Vader’s “Ghosted” plays out the rapper’s darkest fantasies

Posted on by The Native

Different artists have employed several gimmicks to portray the hostilities of their reality in the music they make. On Vader’s latest single, “Ghosted”, he imagines a chaotic universe where he’s the hero and the villain, rapping over a synth-heavy beat that pulsates with a haunting aura that fits his dry vocals.

“And now these niggas tryna play me/ It’s all games till I come out spraying/ And now these girls tryna save me/ I just get me a blunt and tell the baby I’m ghosted”, he raps, delivering vivid imagery in each line with graceful control. Though the beat further embellishes the chaos in the world he imagines, it’s his confidence and composure that works the magic to make Vader’s “Ghosted” so compelling.

Listen below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/thelastsithlord
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ICYMI: Listen to Vader’s “Wasted Dreams” featuring Bawa

Lyta gets the Davido co-sign on “Monalisa (Remix)”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

At the beginning of the summer, Lyta was singing his summer blues. The teenage singer publicly exited YBNL under controversial circumstances, but he’s picked it up since then, joining a new management and dropping a new single, “Monalisa”, as well as its accompanying video. In addition to becoming a sleeper hit, it also caught the ears of Afropop superstar Davido, who has given the singer the highest co-sign with a new verse on the song’s new remix. Apart from Davido’s appearance, nothing about the romantic song is changed, but the addition of an A-list artist will sure help the song’s popularity, and by extension, Lyta’s popularity as well. While its newly released, DK-directed video does touch on the mushy sentiments present on the song, via its destination setting and a couple, the main highlight is the bromance between both artists, and the huge admiration Lyta palpably displays for his high profile guest.

See the video for “Monalisa (Remix)” here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/LytaVEVO

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READ: OLAMIDE, YBNL AND THE FUTURE OF STREET HIP-HOP

Watch Dapo Tuburna, Psycho YP & Ycee catch trips in a rad “Penthouse”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Three months after dropping the video for his pseudo-inspiring single, “Lituation”, Dapo Tuburna is still in high spirits on his new single, “Penthouse”, although this time he’s more fixated on delivering outright boasts. Spotting an iteration of a melodic trap flow, it is an interesting stylistic pivot that makes even more sense with the guest features by Psycho YP and Ycee, who are in more familiar territory while delivering their brag-filled bars. Capturing the exuberant and hedonistic essence the song inspires, the accompanying video features all three artists performing their lyrics, while catching trips in the midst of friends, models and hundred dollar bills.

Watch the video for Dapo Tuburna’s “Penthouse” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Dapo Tuburna

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ICYMI: PSYCHO YP PUTS ON A FLEXING CLINIC ON “WOAH”

Asa details new album, ‘Lucid’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

For those at the back, Asa is back. The maverick singer recently returned to putting out new music, after about five years of relative silence. In May, she dropped her comeback single, “The Beginning”, to serve as an immersive palette cleanser. She followed up with “Good Thing”, a radiant cut that harps on the beauty of starting over, put front and centre by the heart-warming, Sesan-directed music video.

Apart from the tangible narrative threads tying both songs together, the somewhat traditional roll-out seemed to point to an upcoming album, which the singer has now confirmed. Taking to her social media pages to detail the LP, she announced ‘Lucid’ as its title, unveiled its stunning cover art and shared an October 11th release date. The album will comprise fourteen (14) songs, with the inclusion of both pre-released singles as the second and third tracks. ‘Lucid’ is Asa’s fourth studio album, and it succeeds her acclaimed 2014 album ‘Bed of Stone’.

Pre-add the album on Apple Music here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/Asaofficial

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ICYMI: DOCUMENTING THE YEARS SINCE ASA SET FIRE TO THE MOUNTAIN

Aramide plays out an apprehensive wooing scenario with Reminisce on “Baba Abule”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

It’s been three years since Aramide’s debut album, ‘Suitcase’, and although she hasn’t exactly looked like she’s dropping a new LP anytime soon, her occasional string of new singles and lauded stage acumen has kept her name firmly in the mix. After opening the year with her “I Don’t Mind” single and making a guest appearance on Boogey & Paybac’s ‘Alternate Ending’, the singer picked up the distinguished achievement of being inducted into the Recording Academy’s governance board in June, later dropping her first live album, named after a recent headlining concert, ‘Songsversation With Aramide, Vol. 1’.

