Essentials: ‘La Vie’ by Traplanta

Posted on by The Native

Trap music has finally stepped out from behind the curtains of the strip-clubs to become a mainstream phenomena thanks to the works of artists like Travis Scott and Migos. Traplanta Records is a music collective whose, rhythmic rap songs are so showy, it casts an almost scornful eye. The cutting wordplay, dynamic voice, and mellow trap production of pre-released single, “Own That” featuring Odunsi, set the tone for Traplanta’s sophomore project ‘La Vie’ EP. The collective of rappers, dndSection, KA$H, Folabi Xan and OBA released their 6-track EP, filled with glossy trap bars that are uncompromising and unforgiving with a slight hint of goofiness.

‘La Vie’ opens with “Garments” where dndSection, KA$H and Folabi Xan bask in their collective and unrivalled glamour, bragging about their crew love and sex appeal over the atmospheric beat JZ Production produces. The next track, “Pledge 2 Me” featuring Sodaman, KA$H, ElmoCamo and dndSection gleans an awareness for competition, admitting they “Gotta Stay Prayered Up” over the unassuming beat Master Don produces with layered synth samples.

dndSection, KA$H and Folabi Xan reunite on “Gorillaz”, for the project’s most assured and energetic performance, showing off their keen ear for catchy flow and underlining their individual skill personality; “I”m Used to Being On My Own Because I’m Way To Different”. All three rappers tackle the bouncy beat +gray+ produces with a different approach but remain cohesive as they exchange brags back and forth.

‘La Vie’ however ends on a somber tone. On “Beautiful Shadows” KA$H spells out the newfound paranoia of a rising rap star over a somber piano led beat with scatting hi-hats. Last track, “Fools Gold”, features an impressive verse from OBA who joins dndSection, KA$H and Folabi Xan to speak on their trust issues while still relishing every opportunity to shame their foes.

You can stream ‘La Vie’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/traplantaworld
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ICYMI: Watch the music video for dndSection’s “Georgia Peaches” here

Rho is both charming and cutting on reggae inspired single, “Black Dress”

Posted on by The Native

They say your closest friends will make your worst enemies, but can you imagine what sort of enemies lovers would make. Rho’s new single, “Black Dress”, offers some insight into the romantic roughhouse, channelling Reggae’s lightweight melodies and taking it into rougher and darker territories. The mellow guitar led beat, produced with bouncy drum riffs, percussion harmonies and horns provide an outlet for her to highlight the staggering emotional and physical trauma of an abusive relationship.“I’d Pray For Your Soul From Prison Cause It’s Gon Be Hard to Run”, she sings, a show of both the good and the darker side of the romantic coin.

In the statement attached with the single, Rho tells us: “The objective of this song is to provide an opportunity for society to discuss an issue that is a growing concern. Lots of women in relationships are abused in one form or the other and have somehow been conditioned to accept and live with it. No one should have to live with that; not women, not men, and definitely not children.” You can hear the outrage in her vocals as she takes sharp shots at the lover as she threatens coolly singing, “This Is The Night You Pay”.

You can stream “Rho’s “Black Dress” here.

https://soundcloud.com/catchrho/black-dress

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/catchrho
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ICYMI: Reminisce details the hazards of abusive relationships in his “Ponmile” music

Here’s a list of nominees for the Soundcity MVP Awards

Posted on by The Native

Soundcity has released its list of nominees for this years MVP awards. Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Davido and a few others have been nominated for awards in different categories. Hip-Hop stars and our favourite breakout stars this year all have exciting competition for the SoundcityMVP awards set for the 5th January 2019.

A new category has been added to recognize the Disc Jockeys this year.  ‘African DJ of the Year’ will celebrate the most accomplished DJ’s on the continent and the inaugural nominees are DJ Spinall, DJ Neptune, Prince Kaybee, DJ MicSmith, DJ Arafat, Black Coffee, DJ Xclusive, DJ Kaywise, DJ Vyrusky, and DJ Maphorisa. For diversity, Soundcity will be acknowledging creatives in sports, entrepreneurship, creative arts, fashion, digital influence, and socio-political development.

