. They have all orchestrated and played active roles in making Afropop global and are the reason why ‘Afrobeats to the world’ became a reality. 

Take Wande Coal out of the equation, and the building blocks of Afropop start to disintegrate. 

A Primer On 3-Step’s Rise To Prominence

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

One of the many things synonymous with South Africa is Dance music. From Durban’s Gqom, popularized by the likes of Distruction Boyz and DJ Lag, to Amapiano, which has dominated the 2020s so far, South Africa has consistently produced captivating Dance music. Now, the country’s latest iteration of Dance music is making waves, known as 3-Step.

3-step is a hybrid of Amapiano and Afrohouse, another one of South Africa’s popular dance subgenres. The subgenre typically combines Amapiano’s weightless bass and log drums with the elegance of Afrohouse. It also sometimes infuses elements from other subgenres like Afro-Tech and Deep House. Even though 3-step is a fusion of other styles, it has its own unique groove and signature feature: a three-kick-drum rhythm.

3-Step pulls from a bunch of genres: Afro-Tech, Deep House, Afro-House, and Amapiano. Similar to Amapiano’s defining log drum, 3-Step has a similarly unmistakable signature feature: a three-kick-drum rhythm. While there are plenty of arguments about what is strictly Amapiano and what isn’t, you can’t miss the three kicks of the 3-Step, and that’s what makes it so special. 

Dlala Thakzin, a DJ and producer from Johannesburg, is credited as the mastermind behind the rising genre. He created 3-Step back in 2020, but it wasn’t until 2022’s viral “The Magnificent Dance” that the genre began to receive national attention. Heavyweights like Shimza and Black Coffee bought into it soon after, popularising it even more. 

 

Today, 3-Step has taken over airwaves and dancefloors across South Africa and beyond. Dlala Thukzin, one of the hottest DJ/producers in South Africa at the moment, is a big ambassador of the rising genre. His continental hits “iPlan” and “Ama Gear” have helped the genre transcend South Africa’s borders, with his recent headline set at Lagos’ Group Therapy one for the books. 

Thukzin’s wins at the most recent South African Music Awards—Best Dance Album for ‘Permanent Music 3’ and Best Collaboration for ‘iPlan’—are testaments not only to his talent and rising popularity but also to the institutional recognition that 3-step is beginning to receive. 

CIZA, Jazzworx & Thukuthela’s hit single “Isaka (6 am)” is also helping the genre break new ground. Powered by a viral TikTok dance challenge, the single currently boasts over 30 million streams across different streaming platforms since its release in April. It has undoubtedly become a continental hit, reaching the No. 1 position on Spotify’s Viral Chart in Nigeria and No. 1 position on the Apple Music iTunes charts in countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Namibia. 

 

“My Confession,” Da Capo’s latest single from his upcoming album, ‘Indigo Child II: Love & Frequency,’ is another 3-step gem setting dancefloors on fire. The single finely blends Da Capo’s unique sonic aesthetic with R&B star Elaine’s hypnotic melodies and soulful vocals. It’s both soothing and groovy, showing just how expansive 3-step can be. 

 

Other songs like Jazzworx, Thukuthela & MaWhoo’s “Uzizwa Kanjan,” which is currently the most Shazamed song in South Africa, and Issa Sisdoh’s hit single “Vuma Dlozi Lami” are also a couple of other dancefloor favourites. Many more South African acts are also championing the blooming subgenre, keeping alive the country’s long history of innovative Dance music. 

Ms. Kanyin Represents A Convenient Take on The Ms. Koi Koi Legend

Posted on by Daniel Okechukwu

Nigerian boarding houses are replete with folklore of scary figures with vendettas against schools or students. Sometimes, they are just stories senior students tell to scare new boys as part of the initiation ritual into boarding life.

One that was common in my time at a boarding house was that of the bush baby. It made my mates and I scared of the little bush outside our dorm that we thought was a forest. It didn’t help that we once had a wild dog problem, which hunted our housemaster’s cattle and evoked fear throughout the school. The injuries and death of livestock solidified the myth of the bush baby, leaving everyone worried and scared. If my memory serves me correctly, a few children were withdrawn from school while the school attempted to resolve the issue.

Eventually, it was just a local dog with a peculiar energy and taste.

That nightmare is nothing compared to the ones supposedly unleashed in Ikechuckwu Jerry Ossai’s Ms. Kanyin, Nemsia’s latest release from their Prime Video deal, which explores the urban legend of Ms. Koi Koi—a maleficent female spirit whose steps in clacking shoes are enshrined in the ears of every boarder.

Ms. Kanyin, like Netflix’s Lady Koi Koi, tries to tell this myth via a revenge horror thriller story, which makes sense given that teenagers, especially boarders who grow up in formative years without parental guidance, can be mischievously wicked and are the film’s villains. The story centers on Ms. Kanyin, the school’s French teacher, who is a 90s chic: stockings in her heels, floral gowns with hair well packed retro-style in a nice front bun.

The film makes sure we notice her stilettos; after all, the Ms. Koi Koi legend is about the distinct sound pointed heels make as women beautifully stride in them, except at night, of course, when such sounds suddenly evoke fear. It also presents her worries and fears, especially her extreme case of cynophobia, which is outlandish but necessary for a crucial part of the third act. We are also informed that she’s kind and cares about her work, right and wrong, and students, almost too much to the point that the principal thinks she’s too good for the school, and some of her colleagues hate her uprightness. 

Not Mustapha, though, the dashing, slim Agricultural Science teacher who likes everything about her and courts her publicly.

Amongst the students, we have the prominent six: Chisom, the principal’s dutiful daughter; Lami, who dreams of life as a model in New York; Amara, the good-girl-turned-bad who hopes to go to Harvard. Then the siblings Finditae and Fiona, and her dummy boyfriend, Uti, who’s chasing a swimming record.

We meet them after their WAEC mock result is released, and everyone is worried about Amara getting a C in French. She needs an A in her final exams to get into Harvard. As they comfort her, we learn Finditae fancies her and is also the school’s resident bad boy.

Amara and Chisom decided to take French classes to save Ms. Kanyin from being sacked, as her role would be redundant without enough French students. But that good deed has become a bottleneck as she must pass French to achieve her dreams of going to Harvard. However, she fails the subject during the mock exams. Even in her private practice, she does not hit the mark. Then one day, she notices that the actual exam papers were handed to Ms. Kanyin, who never wanted them, by the way. 

She approached her teacher quite audaciously to ask for an expo. The honorable Ms. Kanyin refuses, but not with the authority of a teacher setting her student aright. Instead, she does so feebly, to bolster her victim arc and cast these teenage students as aggressors. It’s the first warning: this film already knows its end and is going to get there however it can.

Amara informs her friends about the papers and tells them she wants to get them. They all have reasons to pass their WAEC, but Finditae in particular is hesitant. A public spat between him and Ms. Kanyin changes his mind. So they plan a heist to get into Ms. Kanyin’s room. There’s a lovely segment heavy in classic heist tropes as they lay out their plans, with guns and violent strategy replaced by teenage mischief.

Ms. Kanyin goes on a date with Mustapha on the planned night but returns early.

However, Amara, in her determination to get the papers, stays back while her friends flee the scene. A scared Ms. Kanyin sees her house ransacked and feels the presence of someone in her house. She grabs a knife and approaches Amara, and just as she is about to reach Amara, Chisom throws a rock onto her window to distract her and help Amara escape. 

Ms. Kanyin steps outside to check what’s going on and meets her worst nightmare: a dog. Fueled by fear, she runs and runs as far as she can into the forest that hugs the school, with the dog chasing relentlessly after her until she trips, hits her head on a tree and dies. Her blood splashes all over a tree that we first see in the film’s beginning, which brings forth evil when it tastes blood. In that forest, Ms. Kanyin transforms into the malevolent Ms. Koi Koi. It is a convenient way to create a monster, but that’s what we are working with.  

There’s something to say about how Ms. Kanyin captures the nostalgic feeling of secondary school and boarding house, escaping the trappings of most Nollywood films that want to replicate American high school in our films. It’s also beautifully shot and set thanks to the lush scenery of the Adesoye College in Offa, where the film was shot. But it doesn’t fail to follow Nollywood’s casting of clearly older people in teenagers’ roles. It’s not just that they are older, the true problem is they do look older, and you never truly believe they are secondary school students.

