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

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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”

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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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ICYMI: Check out all the essentials from Maleek Berry’s ‘First Daze of Winter’ EP

Peruzzi shares cover art for debut project, ‘Heartwork’

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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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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”

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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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ICYMI: Watch the video for PatricKxxLee’s “Dante’s Awakening” here

Watch Mr Eazi and Simi in “Surrender”

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Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos To London’  is a solid rejoinder to his debut project Lagos to Accra; an album that made clear the continuity of his relevance to African music history. Since his debut, he’s gone on to become a prominent face of Afropop to an exciting demographic of new listeners. From the 15 track tape, Eazi released a music video for “Surrender” which features Simi. “Surrender” infuses Simi’s charm into the playfully romantic lyrics of the song with Pheelz and Juls producing the tape’s Lagos side.

The story in the Mornix Motion picture is told around finding love in a foreign land and as endearing as that may be, it isn’t a walk in the park to be a part of a dalliance regarded as taboo; as is depicted in the video with Simi’s father being vehemently against their relationship. “Surrender” did so well with fans, a development that was possibly engineered by the previously shared animated visualizer.

In the documentary he released on the making of the project, Mr Eazi lays continuous emphasis on his taking culture from Lagos to London; and he does a thorough job of portraying it lugging a jerrycan of petrol everywhere, seemingly to fuel his still loaded yellow bus from Lagos  however peculiar it is that his love interest is a Nigerian heartthrob with white parents.

Watch “Surrender” here;

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

Seun Kuti snags Grammy award Nomination

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When the first round of voting for the 61st Grammy Awards commenced weeks ago, news of Seun Kuti’s ‘Black Times’ album being considered for the ‘Best world music album’ spot was met with gleeful hope. The Black Times album, a politically charged jazz project ossified with a palpable defiance against oppressive systems is performed alongside the Egypt 80 and has today been nominated for a Grammy award by the recording academy. The 8 track album was co-produced by Robert Glasper and featured Carlos Santana in what shaped up to be an unadulterated and musically adept revival of Afrobeat like it was done by his late father and the Egypt80 band.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpaQW3zF3C-/

Seun Kuti’s ‘Black times’ is nominated in the same category as “Deran” by Bombino, a Nigerien singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music addresses geopolitical concerns in Turag; “Fenfo”, a seductive marriage of ancient and modern Malian music that tackles social issues from migration to African identity by Fatoumata Diawara; Yiddish Glory’s “The Lost Songs of World War II” and Soweto Gospel Choir’s “Freedom”.  The Grammy Awards ceremony will take place Sunday, February 10th at the Los Angeles’ Staples Center and we’re rooting for our own.

Best New Music: Davido’s “Wonder Woman” is another typical OBO flex

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One of the most interesting aspects of Davido’s artistry is the evolution of his Omo Baba Olowo (Son of a rich man) mythos. The mix of blessing and curse his privileged background comes with, was evident from the start of his career, after landing a major hit with “Back When” featuring Neato C, one of Nigeria’s highest flying rappers of the era. But the mixed reactions to that bold move did not stop him from chanting, “Emi Omo Baba Olowo”, on his follow-up single, “Dami Duro”.

These days, everything is different. The same sharp-toothed teenager who took shots at his contemporaries on “All Of You”, is now a father of two daughters, in a loving relationship and by all means, an international superstar. All roads have led Davido to this “Wonder Woman” moment, an unobtrusive cut from a legacy already stretching the limits of how much an artist can tastefully get away with.

Since his on-going relationship became public news, Davido’s love life has influenced his songwriting. Just as “Assurance” is a love song steeped in Davido’s larger-than-life OBO universe, “Wonder Woman” his latest update is sung with the same heart and might.

Over a mid-tempo chord progression produced by Teekay Whitty, Davido describes a special type of woman he wouldn’t mind reaching into the deep of ‘Wells Fargo’ to satisfy. Hard to say how a lot of men in Lagos will take Davido raising the bar from 30 billion for the account, to a full bank foreign bank account. But perhaps that’s the point.

