Wallz Baba Collaborates With Psycho YP And Tobby Drillz For “Cozy”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Ambition is always a solid place for emcees to ground their more outlandish brags and Wallz Baba takes advantage of this with his lineup of sporadic releases, balancing his pursuit of fame and his evident self-belief. His first single of the year, “Cozy” follows the same template, albeit an attempt to reach more ears, via its song structure and guest rap feature.

“Cozy” is a superb slice of pop-rap, featuring a snappy beat built around an ominous piano riff and stomping drum pattern, as well as a sublime hook from Tobby Drillz to set up the song’s assertive disposition. Abuja rap ascendant, Psycho YP delivers the first verse, rife with elastic bar structures and assured raps. Wallz Baba’s second verse follows the same candour, but his verse takes a more personal spin, adding some autobiographical details which give his lyrics a relatable feel.

You can listen to “Cozy” here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/wallz.y
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ICYMI: Listen to Pyshco YP’s groovy single, “Be Like You”

A-Q replies Joyner Lucas’ “Devil’s Work” with new single, “God’s Work”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Earlier this month, American rapper, Joyner Lucas put out “Devil’s Work”, a widely shared single that divided opinions because of its controversial lyrics, hinging on the demise of certain, name-checked individuals who the rapper felt the world would be better off without. Veteran Nigerian rapper, A-Q, has released a new single replying Joyner Lucas with his opposite stance, “God’s work”, along with an accompanying video.

Set to the same 808-drum led beat as “Devil’s Work”, A-Q reels off an extended, freewheeling verse, detailing his opposing views through bars that highlight the preciousness of each life. While an abortion line lands rather awkwardly in the midst of global debates concerning the topic, A-Q’s equally sneering and contemplative candour makes “God’s Work” a riveting piece of social commentary. In the DIY video for “God’s Work”, A-Q performs the song in a black and white background, embellishing the stark sentiments expressed throughout the song.

You can watch the video for “Devil’s Work” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/ThisIsAQ
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ICYMI: Listen to A-Q and Ruby Gyang’s “-Ve”

Listen to “RAIN”, the new single from Miles From Mars

Posted on by The Native

Miles From Mars, aka the intergalactic afroR&B band formed by SoulBlackSheep and Bio just released a new single, “RAIN” to add to their growing romanced themed discography. The band debuted last year with “Asteroid Blues” featuring Paula B, laying the lo-fi blueprint for their sonic explorations.

Though both Miles From Mars artists are still quite new, their music has a charming bedroom-pop roughness marked by the lo-fi production, straightforward lyrics and catchy guitar riffs. On “RAIN”, they keep this vulnerability as they candidly address their love interests, confessing their romantic feelings in a mix English and their native Yoruba dialect; “Bi Orun Ban ro/ Bi Ojo Ban ro/ You are the one that I write this song for”. Cuts from a viral voice note of someone expressing similar sentiments to their partner is included in a Drake-esque mood setting finesse and it makes the song even more charming.

Stream Miles From Mars’ “RAIN” below.

Featured Image Credits: Soundcloud/milesfrommars
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ICYMI: Listen to “Asteroid Blues” by Miles From Mars and Paula B

Zlatan Shares Inspirational And Prayerful New Single, “This Year”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Last week, Zlatan released “4 Nights In Ekohtiebo”, a contemplative single informed by a recent, torrid set of events that saw him arrested by the EFCC, alongside frequent collaborator, Naira Marley, who is yet to be granted bail. On bail and potentially with no charges to answer for, Zlatan has just dropped a new single, “This Year”, an attempt at getting back to his regularly scheduled program, and a return to the jovial form that brought him to to the limelight.

Rexxie produces the dancefloor-ready beat for “This Year”, mixing chippy guitar riffs and propulsive Afropop drums, while Zlatan jumps on the beat with his trademark syncopated vocals, delivering lyrics that are equal parts inspirational and prayerful. For his verses, the rapper recounts his rise to wealth and fame, while throwing in self-admonishing lines that will resonate with listeners. It’s his hook, however, that embellishes his sentiments, as he delivers a slew of prophetic lines, and also sings, “As I dey hustle, k’owo nla ko wole (let plenty money enter)”.