When you forgive that because a film this beautiful and a story this crucial must be watched and enjoyed, you’re burdened with the lack of creative ideas to tell an origin story without a cheap escape route. The legend of Ms. Koi Koi here is attributed to a special tree deep in the forest that’s awakened by blood, and a poor teacher who’s forced out of character by her students.

It’s too convenient, too easy, that you don’t believe the characters and their motivation. There are interesting ways to establish the legend of Ms. Koi Koi that could even define how we see the legend or what we believe. But this film has no interest in establishing such a lasting legacy. It’s a film in a rush to get to its third act, where blood splashes and the Ms. Koi Koi spirit emerges to exact revenge that’s not earned. She goes after the aforementioned six who ransacked her home and caused her death and serves revenge in not-particularly creative (or local) ways, but as established, this is a film in a rush. 

The Songs Of The Summer 

Posted on by The Native

No season of the year is as anticipated by many as summer is. The promise of sunny days, clear skies, and lounging with friends has established a long tradition that has come to be defined by music. Over the last half-century, the song of the summer phenomenon has gained popularity as artists, fans, and casual listeners strive to imprint their choices on the broader cultural landscape. 

The rise of the internet and the democratization of access to culture have profoundly reshaped the nature of what we consider the ubiquitous song of the summer, with no consensus on what song is the overpowering anthem of the season. That doesn’t mean that there are no songs that still soundtrack the parties, beach hangouts, and warehouse raves that are a fixture of summer months. Afropop is no exception in this regard. Although summer typically falls in the rainy period in Africa, there’s always a party popping off somewhere, and there are jams to keep things spirited. 

2025 has not been any different. From South Africa to Ghana and Nigeria, we have had anthems go off that pay homage to the breadth of African expression. Just like how specific songs define the Detty December seasons, we have songs that just sound like summer. This list puts together all the songs that add colour to this joyful part of the year and pays homage to the songs that soundtracked it all.

While commercial success is a requisite for songs that made this list, it’s not the only factor that we considered. The NATIVE has always been a bastion for alternative expression and we believe that music from the fringe deserves as much acclaim as those created by mainstream heavyweights. So, our songs of the summer list is a homage to everything from the alternative to the mainstream and even some curious places you might not be looking at yet. What we do promise is that these songs sound like the unbridled energy of summer. Enjoy!

1. Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You”  

Both Davido and Omah Lay spoke about this collaboration with enthusiasm a few times before its official release, but I imagine even they might not have envisioned it would take off as rapidly as it did. Those opening guitar licks are enough to cause delirium in functions across the continent at the moment. It’s arguably the undisputed song of the summer already, and judging by its momentum, it’s likely to end up as one of Davido’s biggest songs yet. – B.A

2. Shallipopi – “Laho” 

When Shallipopi teased a snippet of “Laho” in February 2025, many listeners were sure that it would go on to be one of the most definitive songs of 2025. Four months on from its release, that assertion has proven to be true. The laidback style of Shallipopi’s delivery and infusion of Bini language has made it a hit that has resonated with listeners across the world. It has also birthed numerous versions and unofficial remixes, hinting at the song’s staying power.  – W.O

 

3. Vanco ft AYA – “Ma Tnsani (Yalla Habibi)”

South African DJ and producer, Vanco, is popular for his stirring and propulsive tracks that pay homage to the dance music culture of the Rainbow Nation. The April release of “Ma Tnsani (Yalla Habibi)” with Kuwaiti singer, AYA, further showcased Vanco’s deft touch, merging an AfroTech pulse with lyricism inspired by the Arabic language. The result is a globally resonant sound that’s infectious and joyful while highlighting themes of love and connection. In a world that’s increasingly divided, “Ma Tnsani (Yalla Habibi)” is a reminder of music’s ability to bring us together for a fun time regardless of any barriers. – W.O

 

4. CIZA, Jazzworx, & Thukuthela – “Isaka (6am)”  

Propelled by a viral TikTok challenge from earlier in the year, “Isaka (6am)” became practically inescapable on the internet. The single, originally released in April, soundtracked millions of videos across the internet in just a few weeks of its release, and it has now become a dancefloor favourite across the continent. CIZA’s smooth delivery works nicely with Jazzworx and Thukuthela’s infectious 3-step groove for what is undoubtedly one of the songs of the year already. – B.A

 

5. Ayra Starr – “Hot Body”

From the moment that Ayra Starr teased a snippet of her latest single, “Hot Body,” it sounded ready-made for revelry and summer thrills. Always a keen advocate for the girlies turning up and appreciating themselves, Ayra Starr takes things up a notch with “Hot Body,” helming an hypnotic anthem about all the things that a hot body can conceivably do. Produced by Ragee and The Elements, it also marks an evolution in Ayra Starr’s career as she leans into themes directly tied to the pleasures and freedom of being a young woman at the pinnacle of Afropop. – W.O

 

6. Davido ft. ODUMODUBLVCK & Chike – “Funds”

The lead-up to Davido’s celebratory fifth album, ‘5IVE,’  saw a clever synthesis of all the themes that the singer has explored across his career. Love, staying power, opulent consumerism, and a zestful commitment to his loved ones are topics that he reinterpreted with gusto on songs like “Awuke” and “Offa Me,” but “Funds” is where it all falls squarely into focus. From the sample of Brenda Fassie’s timeless hit, “Vul’ Indlela,” to Davido’s playful opening and the synchrony of ODUMODUBLVCK & Chike’s verses, it’s a song diligently worked to evoke the chromatic joy and ease of summer. – W.O

 

7. ODUMODUBLVCK, Victony – “Pity This Boy” 

Released just seven days before Valentine’s Day 2025, “PITY THIS BOY” is ODUMODUBLVCK at his pithiest as he promises a world of luxury to a love interest. Still, like all the best ODUMODUBLVCK songs, that narrative is only the entry point for a more tightly-packed story. On “PITY THIS BOY,” he’s also contending with the overwhelming nature of black tax and the guilt of not being able to help everyone. It’s all delivered in his signature melodious style, helping the song achieve ubiquity as the year has gone on.  – W.O

 

8. Mavo, WAVE$TAR – “Escaladizzy” 

Mavo has been one of the year’s most exciting success stories so far. The young singer has been making waves in the underground scene for a minute, but it’s his recent collaboration with rapper WAVE$TAR that has proven to be his breakthrough moment. Everything is in perfect sync on “Escaladizzy”: 2frosh’s hypnotic beat, WAVE$TAR’s silky bridge, and Mavo’s eccentric lyrics and flows. Just two months later, a new version of the song featuring Ayra Starr, Zlatan, and Shallipopi upped the stakes, further extending the song’s star power. Someone please get Armin Boehm (Escalade CEO) on the phone with Mavo already. – B.A

 

9. Rema – “Baby (Is It A Crime)”

After delivering a jolt to Afropop with the left-field release of ‘HEIS,’ many would have expected Rema’s follow-up releases to toe the same line. Instead, his next release, “Baby (Is It A Crime),” was a pivot to an R&B-adjacent sound that emphasized his attraction to a love interest. Released in February, months after he originally teased it, the song quickly became a hit thanks to his infectious verses and its lithe sample of Sade’s “Is It A Crime” from their 1985 album, ‘Promise.’ – W.O 

 

10. Amaarae – “S.M.O.”

In the span from ‘The Angel You Don’t Know’ to ‘Fountain Baby,’ Ghanaian-American star, Amaarae, distinguished herself as a peerless Pop visionary with her futuristic interpretations of Soul, Hip-Hop, and Rock. On her third album, ‘BLACK STAR,’ she deconstructs eras of Dance music, redefining their ebb and flow on her own terms. “S.M.O.,” one of the pre-released singles from ‘BLACK STAR’ carries the essence of her Dance detour. It is daring, forthright, and ridiculously catchy, the sort of song to listen to on loop in hopes of embodying the zesty sensuality and boundless energy that courses through Amaarae’s verses. – W.O

 

11. Famous PLuto, Shallipopi & Zerrydl – “Ewo”

The Uzama family have staged a coup on Afropop over the last three years thanks to their drawling South-South intonation, devil-may-care attitude,  and memorable slang that has endeared them to an ever-growing audience. In many ways, “Ewo” carries the evidence of all that makes them thrilling listens. Produced by Torye and King Ice, the brothers are in fine form as they pass the baton from one person to the next, reflecting on their blistering come-up, the lifestyle it affords them, and their fantasies. – W.O 

