Rap Song of the Week: Sizz The Truth’s “Be Yourself” is an ode to trusting the process

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Like his name implies, Sizz the Truth underpins his raps with a personal sincerity. Across his impressive new EP, ‘Greyskies Are Smokescreens’, the Ghanaian rapper displays his adeptness at weaving interesting stories, but as standout track “Be Yourself” shows, Sizz is at his best when he’s passing out his truths and distilling them into life lessons. On the enthralling “Be Yourself”, he delivers a personalised TED talk on the virtue and difficulty of sticking to his ideals as an artist, over an immaculate chipmunk sample and sturdy boom bap drums.

Being a rapper in a space where rap music is seldom the fastest route to mainstream acclaim, there’s always doubters and even well-meaning associates who would advise a switch in sound to improve the chances of breaking out. For Sizz, the thought of changing is not something he’s accommodating. “Niggas hit me up like, ‘Sizz you the next star, but you gotta do it like this make you catch fire'”, he mimics on the searing second verse, going on to reiterate that he won’t acquiesce to anything or anyone that will compromise his vision.

Beyond his unwavering determination, though, Sizz’s admission of his own uncertainties at the song’s end, humanises him in the best way possible. It’s in that quick but captivating sequence—“paused by doubt sey my dreams go fit come to pass…self doubt is admitted but i stay committed”—that “Be Yourself” transcends into a soul-reaching and relatable ode to trusting the process.

Listen to “Be Yourself” here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/Sizzthetruth

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Songs of the day: New music from Stonebwoy, Darkoo, Drummer Queen, Kida Kudz, and more

Posted on by The Native

The fast and furious pace of new music releases makes it hard to keep track of all different new sounds coming out of Africa as the music scene grows more and more expansive. We’ve decided to help out by sorting through all the new songs from across all the platforms and subgenres around the continent to curate a column with all the best  “Songs of the Day”, to highlight all the new releases you absolutely NEED to hear.

Last week, we got new music from TMXO, Sauti Sol, Nxwrth, Sho Madjozi, Cuppy, Niniola, Burna Boy, Ictooicy and more. This week, Stonebwoy, Muthoni Drummer Queen, Darkoo, Kida Kudz, AYL∅ and Mojo have new songs for us to enjoy and update our playlists with.

Stonebwoy – “Good Morning”

It’s Ghana’s independence day today and Ghanaian dancehall front runner, Stonebwoy has new music to help us celebrate it. He just released his 4th studio album, ‘Anloga Junction’, named after his hometown, with an accompanying video for the lead Spanker-produced single, “Good Morning”. 

The song highlights Stonebwoy’s dominance, and sees him bragging about his wealth and success, and Dutch rapper, Chivv, also featured with a guest verse reflecting the same self-assured sentiments. The accompanying Azad Wastara-directed video confirmed the song’s lyrics, showing both artists are shown in a villa in Jamaica, partying with beautiful women who also dance to the beat.

Muthoni Drummer Queen – “Power”

Kenyan rapper, Muthoni Drummer Queen has been a bit quiet since she dropped her 2018 album, ‘She’, but now she’s back  come with her first release since, “Power”. He Swiss beatmaker duo, GR! and Hook produce the beat for her tribute to African and Kenyan women. Released during the Women’s History Month, she explained that the song is dedicated to “Women who organize and resist oppression, break molds and defy stereotypes, forge paths and occupy space”. The accompanying video was set at the McMillan Library in Nairobi which reflects Kenya’s colonial past.

Jords – “So It Go” Feat. Kida Kudz

UK rapper, Jords has just released a new single, “So It Go”, featuring Kida Kudz to remind us why we fuck with him heavy. The song finds him reconnecting with his Jamaican roots as he raps over the tropical beat produced by Wengi Kofia. Curtis Essel & Nwabugo directed the music video mirroring the song’s intention to tribute the rich and vibrant culture in Kingston, Jamaica.

Darkoo –  “Juicy (Brown Skin Like Eva)” Feat. Hardy Caprio

Darkoo broke into mainstream last year after she released “Gangsta”, a romantic party starter featuring Davido, Tion Wayne, SL, Ms Banks and Br3nya on the remix. Her latest offering, “Juicy” featuring Hardy Caprio builds on her dancehall-inspired catalogue through her sultry performance appreciating the beauty of women over the Afropop beat produced by Diztortion. Capone directed the video for “Juicy” and set Darkoo on a runway in Los Angeles with beautiful models and featured artist Hardy Caprio.

