Whether or not you realize it, Ictooicy is one of the most exciting artists in Nigeria right now. Her catalogue merges all that is sacred about lo-fi, hip-hop and R&B, as she plays out her melancholia feelings through the honest introspection the genres’ encourage. Her latest single, “Dance With Me”, finds her teaming up with 808Vic to relish the pleasant moments spent in the company of a loved one and the idle time in between, when the attachment is waning; “We can take it slow, cause I don’t want to be alone”.
Riddiman produces the shimmering beat for “Dance With Me”, mixing slow and soggy synth samples that could have been lifted from the score of a Studio Ghibli anime. The airy instrumentals leave room for Ictooicy to switch fluidly from her melodic vocals on the song’s hook to deliver a rap verse, savouring the odyssey of romance even when the end is in sight. Though Ictooicy’s versatility is in full display, she leaves her characteristically meek impression intact with 808Vic taking the last rap verse after her engrossing hook.
Stream “Dance With Me” below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/icygram_
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
A few seconds of SirBastien’s song is all it takes to get lulled into his universe. The producer/singer/songwriter uses soft percussions, rattling samples and a hypnotic dose of reverb to paint colourful scenes in his lo-fi universe that promises escape from everyday anxiety. For his debut project, ‘Mango’, he assembles a team of artists who have plumbed similar depths with their music as he features Jaya, Ilaye, DAP the Contract, AYLØ, Bio, Eri Ife, Lectrick, Keenah and Jinmi Abduls who bring their uniquely laidback variations of the slow-moving folk sound to his 9-track tape.
‘Mango’ opens with an atmospheric slow-burner, “Care”, which finds SirBastien comparing his lover’s beauty to the serene view of nature, singing “Your eyes glimmer like the star/ The light casts shadows on your scars” over the lightweight mix of percussion, synths, guitar harmonies, rattling samples and drum riffs. The next track, “From Me”, introduces featured artists, Jaya and Keenah, effortlessly fusing the rap verse from Jaya with Keenah’s soft cooing to fit the comforting sound of the twinkling guitars and laidback drums he produces with Saucy for the song dealing with the uncertainty in relationships. “Take You There” however returns the project to its pleasant mood with the slightly more upbeat tempo and romantic direction from SirBastien, Lectrick, and Eri Ife’s lyrics.
DAP the Contract and Bio join SirBastien on “Coffee Machine” where their chemistry is heightened by the slow-building acoustic melodies that evoke a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, despite the romantic lyrics addressed at their love interests. Jinmi Abdul also contributes a verse on “X Marks the Spot”, where SirBastien dives deeper into folk melodies to depict his melancholy in a soothing glow singing, “Sinking into the ocean, this emptiness in my chest/ You said you’d be the treasure, I can’t find the X” over a lightweight highlife instrumental he produces with Damiore. AYLØ assisted “Scars” builds the acoustic sound to a progressively more electronic sound, infusing clap samples and synths to embellish AYLØ’s mellow auto-tuned vocals as he joins SirBastien to sing praises of their lovers.
Ilaye’s soft vocals on “As We Dance” give ‘Mango’ a much needed psychedelic ambience as she layers intricate melodies to match the weightless instrumental and lyrics; “As we dance, I fall deeper”. It’s hypnotizing, escapist, and tranquil, but coils and curls into something darker as if speaking to the anxiety that comes with falling. The next track, “Wait” doesn’t try to dispute that fear as we hear SirBastien screaming out to a lover but his vocals echo like he’s singing into a void; “I’ve been calling/I’ve been so alone”. ‘Mangos’ closes with “Jaguar”, where he sings an entrancing chant over a dizzying mix of synths, percussion, and guitar riffs. Though the atmospheric universe ‘Mango’ evokes doesn’t shy away from the darker reality, it retains a comforting mood with the lightweight sounds oozing bliss.
Stream SirBastien’s ‘Mango’ below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/sirbastienmusic
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
London-based soul singer/songwriter, Hamzaa made her NATIVE debut with her 2018 single “Stranded Love” which made it to the NATIVE’s list for “Best Songs of the Year So Far”. Since then, the prolific artist has been making headway in the UK, enough to impact the Nigerian music scene. Now she has put out the music video for “Sunday Morning”, a standout single from her recently released ‘Phases’ sophomore EP.