 

12. MOLIY, Silent Addy, Shensea, & Skillibeng – “Shake It To The Max (FLY)” 

Moliy was hard at work in late 2024, building momentum behind what has quickly become her biggest single yet and perhaps the biggest song from the continent so far this year. An uncomplicated viral dance challenge helped the original release become a regional hit. Still, it was the Shenseea and Skillibeng remix from earlier in the year that took the song to the next level. Now, even Cardi B is shaking it to the max. – B.A

 

13. Olamide, Young Jonn, Asake, Seyi Vibez ft. Daecolm  – “99” 

Very rarely does an Afropop Avengers lineup work. Most times, it’s always a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. But this one works a charm. Yung Willis’ House-inspired beat is soothing and groovy, making it a blissful backdrop for all the featured artists who bring something unique to the table without overstaying their welcome. Also, hats off to Daecolm. Star of the show. – B.A

 

14. Dlala Thukzin, Zee Nxumalo, SYKES – “Mali” 

The first instalment of Dlala Thukzin’s ‘031 Studio Camp’ series found the Durban star exploring the boundaries of 3-step and Afro-tech. The project produced “Ama Gear,” one of the standout songs of 2024. The second instalment of the series was released earlier this year, and it also came bearing another song of the year contender in “Mali.” The award-winning producer continues to impress with his prolific output and unwavering commitment to evolving the sound of South African Electronic music. – B.A

 

15. Jazzworx, Mahwoo, Thukuthela ft. GL_Ceejay – “Uzizwa Kanjan”

Johannesburg’s production duo Jazzworx and Thukuthela have been on an impressive run since the turn of the year, becoming one of 3-step’s most prominent flagbearers. “Uzizwa Kanjan,” which quickly became one of the most Shazamed songs in South Africa in only a few weeks of its release, is just one of the few hits they’ve been responsible for this year. The song perfectly captures the duo’s innovative fusion of multiple dance styles and the soothing feeling it evokes. – B.A

 

16. DJ Tunez, Wizkid & FOLA – “One Condition”

2025 has seen increased activity from Wizkid, with the Afropop titan taking things to a whole new level in terms of features and collaborations. On “One Condition,” long-term DJ and collaborator, DJ Tunez, orchestrates a cross-generational meeting of talents between Wizkid and rising singer, FOLA. Both singers combine for a languid dedication to attraction and living their best lives over a fizzing instrumental by Ozedikus. Wizkid starts things off with a vivid description of his ideal woman and the qualities he admires before FOLA takes over the mantle, displaying the emotive style that has won him thousands of  admirers over the last 18 months. – W.O

 

17. Joé Dwèt Filé ft. Burna Boy – “4 Kampé II” 

Originally released in October 2024, the re-up of  “4 Kampé” has breathed new life into the catchy tune. Teaming up with Burna Boy, rising Haitian act, Joé Dwèt Filé, invites the Afropop star into the heart of his celebratory track that shows that there’s always the possibility for magic when the Black diaspora unites. – W.O

Lojay Announces Long-Awaited Debut Album Titled ‘XOXO’

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

Lojay’s long-awaited debut album titled ‘XOXO’ is set for release on August 22. The Grammy-nominated singer, who made a name for himself a few years ago thanks to his fruitful partnership with ace producer Sarz, took to social media a couple of days ago to announce his album’s imminent arrival. “XOXO is everything I couldn’t say in a conversation,” he stated in an Instagram caption. “It’s messy, emotional, sexy and honest. I wanted it to feel like a late-night text you probably shouldn’t send… but you do anyway.’

The album’s lead single, “Somebody Like You,” a groovy number about unrequited love, was released earlier in February before the Odeal-assisted “Mwah” came about two months later. A new single from the album titled “Tenner” was released earlier today, building momentum behind arguably one of the more anticipated Afropop debut albums in recent times.

Teaming up with the rising producer Black Culture, “Tenner” finds Lojay in top form as he bellows smoothly over a House-inspired beat, weaving savvy, erotic and sometimes humorous lyrics together in a way only he can. “My inhaler, you dey blow my mind like hurricane,” he sings passionately, showering his muse with countless endearing similes.

While ‘XOXO’ is set to arrive as Lojay’s official debut album, it will be his third body of work since his breakthrough with 2021’s ‘LV N ATTN.’ Last year’s 4-track EP ‘Loveless’ with British-Ghanian producer came about a year after the release of ‘GANGSTER ROMANTIC,’ his solo debut project that produced popular singles like “MOTO” and “LEADER!.”

Listen to ‘Tenner’ here.

ARATHEJAY WANTS TO FIND GOD

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

AratheJay believes strongly in the divine. Born Samuel Ofei Ankrah Badu, the rising Ghanaian singer-songwriter speaks to me with certainty about the divine ordination of his musical journey when we catch up for a conversation one warm afternoon in April. This ironclad conviction is what has formed the bedrock of his music and career trajectory so far. It’s also what gives most of his songs a profound sense of dedication as he strives to channel a higher power in every note and lyric he sings. “As an individual, I believe God is always working and talking,” he tells me halfway into our conversation. “That’s why as a child of God, I also need to keep working and I need to keep putting out the message he’s passing across.” 

Yet even though AratheJay is certain about his purpose to make music, he hasn’t always been sure about what style of music to make. Before he made his official debut in 2021 with “Sankofa,” the singer had tried his hand at Jazz and Rap before eventually settling on a refreshing fusion of Afropop, Highlife and Rap, which he refers to as ‘world music.’ Following the release of his hit single “Sankofa,” the singer secured a remix with the bankable King Promise, before a couple of other singles – “CHOSEN” and “MY BABY” – and guest appearances established him as one of the most exciting names in Ghana’s music scene. 

Despite the success that AratheJay’s unique style has brought him, the singer doesn’t want to be tied down. Shortly before the release of his official debut project, ‘Finding Nimo Series: The Capsule,’ he adopted a fascinating alias called Nimo Constantine. A portmanteau inspired by Koo Nimo, a Ghanaian Highlife music legend and the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, this persona embodies the different sides of AratheJay, and was created to guide listeners through his continual evolution. ‘I’m on a journey with my audience, trying to find the accurate sound God wants me to put out,’ he explains the thought process behind his debut and the alias. “‘Finding Nimo’ is the album, but on that journey, I’m going to release a couple of projects that will lead into the album.” 

AratheJay has continued to extend his impressive streak in 2025, taking his divine message and sound across Ghana and even beyond the country’s Gold Coast. Following recent collaborations with Ghanaian acts like M.anifest and Quamina MP, he’s also teamed up with Nigerian stars like T.I Blaze and the Dangbana Republik huncho Bella Shmurda for a single titled “Fire.” We recently caught up with the Ghanaian rising star to discuss his remarkable journey so far, his debut project, and his plans for the future.

I learnt that you were born in Ghana, but you grew up in Kenya. Please tell me more about that.

Yeah, I was born in Ghana, but I grew up in Kenya. That’s where I learnt Swahili. Kenya taught me a lot about cultural appreciation, and that’s also where I met DJ Wils. I met a lot of other people in Kenya who were into Jamaican music. Wil specifically introduced me to Vybz Kartel and Popcaan. At the time, I didn’t have intentions of making music, even though some other people in my family did. Then, when I moved back to Ghana, I met a few friends who were always going to record in the studio, and that’s how I started recording as well. 

Do you remember the first song you put out?

Yeah, the first song I ever put out is a Jazz song called “Spite.” It’s still up on SoundCloud. I was doing quite a bit of Jazz when I first started putting out music. I’m quite open-minded when it comes to music. I’ve tried my hand at different genres. I believe I have to take my message to the world, regardless of what genre I’m making. 

What do you think drew you to Jazz early on?

I believe it’s the soul in it. I love Highlife music so much, and what makes me love it so much isn’t just the instrumentation but also the soulful vocals. There’s a certain depth to Highlife vocals that just touches you even if you don’t understand what is being said. For me, Jazz is similar. Aside from the cool instrumentation, it has a way of conveying a certain soulful feel, and I’m so big on that. 

You almost always have a mask on. Why is that?