For the Twitch-directed “Wonder Woman”, a diverse cast of emerging leaders who are women, surface. With cameos from She Writes Woman Foundation founder, Hauwa Ojeifo, award-winning power vocalist, Omawunmi, Girl Coding and Pearl Africa Foundation founder, Abisoye Ajayi Akin-Folarin and ART X founder, Tokini Peterside amongst others, it’s impossible not to make allusions to Drake’s cameo-boosted “Nice For What”. But deigning that as a mark of unoriginality, may undermine the importance of highlighting these professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who naturally have to work against odds in a male-dominated world. After all, how else would you describe a wonder woman?

See Davido in “Wonder Woman” below

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Zlatan and Davido recount their come-up woes on “Osanle”

Tiwa Savage reminds us of her gritty past in “One” music video

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Tiwa Savage is a beast when it comes to supplying sassy and showy rhymes over catchy club-driven beats. 2018 has been a particularly flamboyant year for the singer, kicking off with her borderline narcissistic “Tiwa’s Vibe” single and sustaining the vanity fare through the year. And though social media threatened to spoil the party when her cordial relationship with Wizkid got tainted by talks of a sexual scandal, she remained unshaken and became the first African woman to bag an EMA, when she won the award for “Best African Act” over Davido, Shekhinah, Distruction Boyz and Fally Ipupa last month.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqNM7TWBvuD/

The Mavin singer just released a new single, “One”, expanding her scope through the reflective narrative that alludes to the lessons she has learnt over time. Singing “Omo To Ba Lagidi, E Fi Were Ko (A stubborn child needs a to be taught a lesson)”, most of the song’s lyrics are delivered in Tiwa Savage’s native Yoruba dialect, adding a certain severity to the song. The traditional influenced beat Killertunes produces with a mix of drum samples, percussion and a backdrop of sweeping synths also highlights “One” as a conscious song that make even showy lyrics like “My Life Don Better”, listens like prayerful thanksgiving.

The video, directed by Clarence Peters doubles down on the message of gratitude with Tiwa retracing her steps to humble beginnings and paying obeisance in the hovel of Lagos she was a part of before in her words, “life don better“.

You can watch Tiwa Savage’s “One” music video below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/tiwasavage

*This post has been updated with the music video
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Here’s why we need to let #TiWiz thrive

LEGACY: See this rare clip of Fela headlining the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 1984

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In 1984, Fela Kuti was the biggest star Africa had ever seen. Adored by his own people, coveted by the international audience, stanned by global superstars – and hated by the authorities – Fela and the Egypt 80s were the hottest ticket in any town they were in.

There are few hotter towns than Somerset, England in mid-June, as they host their iconic Glastonbury Festival. The 140,000 person celebration of music is the most coveted stage for many performing artists – headliners this century have included Adele, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and more. It has long since been seen as the holy grail of festivals – imitated but rarely duplicated (Coachella are doing an alright job).

On Sunday, June 24th 1984, Fela graced the famed Pyramid Stage to close out the festival weekend, performing his seminal hit “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense.” Speaking to a crowd of predominantly white British people, Fela introduced the song with some undoubtedly uncomfortable truths stating that “Europeans taught us everything we know about democracy”.

“Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense” came as a response to the emergence and collapse of Nigeria’s brief democratic state. After thirteen years of military rule (1966-1979), Nigeria witnessed a few years of civilian rule that lasted from the late 1970s through the early 80s, under the leadership of Shehu Shagari. However, the election that brought Shagari into office was reportedly marred by a series of electoral inconsistencies that raised tensions across the country. By 1984 the military had taken full control of the country again, but from Fela’s mind’s eye, that was merely a reaction to the inherent problems that plagued the colonial underlining of democracy itself.

The core message of Fela’s Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense era was a rejection of all forms of unquestionable authority. This was the soundtrack to some of the most riveting but turbulent times in the life of Kuti, leading up to his most publicised public persecution that led to an 18-month long jail term began.

Launching into an epic 35-minute performance, Fela overshadowed the previous headliners that weekend, and solidified himself at the top of the Pyramid.

