While touring around South America, the that make up Ibeyi, Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Díaz performed for NPR Music Tiny Desk stage. Though they shyly admit to being “quite nervous” after performing “Oddudua”, they go on to sing three other songs channeling their Yoruba deities.
As is their tradition, Ibeyi celebrate their Yoruba religion through the palpable spirituality by melding harmonies and the use of traditional batá drums heard as they perform four songs, “Oddudua”, “Deathless”, “Valé”, and “Transmission/Michaelion”, giving some context for the songs. Ibeyi’s fusion of tradition, heritage and sanctity is always captivating and their performance at the Tiny Desk stage is no exception.
You can stream the performance below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/naomidiazibeyi
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After all the back and forth with the media and a presumably deleted project, MI seems set to finally release that album he promised a year ago. He dropped links to his Instagram and YouTube so fans can tune into his exclusive listening party scheduled to start at 7:45.
From what has streamed can see so far, it appears to be a long video showing M.I amidst a much younger crowd while music plays in the background. Maybe I’m just salty I didn’t get invited to what seems to be a fun gathering of young people enjoying free liquor and pizza, but it does seem like M took the ‘party’ in listening party a little too seriously.
Anyway, It’s streaming live right now so if you hurry, you might still catch some of the repeat play action. So far it seems we can expect features from Nonso Amadi, Wande Coal, Moelogo, Terry Apala and Tay Iwar.
Update: The project streaming has concluded and according to M.I, it will drop midnight tonight. The project is expected to be titled, The Rendezvous Playlist
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/mi_abaga
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
If we’re talking EDM energy and Afropop’s groove, South Africa’s gqom is that sound. Last year, Patoranking tapped into the South African house music to create his latest single, “Available”, spreading his range with the DJ Catzico and Vista produced beat.
Opening with panegyrics to a deity, the accompanying video for the South African inspired song appreciates different elements of South African culture from traditional religion to clothing and face painting. Patoranking himself is however not seen wearing any of these clothes or trying to be part of the ritual. It’s a lesson on appreciation without appropriating.
Watch the video for “Available” here;
Featured Image Credits: YouTube/PatorankingVEVO
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Kehinde’s Fuji-influenced grunge-y voice—similar to Kid Cudi—makes his music distinct from some of his more popular post-R&B contemporaries. After exploring personal battles on his previous EP Yung, he grapples with a new realisation of self on “Destiny”.
A lot of musicians often speak of their place with the entitlement that comes with talent and perhaps, special ability. But “Destiny” begins with a synth-piano and percussion, setting atmosphere for Kehinde’s examination of self. He’s not so much singing “Destiny Is Calling Me” with an impatient voice as he is scolding himself for ignoring all the prior signs when he adds “But I didn’t pick up”
Listen to Kehinde’s musical odyssey to reaching for his “Destiny” here:
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By singing over piano melodies and lo-fi guitar chords, SoulBlacksheep’s gruff voice on “WILD N FREE” echoes that all to familiar feeling of wanting out of a relationship. The impact of sobriety sensed in his pacing validates the song’s earnestness as Soul tells a tale of a manipulative lover he can’t seem to satisfy.
“I’m Wild And Free, I’m Done Waiting For You” he sings, on the chorus, asserting he is over the relationship and ready to move on. On the second verse, the soft piano is overpowered by low-tempo guitar riffs following the same melody. The switch-up is paired with sounds of rain that amplify the song’s emotive theme.
Soul sings of what was between them, perhaps seeking closure as the relationship dies. Suitably, “WILD N FREE” ends with Soul singing, “I’m Wild And Free, I’m Done Waiting For You”, reemphasizing his desire to end the relationship.
Listen to SoulBlackSheep’s “WILD N FREE” Here:
https://soundcloud.com/soulblacksheep/wild-n-free
“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @fauxxbella
“Tight Jeans” set off on fast-tempo bass guitars, setting the tone for the EDM dance number, before the lyrics begin. Over the beat, Falz performs the song’s chorus and a self-obsessed verse. He raps about being attracted to a woman at a club. To give us some context for why he’s so confident (asides being Falz), he helps us paint the scene describing his outfit saying “Chain On My Neck Looking Like I’m A Jeweler, All White Like Hallelujah”. OZ follows up with an equally self-assured verse, moving the party along.
Listen to DJ Java’s “Tight Jeans” featuring Falz and OZ here:
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/
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The grand plan for Boogey’s on-going freestyle series is not absolutely clear given the scale of music industry’s recent expansion, but it’s hard to knock a man who—if anything—has proved his versatility on a range of instrumentals. His latest freestyle is cover of Drake’s “Diplomatic Immunity”, where Boogey spits bars acknowledging his place in the game like Drake did on the original track.