For her latest act, she features heavyweight rapper Reminisce on her latest song, “Baba Abule”. While SizzlePro’s Yoruba Folk-indebted is brightly layered, Aramide unfolds a dour narrative about repelling the advances of a suitor she plainly deems to be trouble. “Baba abule ma ba mi s’oro ife mo (Don’t talk to me about love anymore, mister)”, she sternly sings on the hook, after relaying her apprehensions on the first verse. Although she remains resolute with her decision, Reminisce still gets off his affectionate raps, going into his Lothario bag for a bunch of lines packed with sweet nothings.

Stream Aramide’s “Baba Abule” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/aramidemusic

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ICYMI: LET ARAMIDE’S “MAGIC” TAKE YOU TO A HAPPY PLACE

Tide recounts a captivating tale of love and betrayal on new single, “No Lie”

Posted on by The Native

Tide’s peculiar knack for crafting soulful, sincere vocals that convey heartfelt emotions despite being showy was highlighted on his NATIVE debut, “Rolling”, a soulful ode to youth. His latest release, “No Lie”, ups the ante even further as he attempts to admit his infidelity without breaking out of his effortlessly cool character.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B19pVjSgrCI/

Singing “Shawty super fine, I ain’t gan lie/ Only hit her once, I ain’t gan lie/ Had too much to drink, I ain’t gan lie/ Yeah I do the most, I ain’t gan lie” confidently over the sparse beat Damie produces, he isn’t quite apologetic, but is charming enough to seem convincing with his honesty. He however never shows his hands, delivering widescreen, yet intimate lyrics that could be addressed at a lover, a friend, a sibling or even God. Refusing to cohere into a single straightforward emotion, “No Lie” seesaws between love and hate and devotion and betrayal while painting Tide a victim of being “cool”, blaming his charm for putting him in a situation where he has sex with someone he clearly shouldn’t have.

Stream Tide’s “No Lie” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/olatidewright
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ICYMI: Listen to Tide’s “ROLLING”

Best New Music: ICTOOICY’s “Melancholy Baby” is an unapologetic commentary on saviour syndrome in romance

Posted on by The Native

ICTOOICY may be one of this year’s sacred discoveries. The first uploaded track on her SoundCloud, “Misunderstood”, a heart-wrenching alt-R&B and hip-hop fusion, dates back nearly two years ago. Though it is more likely the self-described ‘poet with a flow’ creates her own music with tools in her immediate environment, ICTOOICY’s intuitive songwriting balances minimalism and rhythm for smooth lo-fi listening. On “Melancholy Baby”, guitar-riffs subsumed in ambient synths backgrounds themes of mental health as IC sings “call me a melancholy baby”. It’s not entirely clear if she’s broken from love, but IC’s interluding rap verse hints at an overhead gloom hanging over her relationship. If you have ever heard the J.Cole line: ‘she don’t wanna be saved, don’t save her’,  ICTOOICY’s haunting chorus about ‘needing saving’ will feel all too familiar; it echoes a sentiment common in angst-filled romance. IC’s brazen embrace of that ‘sad girl’ label is an unapologetic commentary on the complexities of saviour syndrome in romance.

Stream “Melancholy Baby” via SoundCloud

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

Best New Music: Accra City Vice comes to life in Tulenkey’s trap-house anthem “Yard””

Blaqbonez, Loose Kaynon, A-Q & M.I Abaga come bearing bars on ‘Martell Cypher 2’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Since publicly arriving over a year ago, Chocolate City subsidiary 100 Crowns has made it a point of duty to stay in front of, and steer conversations concerning rap music in Nigeria. Alongside parent label executive and revered rapper, M.I Abaga, and foremost signing Blaqbonez, the A-Q and Loose Kaynon-led imprint has been able pull off a handful of moments, including ‘LAMBaugust’, last year’s 3-week album roll-out, and intermittently holding ‘The Coronation’, a rap-centric event with four instalments till date.

In the wee hours of 2019, the loose collective literally stopped the Nigerian internet, after releasing a Martell-backed cypher that saw all four rappers relentlessly pummel a sturdy BeatsByJayy instrumental with Vibranium-laced raps. They’ve just returned for a similarly scorching, conversation stoking sequel, along with an accompanying video, in which each rapper is suited up to evoke mafioso imagery. Following the same M.O. as the first go around, Jayy again scores ‘Martell Cypher 2’, mixing floor shaking 808 bass and sinister piano keys as haunting as the Joker’s wide grin, while the same order of stepping up to the mic is maintained.