For its accompanying video, Clarence Peters directs a colourful video highlighting the song’s perfect for Owambes (high octane Yoruba parties) and large gatherings in general. Solo shots of Zlatan performing the song in traditional wears, as well as the movements of selected party attendants are cut together before it climaxes at the party where Zlatan performs in front of the crowd.

You can watch the video for “This Year” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/ Alleluyah Boyz Ent
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ICYMI: Listen to Zlatan’s “4 Nights in Ekohtiebo”

Best New Music Special: ‘Mandy & The Jungle’ by Santi

Posted on by The Native

When ‘Mandy & The Jungle‘ pops up in conversations five years from now, the most interesting thing to see would be how the roll-out and release of the project is replicated in popular Naija fashion.

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Being a risk-averse artist in a space where traditional styles are safer bets for quick wins, Santi, in spite of his relentless reclusiveness, cannot shy away from being labelled a trendsetter. His new album oozes with an indelible dreamlike Afro-fusion, the truest reflection of Santi’s greatest joy: “A freedom to create without limits”. But what is also unforgettable about this studio debut is the way the record has come to life with a lithe deliberateness at every turn; from pre-released singles to visual aesthetic.

Although Mandy & The Jungle is his fourth studio project, Santi revels in hedonism, nostalgic love and youthful aspirations often commonplace on neo-R&B debuts. That Santi doesn’t make any grand statements does not mean Mandy & The Jungle isn’t laced with poignant thought-streams often warped in his diminutive language (Santinese) and a twisted sense of humour. On the opening track, “Raining Outside”, Santi affirms his availability to a lover who has nobody else to call. He however also lazily suggests their heart-to-heart can wait till morning.

Even before Santi announced his deal with Interscope-affiliated American label, LVRN, speculations about the calibre of features to expect from Mandy & The Jungle tapered towards producers or artists with prominence for an added cross-over edge. But starting with production work done almost entirely by his Monster Boyz collective, Santi’s collaborators are immersed in his own synth-set electronic universe. Instead of following a trend we have come to anticipate from otterly Afropop careers, features from DRAM, Goldlink, Krisirie and Kida Kudz tip Santi as one of the greatest curators of the Alté generation. On “Demon Hearts”, “RX-64 (The Jungle)” and Raw Dinner, Santi fluidly transitions between realms of experimental hip-hop, R&B and contemporary Afropop. Under the careful arrangements and across colourful expressions and synchrony, Santi’s pointed world-view and obscure influences (like Owl City) bubble to the surface.

Mandy & The Jungle is wildly difficult to define, without prior understanding of why Santi has so many far-reaching influences. Santi like many young Africans around the continent was groomed by MTV Base (started operations in Lagos in 2005) in his early teens, then unassumingly transposed onto post-MySpace social networks as an adult. Over the last two decades, the spread of cable TV and mobile technology have become honeypots for investors and startups looking at African markets, but there is no truer reflection of how quickly Afro-urban culture is evolving like the DIY music scene.

The term ‘alte’, was contentiously coined for Nigeria’s DIY musicians in reference to what many traditionalists view as an ‘out of the norm’ lifestyle. But as Santi embodies on his new album, the word ‘Alte’ is short for ‘alternative’, but that’s not what it means. Rather, it’s a compressed summary of the wide-ranging cultural influences can inspire the movement. And when the guitar-licked opening moments of “Diamonds” temporarily transport you to a world of Disney-teen dramas, “Mandy & The Jungle” shines brightest: As validation to a generation’s experience, an acknowledgement of the limitless possibilities that can happen when millennial Nigerian nostalgia meets contemporary popular art.

Stream Mandy & The Jungle below

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The NATIVE Rebel Issue: Santi’s Rebellion

See the music video for Oshmann’s “Mans”

Posted on by The Native

Because art often imitates life, several artists have used Lagos as muse, attempting to capture the famous city through their distinct perspectives. Ajebutter22 recently released his romantic tribute to Lagos, “Lagos Love” with a charming music video to match, but while he agrees on with the stifling reality in the city, his depictions still stand at sharp contrast with the Lagos setting for Oshmann’s new single, “Mans”, as the rapper takes us through the more sinister scenes of Lagos through the eyes of a hustler.

