Essentials: Boybreed’s ‘Made in the Tropics’

Posted on by The Native

Boybreed won the hearts of fans with their simple and romantic single, “Follow Me Back”, which made Best New Music last year. Now it seems the duo want to spread the joys of their dancehall romance around the globe. Their debut EP, ‘Made in the Tropics’, is tagged under the ‘World’ genre as the brothers, Chibuzor Franklyn Amajuoyi and Nnamdi Kennedy Amajuoyi team up with artists like Alora, Minz, King Perryy and Wilfresh to perform romantic songs inspired by the hot and humid weather of the tropics and the sticky feeling of flesh on steamy dancefloors.

The lightweight Caribbean influenced beat SynX produces for the opening track, “Set” sets the dancehall tempo which is retained for all 7 tracks on the tape. While this makes all the tracks on ‘Made in the Tropics’ predictably romantic, they make up for it through their catchy melodies with memorable references and samples from the world of dancehall. Alora assisted “What You Say” asides offering a much-needed woman’s perspective on dancefloor romance, also helps Boybreed expand their audience range through the French lyrics and the international feature.

TUC produces a bubbling bassline for “Bugatti”, mixing traditional drum riffs, synth and percussion harmonies while they team up with Minz to sing of their lovers’ sex appeal. Evida produces the beat for “Bam Bilam”, pandering to the EDM sound of European dance clubs while Boybreed retain the African sound with their distinctly African lingo. TUC, however, brings back the Caribbean sound on Raggae fueled “One More Try”, one of the mellow cut from the project. King Perryy assisted “Rugged Love” follows in the lightweight mood of dimly lit nightclubs, but rather than turning up the heat with raunchy lyrics, they opt for heartfelt confessions that show a maturity older folks will appreciate. They find a more convincing middle point between romance and sensual expressions on closing track, “Dro Dro” which features Wilfresh’s remarkable knack for storytelling as they examine the intoxicating effect of women.

Despite the impressively curated guest list of young promising Nigerian artists, ‘Made in the Tropics’ plays out very dated thanks to the familiar rhythm of dancehall and lyrics like “Make I play you my cassette”. It’s the type of project you want to play at the family cookout so the parents can feel included.

Stream Boybreed’s ‘Made in the Tropics’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/boybreed
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ICYMI: Listen to Boybreed’s “Follow Back” Best New Music feature

Yemi Alade shares ‘Woman of Steel’ album with African romanticizing music video for “Home”

Posted on by The Native

Last week, Yemi Alade released two singles, “Home” and “Give Dem”, hoping to build anticipation for her coming ‘Woman Of Steel’ project. Both songs produced by Vtek and Krizbeatz respectively assured listeners they could count on getting the classic gospel leaning Yemi Alade sound with her African celebrating and romantic direction when the album drops. She just released the 15-track album along with the accompanying video for the lead single, “Home”, where she is seen dancing and wearing flashy African attires in the 4-minute clip Clarence Peters directs. Much like the traditional leaning song, the music video is has a folky narrative, following Yemi Alade and a lover’s romantic relationship at the beach as she seems to dance to impress her love interest.

Watch the music video below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Yemi Alade
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ICYMI: See the music video for Rick Ross assisted “Oh My Gosh”

Essentials: Vader the Wildcard and TGM’s ‘Lagos in July’ EP

Posted on by The Native

‘Lagos in July’ might seem a clique title for an EP with the number of music pieces dedicated to the entertainment capital of Nigeria. But following the inspirational tale of friendship between two talented artists working to put their city on the map, historic accuracy takes precedence over artistic pride.

Vader the Wildcard hasn’t looked back since getting his first taste of the limelight in 2017, sharing the good looks from winning the Hennesy Rap Battle Cypher with the rest of his set, WTS. The online community has since grown from being a small WhatsApp group created in Ibadan to be renowned for being ‘the biggest online community in Nigeria’, helping promote other artists like SDC and many more. While Dolapo Amusat is more popularly known for his role as the founder and perhaps data analyst of WTS, he shows off his rap prowess on ‘Lagos in July’, a 4-track EP where he joins forces with Vader the Wildcard to toast to their ambition and the come up.