Here’s a list of some of the nominees; the full list and voting options are available on the SoundcityMVP website

BEST MALE MVP 

  1. BURNA BOY
  2. NASTY C
  3. MR EAZI
  4. OLAMIDE
  5. A.K.A
  6. SHATTA WALE
  7. HARMONIZE
  8. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ
  9. DAVIDO
  10. WIZKID

BEST FEMALE MVP 

  1. BUSISWA
  2. SIMI
  3. NINIOLA
  4. TIWA SAVAGE
  5. YEMI ALADE
  6. SHEKHINAH
  7. EFYA
  8. BECCA
  9. LADY ZAMAR
  10. MAUA SAMA

BEST HIP HOP 

  1. M.I ABAGA
  2. KHALIGRAPH JONES
  3. NASTY C
  4. AKA
  5. KWESI ARTHUR
  6. PHYNO
  7. SARKODIE
  8. KWESTA
  9. FALZ
  10. MEDIKAL

BEST POP 

  1. KIZZ DANIEL
  2. FALLY IPUPA
  3. TIWA SAVAGE
  4. YEMI ALADE
  5. DAVIDO
  6. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ
  7. MAYORKUN
  8. WIZKID
  9. KUAMI EUGENE
  10. MR EAZI

VIDEO OF THE YEAR 

  1. GRINGO – SHATTA WALE
  2. MIDNIGHT DRUM – A PASS, ROUGE, FIK FAMEICA
  3. SHORT N’ SWEET – SAUTI SOL
  4. YE – BURNA BOY
  5. FEVER – WIZKID
  6. SURRENDA – ADEKUNLE GOLD
  7. SCIENCE STUDENT – OLAMIDE
  8. KING – NASTY C FT A$AP FERG
  9. HEAL THE WORLD – PATORANKING
  10. KSAZOBALIT – CASSPER NYOVEST

SONG OF THE YEAR 

  1. YE – BURNA BOY
  2. SHORT & SWEET – SAUTI SOL FT NYASHINKI
  3. AFRICAN BEAUTY – DIAMOND PLATNUMZ FT. OMARION
  4. SOCO – STARBOY FT WIZKID, TERRI, SPOTLESS & CEEZA MILLI
  5. KATIKA – NAVY KENZO FT. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ
  6. MAKHE – DJ MAPHORISA, DJ SIMBA FT MOONCHILD SANELLY
  7. SKELETON MOVES – MASTER KG
  8. ASSURANCE – DAVIDO
  9. AMAKA – TUFACE IDIBIA
  10. KWANGWARU – HARMONIZE FT. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ

BEST NEW ARTISTE 

  1. KIDI
  2. SHO MADJOZI
  3. ODUNSI
  4. PERUZZI
  5. TENIOLA
  6. KIDA KUDZ
  7. SHANE EAGLE
  8. KING PROMISE
  9. KWESI ARTHUR
  10. MBOSSO

VIEWERS CHOICE 

  1. YE – BURNA BOY
  2. DROGBA – AFRO B
  3. SOMISO – WANDE COAL
  4. SCIENCE STUDENT – OLAMIDE
  5. FEVER – WIZKID
  6. SOCO – STARBOY FT WIZKID, TERRI, SPOTLESS & CEEZA MILLI
  7. KUPE DANCE – A STAR
  8. MAGUN (RMX) – NINIOLA FT. BUSISWA
  9. AVAILABLE – PATORANKING
  10. TIWA’S VIBE – TIWA SAVAGE

AFRICAN PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 

  1. KILLERTUNES
  2. JULZ
  3. SARS
  4. NAHREEL
  5. NORTHBOI
  6. DJ TIRA
  7. PHANTOM
  8. SPEROACHBEATZ
  9. FRESH VDM
  10. KEL P

AFRICAN ARTISTE OF THE YEAR 

  1. BURNA BOY
  2. DAVIDO
  3. SARKODIE
  4. YEMI ALADE
  5. A.K.A
  6. TIWA SAVAGE
  7. WIZKID
  8. DIAMOND PLATNUMZ
  9. NASTY C
  10. OLAMIDE

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Listen to Legendury Beatz’s single, “Love Can Do” featuring Maleek Berry

Listen to Na-Ku’s remix to Trill Xoe’s “Love Like This”

Posted on by The Native

Afropop has taken many shapes and forms over the years, from R&B, to dancehall and EDM, but it’s not everyday you hear the ambient pop side of the club-driven genre. But that’s what you get on Trille Xoe’s “Love Like This”, fusing drones and echoes that float under drum patterns and multi-tracked vocal hooks. The ambient synth he produced on the song has inspired a remix from Na-Ku, less than 9 months after the release of the original track.