Slow piercing and melancholy instrumentals produced by Toye Aru set up the chilling mood for Oshmann’s hardcore confessional, establishing his hustler instincts as he brags about his ability to navigate the gritty reality on the streets in a mix of English and Yoruba bars. Despite Oshmann’s confidence in his street-smart, the emotions are dark, painting a gloomy picture of Lagos that inspires a noir music video directed by Toye Aru to match his vision through unhygienic streets, scenes of police arrests and under potentially dangerous scenes.

Watch the music video for Oshmann’s “Mans” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Aru Productions
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ICYMI: Watch SuperWozzy’s music video for “The cops the youth the country”

Skiibii teams up with Teni and DJ Neptune and Falz for new single, “Daz How Star Do”

Posted on by The Native

Among the many perks of Afropop genre is the fluid mash-up of several pop sounds as though they were meant to be one genre. Skiibii’s latest single, “Daz How Star Do” is a testament of this remarkable feature as the song spirals between pop, rap, dancehall and EDM territories without sounding off beat or forced.

Jaysynths Beatz produces the catchy beat for “Daz How Star Do” with a sticky flute sample that does wonders to the song replay value. Skiibii teams up with Teni and Falz bring their fun and humorous sensibilities as they join him to sing and rap about their superstardom. The music video EAD directs is set in Lagos, featuring dancing, horse riding, a mascot for one of the three wise men statue in Lagos and more celebrity cameos as Skiibii reminds everyone of his celebrity. You know, in case his superstar guestlist and lyrics go over anyone’s head.

Watch the music video for “Daz How Star Do” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/SkiibiiVEVO
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ICYMI: See the music video for Skiibii and Reekado Banks’ “Sensima”

Patoranking Releases Anticipated Sophomore Album, ‘Wilmer’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Dancehall artist, Patoranking has just put out his anticipated sophomore album, ‘Wilmer’. The 12-track project is a follow-up to his 2016 debut, ‘God Over Everything’, and is named after the singer’s daughter who also features in the album’s cover art.

While the increased global fanfare around Nigerian music tends to centre more on the country’s more talked about A-list acts, Patoranking’s crossover efforts, which includes sold-out performances across Europe and Africa, places the singer as an integral dark horse in Afropop’s continued rise. ‘Wilmer’s diverse guest list, featuring pan-African collaborations with Busiswa and Nyanshiki, as well as international assistance from Bera and Donae’o, is a marker of Patoranking’s ambition to move to the next level of crossover success.

Earlier this week, Patoranking hosted a private listening party for ‘Wilmer’, with 2Baba, Tiwa Savage and Wizkid amongst the attendees. The album is now available for public ears.

You can listen to Wilmer here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/patorankingfire
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ICYMI: See the music video for “Lenge Lenge”, a pre-released single from ‘Wilmer’

Watch Hamzaa In The Video For Her New Single, “London”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Hamzaa’s enchanting performance on Odunsi’s “Mine”, as well as “Take Me There” off ‘rare’ helped capture the fancy of Nigerian music enthusiasts. Her 2018 project debut, ‘First Signs Of Me‘ also established her endearing brand of emotive soulful pop music, and she builds on that reputation with her new single, “London”, her major label debut.

Dedicated to the city she calls home, the newly-minted Parlophone records signee reminisces on her more peaceful memories of London. “Stay out late at night without a worry, those were the days I felt safe, young and free”, Hamzaa sings over production comprising radiant piano keys, thumping bass and tribal drums. While she expresses worries about the current state of the city, her powerful vocals beam with optimism throughout the song, singing “I will always find love in my heart for London” on the pre-chorus.

For the song’s accompanying video, frames of Hamzaa performing the song alone in a cozy bedroom, then alongside her friends. Quick shots of people moving around the city are also interspersed, representing the song’s celebration of joy and togetherness.

Watch the video for Hamzaa’s “London” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Hamzaa
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ICYMI: Check out the essentials for Hamzaa’s ‘First signs of Me’ debut EP

Tiwadara releases prayerful and festive new single, “Faaji”

Posted on by The Native

Tiwadara is typically known for his production credit scattered around the experimental catalogue of artists from the indie music scene in Nigeria. However, fans and followers of his Instagram account know that the producer has a decent set of pipes that challenge his reputation as an accomplished producer. For his new single, “Faaji”, he blends both musical talents for a groovy club.