‘Lagos in July’ opens with “Jide’s Posters”, a triumphant song that introduces Vader the Wildcard’s comical alter-ego and TGM’s belligerent rap bars as they combine to make their case for being one of this generation’s most compelling voices over bubbling basslines AudioMonkey produces. Traces of funk drip on the next track, “Under Bridge” with the lightweight harmonies OLSBeat produces to contrast the harsh hassle experiences both artists share of their stay in Lagos. “Lekki Water” is more mellow, this time rapping over a piano-led beat to celebrate the hustler ambition they share in common with others who have moved to Lagos in search of a better life of financial freedom. The EP closes with an attempt to give social commentary on the millennial culture, playing on the “Yaba Left” title as they question the sanity of current social behaviours; “People just dey catch cruise/ Everyone entitled/ Niggas in their feels/ Emotions on switch mode/ People on a stream roll/ Man can’t deal”. The thematically apt beat OLSBeat produces with a sinister piano harmony layered over catchy drum riffs gives the song all the markings of a hit, but it’s the personality and character the rappers’ infuse into their bars that makes it such an outstanding track from the tape.

You can stream Vader the Wildcard and TGM’s ‘Lagos in July’ EP below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/vaderthewildcard
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ICYMI: Vader the Wildcard’s “Not Famos”is a thrilling glimpse into the mind of the Hennessy VS Class 2017 winner

Olamide reminds us why he’s on every DJ’s set with his latest single, “Pawon”

Posted on by The Native

Olamide has worn many crowns over the course of his very successful career. He started out as a rapper with the confidence and skill to fill the shoes DaGrin left behind after pushing indigenous Yoruba rap into the mainstream, but these days, he’s more likely to provide dancefloor jams than spit bars. His latest single, “Pawon”, is only his latest attempt at celebrating the festive Yoruba culture following hit songs like “Lagos Boy”, “Bobo”, “Pepper Dem Gang”, “Wo”, “Oil and Gas” , “Totori” and more.

No one has embraced house music as enthusiastically and successfully as Olamide has and he keeps up the groovy tempo for “Pawon”, singing over a traditional leaning mix of synth riffs, drums and whistling samples Cracker Mallo produces. With lyrics “All my sexy ladies, Pawon(kill them)/All my sexy mamas, Pawon/Jojo, Pawon/ Juju, Pawon/ Chuchu, Pawon/ Titi, Pawon/ Kiki, Pawon/ Tola, Pawon/ Yeye, Pawon/ Bibi, Pawon”, Olamide shows off his age as an experienced hitmaker as he sings the clever call to dance. It’s the type of song that teases listeners who can’t get into the festive mood it channels.

Stream Olamide’s “Pawon” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/baddosneh

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ICYMI: Watch the music video for Olamide and Wizkid’s “Totori” collaboration

Catch this DMW flex on “On God”, featuring Davido, Mayorkun and Dremo

Posted on by The Native

The DMW crew are no strangers to flexing, living up to their ’30 Billion Gang’ alias through the flashy lifestyle they display in their music videos and IG posts. While previous releases like “Mind”, “Aje” and “Aza” told their flamboyant stories through a romantic narrative that numbed the impact, there are no such filters on their latest collaboration, “On God”, featuring Davido, Mayorkun and Dremo.

Over the catchy beat Rexxie produces to a mid-tempo groove backed up by hazy synth harmonies, horns, percussion, rattling samples and a compelling mix of traditional drum riffs and 808s, the three artists show off their vocal talents, global fan base and a remarkable grasp of the potential in Nigerian’s deep bag of music pop culture references with Yinka Ayefele inspired lyrics from Davido.