Na-Ku’s infuses his bad boy personality to his rendition of “Love Like This” and it results in a song that can paradoxically feel agitated and sedate in the same moment. Singing “You Got My Mumu Button and e Dey on Lock/ You Got My Mumu Button and I Guess I’m Fucked”, over the ambient synth instrumentals and rattling sample, he expresses his fear, digging for emotional clarity in the midst of an ambiguous relationship.

You can stream Na-Tu’s “Love Like This (Remix)” here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/nakunvrs
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ICYMI: Xoe shows love to Hip-hop on “Tales: The Episode Before”

Watch Yung L party with models in his “Bam Bam” music video

Posted on by The Native

Most of our favorite music videos reveled in fantasy, conjuring new worlds separate from our own. But the best videos are the ones who make the nuances of everyday living into film-worthy showoffs. The music video for Yung L’s “Bam Bam” finds the Chocolate City artists cleverly embracing his flamboyant persona with the photo-shoot setting of the video. While his ecstatic performance on the record is set up for a club dancefloor scene, the video takes a simpler direction, showing Yung L in garage somewhere in the UK, where he’s seen wearing brightly colored clothes and dancing with models.

Though the video isn’t set in a club, Yung L takes all the fun and glamour from partying and makes something just about as grandly beautiful. You can watch the music video for “Bam Bam” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Yung L
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ICYMI: Check out the essentials from Yung L’s ‘Better Late Than Never’ album debut

Kwesi Arthur and Shatta Wale release “African Girl” video

Posted on by The Native

Kwesi Arthur and Shatta Wale have both had their careers take an interesting turn this year.  Kwesi Arthur has collaborated on a number of Afropop singles, consequently leaving a part of himself across genres; “Maintain” with Juls, for instance, spins hip-hop onto highlife.  Shatta Wale releasing his critically acclaimed album “Reign” was also a laudable close to a good year, career-wise. His music video “Gringo“, which is also one of the songs on the Reign album besides being a really good record, rightly generated a healthy buzz for its racial politics.

Kwesi Arthur opens “African Girl“, a song that runs around the appreciation of hot, happy go lucky African women with a smooth verse and Shatta Wale fits right in the mix, taking African Girl from regular pop hit to a fire dancehall song. The super casual and relaxed video is set at a party with shots of guests having a good time with frames of beautiful landscape alternating through it.

Watch “African Girl” here;

 

 

 

 

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Listen to Sarkodie’s Shatta Wale diss track, “My Advice”

A night out brings “Trobul” for Sarz and Wurld; See video now

Posted on by The Native

While we continue to anticipate the release of Wurld and Sarz’s promised joint project, the previously released lead single from the tape, “Trobul”, has gotten a visual treatment. And just like the airy mid-tempo beat Sarz produces and Wurld’s laid back confessional set, the music video languidly depicts the romantic emotions expressed on the song.

The video for “Trobul” is set on the night of a house party, following Wurld and Sarz as they are drenched in a sea of beautiful women and the seductive glow of red lights. Though the pair seem to be having a good time, Wurld performs his verses with a somber facial expression, singing “You’re The Only One That I See” like he’s wincing at the loss of his sanity. The video also reemphasizes his fears through metaphorical imagery of “caution” tagged red tapes and the final scene where Wurld is seen, tied-up in the trunk of a femme fatale’s car.

You can watch the music video for “Trobul” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Trobul18
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ICYMI: Hear Wurld’s Afrobeat inspired love song, “Paranoid”

See Flavour in “Awele”, featuring high-life duo, Umu Obiligbo

Posted on by The Native

Flavour is one of the few artists who has remained unconvinced by the hip fusion of traditional genres with contemporary pop sounds. His music has stayed true to his eastern high-life music influences, so it was hardly a surprise when he announced a coming project in collaboration with high-life music duo, Umu Obiligbo, from Nteje, Anambra state. Flavour seems prepared to continue capping for his indigenous African sound as he as now released the lead single from the project, “Awele”, with a grandly beautiful music video to match.