The song is an easy-going track which reflects a similar mood to the relaxed nature of a lazy Saturday morning. Though she performed the song with a live band and a choir when it was featured on Vevo’s Discover segment, the music video, which Ray Fiasco directs, finds Hamzaa matching her serene lyrics with shots of her kicking it back; from cooking for friends to reading a book to hosting friends at what we assume to be her London home.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestselling 2013 novel, “Americanah”, has just been selected for a straight-to-series order for HBO Max. Anticipation for the cinema adaptation of the book has been building since Lupita Nyong’o bought the rights to the film in 2014, hinting that she’d play the lead role of Ifemelu while David Oyelowo plays her high school love interest, Obinze. However, it seems plans have now veered in a different direction.
“Americanah” is set to premiere as a 10-episode limited series on HBO’s streaming service, HBO Max, which launches next year. And with Danai Gurira writing the pilot as well as serving as a show-runner, our favourite “Black Panther” duo is back together. Nyong’o is retaining the role of Ifemelu but it has not been confirmed whether Oyelowo will still play the role of Obinze.
The news has not been met with the positive feedback the team might have wanted though as Nigerians have taken to social media to express their discontent with the series casting. The issue seems to be that people are not happy about the Kenyan actress, Nyong’o playing the role of a Nigerian female of Igbo descent. Many suggested that there are a number of homegrown talented names in Nigeria which would be more suited for the role, others voiced the fear that Nyong’o may be unable to accurately represent the Nigerian accent, while others considered Nyong’o to be Hollywood’s default pick when casting African roles. Despite these comments online, the 10-part series is still underway; albeit with no release date in sight.
Naomi Campbell knows better than anyone that if you get famous for one thing, you’re allowed to do other things you might not be especially good at. Thanks to the supermodel and the Fashion for Relief charity fashion show she started in 2005 after being inspired by the late Nelson Mandela, Afropop’s ‘baddest girl’, Tiwa Savage made her runway debut on Saturday.
Hosted every year, Fashion for Relief supports many humanitarian causes around the world such as the ebola outbreak in Africa. The event is always well attended by the supermodel’s star-studded guest list who have been known to grace the catwalk. This year’s show featured stunning pieces, with vibrant colours and an array of feathers, fringe and tulle.
Tiwa Savage strutted down the runway, looking beautiful as ever, in a black and white tubed asymmetric dress topped up with a black shawl. The singer/songwriter spoke to Vogue about her experience on the runway, ‘It’s definitely a different experience from singing. It was very quick, and it’s not as easy as it looks… I just found out.‘ We are excited to see her make more appearances in the fashion scene.
ART X Lagos has gained an invaluable reputation as a worthwhile collage of events, since its launch three years ago. Aimed at showcasing the best and most innovative contemporary art from the African continent and diaspora, the organizers of the yearly international art fair have curated three acclaimed editions, and have now publicly detailed plans for a fourth edition, scheduled to take place at the Federal Place, Victoria Island, from 1st to 3rd of November.
A quotidian, highly anticipated part of the weekend is the music concert, ART X Live!, and like previous editions, three artists—WurlD, Lady Donli and Buju—are slated to take the stage. This year the show aims at celebrating some of Lagos’ emerging mavericks, and the selection of these three artists is apt, considering each pulls from diverse influence to make distinct and striking music. WurlD and Lady Donli released critically acclaimed debut albums—‘Love Is Contagious’ and ‘Enjoy Your Life’ respectively—this year, while Buju is slowly moving from cult figure to mainstream prominence, especially with the release of his Zlatan-assisted single, “Spiritual”. All three artists have expressed their excitement at being a part of ART X Live! 2019, as well as optimistic ideas of what to expect from their performances.
WurlD: “Lots of art, music and a fusion of both things. A lot of range, a lot of dance. I might even be performing some songs for the first time.”