Blaqbonez opens up the cypher in his usual vivacious demeanour, packing his bars with confident quips and clever pop culture references, clearly aimed at shadowboxing Opps who’ve continued to throw virtual stones at him since he declared himself the ‘Best Rapper in Africa’. Loose Kaynon follows up next in a more engaging flow than the novel cypher, scoffing at naysayers and doubters, while flexing the ongoing profitability of his crew. A-Q takes the penultimate spot, and in his usual battle-ready gait, reels off an aggressive litany of shock-indented, wide-ranging bars that feature everything from unsubtle political commentary to his salacious intentions for one of Afropop’s foremost divas. M.I, however closes with the pick of the verses, and while his conceited quips are loaded with subs at another Cognac-sponsored cypher series, it mostly serves as a timely reminder of why he’s regarded as one of the best around these parts to ever pick up the mic.

Subtitled ‘The Purification’, this newly released cypher is in line with 100 Crowns’ lofty moves meant to galvanize interest and support around rap music in Nigeria. While it is undoubtedly an adrenaline shot, it is difficult to see it in a wholesome light, considering the sequel is coming eight whole months after a debut that hinted at better frequency and a diverse line-up. Regardless, it is never a bad time to see four rappers get busy, which is what ‘Martell Cypher 2’ primarily offers.

Watch ‘Martell Cypher 2’ here.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/MI Abaga

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THE SHUFFLE: REMEMBERING M.I’S “SUPER HUMAN” FEATURING LATE SOUTH AFRICAN LEGEND, HHP

Essentials: Blackmagic’s ‘BM’ EP

Posted on by The Native

After flexing his avant-grande chops with his metal rock ‘Wizard Spell’ album, released earlier this year, Blackmagic returns to the familiar Afropop sound that earned him mainstream acclaim when he debuted “Repete”. He just put out a 7-track EP, ‘BM’, a pure expression in the Blackmagic linage of layering compelling vocals over melodic arrangements that are both slow-moving and deceptively groovy.

‘BM’ slowly builds organic acoustic harmonies into something progressively live music sounding, always with a sense of nostalgia and celebration that’s perfect for setting a pleasant mood at outdoor events. He produces all 7 tracks and leaves the piano, drums and electronic guitar arrangments he lays down on the opening track, “BM19001”, to breath for over 2 minutes before we hear any vocals. Singing “I think I’m ready for the world/ Ready to play my part/Come on and break my heart” in his gentle drawl, it might be a depressing kind of truth, but there’s still something spectacularly freeing about it, especially when paired with the catchy drum and guitar riffs. The melancholy is more prominent on the next track, “BM19002”, written as a sort of apology for ghosting; “Sometimes it bes like that/ Gotta disappear and come right back”.

The third track, however, revives a festive mood through the chant palm-wine music melodies and triumphant horn samples that match his boastful lyrics. Blackmagic delivers a rap verse on “BM19004”, making him more compelling when he reveals some truths he has discovered about having a successful career, “Every circle got haters inside/ got waiters serving you feedback, you need that/ But don’t always take it inside/ we’re all made unique, I don’t generalize”. “BM19005” has a romantic direction that sees Blackmagic singing in French over Reggae instrumentals but though the romantic theme continues through the next track, he seems more earnest, singing “Your love dey scatter my head/ oh baby/ You’re the reason I’m” over the dancehall beat he produces.

‘BM’ closes with a rap song, “BM19007”, a defiant and necessarily abrasive statement that combats toxic behaviours. Over a captivating mix of electronic guitar harmonies and vocal chant samples, he rails against our problematic traits saying the only thing that can fix our situations is love or a miracle. Sharing the project with next to no hype or promotion, there’s something subversive about Blackmagic dropping so many gems on ‘BM’. His hold on the mainstream audience has weaned over the years, but it’s clear that it hasn’t affected how much he cares about his fans.

You can stream Blackmagic’s ‘BM’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/ejayblackmagic
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ICYMI: Watch Blackmagic’s rustic video for “Anything For Love”

Mr Real takes his philosophical questions to God in his music video for “Oloun” featuring Reminisce, Phyno and DJ Kaywise

Posted on by The Native

Mr Real has followed up the release of his “Oloun” single with an accompanying music video. The song which continued Mr Real’s penchant for preaching the street gospel saw him asking existential questions and waxing philosophical while speaking to his creator over the Afro-house beat Cracker produces. Dr Nell directs the music video for Legendoreel Films, highlighting the spiritual nature of the song with scenes showing Mr Real confessing to a priest before he asks for more blessings. Phyno, Reminisce and DJ Kaywise also appear in the video with the rappers performing their bars while we watch dancers grooving to the beat and actors taking the holy communion.