Singing “Gbe mi soke/ Funmi ni money, Aye nbe loke/ I want to turn up”, “Faaji” listens like a pleasant cross between a prayer and a club banger. It’s the perfect sentiment for a song he released to celebrate his birthday tomorrow, the 25th of May, as he fuses Afropop drum riffs with EDM percussion samples and catchy horn samples.

Stream Tiwadara’s “Faaji” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/tiwadara
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ICYMI: Stream the Tiwadara produced tracks from Deena Ade’s ‘Cries of my Subconscious’ EP

Fela Anikulapo Kuti To Be Honored At Felabration UK 2019

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Not a lot of artists have a legacy as towering and enduring as Fela Anikulapo Kuti does. The annual Felabration Music Festival held in his honour every year since his passing 22years ago is just one of the many proofs of his legendary status. As part of this year’s festivities, the Afrobeat progenitor and African music icon will be honoured at Felabration UK, set to take place at Indigo at the O2 on Friday, August 30th.

Before patenting Afrobeat, Fela spent an important part of his formative years in the UK, schooling at the Trinity School of Music in London, as well forming and playing with his very first band, Koola Lobitos. Felabration UK is apt, not just for being integral to Fela’s musical beginnings, but also for helping to lay the groundwork for Afropop’s global rise in recent years—his Glastonbury headlining set from 1984 remains a highlight for African music.

Felabration UK will feature some of the biggest African music stars on its stage and is set to offer a show-stopping experience, including décor recreating the ambience of the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos, as well as on-screen visuals and cultural dances. Advanced tickets are available via SHOOBS and AXS.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/felakutiofficial
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ICYMI: See the rare clip of Fela’s performance on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 1984

Runtown shares long-awaited ‘Tradition’ EP

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Runtown just put out his long-awaited Tradition EP a week before its scheduled release date. The 6-song project is coming three years after his late 2015 debut album, ‘Ghetto University’. Although the singer had been teasing a new project since February last year, he was limited to releasing only a handful of stellar singles by a public legal tussle with the boss of his former label, Eric Manny.

Now fully independent, and putting out music under his Soundgod imprint, Runtown intends on using his autonomy as a springboard into the next level of his career, hoping to partake in the global attention Afropop has enjoyed lately. Last year, Runtown’s “No Permission” collaboration with Nasty C provided proof of Afropop’s evolution, as well as his ability to blend Nigerian music sensibilities with western soundscapes. ‘Tradition’ follows the same winning confluence formula, featuring a sole guest verse from South-east London rapper, Fekky on the pre-release single, “Unleash”, with production from premier Afropop producers, Del B and Spellz.

You can listen to Tradition here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/runtown
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ICYMI: Listen to Runtown’s pre-released single from ‘Tradition’, “Unleash” featuring Fekky

KA$H shares two-track tape, ‘Dontlookbak’

Posted on by The Native

KA$H usually shares the mic with dndSection, Folabi Xan and OBA as a member of the Traplanta collective, but the rapper just released ‘Dontlookbak’, his first solo tape. The project contains two new tracks, “Benedikt” and “Red + Blue (New Bag)”, as he digs deeper into the emotional extremes that make his rap bars so captivating.

The first track, “Benedikt” coasts on a sweeping synth-led trap beat Elijah Bane produces with bouncy 808 drum machine riffs. KA$H rides the momentum of the beat to perform his cocky set, swearing his loyalty to his brothers; “I’m cupping Gs just for my gees/ It’s not for me”. The second track, “Red + Blue (New Bag)” has a similar flex, written to advertise his penchant for gifting his love interest anything she wants. Though the brags, catchy flow and the psychedelic trap beat Elijah Bane produces have enduring themes typical of the rapper’s growing catalogue, it offers some hint at what drives and motivates him to chase the cash.

