Opening up this year's game with Ghana and another nicely shot video. I need to get that hat. I couldn't find it on YT at first until I realized that in my head his artist name was Kwaku the Traveller.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtJQX53SyecBlack Sherif - Konongo Zongo
Assuming that South African House and Amapiano will go under one of the other threads
― Nabozo, Wednesday, 4 January 2023 08:29 (two years ago)
Otherwise the song I've been listening to the most at the beginning of this year is Ruger - Asiwaju.
― Nabozo, Wednesday, 4 January 2023 08:40 (two years ago)
Thanks!
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 4 January 2023 18:31 (two years ago)
You're welcome !
Since it's early in the year, maybe it's a good time to post some of the big songs that we missed in last year's thread. This one goes back to a 2017 sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0qiBMe8MRwPatoranking & Diamond Platnumz - Kolo Kolo
― Nabozo, Thursday, 5 January 2023 11:19 (two years ago)
From Kenya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H059rrXKX1sVic West - Kuna Kuna
― Nabozo, Thursday, 5 January 2023 11:22 (two years ago)
The EP was mentioned by The Breast but no song posted
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPBRGWUgQsAVictony & Tempoe - Soweto
― Nabozo, Thursday, 5 January 2023 11:39 (two years ago)
I wrote a post about Victony on the Naija Albums poll thread, the Soweto video was very much included.
mentioned by The Breast
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Thursday, 5 January 2023 19:51 (two years ago)
Pure Akan is one of Ghana's best rappers, combining indigenous storytelling traditions with old-school US rap influences. his two albums, Onipa Akoma (2017) and Nyame Mma (2021), are classics.
he just dropped a new song with Efya, called "Yete Apor". I think I love it:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUoIHJnrNgY
(btw, initially he called himself just 'Akan', but from 2020 onwards he rebranded as 'Pure Akan', I'm guessing to avoid confusion with singer Akon. it's a road Buju could have taken as well, 'Basic Buju' would have been just perfect)
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Saturday, 7 January 2023 21:51 (two years ago)
another one from Ghana
"2Am", Fameye's new single is just too lovely. it's produced by LiquidBeatz, with whom he also did last year's excellent Songs of Peter album, which I now regret even more not nominating for the EOY. theirs is one of those special artist/producer partnerships (much like Asake + Magicsticks and Ruger + Kukbeats in Naija):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy8ZsrcF9ws
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Sunday, 8 January 2023 19:56 (two years ago)
wau
https://thefader-res.cloudinary.com/private_images/w_1800,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:best/ANM23---POSTER-TEXTURE_1_thcznw/burna-boy-and-wizkid-to-headline-afro-nation-miami-2023.jpg
― rob, Wednesday, 11 January 2023 16:09 (two years ago)
Favourite so far is the Vic West - Kuna track. Real earworm there
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Sunday, 15 January 2023 17:05 (two years ago)
Not sure if this has been featured before but it came on after Kuna Kuna and it's really good:
BREEDER LW X MEJJA - "GIN AMA WHISKEY"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bul2_AwOqHY
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Sunday, 15 January 2023 17:49 (two years ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j7Fa2PCMowKizz Daniel & Empire - Cough
― Nabozo, Wednesday, 18 January 2023 20:03 (two years ago)
That's an interesting one
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Thursday, 19 January 2023 10:06 (two years ago)
le Sénégal vous souhaite une très bonne année !https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm5bJos1H7wAttack ft. Bass Thioung • Wichakh
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Friday, 20 January 2023 08:28 (two years ago)
I'm feeling that one
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Friday, 20 January 2023 10:01 (two years ago)
not sure if I had encountered amapiano touches in Senegalese pop before:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_koRwPVvNfsMia Guisse • La Vie est Belle
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Friday, 20 January 2023 11:23 (two years ago)
That's really nice!
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Friday, 20 January 2023 11:43 (two years ago)
Went on a little Coupé Decalé rabbithole the other day and found some nice stuff.