To give some perspective on Boogey’s freestyle rollout, last week he released “Wo+Maradona”, running social commentary on coming up and the celebrity life. The rapper has also released the “Numb Freestyle”, “If Juice and Mask Off Freestyle” and a handful of other tracks where he raps over instrumentals of smash-hit pop songs, released in the past 9 months.
You can listen to Boogey’s “Diplomatic Immunity” below.
As Africa’s most populous nation, nothing brings the people of Nigeria together (within the mainland and around the world), quite like getting behind the Super Eagles.
Nike today unveiled Nigeria’s eye-catching line for this year’s World Cup in Russia, and as media partners for Nigeria’s World Cup journey, we claimed inside access on the process of bringing the kit to life.
Inviting on board Grace Ladoja as Creative Director of the campaign, the intent from Nike was to place Nigerian creatives, across the diaspora firmly in control of powering the project. A sentiment echoed to us by Demetria White, Director of Global Communications at Nike. “There’s something about the power of football, combined with your nationality that allows people to celebrate it. As a brand, we’re always looking for different ways and expressions to give that to people” she told us.
From the models, taking centre stage to the creative staff behind the scenes, we delved closer to present the collective’s “youthful exuberance, pride and fresh perspective on patriotism”.
“We have this thing where we say “the community decides”, and we have to be able to let them do that”, Demetria added. “If we can use our brand platform to showcase Nigeria to the world but also have Nigerians see themselves in it, that is it for us”.
Peep the gallery below for our exclusive BTS shots by Jay Kammy and Tsvetlina Tomova for NATIVE.
“Banana”, B.Botch and DJ Krept’s new single is authentically Ghanaian—it’s basically a refix version of everything un-Ghanaian about the Alkayida sound heard on Runtown’s 2016, “Mad Over You”. Flutes, Kongas, and a unique note that sounds as much like a keyboard as it does a whistle, all contribute to the beautiful form of “Banana”.
The chemistry between Adekunle Gold and Moelogo has been obvious since their first collaboration on Moelogo’s “Rora Se” and Adekunle Gold’s “Only Girl” in return. Coming off the success of those collaborations, Moelogo features Adekunle Gold on his new single “Happy”.
Pheelz produces the song with drums and percussion reminiscent of traditional party songs, setting a tone for Adekunle Gold and Moelogo to switch between Yoruba and English delivery. Both singers narrate instances of disappointment, sadness and quarrels with lovers but the goal isn’t to put the listeners in a bad mood. Rather, it emphasized their resolve to be merry, singing that they “Choose To Be Happy”. Although some of the lyrics are in Yoruba, the feel of the beat and the other lyrics create enough context for the song’s message to be caught by any listener.
Listen to Moelogo’s “Happy” featuring Adekunle Gold here:
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/moelogo
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Days after the release of “Bless My Way” that featured Mr Eazi, VJ Adams has released a new single, “Leg Work”, this time featuring Niniola. Niniola has dominated the Nigerian Afro-house genre with a series of acclaimed and commercially successful singles and she works her mastery on this new track.
Tiwezi produces this lush, groove-driven song with layered synths and drums, but Niniola’s vocals is what makes “Leg Work” such a good dance song. This is not the most experimental we’ve heard Niniola, as you hear from her album, This Is Me but glimpses how she can explore other genres outside house music.
Songs about moving on are really important because how else will you deal with a broken heart when the only person you actually need to talk to doesn’t want to. Tobi Lou’s latest single, “Solange” scratches that murky itch with its hazy psych-pop and decidedly cocky lyrics cushioning his fall into a pit of despair.
With no chorus and the song’s uncut intro, “Can You Hit The High Mic Thing/ Actually Can You Take It Off”,“Solange” listens like it was recorded in one take. That same unabridged motif is seen in the video through the green room set showing Tobi Lou performing the song while several cuts from anime movies play in the background. Tobi’s costume, a white pair of sneakers, a boxer short and a leopard skin jacket, conveys the same sense of negligence that the song is based on.
Singing “Tobi Why You Cuss So Much Now? I Don’t Know, But I Like It/ I Can’t Say No To Violence”, before eventually saying “You Broke My Heart Last Summer/ But I Don’t Need It No More”, he seems to be dealing with his heartbreak in a rather unhealthy manner. But some will argue that it’s only one of the three stages before moving on from a relationship; the denial, the inevitable anger and the eventual acceptance.