Olakira – “Aya Mi”

Olakira just premiered the music video for “Aya Mi”, the lead single from his ‘Wakana Jollof’ EP. The project saw him attempt to capture the essence of music from Africa through romantic songs influenced by different regions of the continent. The video continues the thematic direction of the album as Olakira walks around a playboy-esque mansion with doors labelled after different countries like Morocco, Ghana, etc.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Muthoni Drummer Queen
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Happy independece day Ghana. Revisit “NATIVE Roots; Highlife”

For the Girls: Meet Yung Meagan, Cameroonian rapper from Mr Eazi’s emPawa programme

Posted on by Tami Makinde

To commemorate Women’s History Month this year, we will be spotlighting a new female artist every day of this month. Some of these women you may know, others you may have heard of and some will be entirely new discoveries. The aim is to spotlight the remarkable young women from around Africa, who are finding their feet through music and giving women a voice of their own. 

Cameroonian artist, Yung Meagan is currently one of the 30 artists taking part in the second edition of Mr Eazi’s emPawa Africa programme. She and a host of other artists from around the continent will receive a $10,000 grant to go towards a music video, along with mentorship from professional singers, producers, and video directors.

Yung Meagan is a rapper–well for the most part–but her earlier career as an artist actually began with her singing. At the age of 11, a young, reserved Meagan began making her own music as a means of expressing herself and finding her own voice. Drawing on inspiration from legendary rapper, TuPac, Meagan was charged to channel the same braggadocious raps in her music.

Her Soundcloud page is bursting at its seams with everything from covers to freestyles to singles; her cover of Mr Eazi’s “Tony Montana” featuring Tyga was actually what caught the attention of the emPawa founder and artist and set her apart as one of the female artists from Cameroon to watch. Yung Meagan has range; her earliest track on her Youtube is “Like This”, an r&b slice from 2 years ago on which she sings about her infatuation for her love interest who she’s more than willing to go the extra mile for.

Meagan’s singles usually feature a mix of her switching between rapping and singing, and she often ups her tempo and charges ahead regardless of the song’s subject matter. This ability shines the brightest on “Black Girl Magic” , where she seamlessly throws in her mastery of the French language. Her latest release, “Life (Interlude)” is a good entry point into her off-the-cuff raps, as the young rapper addresses the fickleness of life and speaks on being bipolar.

Featured image credits/instagram

Tami is a lover of astrology, music and women. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_

For the Girls: Why Ictooicy deserves to top Nigeria’s charts

M.I Abaga (finally) releases EP, ‘Judah’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

As far back as last October, M.I Abaga announced that he’d be dropping an EP, ‘Judah’. Five months later, the Nigerian rap veteran has finally delivered on that promise, albeit with some welcome changes. Instead of its initially reported 5-song tracklist, the newly released project now comprises eight tracks, with the Kauna-assisted “The Warrior” serving as the lead single. ‘Judah’ features vocal assists from AQ, Alpha Ojini, Buckyraw and Nawe, while production credits include M.I, Reinhard, Finito and DOZ.

Stream ‘Judah’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/MI_Abaga

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Watch DJ Neptune, Mr Eazi & Joeboy in the shimmery video for “Nobody”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

DJ Neptune is currently prepping ‘The Greatness II (Sounds of Neptune)’, the follow-up to his 2018 album, ‘Greatness’ which housed some  He started the roll out for the upcoming album with the January release of lead single, “Tomorrow”, which featured Victor AD. He’s just shared a new single, “Nobody”, and it features vocal performances from Mr Eazi and Joeboy.

Relying on the featured singers’ proven ability to turn make romantic subjects ready for radio and dancefloor rotation, “Nobody” finds Joeboy and Mr Eazi confessing affectionate feelings for their love interest, over an uptempo beat by Magic Sticks. “Nobody” is accompanied by a TG Omori-directed video, and while it indulges in a glossy tropes attached to afropop videos, the striking parts of the video show the three artists dancing and performing their set in Michael Jackson-inspired attire.

Watch “Nobody” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/empawa Africa

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ICYMI: 30 NEW ARTISTS JOIN MR EAZI’S EMPAWA AFRICA PROGRAM

5 Books by African authors we’re excited to read this year

Posted on by Tami Makinde

A good book will have you curled on the couch soaking in every last word, and have you missing out on a few minutes of sleep just  to read the last few pages of a juicy chapter. This World Book Day, we’re highlighting a number of books from around the continent that will be released this year; from romance, to fiction to fantasy, we’ve got you covered.

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

Nigerian-born writer, Akwaeke Emezi is back with their second adult novel, The Death of Vivek Oji. The vivid tale follows the tumultuous heart-wrenching story of a mother who finds her daughter’s lifeless body on her doorstep and moves backwards through time to recount the story of Vivek’s life and the mystery surrounding her death. Out in November.

Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola

When London-based writer and columnist, Bolu Babalola is not writing for Dazed Digital, she penning down beautiful stories that retell popular love stories from history and mythology with a twist. In 18 stories, Babalola weaves through homoromantic Greek myths, to magical Nigerian folktales, and to the ancient stories of South Asia, all while showing the universality of love. Out this March.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Sierra-Leone-American screenwriter and novelist, Namina Forna is releasing a fantasy trilogy and the first installment will be out pretty soon. Drawing on comparisons with The Handmaid’s Tale, Forna’s novel is set in an ancient West African world where 16 year old Deka lives. Her world is inherently toxic, as a woman’s worth is tied to her purity–when young Deka bleeds gold instead of red, and is labelled impure and goes on a journey of self-discovery. Out in July.

Slay in Your Lane presents: Loud Black Girls by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené

Back in 2018, the pair released Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible to great acclaim, and now they are both back with the anthology Loud Black Girls. They talk to 20 established and emerging black British writers on what really matters to black women today and what the future holds in our dystopia–cue Brexit and Trump. Out in June.

Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor

Nigerian-American author, Nnedi Okorafor has done everything from write about afrofuturism for both children and adults, to writing for comics like Marvel and Shuri. Her latest work is Ikenga, follows the story of young Nnamdi who loses his father and resolves to avenge his death. Little wonder what a twelve year old can do to seek revenge, until one night he comes in contact with a host of superpowers from the mystical Ikenga and is charged to use his powers for good. Out in August.

Tami is a lover of astrology, music and women. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_

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For The Girls: Why ICTOOICY Deserves To Top Nigeria’s Charts

Posted on by Adewojumi Aderemi

To commemorate Women’s History Month this year, we will be discovering a new female artist every day of this month. Some of these women you may know, others you may have heard of and some will be entirely new discoveries. The aim is to spotlight the remarkable young women from around Africa, who are finding their feet through music and giving women a voice of their own. 

ICTOOICY is likely to fit in amongst the “women you may know” or at least within the category of artists “you may have heard of”, as her debut on Nigeria’s Apple Music Charts indicates a level of popularity currently comparable with the ubiquitous Mandy & The Jungle, Billie Eilish’s Grammy sweeping, WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO, and Wizkid’s self-titled.

Released just last week, ICTOOICY’s Sorry I Don’t Like Phone Calls already boasts the number 3 spot on Apple Music’s Alternative Album chart, and is ranked 75 in the top 100 Nigerian albums, of all genres. Given her newcomer status, this feat is not one to be overlooked.

ICTOOICY’s achievements become even more awe-inspiring when you consider her paradoxically inaudible Do It Yourself approach to making music. ICTOOICY doesn’t drown her music in technology in order to hide her beginners studio settings, but rather emphasises her circumstances in a way that celebrates the rustic energy of low-quality recordings. It is this refreshingly disruptive contribution to our widely homogenous musical landscape that immediately attracts listeners, and her dexterous versatility that keeps them.

The Poet With A Flow – self-proclaimed in her SoundCloud bio – ICTOOICY doesn’t shy away from enchanting listeners with her mild-mannered singing performances (“Liberty Road”), opponent to her overconfident rap persona which we hear on songs like “Sage“ and “Strep Throat Flow”. Playing with echoes (“Forget About Us”) and layering diverse vocal deliveries, the imaginative artist is able to bring vibrance to simpler beats, as exemplified on “Park Bench” or the Kiyo-assisted “Lights”. Through her numerous creative techniques, ICTOOICY’s music fashions around us a dream-like utopia in which perfection is possible, simply because imperfection is not.

Sorry I Don’t Like Phone Calls, her early 2020 offering, is her fourth project within the year – ICY, as the voice messages that litter the project refer to her, is dedicated to music, her music.Throughout her first couple of years, ICY has remained equally as consistent with her sound as she is consistent with her releases, and it’s payed off.

Join in the rave and stream the chart-topping drop, right now:

Featured Image Credits: ICYTOOICY/Instagram

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Wojumi is a bad bitch and she’s going to bra-g about it. Tweet her your favourite female artists @dewoju

 

 

Watch Mowalola’s eerily experimental new film, “Silent Madness”

Posted on by The Native

Mowalola has made her mark on Nigerian menswear, being one of the only few brands who is pushing the envelope and producing androgynous styles you wouldn’t expect. This has gained her a lot of international acclaim, and she caught the attention of global superstars such as Drake and Solange, she was commissioned to create a custom outfit for the iconic Barbie’s 60th anniversary last year, and kicked off her 2020 with a feature in i-D’s “Rihannazine Special Edition” where she was quizzed by Rihanna and described her biggest success in life as “In my small life of 25 years, has been doing everything I wanted to do, following my gut, and being happy with the way things turned out”.

For her latest effort, she collaborated with Jordan Hemingway for her latest release, “Silent Madness”, an eerily experimental fashion film that plays out like a documentary on a bad drug trip. The 6-minute long video opens in a club where experimental artist, Yves Tumor does a good job of dramatizing the sensory overload from doing drugs. The goth fetish costumes and the rewarding soundtrack create a tense atmosphere while we watch Yves Tumor struggle to leave the club. If you have the stomach to get through his twisted performance and the photosensitive triggering effects used to depict the bad trip, you’d be rewarded with a bloody death in the end.