This is Shado Chris - CPLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=412Z_SZCreU
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Friday, 20 January 2023 11:44 (two years ago)
just calmly posting Senegalese bops as I normally do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT1yrrDb83cAkhlou Brick • Man lagn bouga
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Sunday, 22 January 2023 15:59 (two years ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewZRajbJDzoAkhlou Brick ft. King Kheuch & El Menemo • Deff Effect
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Sunday, 22 January 2023 16:02 (two years ago)
no video as of yet for this one unfortunately, but it's another rhythm killer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkRG31milRcDip Doundou Guiss ft. Hussain Dada • #BBDD (Bo Bëggé Degg Dëg)
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Sunday, 22 January 2023 17:28 (two years ago)
I made an hour-long mix of some of my favourite Afrobeats/Afropop tracks from the last couple of years, including a lot of faves picked up from these threads. Hope you enjoy it Ilxors :-)
Charlie Stoic - E Choke!: Afrobeats and beyond
Khuli Chana - BuyileBurna Boy - Last LastTetu Shani - Spend My MoneyBreeder LW ft. Mejja - Gin Ama WhiskeyOmah Lay - I'm A MessAlex Muhangi - Something GoodRuger - GirlfriendRosa Ree - MullaNSG ft. MHD - In Da CarVic West ft. Fathermoh, Savara, Brandy Maina, Thee Exit Band - Kuna KunaDunnie - OverdoseMuzi - Need DatPongo - DoudouPrettyboy D-O - Police n TeefTulenkey ft. Ice Prince & Falz - Proud Fvck Boys (Remix)Laycon - All Over MeSarkodie ft. Prince Bright - OofeetsɔObongjayar - Tinko Tinko (Don't Play Me For A Fool)Fave - Scatta ScattaSkiibii - Daz How Star DoDai Verse x Buju - Sweet DaddyRema - BounceLasmid - Friday NightMidas The Jagaban - Party With A Jagaban
https://soundcloud.com/charliestoicdj/echoke
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Monday, 23 January 2023 20:46 (two years ago)
Years later “Jerusalema “ has reached the Black southern soul and r’n’b American audience:
Friday night driving in my car in Washington DC area the DJ doing a late night special mix on the commercial station that plays r’n’b and some rap ( old school not trap) played a version of “Jerusalema “ and then Beenie Man “Rum and Red Bull.” Then the next night I was at a club seeing a southern soul band ( current southern soul with keyboard and congas and not just retro) Hardway Connection. After their 2nd set , the DJ played “Jerusalema “, and lots of the crowd ( many Black women) started to line dance to it.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 24 January 2023 18:49 (two years ago)
Plz visit my new thread … not afropop more afrobeats
Thraed of Nigerian Cruise / Freebeat
― xheugy eddy (D-40), Tuesday, 24 January 2023 19:17 (two years ago)
Tyla has signed to Epic Records and released a single produced by Tricky Stewart ("Been Thinking"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7jSoCzxC0I
― monotony, Friday, 27 January 2023 05:53 (two years ago)
le Sénégal vous souhaite une très bonne année !📹Attack ft. Bass Thioung • Wichakh
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Sunday, 29 January 2023 20:22 (two years ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeIT8OHwtd0Asake • Yoga
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Tuesday, 31 January 2023 06:35 (two years ago)
Do you know what else than the ILM year-end poll is ongoing ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frBT2Jx2cvA2Point1 - Stimela
Minimalistic Kwaito, anthemic House vibe, and Amapiano, it has it all. The cowbell is killing me (positively).
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 31 January 2023 14:57 (two years ago)
xpthat's really nice! maybe a bit too idk stately or something, but it works as a deserved victory lap
― rob, Tuesday, 31 January 2023 14:58 (two years ago)
Stimela is a good time
― rob, Tuesday, 31 January 2023 15:04 (two years ago)
You're right I think with victory lap. Shameless retro and good vibes too, but rather refreshing with its country vibe (they're from Free State).
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 31 January 2023 15:08 (two years ago)
Oh I meant Asake wrt victory lap. I don't know anything about 2Point1
― rob, Tuesday, 31 January 2023 15:44 (two years ago)
lovely Ruger trifle with DJ Neptune - this is “Bienvenue”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lN1W3Y_Qv4
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Wednesday, 1 February 2023 19:28 (two years ago)
“Stimela” is a big banging Decemberrrr favourite, I approve
― the shaker intro bit the shaker outro in the tail, hard (breastcrawl), Wednesday, 1 February 2023 19:32 (two years ago)
"yoga" is great, nice to hear him slow it down a little bit
― ufo, Friday, 3 February 2023 13:10 (two years ago)
Shock in South African news as rapper AKA was shot dead outside a restaurant in Durban yesterday night. He was 35.He dies a year after my friend who introduced me to him with one of his favorite songs, Fela in Versace. They now share very similar dates of birth and death. Destiny really botches things up. Shit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1CRoYZeD0QAKA - Fela in Versace
― Nabozo, Saturday, 11 February 2023 12:18 (two years ago)
Beauty Dlulane, who heads a parliamentary committee on arts and culture, condemned AKA's murder, describing it as a "hit". She called on authorities "to protect South Africans from this new scourge of what seems to be contract and revenge killings where performing artists and DJs seem to be targeted".