Fela: The man who challenged death and sought to rule Nigeria

Falz has a new single featuring veteran, Olu Maintain

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Falz’s latest single, “Bon Soir” personifies the saying that if something isn’t broken, you don’t fix it. After the success of “La Fete”, one of the French inspired club hit record from his ’27’ album, Falz is recycling his used pop-rap model for a new single featuring Olu Maintain, the Yahooze star. With tracks like “La Vrai Bhad Guy” also featuring on the album, “Bon Soir” is the third song he’s releasing with a French title in the last few months. And given Afropop’s recent global prominence, it’s hard not to conclude that the name choice is a deliberate marketing ploy.

Sess produces the Afro-trap beat for “Bon Soir”, which builds to a satisfying and fun base drop with techno instrumentals that will fit right into DJ sets in Europe and Africa. Thematically however, Falz’s shows off the depth of his book of pick-up lines, rapping “We Begin to Establish A Rapport/ Body language Yi Gan Lasan”, in his Brother Taju personae to capture raunchy sentiments expressed in clubs.

You can stream “Bon Soir” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/falzthebahdguy
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ICYMI: There’s more to Falz’s ’27’ than what meets the ears

VyneTheRappertainer is done wallowing in pain on his new single, “Can’t Wait”

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If you believe in the philosophy that music should heal, Vyne’s latest single, “Can’t Wait”  may offer some help. Hip-hop, in this part of the world, has been unable to compete with Afropop’s dominance in popular conversations that it almost seems painful to try. But that’s not keeping Vyne from betting his career on the art he loves, swearing his faith to Hip-hop on his latest single, “Can’t Wait”, with self-aware lyrics, too honest to dispute.

Over the sweeping mix of synth harmonies, scatting drum riffs and eerie vocal samples to match the his somber reflections, his lyrics, “I want It Now/I Want It Now and I can’t Even Wait Till Next Year”, listen like an optimist desperately reaching for the broken shards tearing away from his soul. But rather than wallow in his DIY struggle for a big break, he gives an energetic performance that is as inspiring as it is earnest. And with lines like “I Know Say/ That One Day/ If I Work Hard, This Hustle is Gan Pay”, his attitude is convincing.

You can stream Vyne’s “Can’t Wait” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/its_vyne
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ICYMI: Watch the video for PatricKxxLee’s “Dante’s Awakening” here

Ice Prince and Jesse Jagz team up for a new single, “Control Number”

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As we edge ever so close to the final moments of the year, the festive, Christmas season is beginning to work its magic in the mind of everyone. The louder music and the colorful night light are part of the more obvious signs of the times. But if you pay enough attention, other signs like “Control Number”, Ice Prince’s latest single featuring Jesse Jagz, are indicators of the festivity in the air.

“Control Number” is a celebration, a testament to the fact that in spite of all the bad things that have happened this year, we can always find something to be thankful for. The beat Kel P produces, mixing piano harmonies, cascading synths, horns, traditional drums and 808 drums creates a reflective ambiance that captures both glorious and somber sentiments like a snapshot of happiness, anxiety, and optimism. Ice Prince and Jesse Jagz however perform a boastful set, with Ice Prince singing “Thank God For The Weekend/ I’m Gonna Control Numbers/ I Get Shayo, And All the Girls Know We Control Numbers” for the catchy hook. Jesse Jagz also contributes a rap verse bragging about his success with the swagger of an king pin.

You can stream Ice Prince and Jesse Jagz’s “Control Number” here.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/iceprincezamani
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ICYMI: See the music video for Ice Prince and Peruzzi’s “Yawa” single

Adekunle Gold shares music video for Flavour assisted “Yoyo” track

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One of the highlights of Adekunle Gold’s music is his ability to fuse indigenous Yoruba tropes with contemporary pop trends. For “Yoyo”, one of the standout tracks from his ‘About 30’ sophomore album, he incorporated an eastern-Nigerian sound that showed his growth as an artist, unafraid to push the boundaries of his sonic experiments. After the guest verse from Flavour already helped situate the sound and style of the dance-driven highlife number, Adekunle Gold has released a music video directed by Aje Filmworks, and it is set at a bar where both artists drink and embody the lightweight sentiments they express on the song.