Watch “Silent Madness” video below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Mowalola
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Mowalola and Odunsi collaborate for “Skin I’m In”

Everything you need to know about the new Sex for Marks Bill

Posted on by Tami Makinde

It’s been months since the BBC Africa Eye documentary put a spotlight on the perverse history of sexual harassment taking place in tertiary institutions in both Ghana and Lagos. We saw disturbing cases of young girls being coerced into exchanging sexual favours for good grades by their lecturers.

Following the release of the documentary, reports came of lecturers being laid off by these universities, owing to pending investigations being taken against them and their inappropriate actions. While not all the outcomes of these investigations were made public knowledge, the power of speaking up was brought to everyone’s attention, and the power in numbers through social media allowed the government to take notice of the elephant in the room–the abuse of women in tertiary institutions.

This led to the re-introduction of the Sex for Marks Bill; a legislation that carries with it a 14-year imprisonment term for any perpetrators found to be guilty of sexual misconduct in our tertiary institutions. Misconduct includes hugging, touching, stroking, kissing, or rubbing any part of the student’s body. There is also an additional clause for vice-chancellors and counsellors who fail to report or alleviate sexual assault complaints within a week of reporting by students, as a two year jail sentence is now attached to this negligent act.

This is not the first time that such a bill will be proposed, back in 2016 a similar legislation called the Sexual Harassment Bill proposed a five-year jail term for defaulters. This bill was quickly shot down by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who claimed that it was discriminatory, and that it will be encroaching to the autonomy of tertiary institutions which were set up by law and were equipped with their own governing regulations.

Three years later, and we’re still fighting the same outdated thinking from the ASUU who are currently contesting the proposed Sex for Marks Bill. The ASUU believes that the protection of the university and its teachers is far more important than the need to protect the women who are being abused, they believe that the matter should be dealt with using the various universities existing code of conduct. If the BBC Africa Eye documentary has shown us anything, it’s that these codes are unable to protect women, as we are still being cajoled and coerced into sex and relationships to maintain good grades.

So we’re here for a penalty for these things. Globally, notorious perpetuators such as R Kelly, Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby are finally facing consequences for their actions, thanks to people constantly speaking up against them, and it’s about time for the culture to shift around here too.

Featured image credits/GatefieldTV

Tami is a lover of astrology, music and women. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_

ICYMI: Here’s the cultural significance of the new documentary, Sex for Grades

Burna Boy says comparing him to Fela Kuti is reductive

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Burna Boy’s keen fascination with Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been well-documented since the beginning of his career. Over the course of his meteoric rise, the afro-fusion singer has sampled the afrobeat pioneer’s music, and interpolated his lyrics on a couple of songs, including his magnum opus, “YE”, “Dangote” and “My Money, My Baby“ and many more songs. He’s also expressed his admiration in other ways, from his custom-made Fela chain, to his performance at Felabration 2013, where he took the stage wearing only underpants.

All of this worship has prompted many to describe Burna Boy as ‘the new Fela’, leading to a comparison between both artists. In a new GQ Style story, Burna addressed the comparison, deeming it as unnecessary and silly. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind would compare me to Fela”, he said. “Fela is my inspiration and my childhood hero, so if you think comparing me to Fela is honourable, it’s actually not. It actually makes me feel weird. Fela was Fela, and if it wasn’t for Fela, there probably wouldn’t be any me, so I don’t understand the comparison”.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Wk5JtlVGc/

During his U.S press run, following the release of ‘African Giant’, Burna referred to Fela as his personal superhero. In the GQ Style cover story, he not only reiterates this stance, he goes the extra mile to stake out his individuality, and in the process, he points out how simplistic, insulting (to Fela) and reductive (to him) the comparison is. In doing this, Burna affirms that artists can be explicit with their inspiration and also carve out their own personal identity, like he’s done. Is Fela’s influence an integral part of Burna’s artistry? Yes. Does that make him a Fela clone? Definitely not.

Featured Image Credits: GQ Style

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Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter

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Songs of the day: Discover new music from TMXO, Herman $uede, Ayo Folarin & more

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

We’ve watched the African music scene grow more expansive and accommodating of different new sounds with the introduction of artists like Tems, Naira Marley, Rema, Ama Rae and others. As a result, it’s hard to predict what the next biggest song out of the continent would sound like. The fast and furious pace of new music releases also makes it hard to keep track of it all so we’ve decided to sort through all the new songs from across all the platforms and subgenres around the continent and curate a “Songs of the Day” column to highlight the songs you NEED to hear. You’re welcome.