― Nabozo, Saturday, 11 February 2023 12:28 (two years ago)
this is chilling, especially coming less than three months after the assassination of DJ Sumbody, also when he was on his way to a celebration
― i saw mommy kissing twink henry kissinger (breastcrawl), Saturday, 11 February 2023 12:45 (two years ago)
In more uplifting news, veteran soca star Machel Montano is doing a Friday February 17 carnival show in Trinidad with Wizkid, Rema, Ayra Starr, and a bunch of soca acts and others
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 11 February 2023 14:27 (two years ago)
Doglatin: Great mix! Loved most of these songs already and several I’m listening for the first time.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Saturday, 11 February 2023 15:18 (two years ago)
Anyone longing for the old days of afrobeats can hear Ayra Starr's take on it. Which has Awilo Longomba haunting in the background. It's good. But yeah, give us an album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLucolSS-WoAyra Starr - Sability
― Nabozo, Wednesday, 15 February 2023 18:51 (two years ago)
Thanks so much Moka! Yeah a lot of the selections are fairly obvious but I just wanted to stick to my tried and true faves from the last couple of years or so. Glad you enjoyed it!
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Wednesday, 15 February 2023 19:04 (two years ago)
I'd love to hear Rema on the remix of Sability.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 15 February 2023 19:46 (two years ago)
Sability is cool. I feel like I don't have much of a sense of Ayra Starr as an artist yet though (poss my problem not hers).
I like this barely-there Zinoleesky track "YanYanYan" that runs on charisma fumes (I had no idea what he looked like until this video...I'm straight but wau) and threatens to turn into a v good ama song in the final seconds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMChLgtZ1J8
― rob, Friday, 17 February 2023 15:30 (two years ago)
rob is in love!!! that’s so cute!I agree that Zino definitely has a way about him
― let us now celebrate ama ‘piano’ smith & the clowns (breastcrawl), Friday, 17 February 2023 17:22 (two years ago)
lol, I don't want to get weird here, but that is one striking looking human feline hybrid being
― rob, Friday, 17 February 2023 17:27 (two years ago)
No homo please, this is not the Beatles thread damnit !JK, it's not weird rob, I have the hots for Omah Lay myself.
Coming back to AKA because there's a scandalous backstory.First, I normally never watch something that graphic, but I was shown the video. It must be from the surveillance camera of the restaurant from which AKA is seen leaving with his friends. It's very clear how it happens. A guy on the pavement signals to the killer that the group is coming. The killer takes his relaxed time to cross the road (busy traffic), circles around to avoid suspicion. AKA and his friends are still hugging and saying goodbye when he dashes and shoot AKA at close range, before re-crossing the road and disappearing into the night in a matter of seconds. We looked at each other with my partner and agreed this guy must have killed a lot of people.Now, if the killing is dramatic in itself, what about the backstory ? Suspicion immediately fell on the family of the ex-girlfriend, young model Anele Tembe who it's rumoured AKA pushed off the balcony of a hotel room two years ago. In a letter that has resurfaced from June last year, the family and their lawyers are pressing the national public prosecutor to press charges against AKA. They were denied, and the official story is that she committed suicide. The family makes its position very clear that they are convinced it was murder, and it's known that South Africa justice system is corrupt. AKA leaves a young daughter behind, not from the model, but from DJ Zinhle.
― Nabozo, Friday, 17 February 2023 19:35 (two years ago)
xp
similarly it's not a secret I'm hopelessly devoted to Oxlade's striking sounding vocal instrument:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz8sJBDSzvMMichael Brun ft. Oxlade • Clueless
― let us now celebrate ama ‘piano’ smith & the clowns (breastcrawl), Friday, 17 February 2023 19:54 (two years ago)
JayO - 22 ... from the UK but feels as of a piece w/ afrobeats influenced R&B as anything else... his last single was also remixed by victony. this had been going on viral on tiktok for at least a month before coming out yesterday so it may end up being a hit, we'll see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwyKHN-znrA
― J0rdan S., Thursday, 23 February 2023 17:59 (two years ago)
went back to the tyla song... pretty forgettable sadly. for some reason they're having trouble cracking the code w/ her? feels like they're trying to push her into a more westernized idea of dance/R&B but it ends up just feeling generic in a tinashe sorta way. i'm still holding out hope nonetheless
― J0rdan S., Thursday, 23 February 2023 18:05 (two years ago)
This girl always bangs so hard. Limpopo strikes again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut3lDyGoqVUSho Madjozi - Chale
― Nabozo, Friday, 24 February 2023 08:13 (two years ago)
Chale owns me.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Saturday, 25 February 2023 08:53 (two years ago)
Chale sounds massive. Video doesn’t quite fit the vine of the song though.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Saturday, 25 February 2023 14:41 (two years ago)
Rick Ross amapiano jams is all I ever wanted
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Saturday, 25 February 2023 15:42 (two years ago)
someone posted this clip in the comments to a Naira Marley tweet - intriguing, to say the least:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjF-u6Ht870the actual recording of it, perhaps surprisingly, slams pretty hard:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKaESxBnYaIYomisings ft. Topskidometer • Bestie isonu
― let us now celebrate ama ‘piano’ smith & the clowns (breastcrawl), Saturday, 25 February 2023 19:25 (two years ago)
Wow, I think Chale is my first great song of 2023. The bouncy synth-lines make it sound like a mix of amapiano and ratchet, and that's basically the best thing in the world right now.