Watch the music video for “Oloun” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Mr RealVEVO
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ICYMI: See the music video for Burna Boy and Jorja Smith’s “Gum Body”

Burna Boy and Jorja Smith lull viewers into their intoxicating universe in their music video for “Gum Body”

Posted on by The Native

Call it fabulous, commercially-ordained kismet that the chemistry Jorja Smith and Burna Boy shared on “Gum Body” is what coaxed her to feature the African Gaint on “Be Honest”, her only release so far this year. Both singers have shown a commitment to writing immersive lyrics that make their song’s relatable and on “Gum Body”, off Burna Boy’s latest ‘African Gaint’ album, they forged an artistic kinship that reinforces their tortured lyrical themes of stifled affection.

Meji Alabi directs the recently released accompanying music video with a melancholy setting that lulls viewers into the intoxicating world the singers’ build with their lyrics; “I m I just drunk or something?/ In love, in love, in love, in love”. We watch as Jorja Smith dances seductively to the lightweight beat while Burna Boy is seen nursing two shots of whiskey.

Watch the music video for Burna and Jorja’s “Gum Body” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Burna Boy
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ICYMI: Watch the music video for “Be Honest” by Jorja Smith and Burna Boy

‘Daughters of Chibok’ wins Best Virtual Reality Story at the Venice Film Festival

Posted on by Tami Makinde

The world watched with horror in April 2014 when 276 girls were kidnapped from their school dormitory in Chibok, northeastern Nigeria by extremist group, Boko Haram. The non-admission of the atrocity by the then president, Goodluck Johnathan fuelled social outrage and led to the birth of the #BringBackOurGirls movement. Over the years, following government negotiation with the terrorists, 107 girls have been released from captivity but many more still remain unaccounted for.

Five years later, a documentary titled ‘Daughters of Chibok’ has won the virtual reality linear competition at the 76th annual Venice Film Festival. The Joel Kachi Benson documentary follows the story of Yana Galang, one of the mother’s of the abducted schoolgirls who is still missing; she cleans her daughter’s clothes everyday in hopes that she will return. The documentary, through virtual reality, explores the aftermath of the kidnappings and explores global issues such as poverty and the right to education. This win will plummet the story of the Chibok girls back into global attention once more and invite more people to never forget the atrocities committed by Boko Haram; till then #BringBackOurGirls

Watch Joel Kachi Benson’s acceptance speech below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2I8Fk7nZOp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

 

Featured image credits/La Biennale Di Venezia

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

ICYMI: HBO has made a documentary about Boko Haram and the abducted girls

Zlatan is Mr-Steal-Your-Girl in the music video for his “Bolanle” collaboration with IVD

Posted on by The Native

Zlatan fans are having the best time, stanning a rapper with a lovable personality, accomplished pop sensibilities and the work ethic to keep a steady string of releases to satisfy millennial fan with their short attention spans. It’s a new weekend and a new Zlatan song to party to as he releases a new collaboration with IVD, “Bolanle”, just weeks after joining DJ Cuppy for “Gelato”.

“Bolanle” highlight’s Zlatan’s appreciation for folky Yoruba music through his melodic Yoruba fueled hook and verse over the catchy beat Phantom produces to a groovy rhythm that suits western Nigerian party music. The story-telling narrative, describing a scenario where a stingy man loses his beautiful lover to a richer person, sets up Zlatan to show off his singing chops before rapping a verse, kicking game on how things are run in the streets; “Who no like better thing?”. The music video Visionary Pictures directs shows Zlatan performing the song with a live band as if to highlight the song’s adaptability to suit wedding DJ sets, but the Mr-steal-your-girl narrative is also sustained through shots of Zlatan winning the affection of a lover by buying her a brand new Mercedes.

Watch the music video for IVD and Zlatan’s “Bolanle” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/IVD Empire Entertainment
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ICYMI: Listen to DJ Cuppy and Zlatan’s “Gelato”

Mannywellz drops breezy 3-song pack, ‘META’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

At the dual core of Mannywellz’ music is his migration at an early age, and a compulsive inventiveness to wholesomely represent his cross-Atlantic influences. In January of last year, the Maryland, U.S.-based singer/songwriter/producer put out his sophomore EP, ‘SoulFro’, a career defining tape that features compelling writing to reflect his experiences and perspective, and a distinctive merge of plump African grooves and contemporary hip-hop sounds.