Stream DMW’s “On God”, featuring Davido, Mayorkun and Dremo.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/iammayorkun
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ICYMI: Watch the music video for DMW’s “Aza” featuring Davido, Duncan Mighty and Peruzzi

Mut4y & Maleek Berry are the only guys around in music video for “Turn Me On”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

While they serve as muses for a wide range of intentions, Afropop knows that dancefloors would be whack without women, which explains the genres unrelenting correlation of both. Continuing this eternal tradition, super producer and one-half of Legendury Beatz, Mut4y has linked up with Afropop heartthrob Maleek Berry for “Turn Me On”, a new single that is steeped in all the cliches, albeit impressively.

Combining a breezy piano chord progression and Afro-Caribbean drums, Mut4y produces the club-ready beat, matching the salacious set Maleek Berry performs in adulation of a love interest’s bod. Visualizing their lightweight set, Caponne & Guise direct a winsome video packed with beautiful women models dancing under the alluring glow of neon lights. Both artists are the only prominent men faces throughout the video, well, except cameos from Bankulli and DJ Neptune, making for an apt representation of how most guys would like a dancefloor to be.

Watch the video for “Turn Me On” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Mut4y

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ICYMI: ESTELLE AND MALEEK BERRY PLAY LOVERS ON “MEET UP”

Ladipoe’s “Lemme Know” is a blinding statement track

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

In a quest to widen the potency of his arsenal, Mavin rapper Ladipoe has put out the sunny and sleek “Jaiye”, as well as the radio-ready “Based on Kpa” this year, singles planted in melodic territory. While the switch-up doesn’t mean both songs are inherently bad, they don’t possess the distinct flair the rapper flashed in a viral freestyle some weeks ago, and on his newest song, “Lemme Know”.

At his best, Ladipoe’s songs come across as statement tracks, merging gobstopping lyricism with an unassailable, confident cool. On “Lemme Know”, all positive elements coalesce gloriously, over a chill reggae groove produced by Mavin in-house beatsmith Ozedikuz. Although Poe’s subject matter of claiming to be the best is hardly anything new to his catalogue, it coins in on his supreme ability to display a high level of technical dexterity, cleverly flip references, bolstered by an impenetrable cadence and delivery.

“Lemme Know” was originally premiered on social media with a video, eventually making it to legit streaming platforms after overwhelmingly positive reactions. In the music video Xela directs for Mavin Films, there are frivolous and posturing shots of the rapper delivering his bars, alone and in the company of a makeshift posse.

Watch the video for “Lemme Know” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/MavinRecords

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ICYMI: LADIPOE’S “MAN ALREADY” WAS NAMED BEST NEW MUSIC IN 2017

Essentials: Jidenna’s ’85 To Africa’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Home is where the heart is, or at least where you can always go to find asylum. Per the trailer of his newly released album, ’85 To Africa’, rapper/singer Jidenna went on a prolonged vacation around Africa, after accommodation issues spun him into disillusion, clearly recharging his creative batteries and refreshing his perspective on what home means.

Although he’s never shied off his Nigerian origins, even reflecting it in his music, there were notable doses of contrivance and sensationalism attached to his last album, ‘The Chief’. This time around, in attempting to crystallize his trip, he is far more looser, compelling and innately prideful of his African heritage. Even his image has been aptly rebranded: jerry curls have been replaced with cornrows, and he’s ditched the ‘classic man’ look to don Ankara-based pants. And on wax, he claims to have replaced his suit jackets with Kimonos on “Babouche”, which references the heelless footwear attributed with Moroccan origins, and quite popular amongst men from the South-East of Nigeria.

’85 To Africa’ is bracketed by two statement tracks, as pillars of sorts. On the emphatic opener, “Worth The Weight”, Jidenna bounces between triumph and ambition, revelling in the pride of being a first generation and expressing his grand purpose, while Afrobeat heir-apparent Seun Kuti chimes in with pan-African rhetoric at the end. “Since I buried papa in the village with a shovel, bro/every move is bold, ain’t no time for being subtle, bro”, he snaps over a ground-shaking combination of Leviathan bass and squealing horn samples.