TMXO – “Winner”

TMXO is gearing up to release his debut EP. The producer has been teasing the project for a few weeks now, and he’s now shared title, tracklist and release date for the EP: ‘TMX001: Alàdélọbà’ will contain six tracks, and it is scheduled to drop on March 19. Giving us a peek at what to expect, he’s also shared the second track, “Winner“, as the lead single. Spotting lively guitar riffs and booming percussion, “Winner” coins in on TMXO’s knack for fusing folk-inspired elements with house music quirks. He splices his baritone vocals on top of this club-ready production, adding a psychedelic edge to the song with his repetitive, chanted lyrics.

Ayo Folarin – “Weak”

Ayo Folarin’s “Weak” is a romantic bop for people who are madly in love—or at the very least wish to be. In two-and-half minute, the singer delivers an ear-catching set that personifies quickened heartbeats, wide smiles, wobbly knees and all the other tropes involved at remembering or sighting a romantic partner or a huge crush. “Na this kind love dey weak-y my body, you’ve got me thinking about you”, he sings on the hook, his fuji-influenced vocals and warm melodies gliding over Daviestherocket’s gentle guitar plucks and softly jabbing afropop drums.

Drayko – “Zoom” feat. Eeskay & Zilla Oaks

Drayko, Eeskay and Zilla Oaks are enamoured by living the fast life but they aren’t looking to die anytime soon. “Zoom”, the new collaborative single from the three Abuja-based rappers, carries an air of invincibility with it, as they rap about partying all night long, swigging drinks and lighting hydroponic buds. With their swaggering raps which is made more infectious by their trance-like melodies, the trio emphasise the allure of their lifestyle over its consequences.

Herman $uede – “Free”

Herman $uede is a precociously talented Ghanaian artist you should be paying attention to. Last July, the teenage singer released his impressive debut EP, ‘Hi I’m Herman’, and he recently featured on Sarkodie’s last studio album, ‘Black Love’. With the liveliness Herman exudes, there’s an innate freedom attached to his music, but his new single, “Free”, pushes that tenet to the forefront for a personal statement track. “Honestly, I just want to be free, to walk around and make beats with my lips, not caring what anyone thinks”, he belts over swinging EDM-infused Afropop production, emphatically owning his narrative as young artist with dreams and relishing the prospects for bigger successes in the future.

Kwarteng – “Sankofa” feat. Wande Coal

One minute, it seems like Wande Coal has been away forever, the next he’s all over our radar. In addition to prepping his coming EP, REALMS, with the release of the video for “Ode Lo Like”, the afropop veteran recently featured on “Sankofa”, the new single from Ghanaian singer Kwarteng. While the song leans into romantic direction, with both singers looking to impress their love interests with their affectionate promises and affluence, “Sankofa” also pays homage to the beauty of African ladies.

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Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter

ICYMI: NEW MUSIC FROM SAUTI SOL, SHO MADJOZI, NXWRTH & MORE

Best New Music: GMK reunites Prettyboy D-O and Sugabana for new hit “Strong and Solid”

Posted on by Tami Makinde

GMK has marked himself out as one of the most talented and focused young producers in these parts for some time now. The music speaks for itself, and from working closely with NATIVE 003 cover stars, Santi and Odunsi (the Engine) for some of his best hits, to working on a Grammy nominated song off ‘African Giant‘, he’s definitely made his mark on the scene.

To start off the year, he’s just released his first single “Strong and Solid” which sees PrettyBoy D-O and Sugabana reuniting for another confirmed hit. The pair first teamed up back in 2018 for “Terminate”, one of the standout tracks from PrettyBoy D-O’s debut tape ‘Everything Pretty’.

The best music is the kind you can feel, and this is what “Strong & Solid” benefits greatly from. GMK’s infectious & catchy beat does what it needs to get the party started, while the song’s lyrics hone in on the message which anyone from any walk of life can relate to. Sugabana’s chant-worthy bridge saying: Wetin una want from me? Everyday me give you the best of me, shey na until you kill me ni? drive’s the song’s overall message home, while the beat drop will definitely get listeners moving.

D-O and Sugabana through this song continue to show us that they are a formidable pairing, truly representing a melding of two different facets of the culture. We’re expecting Strong & Solid to get plenty airplay over the next few months, serving the streets another anthem.

Listen to “Strong and Solid” below.

Featured image credits/instagram

Tami is a lover of astrology, music and women. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_

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Where were you: “Party in Art” showed the depth of the art scene in Lagos

Posted on by The Native

Banky W already set the gold standard for Lagos parties when he made the tagline “Ain’t no party like a Lagos party” popular. Over a decade later, the city still embraces the challenge to out-party every party in history. The “Party in Art” showcase curated by Ayo Lawson in collaboration with A White Space Agency was scheduled for the last weekend of the month, 29th of February. It hoped to contribute to Nigeria’s contemporary cultural history by combining Lagos’ reputation for partying with the city’s appreciation of art.