The music video for “Yoyo” has a retro direction that doesn’t particularly commit to any specific time, with Flavour N’abania spotting a durag, models wearing brightly coloured suits and masquerades dancing among the ravers. Still, with beer bottles in nearly every shot, the video portrays Adekunle Gold’s message that “This Life is Sweet Oh/ Enjoy Everyday like Tomorrow No Dey”.

You can watch the music video for Adekunle Gold and Flavour’s “Yoyo” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/Adekunle Gold
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ICYMI: NATIVE Exclusive: Adekunle Gold talks ‘About 30’

Yinka Bernie conveys all the sultry sentiments from finding love on new single, “St. Maria”

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There was a moment on Yinka Bernie’s debut EP, ’19 and Over’, that hinted at his desire to push his work into buoyant pop-soul territory. But after hearing the positively contagious groove of his latest single, “St. Maria”, the track is starting to look like a mere preliminary sketch for what’s coming next. Backed by a guitar led beat Malik produces, drawing on the lightweight swing of Caribbean harmonies, his vocals on “St. Maria” are leaner, tighter and more focused on convey the sultry sentiments expressed in his lyrics.

Singing “What’s Your Name, She Said Maria/Where You From? I’ve Been Looking for Ya” over the mellow vibe of the percussion, chime samples, vocal loops and siren samples, “St. Maria” transports listeners to the steamy dancefloor of a dimly lit bar. The effect of the his lyrical imagery and the dance-driven beat is heightened even further by his slurry vocals, mimicking the buzz of a drink. It’s the type of performance you you’d pay good money to experience live with his vocals contorted for a mutated take on dance music.

You can stream Yinka Bernie’s “St. Maria” below.

Featured Image Credits: Instagram/yinkabernie
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ICYMI: Check out all the essentials from Yinka Bernie’s ‘Facades’ EP

The Global Citizen Festival, South Africa

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https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq5AxD6DQwY/

The Global Citizen Festival, an annual music festival organized by the Global Poverty Project was first held in New York City on September 29, 2012. The headliners included the Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, John Legend, Band of Horses and Neil Young. The festival has since taken its model to Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and Canada and is currently one of the largest, most visible events drawing attention to sustainability and anti-poverty efforts around the world. The festival’s continued mission of ending extreme poverty by 2030 is funded through brand sponsorships and private donations.

This year’s Global Citizen Festival saw significant commitments made towards gender equality and education; the overall pledge from all the commitments was the second highest achieved from any Global Citizen Festival. The main 2018 festival  held at New York City’s central park on September 29 and was headlined by Janet Jackson, The Weeknd, John Legend, Janelle Monae and Cardi B. However, a supplementary festival was thrown in South Africa; birthplace of the Festival’s legacy, Nelson Mandella to commemorate  the centenary of his birth. Beyonce and Jay Z headlined the Johannesburg festival that included  Ed Sheeran, Pharrell Williams, Usher, D’Banj, WizKid, Tiwa Savage and South African rappers Casper Nyovest and Sho Madjozi with Trevor Noah as the host.

A major highlight for Nigerian music was Beyonce including a video interlude of her vacation with Jay Z accompanied by Tekno’s “Pana” in her set; a kind of paean we’ve seen be paid with the homage to Fela at Coachella in April. Wizkid, one of the festival’s opening acts performed a number of his global hits like “Ojuelegba”, “Soweto Baby”, “Daddy Yo”, “Soco” and thrilled with a live mash-up with the Soweto gospel choir. D’banj, introduced by supermodel Naomi Campbell, made an entrance like no other with the Mzazi Youth choir before performing a set that included his “Oliver Twist”, “Fall in Love”, “Emergency” and more. Tiwa Savage also took the stage, opening with “All Over” then joined by South African RNB singer, Donald at the close of her set to perform their collaboration, “Raindrops”.