Big love to the team and God Almighty, they are the reason why I even decided to show a part of my face. Initially, I wanted to cover my whole face because I believe the music is not about me. I just wanted people to focus on things I’m saying and not on me. I believe my music is intentionally crafted to impact lives, so I wasn’t really big on image at first. But thanks to my team, I decided to use the knitted mask. The mask has cowries, crosses and chains; those things all represent who AratheJay is. 

Your breakout moment came in 2021 with “Sankofa.” Can you tell me the inspiration behind that song and how it came together? 

Yeah, “Sankofa” is my first official release. At the time when I made it, I wasn’t even really trying to record music or put it out. But thanks to my team, some of them are people I’ve known since school – they saw something in me, and God saw something in me as well – and they encouraged me to keep going. So that’s where “Sankofa” came from, those moments of uncertainty. “Sankofa” means go and take it back. 

Your debut project, ‘Finding Nemo Series The Capsule,’ came two years after “Sankofa.” What was the process of putting together your first album like? 

As an individual, I believe God is always working and talking. That’s why as a child of God, I also need to keep working and I need to keep putting out the message he’s passing across. So, there was never any point in particular where I finally thought it was time to record a project. All the songs that made the ‘The Capsule’ are songs that were recorded along the way. Each track conveys a message that I believe God wanted me to convey at the time.

‘The Capsule’ is part of a project where we are trying to find Nimo. I’m on a journey with my audience, trying to find the accurate sound God wants me to put out. ‘Finding Nimo’ is the album, but on that journey, I’m going to release a couple of projects that will lead into the album. The first of the projects is ‘The Capsule,’ which came out last year.  The project is a variety of genres, themes, and feels, and I believe people enjoyed it. 

Just before you released ‘The Capsule,’ you adopted a persona called Nimo Constantine. How did you come up with this persona, and how does it tie into your ongoing series?

So Nimo is like the Highlife part of AratheJay. There’s someone in Ghana called Koo Nimo. He’s one of the pioneers of Highlife. So that’s where the idea for the Nimo part of the alias came from. Constantine is referring to King Constantine, the Roman emperor who introduced Christianity. That’s the spiritual part of my music. So Nimo Constantine is AratheJay expressing the different sides of himself basically. 

Themes of faith, spirituality and positivity come up a lot in your music a lot. I’m interested in knowing if you have a religious background or if Christianity and spirituality are something you found later in life. 

I had a religious background, but it’s more of a personal thing to me now. It gets to a point where it is not about what someone is saying, but about who you know God to be for yourself. When I got to that point, that’s when I realised there was something called purpose, and purpose is something given by God. 

Your recent collaboration with Bella Shmurda was pretty fire, no pun intended. Are there other Nigerian artists you would love to work with?

I’ll love to work with everybody. It’s my dream to send a message every time, so I can’t wait for the next opportunity to do that with a Nigerian artist. I love Brymo, Duncan Mighty, Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. I love everyone. Bella Shmurda recently introduced me to Burna Boy when I was in Nigeria. 

You mentioned that ‘The Capsule’ is the first instalment of the Finding Nemo series. When can fans expect the next instalment in the series?

So “Fire” with Bella Shmurda, “Jesus Christ 2” with Black Sherif and “Grenade” which was also released recently are all part of the next project in the series. The project will be out very soon. Very, very soon. 

Listen to “Alhaji Popping” here.

Best New Music: Rigo Kamp Flexes His Creative Range On “Check It”

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

Some of the best artists are hard to pin down. Artists who elude definitive categorisation, operating in those interstitial spaces where genres converge and new sounds emerge. Rigo Kamp is one of such artists. At the core of the Lagos-based singer’s appeal is his moving falsetto and a fluidity that allows him to navigate a wide spectrum of genres with compelling flair. A spirited Juju-inspired performance could be suspended for an ethereal Alt-Pop bridge before returning to the party, or he can seamlessly hop from Disco-Pop to soulful Jazz. There are no rules when it comes to his music, and he’s been able to prove that even with a lean discography.   

While “Summer/Morning Sun,” his two-pack drop from late 2024, offered a tantalizing glimpse into his diverse soundscape, it was his well-received eponymous debut EP from earlier in the year that truly exhibited his unique approach to making music. Songs like the vibrant opener “Marathon” to “Miss You,” a wistful number about an elusive love interest, really showcase the singer’s ability to straddle the lines between genres but still manage to create beautiful music. 

Now, building on the momentum of ‘Rigo Kamp,’ the singer has released his latest single titled “Check It.” The Under alum was recently announced as Most Likely To Dream Big by music distribution company United Masters Africa as part of a larger initiative, which includes an album titled ‘Most Likely’ set for release on July 18.  Here, he interjects his melodious vocal runs with silky, braggadocious raps about his elegant style and gushing love interests. “When I check in, it feels like a cameo, I pop out I no dey for all this iranu,” he raps with the effortless swagger of a seasoned MC, highlighting his flexibility as an artist as well as his growth in such a short period.  

Elsewhere, he deftly switches through multiple sing-rap flows to convey his amusing stream of consciousness. One minute, he’s humorously suggesting an intimate relationship with a friend, the next, he’s expressing his lack of fucks to give. It’s the perfect blend of groove, braggadocio, and humour all brought together on one song. 

Following the release of his debut “Summer/Morning Sun,” the singer stated in a press release that while his listeners might not be able to connect to him lyrically, his main aim is for them to feel something sonically. So far, it’s fair to say that he’s been able to keep to that objective. His eclectic songs have all managed to evoke a distinctive feeling of their own, and his latest addition, “Check It,” is no different. 

Listen to “Check It” here.

Brazilian Funk is Afropop’s Bouncy New Muse

Posted on by Patrick Ezema

After Skales captured the world’s attention with the belated success of “Shake Body” earlier this year, his next move was to freeze his moment in the sun with another smash. To do this, he needed a similarly punchy sound to capture the same market without being repetitive. He arrived on “D.L.L.Y (Dance Like Lamine Yamal),” an ebullient jam built on Brazilian Funk beats produced by Killertunes. Weeks later, Burna Boy became the latest Nigerian artist to connect with the genre via “TaTaTa,” a steamy club banger which features American rapper Travis Scott, with producer-cum-artist, Chilleaux (fka Chillz), behind the boards. The song became the most recent of several Nigerian songs in the last few years to dip into the energetic, audacious South American genre, as artists and producers seek to inject its novel energy into Afropop.

While Brazilian Funk is most famous for its thumping percussion, its Hip-Hop-inspired grittiness, and the frenzied, nearly abrasive rave parties it inspires, the genre as we know it is built on centuries of history and culture, and not all of it is celebratory. Brazilian Funk emerged from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and the urban peripheries of São Paulo, shaped by the experiences of Brazil’s Black underclass, many of whom are descendants of Africans forcibly enslaved by Portuguese colonizers during the transatlantic slave trade. Like American Hip-Hop, it was born from decades of systemic exclusion and economic hardship, becoming a symbol of both creative expression and resistance. It evolved to absorb Miami Bass, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, Electronic Dance Music, and more into its unique structure. 

Even today, Brazilian Funk still brushes up against the law, the police, and upper-class society who associate the genre with crime and decadence. In 2019, DJ Rennan de Penha was arrested and later released for offences related to drug trafficking, a move believed to have been rooted in racial bias. Earlier this year, conservative lawmakers passed a bill to stop government funding to artists who promote criminals or criminal activity in their music, targeting specific subgenres of Brazilian Funk. Nicknamed the “Anti-Oruam” bill (after trapper Mauro Davi dos Santos Nepomuceno, AKA Oruam), the legislation directly targets Funk Proibidão and Funk Ostentação, genres often criticized for glamorizing gang violence and lavish wealth. 

Still, Brazilian Funk has continued to flourish within Brazil. And outside its borders, Funk has made many global excursions – the most recent of which has happened in the last few years, propelled by the sound gaining TikTok virality. Brazilian Funk is now more of an umbrella term than a specific genre, like Pop or Afrobeats, having expanded to birth multiple offspring. Baile (or “dance party”) Funk originated from Rio de Janeiro, earning it the nickname of Funk Carioca; it often utilises socially conscious lyrics that depict life in the favela. Funk Paulista (from São Paulo) is often referred to as funk ostentação (or ostentatious funk) and features more upbeat themes around fast cars and flashy jewellery. Other Brazilian cities imprint the genre with their unique flair: Funk Mandelão is hard-hitting and expressive, while Brega Funk from Northeast Brazil is more loose and unpredictable. 