“The Other Half” is more communal in tone, written like a rousing speech to Black people everywhere, with African-Americans being the closest point of contact. Taking into account traumas of the past, Jidenna extols the virtue of resilience, vigorously declaring “we lynching our Willie Lynch manuals”, followed by a series of uplifting bars, each line as weighty as the last. Ethiopian-American singer Mereba adds an evocative coda, heightening the pensive texture of the organ-led beat with the zen-like vibe of her chanted lyrics.

Instead of needlessly descending into agitprop during the other nine tracks, Jidenna’s cross-Atlantic vision for ’85 To Africa’ is helped along by well-managed execution, sometimes mining personal stories for an authentic, improved representation of his dual nationality. On the raucous title track, he boasts of taking his crew around different cities in Africa and inspiring them to trace their ancestries, while he holds out a family portrait on “Jungle Fever”, reminiscing on the struggles of his parents while they found each other, attributing his unrelenting work ethic to seeing their wins.

Mainly handled by go-to producer Nana Kwabena, with assists from popular producers like DJ Dahi, Mike & Keys and Lil C, the music on ’85 To Africa’ spans contemporary hip-hop and an array of Afropop stylings. Better sequenced than his debut, the album’s apparent sonic split between ’85’ and ‘Africa’, helps embellish Jidenna’s growth from competent rhymer and melody conjurer, to a rounder, more entrancing and effective artist. He’s as confident trading bars with DC rapper Goldlink on a boisterous swag rap cut, as he is wooing a love interest preoccupied with astrology, on a bouncy Afropop beat with Mr Eazi.

Portraying the album’s visceral high point, “Vapouriza” features Afrobeat drums, blaring horns and buzzing bass guitars, forming a chunky groove for Jidenna to sing cliché, sweet nothings like, “let me love you, your wish is my command”. Mixed in something of a slapdash manner, for vintage effects, Jidenna’s throaty vocals swing with the suave flair of a bandleader from the ‘7os, summing up his best attempt at Afropop yet.

Stream ’85 To Africa’ via Apple Music here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/Jidenna

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ICYMI: JIDENNA RAGES IN MUSIC VIDEO FOR “WORTH THE WEIGHT”

Kwesi Arthur is a hometown hero in music video for “See No Evil”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

SInce effectively breaking out with the Sarkodie-assisted remix of his “Grind Day” single, Kwesi Arthur has continued to cash in on the potentials he displayed in early days. Following a successful 2018 campaign that saw him pick up a BET award, the genre-bending artist has continued to impress, with a stunning Tim Westwood freestyle, and notable contributions to BOJ’s “Awolowo” and Joey B’s “La Familia”. Probably the most important event yet, he released a new project, ‘Live From Nkrumah Krom, Vol. II’, a 9-song display of his expansive arsenal, from impressionable bars to summery earworms.

Further promoting the project, he’s recently shared the music video for the sixth track, “See No Evil”, a mid-tempo bop on which he revels in his successes and throws the middle finger to haters. Nodding to his celebrity status, the accompanying music video is a combination of shots in his hometown, following Kwesi performing his lyrics while locals fervently dance behind him.

See Kwesi Arthur in “See No Evil” below.

Featuured Image Credits: YouTube/Ground Up Chale

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ICYMI: KWESI ARTHUR TAPS MR EAZI FOR ROMANTIC NEW SINGLE, “NOBODY”

Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is coming to Disney Channel

Posted on by Tami Makinde

Black characters have been surfacing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, on screen and in print for years. The success of the Black Panther movie sparked the exploration into Afro-futuristic art styles and narratives. The black female representation in the MCU has been short of a female lead character on screen, although these characters exist in print. Laurence Fishburne, the actor exec, is currently in works to change this.

It has now been confirmed that the Marvel comic, “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” is coming to our screens through the popular children network, Disney Channel. Written in 2015, the story follows African-American super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. Luna mistakenly brings the dinosaur into New York with a time vortex; the two team up to protect the city’s Lower East Side from the bad guys.