In the days and hours leading up the concert, the Carters, despite their attempts to fly under the radar, hogged the spotlight as it was their first time performing in Africa together. While the concert was broadcast live on television, the Carters performance was exclusive to ticket holders who earned the tickets by volunteering; unfortunately targeted by robbers as they left the stadium for the exclusive show. Both events were underlined by the threat of violence but while the New York’s was a false alarm that left a few injured, Joburg’s wasn’t as lucky and was marred by the reportedly ever-present danger of crime in the city.

The Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 brings the year-long collaboration with the House of Mandela to an end. The festival and its proceeds, inspired by the former leader of South Africa and his lifelong dedication to rallying people together to use their collective voices to speak for the most marginalized people will sustainably impact the lives of about 501 million people across the globe by the year 2030.

See the full 8-hour long show below

https://youtu.be/jEx3-7hnHBE

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Mariam is (insert pretentious stuff about myself here). Share your thoughts with me @MA_Y_M

Afropop on the rise: Kanye West’s adventures in Uganda and D’banj’s G.O.O.D music years

Watch the video for “Revival”, off of LadiPoe’s ‘Talk About Poe’

Posted on by The Native

Just as the name hints, ‘T.A.P (Talk About Poe)’ was the coming out party for LadiPoe and his fans, after years of sitting on the debut album expected to validate his word game. He just released the music video for “Revival”, one of the standout tracks from the album where he focuses on throwing shots at the competition and appreciating loyal fans who have stuck with him through the years. The music video isn’t too deep on the surface, following Poe as he performs his bars on the roof of a building before his reflection in a mirror is seen rapping at him. Some of his lyrics take a titillating turn when you consider that he’s performing at himself when taking shots at rappers.

You can watch the music video for LadiPoe’s “Revival” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/MavinRecords
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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 LadiPoe’s album debut, ‘T.A.P(Talk About Poe)’

Listen to Timaya’s new single, “Kom Kom” featuring King Perryy and Patoranking

Posted on by The Native

Timaya has dominated Afropop zeitgeist with hit songs dating as far back as “Dem Mama” from 2007 and as recent as “Ah Blem Blem” from this year. Timaya’s latest single, “Kom Kom” is indicative for how well-adjusted his music is to the times, looping a Spanish flute sample to make a catchy dance-driven Afropop song tailored to the lightweight bounce and groove of club DJ sets.

Singing “Girl Your Body Kom Kom/ Love the Way You Bend It For Me Oh”, “Kom Kom” is yet another love song too obsessed with the physical attributes of a love interest to be less obvious about it. But whatever the song may lack in lyrical depth, it more than makes up for in melody as Timaya and featured artists, King Perryy and Patoranking show off the range of their Reggae influenced flow. The accompanying music video asides guaranteeing the song’s media attention also helps put a face to the new name on the song. Unlimited LA directs the party-themed music video showing King Perryy as he gives the dance instructions which the video vixens try to emulate.

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

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/OfficialTimaya

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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 Timaya and Olamide try out new dance steps in their music video for “Bam Bam”

See DJ Neptune and Maleek Berry in “My World”

Posted on by The Native

While the rest of us have to find other innovative ways to win the affection of our love interests, musicians have the trusted formula of serenading their way into anyone’s heart. And given Maleek Berry’s accomplished sonic sensibilities, he can probably teach a thing or two. For one of the more somber cuts from his ‘Greatness’ project, DJ Neptune employed the singer to work his magic on “My World”, one of the tracks off the tape which also featured collaborators like kizz Daniel and Runtown.

Over the lush beat Legendary Beatz produces with synth harmonies, snares, and sinuous little melodies tucked away in the back of the mix, Maleek Berry performs a sultry set aimed to charming his love interest. Singing “Let Me Take You Away/ Make I Show You Say I Want You/ Let Me Take You To My World”, the catchy melody of his familiar falsetto and the repetitive lyrics can be convincing, especially when accompanied with Nitin Lutch-directed music video which casts DJ Neptune and Maleek Berry in a neon lit room where they perform the song.

You can watch the music video for DJ Neptune and Maleek Berry’s “My World” below.

Featured Image Credits: YouTube/DJ Neptune
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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: See the music video for DJ Neptune’s Kizz Daniel assisted track, “Wait”