There is no queue in front of the ticketing spot set up in front of A White Space Agency’s gates at Raymind Njoku. In typical Nigerian fashion, people are standing outside in groups of threes or fours, carrying drinks that suggest they’ve already been inside and seen the works displayed. However, they don’t seem in a hurry to leave as they talk, laugh and welcome 0thers who pass them on their way in.

Meanwhile, loud music blasts through the speakers inside while neon lights and glow-ink scribbles on the wall immerse guests in the theme of the exhibition. A graffiti installation made by Benin-born artist, Vofo takes up the wall space you see when you walk through the door. It’s immediately apparent that the gallery space is also a dancefloor as couples locked in embrace sway to the music curated by DJ Camron.

Another wall displays works from the featured photographers, Tochihannah, Kemaka Ajoku, Demola Mako, Femi Johnson and Daniel Obasi. Some of the models projected on the photography wall are also in attendance, dancing to the music till Deena Ade’s “Special Performance” set is announced. People gather around for her captivating performance of “Melo” and her latest release, “Bitter”. Her sultry lyrics resonate with the crowd and people pull out their phones to record her and cheer after each song. Though her wistful cooing about physical intimacy draws everyone’s attention, it’s hard to miss the visual direction of her performance as a smoke machine fills the room with mist that give guests extra incentive to capture the moment on camera.

For activity, people break the fourth wall of the art by interacting with the artists, photographers and models. There is also a different wall dedicated to guests and some take the initiative to scribble their names and brands with glow-ink markers provided for that purpose. With names like Steven Tayo, Solis, Ashley Okoli and Chuzuz featuring on the wall of guests, one might assume the guests were also specially curated to highlight the thought leaders of different spheres of the contemporary youth culture in Lagos. However, the larger majority of guests are of a younger age as the party direction seemed to increase the interest of students in art and inspire the next generation of collectors.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/ayo_l
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

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Mayorkun drops the befitting, colourful video for hit single, “Geng”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

You could describe Mayorkun’s “Geng” as the first smash single of 2020, and you would be totally right. The DMW singer opened the year with one of the best songs of the year so far, an instant scorcher that has been in constant radio rotation, and has been streamed over 1.6million times on Audiomack alone. As a reflection of the song’s popularity, the beat has hosted a flurry freestyle verses from artists like Vector, Ycee, Bella Alubo and much more.

“Geng” now has a music video, and it’s quite befitting, as it visualises the infectious cockiness and playfulness that characterises Mayorkun’s boisterous delivery. The Dammy Twitch-directed video is marked by bright set designs, where we see Mayorkun and his geng singing the song’s lyrics and dancing to the irresistible groove with a bubbly energy.

Watch “Geng” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Davido

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Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter

ICYMI: WATCH THE ROMANTIC VIDEO FOR DAVIDO’S “1 MILL”

For the Girls: Ghanaian rapper Ms Fu is serving us with infectious rhymes

Posted on by Tami Makinde

To commemorate Women’s History Month this year, we will be discovering a new female artist every day of this month. Some of these women you may know, others you may have heard of and some will be entirely new discoveries. The aim is to spotlight the remarkable young women from around Africa, who are finding their feet through music and giving women a voice of their own. 

Ghanaian rapper/songwriter Ms Fu first caught our attention when she featured on the feminist anthem “From My Sisters” off Ko-jo Cue’s 2019 album, that saw many talents from around Ghana hone in their different strengths to produce collectively a really solid project.

Ms Fu has actually been actively releasing music for over the past 5 years via her Soundcloud, and her first few releases include a number of freestyles and covers, possibly crafted when the young rapper was finding her sound and perfecting her flow. Her earliest release “The Morning (Cover)” sounds almost like it could be lifted from an 00’s Missy Elliot record, save for the few pidgin inflections she sprinkles in her verses.

Born Afua, the young rapper adopted her current moniker Ms Fu by shortening her birth name, coupled with the fact that the contraction literally read as F U. She began taking her music more seriously after meeting Ko-jo Cue and signing then to his eponymous label.

Ms Fu is a rapper, but she’s not afraid to dabble in more softer, pop melodies as seen from singles like “Love” where we find her at the rapper at her most vulnerable, laying her heart bare over smooth percussion strings. Last year, she tasked herself to weekly Thursday drops starting off with bass-drop anthem “Energy” where she seamlessly intermingled English and patois, to a more mellow drop on “Dear Human” which sees her reassuring her fans about rough times in life.

Ms Fu lets her stellar penmanship speak for her over infectious beats and leaves you with little to wonder about her prowess. On “Cloak and Dagger” she is at her most reflective, where she instructs other rappers to ‘bring all the smoke’. We suggest “Cloak and Dagger” as a good starting point into her rapid fire verses.