Featured Image Credits: Animation World

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ICYMI: See the video for Malika: Warrior Queen

Watch the harrowing trailer for Nora Awolowo’s short film “Symphonies”

Posted on by Tami Makinde

Director and filmmaker, Nora Awolowo and on air media personality, Kiki Mordi have teamed up once again. The pair, earlier in the year, released a documentary, Life at the Bay, that detailed the lives of women who live in Tarkwa Bay. Symphonies  follows the story of June, a woman in her late twenties whose life plan has not gone accordingly. Riddled with questions of when she will marry and bear children, the young woman turns to alcohol, as we see her purchasing some but not even having the money to foot the bill. Haunted by the number of rejections she receives, June’s story is similar to that of the average young individual who has mapped their life out only to encounter unplanned challenges. 

Watch the trailer for “Symphonies” below:

Featured Image Credits: Twitter/@Symphoniesmovie

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

ICYMI: Netflix adds to their list of Nollywood Blockbusters

Phyno shares release date and tracklist for new album, ‘Deal With It’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Although he blew off the back of rumbling, indigenous rap songs, Phyno has diversified his portfolio to include melody-driven songs, some of which have become certified smash records, like “Fada Fada” with Olamide. Despite criticisms from some Nigerian rap purist quarters, Phyno has continually shown that he’s not constricting his ambitions anytime soon. After debuting two pop-rap singles this year, “Agu” and “The Bag”, the rapper/singer is now gearing up for the release of a new album, ‘Deal With It’.

A week after announcing the album title across his social media pages, the singer/rapper has now shared a September 4th release date, as well as its brimming tracklist. Including the two pre-released singles from earlier this year, and a remix of his 2018 single, “Fuwa Sewa”, the album will contain twenty one (21) songs. Flexing his star power, he’ll be joined on the album by a bunch of A-list Afropop artists, including Don Jazzy, Davido, Falz, Runtown, Olamide, Teni, Harmonize, amongst others. ‘Deal With It’ is Phyno’s third studio album, and it comes three years after his sophomore album, ‘The Playmaker’.

Check out the tracklist below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1tiMFagqYK/

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/phynofino

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ICYMI: MR REAL RETURNS WITH CATCHY NEW SINGLE, “OLOUN”, FEATURING REMINISCE, PHYNO AND DJ KAYWISE

Yinka Bernie announces new project, ‘Your Canvas in Work’, with unofficial cover art

Posted on by The Native

Yinka Bernie has been on a long hiatus since his highly anticipated headling concert got cancelled last December. The backlash for the unfortunate situation seems to have taken its toll on him creatively but he seems to have finally gotten back some control of his career with his latest announcement for his coming projects, ‘Feedback Loop Project’ and ‘Your Canvas Project’. He just released the cover art for ‘Your Canvas Project’ along with a promise to drop a new song, “Water” featuring LMBSKN, before the year ends.

Check out the unofficial cover art for the ‘Your Canvas Project’ project below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ICYMI: Check out the essentials for Yinka Bernie’s 3-track EP, ‘Façades’

6 videos you should watch this week

Posted on by The Native

Burna Boy’s – “Comedy Central Medley for Ye and Anybody”

The success of Burna Boy’s ‘African Giant’ has made him the trendy face of African music in America, featuring on songs, billboards and making TV appearances. He was recently featured on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” where he gets in tune with his more goofy side and talks about the Afro-fusion sound he’s championing, the Coachella poster that inspired the name of his project title, his belief that Africa is the origin of music and performs a medley of “Ye” and “Anybody”.

OSHUN – “We’re Yung”

Known for a fluidity that speaks to their Yoruba namesake, New York R&B and rap duo, Oshun has released the accompanying music video for “We’re Yung”, one of the standout tracks from their first full length in 3 years, ‘Bittersweet vol. 1′. Like the song, the music video Annie Bercy directs portrays them as free spirits, running through the train station before the scenery changes to a fairytale-esque sunflower field where they trail a presumed love interest while performing their soothing verses.