Listen to KA$H’s ‘Dontlookbak’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/kashreborn
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ICYMI: Check out all the essentials from Traplanta’s ‘La Vie’

Listen to “Might As Well” by Dimss

Posted on by The Native

While both dancing and the music that fuels it can be inherently sexual, some artists choose to cut out the middleman and go straight to the source. Dimss’ first single for the year, “Might As Well” highlights the London-based singer’s sensual pen game and his keen ear for melody. The single was released on his birthday, 8th of May, under the imprint of his Family and Friends collective.

Laid back instrumentals set a relaxing ambience with airy synth and percussion harmonies that match Dimss’ effortless flow, riding the beat to perform a masterclass on how to talk your lover into a threesome; “Bad bitch want to come through so you might as well too”. Though it’s not exactly the most practical excuse (unless it is), his playful suggestion is silly enough to work with his charming vocals serving to woo his lover and listeners. If you’re too cheap to spend money on lace, candles, and sex toys, adding Dimss’ “Might As Well” to soundtrack coitus could still ignite passionate lovemaking.

Stream Dimss’ “Might As Well” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/Dimssthebaba
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ICYMI: See the colorful music video for Korede Bello’s “Mr Vendor”

Legendury Beatz and Mr Eazi team up for 3-track project, ‘Zanku Leg Riddim’

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Last year’s mainstream emergence and eventual ubiquity of the Zanku dance, was mostly proof of the streets’ indelible influence on Afropop. When prominent production duo, Legendury Beatz released their 2017 debut album, ‘Afropop 101′ as a crash course on the genre, the Zanku had yet to surface. The duo’s latest release, a three-track project with Mr Eazi, ‘Zanku Leg Riddim’, takes cognizance of the popular dance craze dominating pop music zeitgeist in the streets and high-end clubs of Lagos.

Sharing the same title, but differentiated by the guest appearances or lack thereof, all three songs share the same South African House-inspired beat by Legendury Beatz, comprising hard swinging bass drums and humming synths. Mr Eazi delivers the main vocals on each version, setting the mood by detailing specious specifics about club attendants, before going on to delivering the dance instructional repetitive hook; “zanku, leg work/shaku, gaga”.

Mr Real and Zlatan, two of the most popular faces from the recent wave of street music, deliver irreverent, catchy rap verses on their respective versions. The final version features just the instrumental and Mr Eazi’s hook, most likely a call to other artists who wish to create their own version of “Zanku Leg”.

You can listen to ‘Zanku Leg Riddim’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/legendurybeatz
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ICYMI: Listen to Legendury Beatz and Maleek Berry’s “Love Can Do”

The Shuffle: D’Banj’s “Mr Endowed” as the benchmark for Afropop’s global appeal

Posted on by The Native

With the increased relevance of social media, music streaming platforms among other things, it would be criminal to credit any one thing for Afropop’s recent acknowledgment in mainstream music publications around the world. Yet, if D’banj decided to take the credit for turning the genre into the huge and bankable entity it is today, he’d have good reason. Today marks the 9th anniversary of his 2010 classic record, “Mr Endowed”, which is set to go down in history as the most iconic international collaboration in Nigerian music history with Snoop Dogg’s feature on the song’s remix.

In Afropop’s ongoing metamorphosis into potentially a full-fledged transatlantic pop genre, international collaborations have gotten commonplace enough to be unremarkable and often inconsequential. But when Snoop Dogg joined D’Banj on the showy Don Jazzy produced Afropop hit record, “Mr Endowed”, it was a crucial moment that rippled across the whole country and made every Nigerian feel proud to be recognized by international pop culture tastemakers.

Though the reverie of Snoop Dogg’s rap verse lasted less than a minute, it was pivotal in expanding D’Banj’s audience range, securing his voice on the radio in regional and global pop markets and going on to work with Kanye West’s GOOD Music label a few months after. The unlikely collab between Nigeria’s biggest artist and one of Hip-hop’s most famous and vital figures showcased Nigerian pop music as viable and hastened a massive historical turn where international record labels like SONY, RCA, Universal Music and Warners now have invested interest in the sound.