As the genre gains prominence and popularity, it inevitably invites innovation and reinvention from all over the world. Brazilian Phonk is a Funk-inspired genre with tentacles all over the Americas and beyond, with each song built over the near-identical abstract bounces that have become the soundtrack to millions of TikTok videos. American Rap titans have also caught the bug in the recent past – from Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion on “Bongos” to Travis Scott on “K-POP” – as the genre continues to grow in stature. Nigerian music, too, being as shape-shifting as ever, has adopted Brazilian Funk in recent years. But it has done so with some hesitation, as artists approach this new genre to see how it can expand Afropop’s sound. 

Teni’s last album, ‘Tears of the Sun,’ opens with the genre on “YBGFA,” where Teni’s self-expository musings are set to a basic Baile Funk beat bearing the characteristic tap-tap rhythm that is the hallmark of the genre, but producer Rymez steers clear of any other embellishments; a safe yet satisfactory exploration. For “Naija Funk,” Aykbeats leans into the Rap-readiness of the genre, as PsychoYP is joined by frequent collaborator Azanti for a tale of brotherhood while a gentle Baile Funk beat unfurls unobtrusively. 

Tha Undisputed Champion (T.U.C.), who produced “Free of Charge,” a recent collaboration between Joeboy and Olamide, believes that Nigerian artists are still relatively cautious about the genre. “They haven’t fully accepted it,” he says.“I’m sure they are waiting for more people to try it and see it work before they get on it.” The visionary disruptors in any artistic scene do so at a certain risk: when it works, they become pioneers, but if the audience does not resonate with the experiment, it can backfire quite badly. 

For T.U.C., real name Hyacinth Obidi, these genre-bending explorations are the high point of music production, and they led him to Brazilian Funk: “I always like to try new things,” he notes. “I’ve always been fusing genres, it makes me happy whenever I try an idea and it comes out nice. In my quest to discover something different, I tried Baile, and “Free Of Charge” is one of the products.” While the rest of the industry plays catch-up, several artists are breaking the mold. Aside from these three songs, the synergistic pair of Melvitto and Gabzy paid homage on “Brazil,” off Gabzy’s 2020 EP, ‘Malone,’ while Ruger and Tiwa Savage’s “Toma Toma,” a Funk Paulista-Afropop joint, was among the highlights of last year’s Detty December season. 

With “Free of Charge” and “D.L.L.Y.,” Joeboy, Olamide and Skales make a more conscious effort to indigenize the genre. While percussion is immutable, they add a texture that feels decidedly African: in the latter, it’s the strings, and for the former, Olamide’s quippy verse. Asake’s “Whine,” off his recent album, ‘Lungu Boy,’ is more Pop than Funk, but it draws heavily from the Brazilian genre, as he taps up singer Ludmilla to star in a spirited video shot on Rio de Janeiro’s pristine beaches and favelas.

Killertunes, born Otaniyen-Uwa Daniel, produced “D.L.L.Y.” with no great expectation. “I discovered Brazilian Funk via a Spotify playlist,” he tells me. “I made the beat so I would have one extra content to post on my Instagram story that evening. Skales reached out for the beat about thirty minutes after I posted it, and he recorded two days later.” He describes Brazilian Funk as “basically distorted dance music” and believes its kinetic bounce endears it to Nigeria’s dance-loving audience. He lists several Nigerian songs that share a similar feel, going on to become major hits: “Shoknorris” by Sarz and Burna Boy, “Shoki” by Lil Kesh, “Skelewu” by Davido, “Ukwu” by Timaya, “Beat of Life” by Sarz and Wizkid.”

For Chilleaux, discovering Brazilian Funk was a little more intentional. “Years of research led me to Baille Funk,” he says. “From the days of listening to Sangobeats on SoundCloud circa 2012, 2013, to reconnecting with the sound recently. I like how effortlessly catchy and groovy its beats are.” The producer, who recently released his own single “Skooby Snack,” thrives on versatility and experimentation. “As a creator, sometimes you just go with the flow. Burna strikes me as an artist who has never been one to conform, and I am someone who loves to experiment, so it was the perfect playground.” Also along for the ride is Travis Scott for a sequel to his “K-POP,” and Chilleaux was surprised when he received the verse. “In one of the final arrangement sessions, he had asked me to leave a space for a feature, and I didn’t think much of it at the time. A few weeks later, it was Travis Scott!” 

Chilleaux believes that Nigeria and Brazil’s musical connection flows from the same cultural core. “Music from Africa and Brazil generally possesses similar groove patterns and time signatures,” he explains. “From what I’ve heard, Brazilian culture as a whole is heavily influenced by West African culture, from the food to religion and music.” Indeed, Nigeria and Brazil share a cultural history that runs deep, but the bottom of it is dark: the transatlantic slave trade. Portuguese slave ships forcefully transported Nigerians, especially of Yoruba origin, to Brazil beginning in the 16th century.

These settlers and their descendants fought to preserve their culture, identity, and, especially, their religion. They continued their worship of Òrìsà, albeit covertly, and preserved this heritage through generations, in a religion now known as Candomblé. As such, modern-day Brazil is now a significant convergence point for Yoruba culture. In 2018, Rio De Janeiro adopted Yoruba as a foreign language, while the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, visited Salvador in 2023 as part of a move to enhance relations amongst the Yoruba-speaking communities of home and abroad. 

Will the Afropop-Brazil connection grow even further and become the next Nigerian gem? Killertunes is sure it will. “I know it will become popular here. We’ve had other crazy dance music in the past,” he asserts. For T.U.C., that answer is a little less certain. “Nobody can tell what will and what won’t work, you only have to keep creating and making sure your next work is better than the previous one. If you try it and the fans don’t resonate with it, you go back to the drawing board.” 

Chilleaux shares similar sentiments. “It’s hard to say at this point, but a banger is a banger. All bangers are welcome,” he says. One thing is sure, though. Brazilian Funk has given Nigerian creators an opportunity to imagine Afropop a little differently, and it serves as a reminder of music’s capacity to build bridges across continents and cultures.

Ayo Edebiri Makes Emmy History With Nominations For Acting and Directing 

Posted on by Wale Oloworekende

American-Nigerian actress, Ayo Edebiri, has made Emmy history by becoming the first woman ever to be nominated for both lead acting and directing in a comedy series in the same year. She earned the nominations for her work on the hit comedy-drama TV series, The Bear. 

Edebiri earned a nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role as Sydney Adamu in season three of The Bear. She also picked up her first-ever directing nomination for the evocative episode “Napkins,” which also marked her directorial debut. Impressively, it is the second successive nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for Edebiri. 

In total, The Bear received 13 nominations for its third season, down from last year’s record-setting tally of 23. It brings the FX series’ total to 49 Emmy noms across three seasons. For the first two seasons, The Bear has won 21 Emmys. The show focuses on a chef and his staff attempting to turn a family-owned sandwich restaurant into a fine-dining establishment. 

Impressively, another American-Nigerian actress, Uzo Aduba, picked up a best comedy actress Emmy nomination for her work as eccentric detective Cordelia Cupp in the Netflix murder mystery, The Residence.

In 2014, Aduba won an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on Orange Is the New Black, and a year later won the Emmy for outstanding actress in a drama for the same role.

The NATIVE’s First Impressions Of Burna Boy’s ‘No Sign Of Weakness’

Posted on by The Native

Earlier this week, we published a ranking of Burna Boy’s albums, and a point stressed is that Burna’s most intense moments of introspection and self-adulation have occurred within the confines of his albums. Another point that needs to be made is that he has been the defining Afropop act of the last seven years. A lot of that has had to do with the strength of his catalogue and the sense of occasion that followed every successive Burna Boy release. There are few equivalents to the run from ‘Outside’ to ‘Twice As Tall’ on a lyrical and thematic level. 

The dynamic of Burna Boy having a chip on his shoulder used to add an heightened dose of anticipation to contending with his album. As the years have passed and his successes have become outsized, the need to prove himself has mellowed as he moves to more celebratory themes as motivation for his work. On ‘No Sign Of Weakness,’  his eighth album, that status quo is largely maintained. It’s intended as a message from the pinnacle of the genre. For Burna lovers, it’s meant to assure them that he remains at the cutting edge of the genre, while his foes are to be reminded that his rage and disregard for them have, in fact, not cooled.  