After closing out 2018 with the September remix for one of the project’s cuts, “Yeoo”, with a guest feature from Adekunle Gold, Manny opened this year with “Soul on Fire” in May, and has now followed up with a quick new tape, ‘META’. Symbolically, the project title translates to ‘Three’ from Yoruba, also representing his third project and the number of songs present on the tape. In usual fashion, ‘META’ coins in on his composite instrumental arrangements, propelled by sunny piano harmonies and Afro-Juju inspired rhythms.

Although it is thematically lightweight, with Manny cycling through a brief range of romance-fueled topics, his writing carries a lived-in aura, which is paired with his rustic tenor to give the three songs equal levels of substance. While he vindictively rues a toxic ex from a recently ended relationship on opening track “No More”, things take a brighter turn on next track “Philosophy”, where he declares his mushy credo in relation with being in a loving relationship. Final song, “Imperfections”, is buoyed by the patter of talking drums, perfectly accompanying lyrics that come across as an affectionate renewal of vows.

Stream ‘META’ via Apple Music here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/Mannywellz

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ICYMI: READ OUR ESSENTIALS PIECE FOR JIDENNA’S ’85 TO AFRICA’

Paybac digs into an eccentric, vintage-based bag for new single, “Boy Band”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Paybac is a self-confessed experimentation slut. His official debut LP from early last year, ‘The Biggest Tree’, mined immersive Nu-Folk soundscapes to accentuate gripping, personal topics, while he delved into the rumbling world of Trap on the brightly coloured ‘Autopilot’, in late 2018. A few months after trading bars with Boogey on their musically varied but traditionally structured joint album, ‘Alternate Ending’, the indie rap veteran is setting up to dig into his bag of eclectic eccentricities for his upcoming sophomore album, ‘CULT’.

“Boy Band”, the newly released lead single, foreshadows the delightful, left field choices that should propel the project. Sampling a shrill piano riff from “Acid Rock” by ‘70s Afro-Rock band The Funkees, as its central motif, Learn The Creator helms a vintage-based palette, completed by lively percussions that make for a languid groove. Loosely written to amplify his catchy one-liners, Paybac’s toes the line between playful self-assuredness and whimsical rebellion, delivering his lyrics in an infectious mix of smugly sung melodies and chanted raps.

Stream “Boy Band” via Apple Music here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/lookatpaybac

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NATIVE ROOTS: AFRO ROCK TIMELINE

Jola Bello’s “For You” is a bop for those who’ve caught unrequited feelings

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

A scary side-effect of catching feelings is the urge to continually show tangible affection, even with the possibility that the other party may not reciprocate on the same level. The art of convincing can be arduous, but on her latest single, “For You”, Ibadan-based singer Jola Bello flips the risky situation into a honey-eyed bop. Although she admits disappointment at her interest’s aloofness to her declared affections, she flips the jitters in those opening moments into a starry set, unabashedly professing her love and even offering to move mountains as proof. Conveying the urgency of her yearning lyrics, her siren-like falsetto elegantly floats over the buoyant mid-tempo instrumental arrangement MarleyDigital produces.

Listen to Jola Bello’s “For You” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/jola_bello

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ICYMI: WETALKSOUND’S ‘LOFN 2: A COLLECTION OF LOVE STORIES’ HIGHLIGHTS THE CREW’S INTIMATELY SCALED DIVERSITY

Timzil passionately sings of resurgence on new song, “On My Way (Run)”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Even though he currently occupies the more obscure parts of the Nigerian music space, Timzil is slowly building a reputation for bringing profundity to whatever he’s singing about. Following the release of his impressive 2018 EP, ‘WiFi and a Dream’, the singer-songwriter has just shared his first single of this year, “On My Way (Run)”, reflecting the improving hallmarks of his abilities.

Echoing the popular sentiment that it is how we rise from adversity that defines us, Timzil’s new song is a stirring anthem of resurgence, and by extension, of hope for a brighter future. “Wan wa mi, wan le mi [they are looking for me and chasing me], but dem no fit break me”, he passionately sings, his elastic melody and raspy voice simply adorned by sombre piano keys and strings. “On My Way” isn’t narratively focused for embellishments, rather leaning into Timzil’s pointed declarations for striking, poignant effect.