D’Banj’s impressive career has set the standard for what it means to be a superstar in Nigeria. From his Mo’ Hits days to his solo career, the Koko Master’s catalog is a cornerstone for documenting Afropop’s glamorous history. It’s hard to imagine the present international exposure Nigerian music is enjoying without “Mr Endowed” bridging the gap between LA and Lagos.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/MohitsRecordsTV

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ICYMI: The shuffle revisits that time Michelle Williams ripped off Nigerian gospel singer, Agatha Moses for “Say Yes”

Naira Marley is facing trial but it’s not because of his lyrics

Posted on by The Native

Music is often an art that imitates life, and Naira Marley’s arrest after releasing his cyber-crime promoting single, “Am I A Yahoo Boy” seems like the perfect end to an unfortunately misguided protest song. The singer was arrested by the EFCC along with the featured artist on the song, Zlatan Ibile, and three other affiliated men who got their 7 minutes of fame when their pictures at the police station trended on social media.

Under less problematic circumstances, “Am I A Yahoo Boy” could have worked as the anthem for youths fighting police brutality and oppression from SARS officials who threaten the lives of innocent Nigerian, wrongly accused of crimes for their expressive or luxurious dressing. Featuring Zlatan, an acclaimed artist loved by the streets and the mainstream, Naira Marley had a platform to inspire protestors to take to the streets and challenge the unjust arrests of young people on the streets. But with Naira Marley’s open approval of crimes and fraud, he just wasn’t the right person to preach the message.

After the arrests, a video of Naira Marley fans protesting their arrest surfaced on the internet and it quickly became apparent how much influence street-inclined celebrities have on the average Nigerian youth. Other influencers with perhaps more noble causes have tried and failed to mobilize youths to take to the streets but without so much as a statement or a trendy hashtag, there were people at the EFCC office in Lagos, demanding for the artists’ release.

While Zlatan and the others were granted bail last week, Naira Marley remained in EFCC’s custody and has reportedly been accused of 11-count charges with a lawsuit filed before a Lagos State High Court. Though it would make for a more entertaining story to conclude that his lyrics from the song or his crime-advocating social media rants were responsible for implicating him, the EFCC released a statement explaining that he was arrested during a raid where they found incriminating items with him and his friends.

Naira Marley is now facing a possible sentence of seven years in jail if found guilty of the alleged crimes of credit card fraud. His modern-day Robin Hood rationalizing of cyber fraud has put his promising career on hold and even tainted the reputable art of protest music with his situation suggesting that there are new legal lines surrounding that freedom of expression. Hopefully, his arrest hasn’t discouraged other popular artists from making progressive rallying songs to imbue a generation with a fresh sense of purpose.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Naira Marley

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ICYMI: See Naira Marley and Zlatan’s music video for “Am I A Yahoo Boy”

Listen To Psycho YP’s Groovy New Single, “Be Like You”

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Since emerging as a fresh-faced teenager, Pyscho YP has adopted a prolific music releasing strategy that is apt for the streaming era. As much as releasing a steady stream of new music keeps him in music conversations, the Abuja rapper has also used the opportunity to experiment with his sound. “Be Like You”, YP’s fourth single of the year, is the most unabashed pop-leaning effort of his career so far.

While his ability to create sticky hooks has remained definitive to his craft, it is intensified by the groovy Afropop beat Jaylon and Dera co-produce, fusing groovy percussions and synth riffs for a Zanku-adherent bop. YP acknowledges his growing celebrity on the song, albeit with some level of awareness when he raps: “Leave you on read if a nigga overhype me/bitch I want bread, ain’t no need to fucking hype me”. The delightful melody of the hook and the strutting cadence of his raps, however, keeps things focused on the dancefloor.

You can listen to “Be Like You” below.

Feature Image Credits: Instagram/psychoyp
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ICYMI: Listen to PsychoYP and Odunsi’s “To the Max”

Kenyan Author And LGBT+ Activist, Binyavanga Wainaina Dies At 48

Posted on by Dennis Ade Peter

Highly revered Kenyan author, journalist and Gay rights activist, Binyavanga Wainaina has died in Nairobi, after a stroke in the late hours of Tuesday, May 21st. Since the news of the 48-year old’s death broke, there has been an outpour of tribute across social media.