Attitude – “Higher Your Body” Feat.  Mayorkun, Reekado Banks and BOJ

Attitude’s “Higher Your Body” seemed destined to make a wave on radio and on the internet with the catchy vibe of the beat Tuzi produced and the weight of his guest list that featured contributions from Mayorkun, Reekado Banks and BOJ when it was released back in June. He has upped the ante even further by releasing a Bash Em directed music video showing all the artists in dimly lit scenes while they perform their showy verses.

A$AP Rocky – “Babushka Boi”

After spending nearly a month in a Swedish jail, A$AP Rocky is back to releasing music, taking on the pigs in his comical new music video for “Babushka Boi”. The Dick Tracy-inspired video is directed by Nadia Lee Cohen, opening with Rocky and his quirky looking crew of bandits robbing a bank tend getting chased through the streets by the police who are made-up to look like pigs. The facial prosthetics they wear makes for a cartoonish depiction of their gangster narrative with cameos from A$AP Ferg, A$AP Nast, Kamil Abbas and Schoolboy Q who join Rocky to face off with the pigs in a bloody gun battle that ends with the big turning into sausages.

Vector – “Oja (Drugs and Friends)”

Vector has spent a significant amount of time in the rap game to make him the OG to younger rappers. This seems to inspire him to spit conscious bars, dropping gems meant as advice and speaking to the youth culture. His latest offering, the music video for “Oja (Drugs and Friends)” discusses the peer pressure that leads to drug abuse.

Drake – “Money in the Grave” Feat. Rick Ross

As a cultural phenomenon, Drake as yet is unmatched. With unrelenting strings of singles, albums, playlists, whatever he puts his vocals on is almost instantly ordained to be a hit. With all the success, sometimes one life isn’t enough to enjoy it all, so what better way to cap an illustrious life than resting with your hard-earned money for eternity, or at least however long bills can last underground. This makes sense because he’s the self-acclaimed Petty King and his newly released music video for “Money in the Grave” featuring Rick Ross shows him digging a grave and covering it back up. With the gritty black and white filter, both artists’ tough bars are amplified in a celebratory way as we watch clips from Drake’s most glamorous moments from the last couple of months; getting a giant 767 plane and bringing out the Raptors NBA championship trophy while on stage at OVO Fest.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
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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 Burna Boy’s “Anybody”

Larry Gaaga and Patoranking dedicate their new collaboration, “In My Head”, to fallen friends

Posted on by The Native

Larry Gaaga teams up with Patoranking for a new single, “In My Head”, adding to his growing catalogue that seems to reflect his elite taste in Afropop. The new song is a follow up to Wizkid assisted “Low”, but while both songs are written for the love of dancefloor romance, the accompanying music video for “In My Head” adds a sombre twist through the funeral ceremony set.

Mr Moe Musa directs the music video and opens with the photography of four people who the video is dedicated to; “In loving memory of those we have lost”. The rest of the video is set at a church funeral proceeding where Patronaking memes his vocals beside Larry Gaaga and a choir that sings backup while cuts following two lovers are sliced into the 3-minute long video.

Watch the music video for “In My Head” by Larry Gaaga and Patoranking below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Larry Gaaga
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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 Larry Gaaga and Wizkid’s “Low”

Omawumi throws a surprise party “For [Her] Baby”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Following the release of her first single of the year, “Without You”, along with its music video, veteran Afropop singer Omawumi delivered a new project, ‘In My Feelings’, on its set date back in June. Towing the same well-executed lane as her 2017 ‘Timeless’ album, the recently released 8-song set splits an even difference between Omawumi’s emotive songwriting, mellifluous melodies, and catchy, sophisticated production.