Listen to Timzil on “On My Way” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/timzil_

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ICYMI: WATCH MOBELIEVE’S VIDEO FOR “BI OBA (REMIX)”

Watch DMW flex the depth of their squad in music video for “On God”

Posted on by The Native

The DMW gang continue to take advantage of the strength in their numbers, releasing joint tracks that celebrate their artistic kinship and diversity. Their latest collaboration, “On God” featuring Davido, Mayorkun and Dremo, sees them bragging about their recent accomplishments, making money, taking their music international.

But the rather than shot a flashy music video, the video Twitch directs for “On God” has a gritty look that focuses on the comrade between the DMW squad as we watch Davido, Mayorkun and Dremo perform their verses in the company of tough-looking men dressed in all black. While the cameos, Perruzi, Barry Jhay, Ehis, Lyta and others all wear mean mugs to fit the grim mood, the artists are seen bearing arms like AK47s and baseball bats, the video never gets violent.

Watch the music video for Davido, Mayorkun and Dremo’s “On God” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Davido Adeleke
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ICYMI: Watch the music video for DMW’s “Bum Bum” featuring Davido and Zlatan

D’Tigers qualify for 2020 Olympic Games

Posted on by Tami Makinde

This year’s FIBA World Cup kicked off in China last week with a game between Japan and Montenegro. Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigers was unsuccessful in their first two games at the first group stage. Despite these initial losses, the team has now gone on to beat host country, China 86-73, earning them an automatic ticket to the 2020 Olympic Games which will be held in Tokyo.

During their first quarter of the game against China, D’Tigers were down 21-19 but powered through and went on to defeat China in the other three quarters. This will be the team’s third consecutive appearance at the Olympics. The President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, Eng. Musa a Kida had this to say about the team and their qualification for the 2020 Olympics.

Watch the video below:


Featured image credits: Twitter

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

ICYMI: Nigeria’s D’Tigress wins 2019 Africa women’s basketball championship

Krizbeatz teams up with Tekno and Teni for boastful new single, “Hit”

Posted on by The Native

Afropop beat maker, Krizbeatz is responsible for some of the biggest Nigerian songs of the past few years. Though he has his signature on hit records from Lil Kesh, Skales and Seyi Shay, his most prominent impact came through the catchy composition he produced for Tekno’s “Pana” which became a template for several other hits imitated, tagged under the ‘pon pon’ wave. His latest offering, “Hit”, finds him partnering with Tekno and Teni to celebrate their knack for making commercially successful songs.

The opening lyrics “Physically I’m bad, musically, I’m better/ Anything I do, they like/ Every of my song na hit”, express his pride in his work while Tekno and Teni join him to perform their verses and hook toasting to their own successes over the catchy beat Krizbeatz produces to the rock-steady groove of African dancehall.

Stream “Hit” by Krizbeatz, Tekno and Teni below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/krizbeatz_
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ICYMI: Listen to “Poker” by Krizbeatz, Mayorkun and Reminisce

The Shuffle: HHP and Naeto C’s “Boogie Down” as proof of the friendly relations between South Africa and Nigeria

Posted on by The Native

The recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa have highlighted the negative impression South Africans have of Nigerians. The graphic videos of violent attacks on Nigerians circulating on social media provoked horror and street protests, while also inspiring Nigerian celebrities to use their platforms to condemn the hate crime against fellow humans. YCee, however, upped the ante through his twitter thread pointing out the subliminal xenophobic sentiments expressed in the South African rapper, AKA’s tweets after South Africa lost to Nigeria at the Nations Cup football competition.

Both rappers have yet to publicly squash their dispute but Hip-hop is no stranger to beef with the genre running on the exaggerated egos of rappers. Despite the heightened competition between rappers, HHP and Naeto C are the shinny examples of the friendly relationship Africans need to aspire to on their “Boogie Down” collaboration in 2010. While the South African and Nigerian rappers were at their prime, they teamed up to deliver a groovy number, reminding us all of our unity and interdependence, “S-A to the N-I-G/ And I don’t think they can do it like we (Naeto C)/ Naeto C is part of my team, We open doors/ Make doe green, with one another we win awards (HHP)”.

The lighthearted song is just what the doctor ordered to wipe out the bad taste the attack left in our mouths as it comes with a pleasantly cheerful music video reminding us of happier times when the continent was in harmony, united in celebration of our freedom and our appreciation of good music.

Watch the music video for HHP and Naeto C’s “Boogie Down” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Justin Campos
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ICYMI: Remembering MI’s “Super Human” collaboration with South African legend, HHP