“Awele” is a celebration of life and love, rendered in Flavour and Umu Obiligbo’s native Igbo dialect and backed by production from Sele Bobo and yet another captivating guitar riff offered by Fiokee. The music video Adasa Cookey directs celebrates the rich culture through the costumed traditional dancers and the fairytale-esque depiction of the society, showing market scenes, huts and cars.

You can watch the music video for “Awele” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Official Flavour
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ICYMI: Get all the essentials from Flavour’s last album, ‘Ijele – The Traveler’

Nonso Amadi “No Crime” video is a Tumblr gif come alive

Posted on by The Native

Nonso Amadi’s progression trailing up the release of “Radio” and “Tonight”, has somewhat indicated his career as a generational landmark in the evolution of Afropop and R&B. Visually speaking, his sweetly melodic inflections also take a personality of their own, a trope he already showcased with his accompanying video to “Tonight”. His latest video, “No Crime”, feels like a video straight off your Tumblr feed; complete with a mood filter, fast-moving edits and chrome colours.

The Meji Alabi directed music shows Nonso quarrelling with a lover in a car, the rest of the video has a soothing quality that does justice to the pleasant mood you’d expect from someone teetering at the precipice of falling for someone new. He and his presumed love interest enjoy each other’s company till it gets dark and they also have a fight in a car. But something about his cheerful lyrics must have convinced her to stay as the video ends on the pleasant note of the lovers making up.

You can watch the music video for Nonso Amadi’s “No Crime” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/ Nonso Amadi
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ICYMI: Listen to Nonso Amadi’s “Marry You” featuring Tomi Owo

Tekno is back with a romantic new single, “On You”

Posted on by The Native

From Drake’s “Trust Issues” to the more recent “Be Careful With Me” by Cardi B, artists have been vocal about their paranoia, going into relationships as celebrities. Tekno’s new single, “On You” gives the emotive narrative his own melodious spin with the catchy Afropop beat  S’Bling produces for his heartfelt performance.

Though most of his lyrics seem to embellish a love interest, even promising “My Mommy Oh, My Daddy Oh, Soon Them Go Meet You”, his sultry sentiments are rather gloomy as he establishes a grimier counter-narrative to the opulent vision of the celebrity lifestyle. Singing “Shey You Go Dey For Me If I Dey Drink Garri”, he questions the good intentions of his those who seem to care about him and the video Patrick Ellis directs further highlights his paranoia through the luxurious life it depicts for the singer. The video for “On You” opens with the sound of a big car engine as we watch Tekno wearing a sparkling white shirt to match the white walls of his mansion and the Benz parked in the driveway. The rest of the video follows Tekno performing his heartfelt lyrics to a model whose attractive enough to add to the dreamy direction of the video.

You can watch the music video for “On You” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/TeknoMilesVEVO
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ICYMI: Listen to “The Benz” by Tekno and his brother, Spotless

Preyé Itams’ “Cookies” and self care

Posted on by The Native

Preyé Itams;  besides working with Tay Iwar and Santi on “Space“, hasn’t put out music in over a year. Until according to her- the gift of a rainy day, “cookies“: A song that flutters from neo-soul to R&B. “Cookies” is a literal fuck-you-I’m-the-shit post break up song co-written with Ngohire and mixed by Tay Iwar. Guitarist, Larrydosho’s work on the song gives it a lived-in air that significantly adds to its soulful allure.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrIIvLHAX2g/

The vulnerable yet unyielding essence Preyé embodies on this song carries through from the opening line to its fade. “Cookies” moves through a series of emotional vents; “Pulled a princess out of her tower, couldn’t give me peace, handed me a flower” “Talking like I owe you something, tell me do I owe you anything” Preyé oscillates between apathy and grief like this often on this song.

The carefully curated candor on “cookies” and her older tracks “Pieces of Me” and “On The Move“,  is organic enough to establish that it isn’t a one-off but part of a wholesome thematic experience of her as an artist- The perception of a relatable musician.

The cosmic lyric video is beguiling but not so much that it obliterates the music.