Lady Donli: “Expect the enjoyment ministry of course, because all I’m bringing is the good vibes. I’m excited to perform some songs from ‘Enjoy Your Life’ for the first time”
Buju: “Amazing music, an amazing time, amazing vibes. Looking forward to maybe sharing some unreleased stuff.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B19cVPFFDg0/
Lanre Masha, who curated last year’s ART X Live!, continues his role, while popular beatsmith TMXO will offer music production services. ART X Live! 2019 will also feature visual art by Dafe Oboro and Joy Matashi. This melding of music and art will be sure to create a riveting experience for attendees.
Although ART X Live! is an invitation-based event, hopeful invitees and attendees in general are urged to follow ART X Lagos’ social media and also check on their website, for frequent updates and a chance to win invites. Tickets for ART X Lagos 2019 will be on sale from next Monday, September 23rd.
Featured Image Credits: Art X Lagos
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
Fireboy DML comes up often in conversations about Nigeria’s next music stars. Despite only emerging into the limelight a few months ago, he has proven remarkably adept at milking his relationship experiences for songs his fans can relate to. After capturing popular zeitgeist with breakout single, “Jealous”, and then piling on the storm with another sweetly romantic cut, “What if I Say”, the YBNL singer is switching things up a little on his latest offering, “King”, going a more assertive route as he declares his worth to his love interest over a mid-tempo Afropop beat Echotheguru produces.
Singing “Bad boy wey you no fit use play game/I be king, ma fi mi sere” with the confidence of a boastful rapper, “King” listens like Fireboy DML is finally embracing his superstar status and the music video TG Omori directs depicts his acclaim through the flamboyant direction of the nearly 2-minute long clip. We see shots of Fireboy and his muse in a rose petal embellished Rolls Royce before he hits the gym to box then finally sings at a fashion show where models walk on a runway with simulated rain.
Watch the music video for Fireboy DML’s “King” below.
Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Fireboy DML
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
Street-bred Afropop acts might be prone to ephemerality, but they continue to portray an upbeat attitude regardless. Case in point, “Popo”, a new single by Zinoleesky where the nascent singer celebrates his rise from the virtual underground, and confidently foreshadows his imminent break into mainstream territory. “Mans got a long way to go, and I go reach plenty place, shey you know?”, he enthusiastically sings in the song’s opening seconds. Between the reflective lyrics, his overall optimistic disposition and Shocker beats’ fast paced production, “Popo” is an absolute romp dipped in youthful exuberance.
Listen to “Popo” via Apple Music below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/zinoleesky
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
Not too many songs in recent memory can incite the same visceral reaction as Santi’s “Rapid Fire”, especially when performed live. In the year since its release, countless clips of Santi performing the song have gone viral, showing the singer eliciting rapturous responses each and every time without fail. He recently brought that undying novelty to live music platform, Boiler Room, via their ongoing ‘Energy’ series which has already featured a diverse array of artists like BenjiFlow, Kojey Radical and Goldlink.
Following the essence of the ‘Energy’ series, where artists perform their signature track, Santi’s set starts off with an abridged version of “Murvlana”, the Tay Iwar-assisted deep cut off his stellar ‘Mandy & The Jungle’ debut album, before lunging into a raucous rendition of “Rapid Fire”. Assisted by a crowd of friends and close colleagues like Odunsi (The Engine), Genio Bambino and Zamir, the aura of the entire video is excitedly charge, as everyone loudly sings, riotously dances and generally rages.
Romance has always been dancehall’s calling card, but on Dani Draco’s latest release, “Trouble”, he bridges the gap between the blinding lust and trust issues to delivering a hypnotising love song for dancefloors fascinations. The lightweight beat he produces guides his melodic rendition as he finds the sultry middle ground between the rough-hewn aesthetic of Jamaican dancehall and the smooth sound of R&B.
Singing “The place too rowdy, I no go fit to dey another party/ Meet you in the lobby/All night got the bitches in the club looking sorry”, over the mix of the melancholy piano loop and guitar harmonies draped over a catchy drum riff, Dani Draco sets the dancefloor scene with his vivid imagery. But it’s the modulation of his voice, pushing it until it squeaks like sneakers on a basketball court that makes “Trouble” so captivating as Dani Draco shows off his variety of flows while approaching the beat from all sides.