After a couple of listens, the team offers our reflections on Burna Boy’s latest album. 

WHAT WERE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF BURNA BOY GOING INTO THIS ALBUM?

Boluwatife: This was maybe the first time I wasn’t excited about going into a new Burna Boy album since 2019. Most of the pre-released singles didn’t do it for me, but I guess I was still holding on to some hope that it’ll all come together when the album is finally released.

Shina: To be honest, I didn’t have much of an expectation going into the album. The singles have mainly been underwhelming, so I wasn’t expecting anything crazy. But that first track was like a jolt to my ears; I wasn’t expecting that at all.

WHAT SONGS STOOD OUT ON THE FIRST LISTEN?

Wale: I liked the Shaboozey collab, “Change Your Mind.” I feel like it enlivened Burna Boy and pushed him to a new level, and it was a homecoming of sorts for Shaboozey. “No Panic” was a strong opener as well, and I enjoyed the drumming on that track, which also had shades of afrobeat. The flow Burna used on “No Panic” took me back to a different time in his career when he was keen on proving himself. 

Daniel Banjoko: “TaTaTa”  surprisingly worked a lot better than I thought it would.  I was curious as to how Burna Boy and Travis [Scott] would meld their distinct sounds together, and the Brazilian funk beat did the job of really giving us the best of both worlds.

Moore: “Empty Chairs” immediately pulled me in. Something is haunting and intimate about it. Burna sounds raw in a way that feels personal and stripped down. Mick Jagger’s raspy vocals give it this unexpected, soulful texture that lingers long after the track ends. It’s an unlikely pairing on paper, but it works beautifully.,

WHAT SONG IS THE BIGGEST SKIP? 

Moore: Probably “Pardon” featuring Stromae. Stromae’s contribution is actually the highlight for me, but overall it feels a bit underwhelming compared to the weight and energy of the rest of the album.

Sien: The biggest skip for me is “Change Your Mind.”

HOW WELL DO YOU THINK THE GUEST APPEARANCES ENHANCED THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE?

Moore: The guest appearances add layers and texture throughout the album. Some artists like Shaboozey were complimentary, while others contrasted and broke up the pacing in a good way. A few songs might have felt repetitive without these features, but these features helped the album feel more versatile.

Sien: I’ll give credit to Burna Boy for this because it feels like every feature was properly thought out with the artists gliding on the songs. 

Daniel Banjoko: I would have to go with ‘Dem Dey’ since there’s already been quite a lot of anticipation around the track’s release. Also, considering the controversial events that inspired the full track itself, a lot of people would be playing it.

WHAT SONG HAS THE BIGGEST HIT POTENTIAL?

Wale: I think “Empty Chairs” could be the one. It’s really interesting how he dovetailed with Mick Jagger on that one. The rock section was a nice touch, but I really liked the lyricism as well. Very few Nigerian acts can come up with that level of clear-eyed critique of the socio-economic situation of Nigeria. Within the album, “Update” sounds groovy. It’s the sort of song that I expect to go off in clubs. 

Shina:  It’s so hard to pick. Aside from the already pre-released singles, I think maybe the First Track, “No Panic” or “Empty Chairs”. Fans have been patiently waiting for “Empty Chairs” to drop, and I won’t lie, it didn’t disappoint. I have just a few issues with the Mick Jagger sample, but the song still holds some weight and seems to be doing well on the charts. “Dem Dey” is a good shout too. 

OVERALL FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Wale: I think it’s a serviceable listen, but it feels uneven like Burna Boy is presenting a performance to convince folks that there’s no sign of weakness in his armour. Ultimately, there are many songs I would be adding to my regular rotation, but it’s a dispatch from the top of the mountain that doesn’t quite match the best I’ve heard of Burna Boy. 

Shina: Generally, I think it’s an okay album. I wish Burna had gone all out with curating songs that fit in with the title to tell a wholesome story. It would’ve been nice to hear more about Burna’s struggles with vulnerability and overcoming weakness.  Only a few songs attest to the album title. It’s a decent listen all-round, definitely not the best I’ve heard from Burna. 

Listen to ‘No Sign Of Weakness’ here. 

Odeal’s The Summer That Saved Me’ Is An Ode To Dynamism 

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

Odeal has released a new project titled ‘The Summer That Saved Me.’ The EP, his second release since joining the LVRN roster, comes just eight months after his last drop, ‘Lustropolis.’ The British-Nigerian singer has had a fruitful past year and a half or so, releasing a string of well-received singles (“Gaslight 101,” “ONOME,” “Soh-Soh”) that culminated in sold-out shows across the globe and a well-deserved Best Newcomer and Best R&B/Soul Act wins at the 2025 MOBO Awards.

Looking to keep his impressive momentum going, the first single from his new project, “London Summers,” arrived in late June. The Amapiano-inspired single was followed by a short film also titled ‘The Summer That Saved Me.’ In a recent interview discussing the new EP, the award-winning singer explains how his globetrotting efforts inspired this new project. “It’s the soundtrack to summer where you might be coming back from the club early in the morning, and it’s like a drive, or maybe you want to turn up, get to the club, or you might just be at the beach and you want to chill, or you might even be cleaning the house on a Sunday. I’ve taken inspiration from all the different places I’ve been.”

True to his word, ‘The Summer That Saved Me’ sounds arguably more eclectic than any other project Odeal has put out in the past. While none of the songs lose the balmy and soothing feel that has made his music so appealing, they all sound unique and dynamic in their way. “Miami,” the acoustic opener, which features American R&B star Leon Thomas, is a sultry affair that would perfectly soundtrack a sunset at the beach, while “In the Chair,” which sounds like a throwback to the 2000s R&B era, would make good background music while you’re cleaning the house on a Sunday. 

Aside from Leon Thomas, who is the only featured artist on the EP, producers like Shae Jacobs, Harry Westlake, Ezra Skys, P2J, and Finn Wigan also contribute across the project’s 7 tracks. 

Listen to the new ‘The Summer That Saved Me’ here. 

Review: Samthing Soweto’s “Touch is a Move (Good Morning)”

Posted on by Mayuyuka Kaunda

From his beginnings with the a capella outfit The Soil, and a dalliance with the off-kilter band The Fridge, Samthing Soweto has drawn from gumba fire, poetry, Alt-Jazz and Folk, to soundtrack the realities of our contemporary times. These aural strands have contributed to a catalogue that weaves sensation and observation together in ways that are both delicate and pronounced. Like his diverse palette, Samthing Soweto’s strong suit is his ability to communicate from a range of vantage points. 

One such instance is his trope-flipping lyricism on Sun-El Musician’s “Akanamali,” a breakout hit that brought him mainstream success. Offering a more upbeat version of the artist without sacrificing his propensity for aligning narrative with beguiling harmony, this fusion of Amapiano, Afropop, and R&B was maintained on his debut release, ‘Isphithithi.’ This project housed standout songs like the Makhafula Vilakazi-featuring “Omama Bomthandazo,” “AmaDM,” and “Akulaleki,” crafted alongside ‘piano pioneers, Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.

Shaking up dancefloors, the streets, and the charts was somewhat of a departure for Samthing Soweto as his music often resisted classification and occupied the peripheries, as EPs ‘This N That Without Tempo’ and ‘Eb’suku’ do. It’s in this context that this second LP exists, with Samthing Soweto once more eschewing the allure of a template by side-stepping the format employed on ‘Isphithithi.’

2025’s ‘Touch Is A Move (Good Morning)’ sees a musical shift as Samthing Soweto soulfully wades across more measured compositions helmed by producers like J Smash, Christer, and John Lundun. There are touches of Afropop, Jazz, Amapiano, Kwaito, and Hip-Hop here, in a signature defiance of the conventions of genre. Offering navigations of the personal, familial, and communal, Samthing Soweto addresses romance, responsibility, and self-determination. Rooted in the multi-faceted artist’s penchant for storytelling, this is a stirring collection of love letters to music, family, and his wider environment. 