 

 

Stream “Cookies” here;

 

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Preye channels the greats of torch song jazz on “Pieces of Me”

Psycho YP tag teams Odunsi on new single, “To the Max”

Posted on by The Native

After reinventing himself to resurrect the funky nostalgia of music from the 70’s and 80’s for his album debut, ‘rare.’, Odunsi is returning to his more hip persona for PsychoYP’s latest single, “To The Max”. Both artists occupied the indie space the internet allowed in the music industry, taking advantage of the forward-thinking enthusiasm and the sonic experimenting being independent afford them, to grow their fandoms. And though Odunsi’s pop sensibilities quickly saw him become the poster boy for the alternative music scene, PsychoYP remained active in the background, releasing trap singles for his loyal fans.

Now that the world has become a safe place for trap artists, PsychoYP has responded by going bigger and sunnier, performing what seems to be a Trap mock-up of Nana Rouges, Wizkid and Not3s’s “To The Max”. Singing “Tell Me Why They Talking to Me Like I’m Not The Only Nigga Out Here Popping Shit/ Oh Yeah Do It To The Max/ And I Put My City On The Map” for the catchy hook, he embodies the swagger of the breezy Afropop record which celebrated the renaissance of African pop culture. PsychoYP’s intentions are however more threatening, as he tag-teams Odunsi to show off the depth of his clout while establishing his role in today’s Nigerian music climate. Over the bouncy trap beat Dëra produces for “To The Max” with layered synths, Odunsi delivers a rare rap verse, ditching his sweetly romantic sentiments for a more fitting aggressive set where he brags about his ‘hoes’.

You can stream PsychoYP and Odunsi’s “To The Max” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/psychoyp
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ICYMI: Watch the Drake inspired music video for Nana Rouges, Wizkid and Not3s’ “To the Max” here

Sess’ “Original Gangster” featuring Adekunle Gold and Reminisce gets a music video

Posted on by The Native

Kemi Adetiba’s latest film, “King of Boys” has enjoyed media buzz since it was released in cinema back in October. Sess keeps the attention on the film with the release of the music video for “Original Gangster”, off his latest project, Omo Muda. The song which featured Adekunle Gold and Reminisce featured as the soundtrack for “King of Boys” and hyped up the intensity of Reminisce’s role in the film.

The music video for “Original Gangster” is also directed by Kemi Adetiba and she includes clips from the film while Adekunle Gold and Sess join Reminisce to impose their own threats as ‘Original Gangsters’. And with the bullet-proof jacket and smoke machines, even Adekunle Gold comes across menacing.

You can stream the music video for “Original Gangster” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/SessVEVO
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ICYMI: PWC 2018 REPORT: Nollywood is struggling but the music industry is growing

Terra Kulture is hosting Adekunle Gold Live 2018

Posted on by The Native

Adekunle Gold released his sophomore album, ‘About 30’, back in June and has spent the rest of the year releasing videos from the album’s tracklist. The latest video, the video for Flavour assisted “Yoyo” was released just a few days ago and it seems to be the appetizer for the singer’s coming concert, Adekunle Gold Live at Terra Kulture. The concert is expected to last for three days following the released schedule running from the Thursday, the 13th of December, through to the weekend, on the 15th of December.

The concert promises live sets from Adekunle Gold and his the 79th element band, who will be expected to play some songs off the projects as well as some classic Adekunle Gold numbers. The 3-day event will also feature guest appearances from Teni, Aramide, Wulrd and Sir Dauda. You can book your tickets for the different day of Adekunle Gold Live in Terra Kulture here or purchase a physical ticket at the designated outlets such as Film house Cinemas, Hubmart Supermarkets, CityDia Supermarkets, and Tastee Fried Chicken.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/adekunlegold
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ICYMI: Watch the video for Adekunle Gold and Flavour’s “Yoyo” here

Romance is the theme for Timz’s “Number 1” music video

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Afropop reaches feverishly ensnaring heights when it takes a romantic tune. And for Timz’s new single, “Number 1”, he casts passionate lines, in hopes of capturing a lover’s affection and listeners’ romantic sentiments. Ozedikus produces the synth layered mid-tempo beat for Timz’s emotional confessional. While his vocals, lit in wedding night afterglow, are alluring, it’s the clever interpolation of Afropop classics such as Olamide’s “Omo to Shan”, Wizkid’s “Naughty Ride” that makes “Number 1” such a good Afropop song; Instantly familiar, lightweight and memorable.