Stream Dani Draco’s “Trouble” below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/dani.draco
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
Mobelieve’s refreshing take on Yoruba Folk has gotten the singer some well-deserved looks, including an EmPawa-floated music video, and performance spots at this year’s Gidifest and the recently concluded Chale Wote festival in Ghana. Continuing with the pulse of consistency and uniqueness that foregrounds his work, his newest single “Omo Ase” flips the M.O behind the saturated lane of lust-driven Afropop songs, into something humorously profound but equally visceral.
Like any song built on a salacious premise, Mobelieve is quite straightforward, but the delightful twist comes with the innate colour his writing exudes. Delivered in a loose mix of English and his native Yourba language, he enhances the vividness of his intentions with quaint colloquials and clever, undisguised metaphor. “Omo ase lo fi s’eyin t’oba r’omoge (It’s the coward that moves back when he sees a beautiful girl)”, he mischievously sings over the EDM-inflected Yoruba folk instrumentation by go-to producer Olumba-lo-shey-beat, asserting his boldness while playfully teasing his muse.
Listen to Mo’Believe’s “Omo Ase” here.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/mobelieve_
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
With his infectiously positive attitude and genuine free spirit, Ovie Soko captivated Love Island viewers all over the world this summer. Since he left the villa, it’s been uphill for him, and given how quickly he stole everyone’s heart, that should come as no shock.
Like all former Islanders, Ovie became a hot commodity for brands looking to attach themselves to the newly famous and highly influential Love Island finalists. We can all agree that Ovie was the hottest on the market, so, it’s only right for him to emerge with the most illustrious decoration in the history of Love Island: National Ovie Day!
Whilst we certainly never needed an excuse to celebrate Ovie, today is a particularly important occasion as it marks the country’s first ever Nation Ovie Day, which the British-Nigerian influencer quite literally celebrated in style. For the inaugural celebration of National Ovie Day, the new authority on bucket hats launched his artistic conceptual collaboration with fashion behemoth, ASOS.
Undeniably the most stylish gent to grace the Love Island Villa, it was a no brainer that Ovie was involved in the fashion festivities that come with the beginning of the fashion calendar. With fellow finalists Molly Mae and Amber recently announcing new collaborations with fashion brands, Ovie’s introduction as a designer in his own right was imminent, not to mention perfectly timed amidst the buzz of Fashion Week.
As a true Nigerian, Ovie is incredibly family-oriented. If it weren’t clear from how effortlessly he fathered Raymond Junior, his artificial love child with India during Love Island‘s infamous “Baby Episode”, Ovie’s new collaboration affirms that the Soko man is a family man before anything else. Paying homage to his father, Raymond (Senior), a stimulating artist known as PappiRay, whose studio served as one of Ovie’s playgrounds growing up, the Ovie x ASOS collaboration incorporates fractions from PappiRay’s most inspiring works.
Joined by the ASOS DESIGN team, Ovie’s collection began with him raiding his father’s studio, and culminates with him presenting his own interpretations of his father’s artworks, through the seven thought-provoking pieces that make up his debut collection.
Including bucket hats, sweatshirts and a few t-shirt designs, Ovie’s fashion debut sees him salute his origins – his dual nationality overtly influences the #message he conveys through the Western streetstyle pieces adorned with African inspired art.
Ovie’s ASOS collaboration will be going live in exactly a week, September 23rd, so to assuage impatient fans, the online retail powerhouse are giving fans a little insight into the budding tastemaker’s eye for fashion and his post-summer style, launching Ovie’s own Style Edit (shop here) — which includes ASOS items specifically curated by Ovie.
Creating his very own Ovie logo, again inspired by one of PappiRay’s paintings, we’ve got a strong feeling, and are fervently praying, that Ovie’s fashion exploits do not stop here!