Continuing the EP rollout, she’s just put out the music video for the second track, “For My Baby”, an appreciative, honeyed love song, set to the percussive, mid-tempo beat she co-produced. Deepening the song’s blue-eyed perspective, the music video follows a surprise party Omawumi throws to celebrate her lover, with the camaraderie helped along by cameos from fellow entertainers like Timi Dakolo, Waje and Chigurl.

You can watch the video for Waje’s “For My Baby” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Omawumi

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ICYMI: SEE OMAWUMI AND FALZ IN NEW VIDEO, “HOLD MY BABY”

See Santi-directed video for GoldLink’s “U Say”, featuring Jay Prince and Tyler, The Creator

Posted on by The Native

Santi is an artist with a capital ‘A’—a multi-disciplinary creative whose work spans music, fashion, and videography. His expansive creativity gives him the range to create his own universe, leaning into a goth-like aesthetic that makes him stand out amongst his Nigerian peers. While his music has gotten spotlighted in international music scenes following the release of his latest album, ‘Mandy and the Jungle’, he’s finally being acknowledged for his visual prowess with his video director credit in the music video for GoldLink, Jay Prince and Tyler, the Creator’s “U Say”.

“U Say” off GoldLink’s ‘Diaspora’ album narrates the eager thoughts after picking up a love interest at the club and the music video depicts that through the club setting of a party. The erratic camera movements and the fight that eventually breaks out might all seem like what you’d expect from a music video set at a party, but the tribal dance scene and the priest who shows up to chase the dancers out all carry very specifically Santi signatures.

Watch the music video for GoldLink’s “U Say”, featuring Jay Prince and Tyler, The Creator.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/GoldLink
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ICYMI: Watch the music video for GoldLink, Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly’s “Zulu Scream”

Asa’s video for “Good Thing” is a satisfying celebration of resurgence

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

In case you didn’t know, Asa is back. It had been radio silence in the last five years since she dropped her junior album, ‘Bed of Stone’, to expectedly critical acclaim. However, she returned in May with a comeback single, “The Beginning”, a bracing song that portrays the toxicity attached to prolonged arguments in relationships, also debuting its artsy video a few days later.  At the end of June, she followed up with a new single, “Good Thing”, and she’s just released an accompanying video for the song.

Listening as a sequel to the preceding single, “Good Thing” revels in the joy of moving on after an unfavourable relationship/circumstance. “I’m not afraid to be on my own, and I am so fine with this, so I’ll be good in no time”, she gently and assuredly sings, over the radiant Pop-Soul instrumental arrangement. Exuding the song’s blissful aura, the music video Sesan directs, is a celebration of resurgence in different forms. From the lady who gets comfortable with her vitiligo, to another who overcomes the urge to overdose, the entire video is a combination of sub-plots that is ultimately satisfying.

Watch the video for Asa’s “Good Thing” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Asa Official

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

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Best New Music: Joeboy lands a double banger with “Beginning”

Posted on by The Native

JoeBoy is gradually taking over our headphones and playlists. The singer broke out with sleeper-banger, “Baby” via Mr Eazi’s #emPAWA, earlier in the year, and has since emerged as one of the more promising voices from the music empowerment project. “Beginning”, his new follow up single is a mellower shade of his first hit, keeping themes of light-hearted love, but with flutes and harmonic synths on “Baby” stripped back for a highlife-inspired groove. JoeBoy may be a product of an internet-boosted virality, but unassumingly he is also enjoying an unprecedented mainstream crossover. At this pace, all he needs now is a little time and patience and we may have the humble beginnings of a breakout Afropop star on our hands.

Stream JoeBoy’s  “Beginning” below:

Image Credits: Instagram

Toye is managing-partner at NATIVE Nigeria. Tweet at him @ToyeSokunbi

Best New Music: Tems “Try Me” is a fiery anthem of triumph”

Essentials: Trill Tega’s ‘Sound Exploration’

Posted on by The Native

The current shape of the rap game has been obvious since the viral success of Migos’ “Bad and Boujee” confirmed that the trap sound has come to stay. With the increasing number of young rappers like Psycho YP, Blaqbonez and Rema solidifying themselves as stars through their preference for the style, hip-hop heads are on the lookout for what’s next. But perhaps the answer lies in Trill Tega’s new tape, ‘Sound Exploration’, an expansive tape that merges melodic rap, drill and grime, while also throwing back to an era when melodic cadence didn’t define hip-hop.