The celebration of love may be a hard sell in December, but Timz has released the music video for “Number 1” and the theme as you’d expect is romantic. David Anthony directs the video, following a couple, played by Timz and a model, as they revel in their attraction while cuts highlighting the beauty of the China Town set adds the red touch to the sultry video.

You can watch the music video for Timz’s “Number 1” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Timz Official
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ICYMI: DJ Xclusive and Runtown shot Caribbean themed video for “Sexy Girls”

Stream Wani’s fire new track “In 2 U”

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The release of last year’s “Blem” freestyle by Wani, positioned the singer as the latest uprising Afropop star to hit the scene on the cusp of great things. Since that unlikely track went viral, Wani has released more singles, his debut project, Lagos City Vice and taken on stages to perform tracks from the EP. Wani’s storytelling continues to become evident even on traditional dance tracks like this new track. “In 2 U”, his latest single is a swing of Wani’s signature fusion of both Afropop and R&B.

You can play “In 2 U” via Apple Music here:

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Essentials: WANI’s ‘Lagos City Vice’ is the truest mark of Afropop 2.0 yet </h4

Essentials: ‘No Bad Songz’ by Kizz Daniel

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It may have come at the cost of his more original Kiss Daniel name, but Kizz Daniel has finally released his first album as an independent artist. ‘No Bad Songz’ is coming after his fall out with former label, G-Worldwide, under which he released his album debut, ‘New Era’, back in 2016. The new album features previously released singles, “No Do” and “One Ticket” featuring Davido, as well as 18 new tracks with features from Diplo, Nasty C, Wretch 32, Demmie Vee and DJ Xclusive, Sarkodie and Diamond Platnumz.

‘No Bad Songz’ opens with “Gods”. “Shout out to the kings, shout out to the gods”, Kiss Daniel chants, amidst hymn-like ad-libs of “Alu Bem bem”, with echoes of “Olu bem bem”. The heavenly harmony doesn’t break, even as the synths slither into the arrangement and the drums get louder. It’s all done in perfect synchrony, so clear and sharp that it makes the annoying interlude in the first seconds of the track an instantly forgivable sin. (But If we’re keeping it a buck, he really should have learnt to only open his mouth to sing since that whole “Yeba” thing).\

There is no shortage of love songs on ‘No Bad Songz’, but Kizz Daniel leaves a few cuts highlighting the paranoia of looking for love as a celebrity. He’s often heard questioning the authenticity of his lover’s affection. It was first expressed on Davido assisted “One Ticket”, and later reemphasized on “Maye” where he sings “She Say She Come for the Doe/ Me Sef I Come Lati Do/ She No Like me But She Like The Doe/ Person Go Become Oko Olosho”. 

The album features guest verses from Nasty C, Wretch 32 and Sarkodie, who infuse the urban feel of hip-hop through their contributed rap verses. “Bad” leaves room for UK rapper, Wretch 32, to try out a few lines mimicking Kizz Daniel’s Afropop melodies, Nasty C’s melodic performance on “Ghetto” is symbolic of the era of the singing rappers as he sings, describing the harsh reality on the streets over the trap influenced Afropop beat Philkeyz produces.

But it’s Kizz Daniel’s Afropop sensibilities with catchy melodies that gives ‘No Bad Songz’ its instantly-startling quality. Singing “Oh My God, Look at That Girl/ The Way She Moving Body oh/ I Don Lost/ Whine Poko, Go Down, Poko” on MOG produced “Poko”, you can almost picture the dancefloor setting of the music video we can expect to be released in the coming weeks. Jaypizzle and Diplo-produced track, “Ikwe”, blends Kizz Daniel’s dancehall influences as he interpolates Ricardo Ducent’s hook from Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me” for a Reggae-driven Afropop number. The sonic experiment results in a mellow party starter with the drum riff primed to charm listeners to their feet.

You can stream ‘No Bad Songz’ below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/iamkizzdaniel
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ICYMI: Watch the video for “One Ticket” by Kizz Daniel and Davido

Close out the year with Legendury Beatz’ “O! Baby” with Ceeza Milli, Maleek Berry and Kwesi Arthur

Posted on by The Native

The end of a year is notorious for the wistfulness that comes with it. It’s why popular music intended to lift spirits and get grooves on will always be welcome, disposability be damned. These songs, however arbitrarily added to playlists this season presents listeners an avenue to mark the passing of time with goofy pop songs.