It became clear for everyone to see that Naira Marley had the streets in a chokehold when he got arrested earlier this year, and the normally apathetic Nigerian fans went out in protest. He was eventually released and has since put out hit songs like “Soapy”, highlighting his knack for making rebellious anthems. His latest single, “Pxta” is a perfect distillation why his music is so appealing to his fans as he embodies the rebellious character traits conservative Nigerian society tries so hard to blacklist.
Over the airy mix of synth harmonies, percussion and a catchy drum riff Rexxie produces, Naira Marley preaches his oddball gospel on the obsession with ass (“Idi”) and several other life lessons picked up from the street his music nods to. Performing in his now trademark mix of English and Yoruba, “Pxta” is a posse cut of the unruly lifestyle of the Marlian community, and the music video Naya Effectz Visuals directs captures the good times the rapper and his crew are enjoying.
Watch the music video for Naira Marley’s “Pxta” below.
Featured Image Credits” YouTube/ Naira Marley
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
Nwaozo Obiajulu immortalized himself as one of the fondest rappers to come out of Nigeria when he released “Osondi Owendi”, featuring Flavour, under his MC Loph alias in 2009. The rapper’s career came to an abrupt end when he lost his life in a fatal car crash on the 14th of September, 2011, but the music he made remains evergreen.
Listening to “Osondi Owendi” today is a small journey into the past at a steady pace that appreciates the patience of artists who recognize music gets better with time. The song charms you with its utter simplicity, sampling Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe’s 1984 highlife record of the same title. At the song’s core is the relaxed guitar melody of the original highlife instrumentals, around which Flavour performs a captivating rendition of the Igbo classic while MC Loph adds plainspoken rap bars like “Make we dey flex/ If you dey vex, you be enemy of progress” imbibing an effortless ease to the celebratory song.
In a way, “Osondi Owendi” was our introduction to the pairing of artists harnessing their indigenous influences for distinct aesthetics; while Flavour’s retained the traditional melodies, MC Loph went the hip-hop route, rapping in a fluid mix of Igbo and English. Their lyrics and earworm melodies worked magic on dancefloors, but thanks to the cinematic music video that accompanied the song, we also see how it was an ode to the seemingly outdated highlife sound while wholly resonating in the hip-hop sound of their present moment.
It’s hardly a surprise his death was mourned so profoundly by the music industry with several artists offering their condolence and even recording tribute songs. 8 years have passed since MC Loph passed on but we continue to cherish his memory through the timeless music he gave us.
Stream “Osondi Owendi” by MC Loph and Flavour below.
Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Bongorep
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
Social media is calling for an end to the indifference of the Nigerian police, towards the shocking news of murdered women in Port Harcourt. Over the past month, there have been reports that over ten young women were being murdered across Port Harcourt. The distinct style in which the bodies are found—asphyxiation with a white cloth bounded around their necks and legs—has raised suspicions that this is not a series of random murders. The growing assumption is that the incidents have been the work of a calculated killer, escaping police detection due to the lack of surveillance cameras in these hotels.
Over the weekend, female residents of Port Harcourt took to the streets and to the police headquarters in Port Harcourt to engage in peaceful protests for their deceased sisters. In response however, the state Commissioner of Police, Chuks Enwonwu narrowed the context around the murders to sex work saying “In as much as societal values degenerate, you need to go back to educate your fellow women and advise them against prostitution because they are the targets and victims of such crimes”. His comment reinforces a dangerous narrative that has left sex workers vulnerable to abuse and assault, sending the internet into an uproar and spurring the hashtag #ProtectPHGirls.
The Nigerian Police often comes under fire for general negligence and not following due process but this reality feels particularly jarring because there are consequences of a society presumably placing social values over injustice. Recommending impetuous social solutions about sex workers who are already underrepresented in Nigeria could potentially incite further violence against them. The result of this kind of ignorance could lead to a new range of anxieties from the possibility of inspiring copycat killers to unmetered crime against women in general. The assumption that only prostitutes go to hotels already tells a lot about how expansive this threat could become.
As at the time of this report almost bizarrely, there is still no official comment from Rivers state Governor, Ezenwo Wike on the murders. Optimism is difficult in these circumstances and some of the natural expectations is that beyond the authorities, women rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and agencies concerned can take charge. Please #ProtectPHGirls.