Tami is a lover of astrology, music and women. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_

ICYMI: Lose yourself in Olayinka Ehi’s hypntoic sounds

The Shuffle: Asa’s “Fire On The Mountain” reflects the world we’re living in today

Posted on by Damilola Animashaun

We’re only in the third month of 2020, and we’ve heard more disturbing news about R Kelly and his ring of pedophiles, our lives have been threatened by a budding pandemic, the climate is threatened and we’re experiencing a heatwave in Lagos and it’s possible that an asteroid might be coming next month to bring the whole world to an end.

Asa had her finger on the pulse all the way back in 2007, with one of the standouts from her titular debut album, “Fire On The Mountain”, and 13 years later, everything she said still reigns true.

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Against an upbeat and catchy guitar-led beat, she sings she touches on the usual societal ills, all in one fell swoop. She discusses problems which exist in different communities all over the world from deceitful lovers (Hey Mr loverman, can I get a chance to talk to you, cause you are fooling with a dead man’s corpse); blood diamonds (so you buy her a diamond that someone has died in, don’t you think there’s something wrong with that?); pedophelia & rape culture (So little Lucy turns 16, and like a movie she’s been seen. She has a lover in her daddy, she can’t tell nobody); and climate change (some day the river will overflow, and there’ll be nowhere for us to go and we will run, wishing we had put out the fire).

All those years ago, Asa pointed out that we live in a society which in a long run will destroy itself and everyone in it, but no one seems to care about what’s going on. It’s difficult to keep up with caring about these societal ills, because they seem to never end and always come at full throttle. But now more than ever, we should all wake up and realise that our world will implode and we’ll all be fucked – whether you care or not.

If you need a reminder about contributing to a society which works and benefits everyone, listen to “Fire On The Mountain” again here:

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Davido

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ICYMI: Listen to Oby Onyioha’s festive “Enjoy Your Life” 

Santi reveals plans to create a show for and about Nigerian youth culture

Posted on by Tami Makinde

We’ve known that Santi is a multi-faceted talent for some time now, as his work seamlessly cuts across music, fashion and videography. His sometimes-occult Nollywood-inspired videos from “Sparky” to “Raw Dinner” have been said to test the limits of our conservative culture, and many have labelled it too hellish for consumption.

This does not bother Santi, however, and he’s leaned further into these gothic aesthetics in his most recent work for Goldlink’s video “U Say” featuring Tyler the Creator and Jay Prince. Since his debut show in both London and Lagos last year, the fast rising creative has mostly been quiet, but not anymore as he has revealed that he’s working on a TV show.

Although we don’t know much about the upcoming production, Santi told Crack Magazine: “That’s where my heart is right now. In Nigeria, we have never had a show about high school, sexuality and drugs. I feel like the kids need a safe space, something to explore and escape to.”

He’s not wrong, there has hardly been any shows from Nigeria that have touched on themes of sexuality and drugs without vilifying them. Not to discredit any of these films, however, there’s a whole lifestyle in youth culture that is being ignored and any steps taken to close this gap are a nod in the right direction.

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HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ was released last summer, and instantly became main conversation starter anywhere you went; owing to its uncensored dive into the world of adolescence drugs, sex and self-discovery. The show’s impact is palpable through different facets of culture from self-awareness to even fashion and beauty.

Although, it was heavily criticised for its over the top exaggeration of youth culture in America, it didn’t shy away from tackling issues of teenage addiction and sexuality. A similar production, embedded in Nigerian youth culture Nigeria would be pretty cool and Santi is the perfect candidate to bring this to life.

Not only is he one of the style frontrunners for the burgeoning alte scene, he’s also had a hand at writing and directing a similar film with a group of his creative peers titled ‘Havana96’ and even the multidimensional blockbuster world of his album ‘Mandy and the Jungle’ shows us we’re in good hands.

With all eyes on Africa and Netflix planning to expand into the country with its first original series, we can’t wait to see where Santi takes this.

Featured image credits/crackmagazine

Tami is a lover of astrology, music and women. Tweet your fave female artistes at her @tamimak_

ICYMI: On Santi’s decade-long build up to ‘Mandy and the Jungle’

Davido shares colourful video for latest single, “1 Milli”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Davido packed his superb sophomore album, ‘A Good Time’, with romantic bops – a true reflection of his current relationship status. His latest release, the video for the album’s second track “1 Milli”, continues to reinforce the superstar’s image as a man totally in love. In the song co-written by Adekunle Gold, Davido sings about his willingness to pay his lover’s exorbitant bride-price because he’s not ready to lose her to anyone.