For this song, producers, Legendury Beatz enlist Maleek Berry, Ceeza Milli and Kwesi Arthur for what comes together as a party hit with top-notch synergy.  “O! Baby” is a feel-good track so versatile, it gives you a little bit of everything.

Ceeza Milli delivers the opening verse with a catchy hook, the reins of which he takes on for the rest of song; Maleek Berry’s introduces his cheeky, fun sound, which is fast gaining a reputation for being as in-situ as is humanly possible, switching up the melody before Kwesi Arthur introduces a mix of Twi and English to the track.

Listen to “O! Baby” here;

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Listen to Legendury Beatz’s single, “Love Can Do” featuring Maleek Berry

Listen to Maleek Berry’s two new singles, “Wait” and “Doing U”

Posted on by The Native

This year has been a rather quiet one for Maleek Berry, coming off the euphoria from his ‘Last Daze of Summer’ EP’s dominant run through 2016 and 2017. He opened the year with the release of his follow up, sophomore project, ‘First Daze of Winter’, where he seemed to focus more on emotions than the melodies. The result of his thematic exploration left him out of step with pop-worshipping zeitgeist, but with the catchy melody heard from his two latest singles, “Wait” and “Doing U”, you can expect his return to the dance-club DJ sets.

He produces a mellow beat for “Doing U” with layers of slushy synth samples, hovering over a bouncy Afropop drum riff. The laid back sound of the beat and his emotive performance, trying to convince a love interest of his attraction, captures the lightweight ambiance of night clubs by the beach. “Wait” on the other hand is set to a faster paced drum riff with layered vocals and horn samples like a live music performance. Maleek’s romantic intentions are also expressed here, singing “Girl It’s Just Me and You/ Nobody A’fi Know/ About The Things We Do” with his soothing and melodic vocals primed to piece hearts like cupid’s arrow. His charming lyrics and the hip-swinging melody of the beat he produces makes “Wait” the perfect song to close the night after the last call for alcohol.

You can listen to Maleek Berry’s “Doing U” and “Wait” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/maleekberry
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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: Check out all the essentials from Maleek Berry’s ‘First Daze of Winter’ EP

Peruzzi shares cover art for debut project, ‘Heartwork’

Posted on by The Native

With the number of Afropop releases being churned out on the daily, Peruzzi’s dominance in Afropop conversation is entirely unprecedented. The DMW singer has only released one single since he debuted “For Your Pocket” a year ago. But you’d never guess that from his media presence which is felt across the country, off the strength of his guest verses on features and DMW collaborations. 2Baba’s “Amaka” might be his most famous performance till date but Peruzzi has impressed on everything else, including viral clips of studio sessions shared on the timeline.

To celebrate his birthday yesterday, Peruzzi shared the cover art and title of his EP, ‘Heartwork’, on Instagram, captioning the post, “Happy birthday Tobechuhwu! God bless me! This right here is all I am. Everything to me and I hope I heal you off every pain you have with this. “Heartwork”. The EP out soon. Tell Them I’m ready.” There’s still no official release date for the EP but it’s certainly one everyone is forward to. The covert art that accompanied the announcement was designed by Creer Magnus, who uses his mix media art piece to convey some of romantic sentiments Peruzzi’s music is known for

You can check out the EP’s cover art below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq_Du_-lIfj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_loading_state_control

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/peruzzi_vibes
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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: Find out what songs are NATIVE’s best songs of the year so far

Fiokee teams up with Davido and Peruzzi for romantic new single, “Dumebi”

Posted on by The Native

Fiokee’s new single, “Dumebi” features Fresh VDM production, as well as appearances from DMW kings of cool, Davido and Peruzzi. Perruzzi opens the song singing “Just Like The Morning Sun, You Light up My Life”, hoping to charm his love interest with his promises and the catchy melody of his layered vocals. Davido’s verse adds just the right amount of vulnerability singing “Baby Forget My Past Life/ You Know How E Dey/ I No Go Do Am Again”. And though “Dumebi” is written like a request for permission to love, their captivating and Fiokee’s signature guitar riff is primed to convince any ears.

You can listen to “Dumebi” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/DMW HQ
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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 video for PatricKxxLee’s “Dante’s Awakening” here