You can watch the video for “Solange” below.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/tobilou
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The global collective of Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Egmont Group, is considering expelling Nigeria from the group. If this expulsion is fulfilled, Nigeria will be blacklisted in global financial markets. Which will affect all card dealings: International card transactions will be blocked, and national banks will not be able to issue Master or Visa cards.
The group found that Nigeria’s FIU was under the control of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and suspended the body, stating that the government involvement is against the intelligence group’s independent ownership rule. Their aim as a group is to share knowledge on how to combat financial terrorism, and they believe government interference conflicts with these goals. There have also been suspicions that the EFCC has been leaking details of the group’s panel meetings, compromising the purpose of the group and its other 152 member countries. As punishment, threatened to expel Nigeria from the group if the EFCC was still in control of Nigeria’s FIU by the end of January 2018.
Though the Senate signed a bill removing Nigeria’s FIU from under the EFCC’s control in July 2017, the Egmont Group found that Nigeria’s FIU was never removed from the EFCC’s control. Before Nigeria joined the group in 2007 under President Obasanjo’s leadership, we were unable to engage in correspondent banking. If the Nigerian finance sector is blacklisted, not only will international banking transactions be cancelled, international students on scholarships in some countries may have to withdraw. It also means Nigeria won’t be able to gain from the Egmont Group’s foreign funds recovery aid, so the chances of recovering stolen funds from foreign accounts would be near impossible.
The fate of Nigeria will be discussed and decided at the Egmont Group in Argentina between the 2nd and 7th of May 2018.
Featured Image Credits: Web/baiwancredit.com
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ODIE’s gospel-like production coupled with his deep but gentle voice emphasizes the message on “Little Lies”, his first single from his forthcoming ‘Analogue’ project. “Little Lies” opens with soft guitar melodies that are accompanied by drum sounds as the song progresses. Self-awareness and introspection make us question our beliefs, over the instrumentals, ODIE sings, “What If all this was a little lie/ what if all my sins never met a God”. ODIE’s “Little Lies” makes listeners wonder if the fear of tampering with the concept of faith and purpose of human existence could be making the world worse; perhaps, “Only Then Would You Realize, The Sky Is Falling”.
You can listen below.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/odiexyz
“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @fauxxbella
As part of press rounds for the Outside album, Burna Boy dropped by Tim Westwood TV to talk his new project and being back in the UK. During his time on the show, Burna also made his second appearance on Westwood’s infamous Crib Session, freestyling over a mash-up of beats from track selections like Wizkid’s “Come Closer”, Post Malone’s “Rockstar” and more.
Watch the video below.
Featured Image Credits: YouTube/TimWestwoodTV
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Existential crisis will have you spiraling into doubt and maybe popping a few ‘happy pills’ to make the pain go away. Paula B has been there too and her single,“So Far” will provide the perfect soundtrack for the next you feel lost.
Paula B, like a lot of millenials is still figuring out her place in the grand scheme of life and trying to deal with pain and feeling alone in a filled room. “So Far” is about trying to find happiness and fulfillment. Over sparse bass drums, guitar licks and synth loops, she reflects on how she tries to deal with her pain; meds and beautiful scenery.
It’s clear in the chorus that she hasn’t found the happiness she’s pursuing with the lines “I’ll be okay, I will be fine, I’ll be alright” but she remains hopeful about finding contentment. Listen to “So Far” here;
Anyone who follows singer and The Voice Nigeria alum Nonso Bassey on Instagram could tell that something was brewing. Over the last month, he consistently teased a new project, splashing his Insta stories with the numbers ‘411’, dragging out a delicious build up. For the fans who had discovered him when he left his heart on stage during his audition in 2016, the auguries were clear, a new single was coming. His debut single, a somewhat incredulous tidbit considering Bassey has been hyper-visible in the two years since he reached the finals of the beloved music talent show.
I personally had wondered how he would introduce himself to his fans. A first single can be a tenuous territory and can either make or break an artist. News had also trickled in that his record contract with Universal Music Group Nigeria, which had lain dormant since the show had suddenly come back into play. Considering the musical trajectories Bassey’s fellow The Voice Nigeria alumni had taken under taken to capitalize on fame from the series, my predictions leaned strongly towards saccharine afropop. His song choices during the Voice Nigeria were diverse enough that they couldn’t help with predictions either. We all just had to wait to see.
Two things were immediately apparent when Nonso Bassey announced his debut single on the second of February, just in time for Valentine’s Day. He is just as compelling as he was on the Voice, and Universal Music Group Nigeria is giving its artists the creative freedom to set their sights on a global audience.