If you’ve ever wondered what a Black Coffe and Usher collaboration would sound like, you no longer need to. The South African DJ-producer and R&B veteran have teamed up to deliver a new song to soundtrack dancefloor romance, “LaLaLa”, while also establishing how timeless party songs can be.
The EDM baseline Black Coffee produces for “LaLaLa” transport listeners to the early 2010s when Usher exclaimed, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love”. With the beat already evoking a sweeping nostalgia, Usher adds his sultry vocals, singing “You give me reason to light up the place/ You keep me going, keep me rolling, go without the breaks/ Bring back your love again”. The pining lyrics reveal a romantic sentiment at the core of the dancefloor-ready beat but it also seems a throwback to a time when you heard an Usher song and instantly imaged the possible dance moves he’d perform to the beat should the music video get released.
Stream Black Coffee and Usher’s “LaLaLa” below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/realblackcoffee
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
Last Friday, British-Ghanaian rapper/visual artist Kojey Radical released his major label debut, ‘Cashmere Tears’, after months of build-up. Clocking in at half an hour, the project is a brisk and potent portrait of the rapper’s self-reclamation, using low moments as substantial references for his growth. In addition to his splendid, lived-in lyricism, the album is ushered along by plump G-Funk rhythms and jazz-indented flourishes.
‘Cashmere Tears’ mainly features vocals by Kojey, with Ghanaian singer Amaarae picking up the project’s lone credited guest vocals, adding her fairydust magic to standout track, “Sugar”. “I just want to take a ride on you, I just wanna slide on you”, she delicately sings over the swooning strings, wobbling bass guitar riff and explosive bass synths, setting the song’s sensual premise. While Kojey starts both of his verses seemingly intoxicated by a sexual encounter with his muse, reeling off a litany of descriptive raps, he pivots into contemplating just how temporary the act is as a coping mechanism. In this way, “Sugar” fits in as a confrontational part of the album’s overarching theme of growth, using sex as a metaphor for transience.
Listen to Kojey Radical & Amaarae on “Sugar” here.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
British-Ghanaian artists, Eugy, features Wavy the Creator his latest single, “Hold Me Down”, and he maximizes the potential for their collaboration through the accompanying music video. While they perform their romantic sets over the highlife inspired beat Emile Laurent produces to a lightweight groove, Meji Alabi directs a colourful and flowery display, showing the artists and some models dressed in different fashionable threads.
Rick Ross – “Gold Roses” Feat. Drake
The history books have documented that every time Drake and Rick Ross get together in the studio, they make classic records. Their latest attempt, “Gold Roses” has all the markings of their sophisticated blend of brags and introspection and the recently released music video portrays all the glitter of their flamboyant lifestyles through the sparkling props of gold baths, chandeliers, grand pianos, beautiful models and huge pillars. Though Drake doesn’t cameo in the video and has his verse cut out from the song’s video, his chorus sets the brooding mood for the dark and pensive clip.
Jaywon – “Aje Remix” Feat. Barry Jhay, Lyta
Jaywon, Barry Jhay and Lyta teamed up for the spiritually motivated “Aje Remix” earlier this year. The fuji-pop trio have returned to give the song a deserving music video directed by Inioluwa Adesola, showing them performing their heartfelt verses in a suburban neighbourhood that highlights the folky direction of the song as they pray for blessings to have a better life.
Swae Lee – “Sextacy”
Rae Sremmurd’s ‘SremmLife 4’ is expected to drop soon but that elusive Swae Lee debut as a solo artist seems closer than ever. The singer released two singles, “Sextacy” and Tekno produced “Won’t Be Late”, featuring Drake earlier this year, stating that he’s already working on his solo album. He just shared the music video for “Sextacy” directed by Chuck Grant and Mike WiLL, detailing his intoxicating relationship with his model co-star Cenit Nadir as they drive on the highway in a vintage Corvette Stingray and sit poolside at their Malibu pad surrounded by flamingos. The video closes with a beach where Swae Lee pops a bottle of champagne and lights a joint under the night stars.