In the DK-directed video for “1 Milli”, Davido performs his set in a lavish, colourful traditional engagement setting, featuring dancers and well-wishers clad in Yourba outfit. Chioma, the singer’s heartthrob, makes an extensive cameo performance, reminding us of the couple’s coming, much talked about wedding activities, ‘Assurance2020’.

Watch “1 Milli” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Davido

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Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter

ICYMI: WATCH DAVIDO PERFORM “INTRO” & “GREEN LIGHT RIDDIM” FOR VEVO CTRL LIVE SESSIONS

Watch Minz chase the woman he loves in the video for “Gyal”

Posted on by The Native

Minz’s lover boy aesthetic means he never fails to pay homage to women in his music. He just released the video for “Gyal”, one of the tracks from his 2019 EP, ‘Nasty/Gyal’, and it shows him running after the woman he loves. The video was filmed by Mahine Sef, who translates Minz’ sultry confessional into a dramatic dance routine, showing Minz trying to convince his love interest with charming lyrics.

The timely release of the music video for “Gyal” makes it the perfect soundtrack for the first weeks of March, a month dedicated to celebrating women around the world.

Watch the video for “Gyal” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Minz
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu

ICYMI: Watch the music video for Minz’s “Beautiful”

Watch a charismatic Wande Coal in the video “Ode Lo Like”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Wande Coal remained quiet for the most of 2019, until he released his first solo single of the year, “Vex”, in November. He quickly followed up with “Ode Lo Like”, a track where he gets serious with his lyrics, refusing to bend to the will of backstabbing associates. On the first verse, he urges listeners to stay woke in order to spot who’s just taking advantage, while he gets cocky on the second verse, warding off anyone who wants to try him in the future.

“Vigilante, mi o se omo’de, ma lo pe mi ni omo ode (I’m not a vigilante, but don’t call me fool)”, he forcefully sings over Dapiano’s piano synths, horn blasts and pounding drums. With his blunt writing, “Ode Lo Like” mainly relies on Wande Coal’s charisma, which he continues to flaunt in the song’s glossy new video. Directed by Adasa Cookey, we see Wande distract an audience with live performance, while a few lady associates rip unsuspecting men of valuable items. The video for “Ode Lo Like” is Wande Coal’s latest promotional move, in anticipation of ‘REALMS’, his 6-track EP scheduled to drop on March 20.

Watch “Ode Lo Like” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/WandeCoal

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Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter

ICYMI: JAYBREEZE FEATURES TIWA SAVAGE, WANDE COAL AND MYSTRO ON NEW SONG, “EH OH AH”

For The Girls: Lose yourself in Olayinka Ehi’s hypnotic sounds

Posted on by Adewojumi Aderemi

To commemorate Women’s History Month this year, we will be discovering a new female artist every day of this month. Some of these women you may know, others you may have heard of and some will be entirely new discoveries. The aim is to spotlight the remarkable young women from around Africa, who are finding their feet through music and giving women a voice of their own. 

Olayinka Ehi is a New York based, Nigerian R&B singer, whose forceful voice floats scenically over slow-paced instrumentals, offering up smooth, laid back vibes to her growing population of listeners.

Actively releasing music since 2016, Olayinka Ehi compiled her first body of work, Story in 2018, a formidable collection that encompasses all her various tastes, from the melancholic opener, “Story About You”, to the up-tempo electronic number, “B.G.S.N” (Baba God Said Nah), which closes out the 4-track EP.

Born in Nigeria, Olayinka’s Yoruba and Idoma roots are not only visible in her name, but also audible through her music. From the drum patterns on mid-tempo records such as “Do You Think” and “Jeje” (Story‘s second and third tracks), to her intonations as she sings and of course her Naija-influenced titles, Ehi seamlessly integrates her Nigerian heritage into her r&b style.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7R1we7nTfs/

As well as being a meritable singer, Olayinka Ehi is also a keen songwriter. The storytelling on her lyrics is occasionally augmented by short spoken word segments that come at either the start or the end of whichever contemplative number she wishes to bolster. Besides self-reflection, Olayinka is also prone to unyielding confidence on her lyrics. On songs such as “No Love This Summer!” and “Good Girl Bad Girl”, she sings of her unequivocal sex appeal, her nonchalance towards men pining after her and her status as a perpetual Winner – “don’t get in my way” she warns on “Good Girl Bad Girl”.

Ehi’s latest offering came earlier this year, and we estimate is her most impressive track to date, “Terms and Conditions”. Atop a layer of enchanting strings, Olayinka Ehi sings that she is fed up and being taken for granted, so lays out her T&Cs. There’s no better song to introduce you to this rising talent, listen to “Terms and Conditions” right here:

Featured Image Credits: Olayinka Ehi/Instagram

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Wojumi is a bad bitch and she’s going to bra-g about it. Tweet her your favourite female artists @dewoju

ICYMI: Let’s talk about the big bad F & why we should all be feminists