“411” is a prime example of sleight of hand; a catchy title that baits us into giving the single a listen and a switch that delivers one hell of a punch. Nonso Bassey goes for broke with a sweeping piano ballad, produced by the talented Johnny Drille, himself a talent show alum and well aware of the pressures to water down. Stripped of accouterments, Bassey opens himself up to us once more, asking an unnamed lover for honesty in a way that suggests this is a request that has already been denied. “411” is as much a showcase of Bassey’s vocal range as it is an earnest offering, his voice dipping into guttural moans during the song’s unstructured verses before he flits into his upper register, careening to the song’s climax with urgency that underplays Bassey’s surprising control. He asks, over a gently plucked piano ditty shored with swelling violin runs, for reciprocity, or at least the illusion of it. It is quite the spell.
Only a handful of Nigerian musicians have created ballads so powerful that they were able to steal us away from the hypnotic thump of our incessant Afrobeat march, and with “411”, Nonso Bassey seems poised to join those elite ranks.
Stream “411” here.
Edwin eats his rice and cabbages. Tweet at him@edgothboy
In the same way MI’s ironically inspiring “You Rappers Should Fix Up Your Life” garnered public acclaim and showed the thriving hip-hop scene in Nigeria through the responses from rappers, hip-hop duo, Show Dem Camp is spearheading a movement both kids and old-school veterans alike, can get excited about. They released their 6th project, Palm Wine Music Vol.1 last year then went on to perform at two shows before closing the year with a debut Palm Wine Music festival. The hip-hop duo will kick off the year starting with a concert, ‘SDC Live’ scheduled for the 18th of February.
The ‘SDC Live’ concert will hold at Hard Rock Cafe at 8 PM and they have released a set list yet, Tec and Ghost have a potent track list never mind their reputation for featuring other young promising acts like Tomi Thomas, BOJ, Funbi, LadiPoe, Ajebutter and more. Click this link to purchase tickets for ‘SDC Live’.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/showdemcamp
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We all get worried and stressed, however in relationships with people who are constantly anxious, incredibly restless and unable to communicate properly, these symptoms seem to be in overdrive. Usually, we chuck it up to not being compatible with them, without considering the option mental health might be responsible. Even when mental health is being discussed, the impact it has on a couple’s relationship often gets overlooked. This oversight is in part due to the habit of focusing on symptoms within the individual rather than paying attention to the patterns of how individuals relate to each other in a relationship.
To be fair, issues with mental health are diversely manifested, so it’s very easy to miss or overlook. People who space out, show no concern for their health, forgetful people, picky people, aren’t all just devil spawns, some might just need extra care and medication for their mental health. But how can they get that when their partners don’t understand their predicament.
To celebrate this season of love, NATIVE spoke to a few people with hopes to understand their views on mental health and relationships
Do you think about your partner’s mental health and can you date a person suffering from a mental health disorder?
Male, R, 20, In a relationship
“Yes definitely think about it. I can’t fucking deal with it. I’m not raising jokers for kids and I can’t tolerate someone else’s demons like that if they’re hyperactive. There’s was an ex that was definitely crazy. She was tough to deal with. She was obsessive. Went to extreme lengths to crack jokes. Like wearing retarded makeup and making a video. She talked to herself. I tolerated her when I had to be around and once I was out of sight I made sure we didn’t run into each other in public.”
Male E, 25, Single
“I have dated someone with anxiety and ADHD and I have dated someone with clinical depression; so yeah. Always, it is important to decide what you can bear as most of us are struggling with balancing mental health and physical relationships.The best way to deal with it is to accept the person as they are (provided they acknowledge their mental health issues and actively seek to manage it), and set your limits”
Female – Mo 20, In a relationship
“Yes. I think about it frequently. It’s really important to be aware of your mental wellbeing and also your partner’s. Sometimes I don’t realize that I’m being an ass and I don’t think about how it can affect someone else. Or in depressive states when I’m just feeling off, I don’t really think about how that affects him so I have to be aware of that and vice versa.
It’s also important to pay attention to how you two influence yourselves when it comes to mental health. Some people are toxic and will honestly just take you to places you shouldn’t go to mentally. And it’s important to be aware of that and value your mental health before you’re trying to value someone else.
But anyway, no one is perfect so I can date a mentally unstable person but it’s on their part to let me in and allow me the chance to understand the mental illness”
Female, F, 21, Single
“No, I can not. Maybe if I was completely sane myself, I would try (okay that doesn’t make sense). I don’t know, I just feel one person in a relationship should be stable and that can’t be me. And two unstable people together sounds like a recipe for murder. I always consider it my partner’s mental health. I’m single now but I once tried to date someone cause everyone said he was crazier than I was. It didn’t work out but the experience taught me to never try to be with someone that might be mentally unstable. It’s a legit deathtrap.”