What sets this project apart is its attention to the temporal, as Soweto (the township) functions as the backdrop for a typical day in the life of a young Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba. While the past is evoked to draw out lessons of life and love, Samthing acts as our tour guide through the specific feelings and experiences informed by his locale. In some ways, this is the autobiographical wrapped in airy melody and augmented by theatrical interludes that recount regular domestic interactions. 

This invitation for us to eavesdrop on Soweto the man and be flies on the wall of Soweto the place, imbues the album with a keen interactivity. It also speaks to the sense of community espoused in the ‘(Good Morning)’ portion of the album title. As much as the rituals of youth shaped Samthing Soweto as a person, this ceremonial greeting of his online audience helped formulate this cinematic sophomore release. More than just addressing fans, these morning salutations maintained our collective relationship with Soweto, and extended to teased snippets that gauged the preferences of listeners. This appreciation for connection, at least in part, contributed to the iterative process that characterised a project five years in the making since his groundbreaking debut.

Although ‘Isphithithi’ garnered both critical and audience acclaim, a subsequent retreat following 2020’s Danko! EP left a Samthing Soweto-shaped void across the African music ecosystem. It is to this withdrawal into his own spaces, however, that we owe gratitude for ‘Touch Is A Move (Good Morning).’ His hiatus would coincide with intimate reflections on the different forms that love takes, from the parental and cultural to the nourishing and spiritual. These ruminations not only anchor this treatise but also serve as an embodiment of Samthing Soweto’s ethos. Because ‘Touch Is A Move’ is the result of several phases of editing, this is the manifesto of a 37-year-old singer-songwriter who’s had to labour in love. So while we witness young Samkelo’s growth across a symbolic Soweto day, his personal development is matched by this album’s occupation with cultivation. 

Every touch being a move speaks precisely to this act of learning, re-learning, and unlearning; not just about oneself and one’s loved ones, but also about one’s surroundings and craft. If there are any questions threaded through ‘Touch Is A Move,’ they are what, where, and who we look towards to gauge our evolution. Across the album’s 17 tracks, Samthing points to music, Soweto, and people like uGogo, uMama, bhut’ Lungisa, sis’ Amina, and sis’ BhiBhi as his touchpoints. These characters are central to interludes whose cross-generational interactions mimic the movement of pieces across a board game. They also inform the singer’s broad artistic palette, an amalgam of Gospel, Kwaito, R&B, Jazz, spoken word, and Amapiano, that itself serves as an avatar for the cosmopolitanism of Soweto township. It’s within these microcosms that the artist deftly posits community as the source of ritual, value adoption, and musical inclination.  

The stories that follow weave between the nostalgic and the now, with Samthing Soweto’s thoughts and feelings seemingly dictated by the time of day. There’s the perspective of a new father on “Amagents,” both a commentary on gender dynamics and a warning to a daughter about the downside of romantic relations. That protective element also shines through on “Deda,” itself a plea for a loved one’s safe return home. The appreciation of culture on “Indandatho,” which posits lobola (bride price) as a celebration of love and tradition, is juxtaposed against more contemporary cultural iconography, with the BMW Gusheshe taking centre stage on the flirtatious, Blxckie-assisted “325.” The vulnerability expressed on the album is palpable on songs like “Ngicela Sithandane” and “Yebo (Ngiyazifela),” which explore a desire to be cared for and the insecurities that can sprout during a relationship.

It’s the spirituality of album closer “Goodnight” that best encapsulates the play between interiority and externality on ‘Touch Is A Move.’ This journey may be soundtracked by Samthing Soweto, but it is taken in unison with a maturing Samkelo. As he ponders a day flush with the rich experiences of his family life and the township, it’s uGogo who summons the night with prayer. Despite making moves out in the world, it’s in his home, the blessings of his kinfolk, and the bosom of God that he seeks refuge. Ultimately, ‘Touch Is A Move (Good Morning)’ is a portrait of Samthing Soweto journeying in perpetual motion, but always finding his way back to where he belongs.  

Listen to ‘Touch Is A Move (Good Morning)’ here. 

Maleek Berry Embraces Rebirth On ‘If Only Love Was Enough’

Posted on by Boluwatife Adeyemi

Most producers can put in their ten thousand hours on Fruity Loops and still never come close to creating the magic that Maleek Berry did on his debut “The Matter.” This single was released in 2013, a time when Wizkid was on an impeccable run, but even he couldn’t outdo Maleek Berry on “The Matter.” Regarded by many as a modern classic, the song’s enduring quality is credited as much to the 37-year-old producer’s pounding drums and fuzzy synth notes as it is to Wizkid’s memorable performance. “The Matter” kick-started a fruitful partnership between the two, making Maleek Berry one of the most sought-after producers around. In the years that followed, the producer began to step to the forefront of his music, releasing a few singles like “They Know (Wan Mo)” and “For My People” with British rapper Sneakbo, but it wasn’t until a few years later that he truly came into his own. 

In late 2016, Maleek Berry released his debut EP ‘Last Daze Of Summer.’ While his hit single “Kontrol” from earlier that year had given listeners a taste of his bouncy and warm strain of Afropop, it was on that debut project that he truly expounded on this unique sound that evoked the twilight bliss of summertime. Cuts like “Eko Miami” and “Flexin” fully capture this distinct and nostalgic sound that 2016 continues to be remembered for. Two years later, he released ‘First Daze Of Winter,’ another 6-track EP that served as a sort of antithesis to his debut. His sophomore EP introduced a moodier side to his sound, but the music never lost the kinetic bounce that made his songs so catchy and fun. 

After years of continuous experimentation, fusing different elements from Afropop, R&B, to Grime and Garage, Maleek Berry has just released his long-awaited debut album ‘If Only Love Was Enough.’ The album comes four years after his last project, ‘Isolation Room,’ marking a significant moment in Maleek Berry’s decade-long career as well as a welcome comeback after an extended period of inactivity. A couple of weeks after the release of ‘If Only Love Was Enough,’ we caught up with the producer-turned-artist, discussing the journey it took to finally deliver his debut album, his South London background, his love for fashion and much more. 

It’s been a few days since the release of your debut album, ‘If Only Love Was Enough.’ How do you feel?

It feels amazing to finally give the world the music. It’s a relief, and I also feel that at the time where we are right now in Afrobeats, there needs to be a shift in sound and sonics. So it feels good, and the right time to release. 

You’ve released three EPs before this new album. Why did you think it was time to finally release your debut album?

Delay, to best put it. I’ve always wanted to drop an album, but I have a lot more respect for albums than the average person. So I didn’t want to put out a full LP till I was ready, and I also wanted to be in a certain business position where I would be able to put out the album the way I want to put it out. I spent a lot of time restructuring and getting my business in order. One of the most important things I had to do was create my imprint, Berry’s Room (Maleek Berry’s record label). I felt like this was finally the time for it. As they say, delay is not denial. 

I’d like to know how your background as a Nigerian growing up in South London shaped your sound early on, and how you think that sound has evolved over the years. 

During the time when I was raised in South London, it wasn’t necessarily cool to be African. But I was raised in a family where we were encouraged to be proud of our roots. I come from a family that has a strong history as well. So I never lost my identity, and I think that gave me some form of strength in the way I approached my music early on. It also added to my strengths in understanding how to make global music. From my maternal side, we’re from Ijebu, and from my paternal side, we’re from Abeokuta. Having that deep, strong connection to our heritage, as well as meeting so many different people, gave me a wider perspective and view on music. 

My sound has evolved from what it used to be. I’ll say it’s a lot more mature now. I’m not trying to be someone that I’m not. I’ve always tried to understand my strengths and weaknesses, and now, as I evolve, I just try to own my strengths even more and blend all the music I grew up listening to, whether it’s Afrobeats, R&B, Fuji, Juju or Grime and Garage. 

What was the inspiration behind the title for your new album, ‘If Only Love Was Enough’?

I know the title is a mouthful, but I feel like it speaks for itself. I’ve always wanted to make an album with a provocative title. I feel like everyone can relate to that. Just to give an example, I was on a podcast the other day, and there was an argument about whether love was enough, so I posed a question to one of the ladies on there: If love was enough, would you allow your partner propose to you with a Haribo ring? I asked that question just to show that there are deeper things to consider. There are things like emotional intelligence, the pressure to be successful pretty early as a man and many other things. So it’s like a mix of ambition and trying to find love. 

You spent a lot of time in Nigeria making this album. Was that a deliberate decision, or was it simply circumstantial?