The first thing you noticed about Trill Tega is his deep and raspy voice, sweeping through his stream of consciousness in a hurry. It’s fitting for a rapper who is slowly building a reputation for his insistent project releases; putting out ‘Sound Exploration’ after dropping two projects last year. Though being prolific shows him as talented and driven, it can discourage more casual listeners from entering the overwhelming catalogue of newly discovered prolific artists. Fortunately, he makes all 9 tracks on ‘Sound Exploration’ count.

The opening track, “Bounce (Freestyle)” finds him spitting pimp credo and gangster bars that highlight his gritty personality over the catchy trap beat Awful Daniel produces. The next track, “No Answers” featuring Daniel $hadow double down on that image, rapping “That Pussy better stay vegan/If we’re talking beef, you’re going to need some better defence” and really earning his right to use the ‘Parental Advisory’ tag on the project’s cover art. Though the first two tracks already carried some hint of Trill Tega’ UK influences, his cadence and slang choices on the third track, “9”, give away his Grime inspirations and where he’s from as he brags about his player accomplishments. However, it’ the Drill beat Ro$$ produces for “Right Hand Left Hand” that really establishes his UK sound.

The internet has clearly made the world feel like a much smaller place, allowing artists from different regions to collaborate and bring their unique sound together. Trill Tega’s ‘Sound Exploration’ strings together different sounds and influences, using memes and viral videos as skits that could only come from an artist raised on the internet. While Trill Tega’s smooth arrogance and lingo remain distinctly UK, the beat selection is more expansive, taking on a trap beat for “Lieutenant” and a piano-led beat for “When I Take My Time”, featuring Ayham. This, however, leaves Trill Tega relying too heavily on his personality to form the shape of the project.

His pen-game is up to the task on most cases but especially through the self-aware introspection on “In Peace”, wading through the weighty thoughts of an 18-year-old shouldering the responsibility of being a confident and renowned rapper. “Run It”, featuring Psycho YP is a however the most standout track for its atmospheric trap beat and the catchy flow from Trill Tega and Psycho YP who combine well on the boastful track as they exchange bars that highlights their similar tastes. ‘Sound Exploration’ ends with “Telenovela (Freestyle)”, airing out grievances with those he can’t trust. It clearly isn’t the type of project you look to for pseudo-intellectual conceptualizations, it’s just Trill taking nine swings at making the hardest and dirtiest shit he possibly can.

Stream ‘Sound Exploration’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/trill_tega

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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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Di’Ja taps Northern heritage in music video for “Wuta”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Mavin singer Di’Ja may not be the most prolific singer around, only choosing to drop socially-inclined, statement tracks these days, but she seems to be back in full Popstar flow. Early last month, she followed up 2017’s ‘Aphrodija’ with a new self-titled EP, comprising four songs that showcase her trademark qualities: bright songwriting, wide-appealing delivery, and an ear for groovy production. Although the new EP hasn’t been met with the highest level of fanfare, the new music video for “Wuta”, the intro song, looks like a properly executed promotional jolt.

Strutting over a bouncy, exotic Afropop beat, built around a rustic string arrangement peculiar to local music from Northern Nigeria, Di’Ja delivers a self-assured set, packed with brags and eye-rolling lines at haters, delivered in a mix of Hausa and English. She ultimately follows through, though, with its Unlimited LA-directed video, set at an uncredited location in the North. While there is a mystical side plot, mostly carried along by a young girl dressed in a resplendent Hijab and running through a market, the song’s catchy element is portrayed in Di’Ja performing choreographed moves alongside male dancers, all styled distinctly Northern wears.

Watch the video for “Wuta” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/MavinRecords

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

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