Man, F. 30, In a relationship (Married)
“I had an ex that may have had an undiagnosed mental illness once, so I do think about it. But I don’t think it would be a good idea to be in a relationship with a person with a mental illness. I think it would be best to find the solution that works for both of us before starting an official relationship, just so we understand each other before. Plus, most mental illnesses are triggered by loneliness and stress and I don’t think those can thrive around me.”
How would you react if someone you are in a relationship with reveals they are suffering from a mental illness?
Female, E, 27, In a relationship (Married)
I have never dated a person with a mental illness, but I feel I would be there emotionally for the person. Depression is a deep slippery slope and it would be a shame if someone in that situation were alone. It would get darker if they don’t have someone. But sometimes people are in so deep that they don’t want anyone around them. I would stay if they’re open to trying”
Man, K. 27 In a relationship (Married)
Well, these things are common these days, so I guess if I were in a relationship with them at the moment, we’d have to deal with it. But I’m not sure I would excuse bad character traits. I would stay if they aren’t using it as an excuse to act out”
Male, S, 39, In a relationship (Married)
Like madness? Marriage is for better and worse sha. I’ll have to understand and stay with her. Sharing a life with someone who is constantly depressed is never too much burden for beer.
Would a mental illness diagnosis change your decision to be with someone?
Woman, B. 28, In a relationship (Married)
Yes, I don’t think I can date, someone with a mental illness, and I definitely can’t marry them. Stability is important to me in marriage and I don’t think it’s possible to have that with someone who has been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder or depression. But, again, I have found in my marriage (and my relationship with God) that all things are possible. I believe strength is the key, so I’m sure we can get through anything if we’re both willing to try.
Female, A, 23, In a relationship.
“Isn’t love supposed to conquer all? But it depends on the level of instability. A stable guy can still be managed because we all have some form of mental illness. But In the long run, a breakup may be inevitable.”
Male, J, 25, single
Haha. I can’t marry a mad person o
Have you ever been with a person with a mental illness and how would you react if your partner were to reveal that they have been diagnosed with one?
Man, T. 29, In a relationship
I have not, but I have been a person with a mental illness in a relationship. The relationship ended, but it was not because of my mental state, thankfully. I believe communication is key. If she is willing to explain how I can help her or what she needs from me as we go along, I don’t see why not. I also think knowing your limits and when you, as a partner, need a break is important. If I ever feel overwhelmed, I would take a break, maybe travel, and I would hope my partner would understand that my mental health is important too.
Male, D. 24, Single
No, I have not but “Fat ass > mental issues, so yea I guess”
Female, T. 22, single
I think I’ll realize early enough for me to end it
Have you ever been in a relationship with anyone who was erratic? Unnecessarily insecure?
Yeah, I have. A lot of guys out there are like that.
Do you think it’s possible they were that way because they had issues with their mental health?
Whether you think the house party theme is overplayed in music videos or not, Tay Iwar is doing it with “Video Star”. The speakers are thumping, all your friends are feeling fine, people are living it up in living rooms, hanging out at the pool table, the drinks are flowing (although having one you didn’t pour and attend to yourself could have dangerous consequences). Let’s not forget the popular kid who’s friends with the host looking even cooler under the neon lights at the party. Tay Iwar’s gets all of this on the video for his single “Video Star”.
The visuals for Tay Iwar’s “Video Star” shows the girl who lives a fast life at a house party like the one described, has a drink she got from a stranger and obviously under the influence, hazily wanders into a room she shouldn’t be in. This video leaves you with a lot of questions and you’re not sure what conclusions to draw from it.
Correction: An earlier version of this copy mistakenly referred to the new single as “Video Girl”
The idea of existentialism is often thrown around amongst a lot of millenials my age. Lately, it’s led me to question the effect of post-adolescence anxiety on interpersonal relationships. LeriQ’s new single, “Start All Over” attempts to give some more perspective on the matter as they play the role of the forgotten friend.
Odunsi lyrics unfold a tale of a relationship that has gone sour. Though his lyrics suggest it may be due to the other person’s general tiredness, Odunsi isn’t ready to let go. He starts the song singing, “If I could rewind And Bring Back The Times To Shuffle Your Mind”, a longing familiar to those who feel the past was friendlier and better off.
Listen to LeriQ’s “Start All Over” here:
Featured Image Credits:Instagram/LeriQ
“Tomiwa is figuring it out…” Tweet at her @Tomiiwaa_i