Binyavanga broke into global spotlight after winning the 2002 Caine Prize for African Writing, for his 2001 short story, ‘Discovering Home’. In 2003, Binyavanga found “Kwani?”, a literary magazine that has published stories from emerging writers, some of whom have gone on to become Caine Prize nominees and winners. He was also the director of Bard College’s Chinua Achebe Centre for African Writers and Artists.

Over the years, the writer published several short stories, and an autobiographical memoir, ‘One Day I Will Write About This Place’. The writer was also well-known for his socio-political essays, most popular is his 2006 satirical piece for Granta, ‘How To Write About Africa’, and its 2010 sequel for Arts and Cultural publication, Bidoun.

In January 2014, Binyavanga revealed that he was gay in an impactful essay, titled ‘I Am A Homosexual, Mum‘. In the expository essay subtitled as a lost chapter from his memoir, Binyavanga imagined coming out to his mum before her death in 2000, explaining how’d he known he since he was five years, as well as narrating the experiences that made his sexual orientation irrefutable, and the unhealthy habits he’d cultivated in the process of keeping it a secret. Apart from being an emotionally resounding story, his revelation was even more bracing, since his home country, Kenya, like most ultra-conservative African countries, has strict, retrograde gay laws.

Due to his announcement and his work as an LGBT+ activist, TIME named Wainaina as one of 100 most influential people in 2014. For TIME’s brief explainer, Chimamanda Adichie wrote: “By publicly and courageously declaring that he is a gay African, Binyavanga has demystified and humanized homosexuality and begun a necessary conversation that can no longer be about the “faceless other”.

Known to always live his truth, Binyavanga revealed he was HIV-positive on December 1st, 2016, Worlds AIDS day. In 2018, he announced plans to marry his boyfriend in South Africa, refusing to let his HIV status deter him. He died before getting married.

In a statement to BBC acknowledging the outpour of condolences, Binyavanga’s brother, James Wainaina said: “We are in a life celebration mood, we’re looking at this from a human level. It’s a human story. Allow the humaneness to shine, people are hurting”.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/afrophilic
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See the music video for GoldLink, Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly’s “Zulu Screams”

Posted on by The Native

With summer so close on the horizon, everyone is getting their summer fits ready for partying in the sun while DJs are on the hunt for the next summer anthem. GoldLink got his first taste of the spotlight with his Grammy-nominated “Crew” hit single and seems set for an encore with his summer-ready new single featuring Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly, “Zulu Screams”.

Produced by P2J, the beat has the trendy Afropop vibe created through traditional drum riffs and chant vocal samples that dictate the pace of the EDM fueled synth harmonies of the party song. Maleek Berry lays down a catchy hook for “Zulu Screams” while GoldLink’s rap flow keeps things groovy as he performs his showy set, flexing on his haters; “Your neck on green, my neck on froze”. The song also features some vocals from Bibi Bourelly, who is perhaps best known for his writing credits on Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”.

The American rapper just shared the music video for “Zulu Screams” and it features a lot of dancing, set at a basement party with Maleek Berry making an appearance to perform the hook.

You can watch the music video below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Goldlink

*the post has been updated with the song’s music video.
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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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Amaarae features Wande Coal for new single, “Spend Some Time”

Posted on by The Native

With just one EP, ‘Passionfruit Summer’, and a handful of singles, Ghanaian singer-songwriter, Amaarae has already crafted a transfixing style. Her reputation for hushed and silky R&B bops reached Nigerian audiences through collaborations with artists like AYLØ and her contribution to the Art X Live ‘Sonic Archives’ showcase that took place in Lagos last year. She continues to expand her reach to more mainstream audiences as she features Afropop veteran, Wande Coal for her romantic new single, “Spend Some Time”.

Obedworld and Rvdicalthekid are credited for the laid back production on “Spend Some Time”, melding Afropop drum riffs and percussion with ambient dream-pop synths to hypnotic effects. Amaarae’s vulnerable romantic sentiment, “I need your time/ I need your rhythm/ Need you to be mine” is echoed in her subdued tone, Wande Coal’s glassy falsetto, the sparse production and the retro-disco dancehall themed music video David Nicolsey directs. Though Wande Coal doesn’t make an appearance in the video, his absence is fitting for a song about the longing feeling for an unavailable lover.

Listen to “Spend Some Time” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/amaarae
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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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