Afro B – “Go Dance” Feat. Busy Signal
As Afropop continues to grow a stronger brand to rival other international genres, London based Ivorian singer, Afro B keeps his foot on the gas as he continues to build his discography in the dancehall rhythm the sound supports. His “Joanna (Drogba)” song still goes in the club but his latest song expands his sonic palette to accommodate Caribbean audiences through the hypersensual lyrics and feature from Jamaican dancehall artist, Busy Signal. 300k directs the music video at a beach party set where women in sex body suits dance to the lightweight groove of the beat Team Salut produces.
“Jojo Rabbit” Trailer
Taika Waititi’s satire about World War 2, “Jojo Rabbit”, already won the people’s choice award at this year’s Toronto film festival and many expect it to also get Oscar nods. The film won’t be out in theatres till October but the trailer shows it’s based on a young boy in the German arm’s coming of age story after discovering his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their house. With stars like Scarlett Johansson and Roman Griffin Davis and the director, Taika Waititi’s recent success with films like “Thor: Ragnarok”, it’s sure to be entertaining as we watch the comical sequences and dialogues when the young boy turns his idol, Adolf Hitler into an imaginary friend.
Featured Image Credits: YouTube/ FoxSearchlight
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
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
Skales and Tanzanian singer Harmonize have worked enough times in the last few months to be tagged as close collaborators. Including last year’s “Fire Waist”, both singers have been on the same song three times, with their latest collaboration “Oyoyo” being the fourth time in the last eighteen months. In a classic case of not fixing what already works, the new single is split between their adulation for a muse’s physique and their intention to serve dancefloors all the way from Lagos to Dar Es Salam. In addition to flaunting their continued chemistry, the accompanying music video is a collage of dancers performing energetic moves, as a means of showing just how proficient the song should prove proficient in club settings.
See Skales & Harmonize in “Oyoyo” video here.
Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Skales
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
From 2Face and V.I.P linking up back in ’06, to Ghanaian-originated dance crazes like the Azonto finding a second home in Nigeria earlier this decade, there’s a rich lineage of cultural exchanges and continued collaborations between both west African countries, so much so that it’s now commonplace. For his third single of this year, “Ololo”, Ghanaian Dancehall mainstay Stonebwoy traverses the same familiar bridge, recruiting Afropop’s Girl next door Teni for a spirited bop steeped in the genre’s romantic tropes.
Produced by iPaapi, who throws together a stomping blend of highlife guitar licks, summery piano chords and a rollicking percussion pattern, “Ololo” finds both artists expressing their lightweight sentiments in jovially assertive terms. The music video Prince Dovlo directs also does its part in capturing the spirit of song, including shots of Teni painting a portrait of a love interest (kinda), and Stonebwoy performing his lyrics in the company of models, under strobe lights.
Watch the video for “Ololo” here.
Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Stonebwoy
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
International collaborations featuring Afropop acts have become frequent sightings, a noteworthy highlight being Beyonce’s executive produced ‘Lion King: The Gift’; which shone a light on Africa’s thriving music scene. Adding to that growing list is Nigerian singer Seyi Shay, picking up a guest feature from American R&B star Teyana Taylor, on the remix of her single “Gimme Love”, which had a Runtown feature on its initial version. Speaking exclusively to the NATIVE, Seyi revealed that the collaboration came together courtesy of her international team. “They believed it was about time we bridged the gap between female musicians in Africa and the United States so I of course, decided to champion it. I also love Teyana’s music, so it was quite seamless”, she says via mail.
“Gimme Love (Remix)” was released last week Friday, with no changes to the mid-tempo production by Afropop super-producer Sarz. However, there’s an accompanying music video shot in Teyana Taylor’s hometown, Harlem, and directed by Walu, under Meji Alabi’s production company, JM Films. The set of visuals show both artists intimately bonding with each other and their respective partners, depicting their highly sensual lyrics: ‘Baby don’t speak, let your hands do the talking’. In the last chorus of the song, Teyana and Seyi Shay deliver a duet where both artist’s distinct voices blend together seamlessly; exquisitely marrying both afropop and R&B.