I was shuffling back and forth between the UK and Nigeria while I was making this album. A lot of the cultural sounding songs like “Biggie Man,” “Lagos Party,” I had to come back home to finish those songs. Something was missing in those songs, and I felt like for me to give my all, I needed to be back home. The weather, being around live local music, hearing the percussion and grooves again, just helped me get back into that energy, and I’m very happy I did that. A lot of those songs, I didn’t like how they were sounding before, but now they sound amazing to me. 

You collaborated with a few different artists on this album, but I’d like to speak about Wizkid. How do you think your musical relationship with him has evolved over the years?

We’ve both grown so much musically. He’s a global superstar now, but our musical relationship hasn’t changed much. We’ve both had a love for music that’s true. Wiz has always been a big fan of R&B and songwriting and stuff like that. So whenever we get together and make music, it feels like two kids at the playground just playing. It feels natural, organic. Before I finished this album, when I was in Lagos, I played him some of the updated songs. He’s heard different versions of these songs because he’s been one of the people who’s been pushing me to drop this album. 

I’m also curious about your relationship with Legendury Beatz, who are the only other credited producer on the album aside from you. 

Legendury Beatz are some of the only producers that I can work with, and I know that I can go to sleep knowing I’ll wake up to a hit. I know I’m going to get quality, premium-standard production from those guys. It’s interesting because “Situation,” with Wizkid, is like a full-circle moment. Back in the day, we came with Wiz, and Starboy, that whole production camp, we were almost untouchable. Coming up with them and having this song with Wizkid now, where they produced the song, it’s like the best feeling for me ever. 

Do you have a favourite song on the album?

A personal favourite will probably be “The Pain,” the last song on the album. 

Outside of music, I learnt you’re into fashion and tech. Can you tell me a bit more about those interests?

I’m a super tech enthusiast. It’s no secret that I’m a computer science graduate. I’m a little bit of a nerd at heart. At Berry’s Room, we’re trying to infuse tech into what we’re doing musically. That’s something I’m going to be talking about more in the future. I’m super interested in what’s going on in the tech space in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. At the moment, we’ve also secured a partnership with a distribution company to build a pipeline that’ll help distribute for the next generation of African talent. We’re doing a lot of exciting things. 

I’ve always been a fashion guy as well, even though you might not see me at Fashion Week. Back in the day, I used to go to visit The Sartorialist website a lot, and I’ll just learn a lot about the fashion industry and culture. 

If your listeners and fans could take away one emotion from your album, what would you want it to be?

Joy.

Listen to ‘If Only Love Was Enough’ here.

uNder Spotlight: Fimi Is Here to Give You What You’ve Been Craving

Posted on by Melony Akpoghene

Before she had a name for it, Fimi was already rapping. Raised by two pastors in a devout Christian household in Oshogbo with limited access to secular music, she found her flow from experimenting with the church keyboard. 

Hip-Hop is an exciting genre. But it becomes most alive when someone equally as exciting appears and bends it back toward itself. You listen to Fimi and realize quickly: this is a generative force. Armed with a chameleonic flow layered with wit and rhythm, she’s mastered the kind of theatrical, narrative-driven rap that keeps you alert, shifting tone and cadence mid-verse to heighten the emotion or drop a surprise. Even with a modest catalogue, the range and promise are watertight with singles like “BEEF” concretising her tenacity and “Halo” hinting at an artist attuned to her interiority. 

The NATIVE chatted with the rapper about self-belief, giving listeners what they’ve been seeking, and her drive to always do what she wants.

What’s your first memory of falling in love with Hip-Hop?

My interest in music started in church. I grew up in Oshogbo, Osun State, and both my parents are pastors. I was in the choir, so I had access to the church keyboard, and I’d always play around with it, write some rhymes; I wasn’t even sure I was rapping, I just knew I was doing something musical, and it felt good. Fast forward to 2012, when the Disney movie Let It Shine came out, and that was when I realized I wanted to rap. I wanted to be like the main character, Truth, so badly. He was a pastor’s kid and a rapper; that inspired me.

I wish I had a more interesting story to tell, like, “I was always in my room listening to Tupac.” But I grew up in Oshogbo. I don’t know if it was the city or just the fact that my parents are pastors, but I didn’t have access to all those ‘worldly’ things, if you know what I mean. 

When I listen to you, I hear a bit of Doechii, Nicki Minaj, and Eminem. “Hey Shawy” blew me away. What kind of rapper are you, with regards to your stylistic choices?

“Hey Shawy” was heavily inspired by Eminem. At the time, I was trying out different genres and rap techniques. I do that a lot; I’ll pick an artist as a case study and study how they rap: their rhyme schemes, cadences, patterns. Then I’ll try to do my version of it. With “Hey Shawy,” Eminem was my playbook. When it comes to my rap style, I wouldn’t say I have one fixed style. I don’t want to box myself in. I’m always evolving.

How would you describe where Nigerian Hip-Hop is right now, and do you think you’re arriving at an exciting time?

Yes, I’m happy to be here right now, for selfish reasons, to be honest. I feel like I’m arriving at a time when people’s ears are desperate for new sounds, and I genuinely believe I’m bringing what they’ve been craving. Hip-Hop is exciting right now, also a little different, and I celebrate that. I love that people are free to express their creativity however they want. Just like Afrobeats is having its moment right now, I believe Nigerian Hip-Hop can have its moment very soon. It’s closer than we think.

Who are your favourite rappers?

I love Nicki Minaj. She was my first real exposure to rap. I mean, I knew Weird MC and I’d heard of “Ijoya,” but to be honest, I didn’t know at that time that Weird MC was a woman. I honestly thought she was a man. But Nicki? It was the first time I saw a woman rap. I remember always watching the “Anaconda” video–partially for the nudity–but mostly because I was inspired that a woman was doing what I wanted to do. Other favorites, off the top of my head, are Eva Alordiah and Ladipoe. I wouldn’t say ODUMODUBLVCK, but I respect the uniqueness he’s bringing to the game. I’m obsessed with Doja Cat. I love it when artists carry their sense of humor into their art. Shoutout to Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Tierra Whack, Doechii, Qveen Herbie, and Tyler, The Creator. 

Your style has such a nostalgic but avant-garde vibe to it. What’s the intention behind that?

I try to stay connected to my roots in everything I do. Whether I’m rapping or dressing up, I like to infuse my culture, which is Yoruba. I’m a Yoruba girl, and I always want to represent that. With my style, the things I wear now are actually what I used to wear as a kid: church hats, iro and buba, lace, native fabrics, etc. I’ve just made them look better and more feminine. It’s really important to me to stay in touch with my roots as much as possible.

In “Welcome to Therapy,” you state that to win, you have to ‘make it through the man’s world.’ What can the industry and listeners do to better support women in rap?

I’m very passionate about this. First of all, as a woman in the industry, I want to break the pressure to fit into a box. I’ve noticed that there’s a way women are expected to sound, to think, and to look. My mantra, now and forever, is to do whatever I want to do. 

Listeners, stop calling us “female rappers.” We’re all just rappers. I want people to listen. People get distracted by what they see. They focus on our bodies, our clothes, and our appearance, instead of the music. I want people to listen to the delivery, to the pen, to the things we’re saying. Don’t let superficial things distract you from the art. Also, stop comparing us to one another. It happens way too often with women. Even Chloe and Halle [Bailey] get compared, and they’re sisters. Let women have their lanes without constantly being pitted against each other.

As for the industry, it needs to let women do what they want to do, creatively, visually, musically, and support us when we do. There’s a huge emphasis on physicality. It’s like it wants us to sell our bodies, not our music. Shoutout to women who do genuinely want to express themselves in that way, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But not every woman wants to take that route, and that should be just as valid.

Any upcoming projects we should be keeping an eye out for?

I’m staying mysterious. Just know something’s coming.

What kind of lasting cultural impact do you want Fimi to have?

The greatest, most fulfilling impact I want my music and my image to have is on the younger generation. I want to inspire people the same way Nicki Minaj inspired me. When I was younger, she struck something in me. I looked up to her, and she made me feel like what I dreamed of doing was possible. That’s exactly what I want to do for young women who think rap isn’t for them, that it’s a “man’s thing.” I want them to see me and think, “If Fimi can do it, then I can do it too.”