― Frederik B, Sunday, 5 March 2023 18:57 (two years ago)
LOVING Chale and the Yomisings song
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Monday, 6 March 2023 12:24 (two years ago)
I'm not quite sure where this falls in terms of genre, but gosh I love these sweeter-than-life South African ballads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID57psUzWO0Lizwi Wokuqala - Umbuzo
― Nabozo, Wednesday, 8 March 2023 19:35 (two years ago)
Not exactly Afropop 23 but am enjoying Instagram Live of Washington DC go-go band doing Wizkid & Tems's "Essence"
― curmudgeon, Friday, 10 March 2023 05:05 (two years ago)
I miss Davido, been playing a lot of his stuff recently. he hinted at a March comeback back in December, but we’ll see how it goes. I just hope he’s alright.
― at bottom, wrapping my arms around some tripe called "Quest" (breastcrawl), Saturday, 11 March 2023 10:31 (two years ago)
Libianca - People ft. Ayra Starr and Omah Lay
Well of course a song with that refrain is going to have Omah Lay on the remix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sivims7tSH4
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Saturday, 11 March 2023 10:46 (two years ago)
Another shocker in South Africa as this time it's 28 year old Costa Titch (rapper, Amapiano) who has died on stage in Johannesburg after a seizure. They couldn't revive him. I don't think there are details as to cause of death yet.
― Nabozo, Sunday, 12 March 2023 12:26 (two years ago)
No... For crap's sake. RIP Costa Titch - a true talent
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Sunday, 12 March 2023 15:07 (two years ago)
new davido album next friday ... i think i'm one of the few here who liked both of his last albums
There is a time for everything. A time to Grieve and a time to Heal.A time to Laugh and a time to Dance. A time to Speak & A time for Silence.Thank you to everyone out there for your love and that has held me down.My next album TIMELESS is here, March 31st. Preorder in bio💚 pic.twitter.com/XLXNAJl4XL— Davido (@davido) March 21, 2023
― J0rdan S., Tuesday, 21 March 2023 17:06 (two years ago)
very happy for this! I like both albums too.as I noted a few posts upthread I found myself really missing his presence within Naijapop
― at bottom, wrapping my arms around some tripe called "Quest" (breastcrawl), Tuesday, 21 March 2023 17:20 (two years ago)
Burna Boy + J Balvin - rOllercoaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyVVGW-5ITw
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 02:19 (two years ago)
as can be gleaned from that video, the Davido package will, to the surprise of no one, include at least one Magicsticks-produced banger meanwhile, this a remix for the US market I can get behind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agjgfxKIIgMVictony ft. Don Toliver & Rema (& Tempoe) • Soweto (Remix)
― at bottom, wrapping my arms around some tripe called "Quest" (breastcrawl), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 16:52 (two years ago)
log drum (lock drum?) bonanza:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMHxgrvdPMQNonso Amadi ft. Zinoleesky • Lock Up(co-produced by P.Priime)
― at bottom, wrapping my arms around some tripe called "Quest" (breastcrawl), Monday, 27 March 2023 11:57 (two years ago)
If you, like me, enjoy sensory overloaded Coupé Decalé then this one is for you
Dydy Yeman - Koko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2jjSf2T2kc
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Tuesday, 4 April 2023 13:18 (two years ago)
My haphazard explorations of Maskandi and Afro Soul and Amapiano and thereabouts have taken me into various other corners I didn't know about, and my latest fascination is with Tsa Manyalo, which is Limpopo wedding/party music. There's not quite enough of just that on Spotify to reach our genre thresholds, so I widened the scope out a little to "Sepedi Pop", but the extra variety does the experience no harm!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3BW3cqDHqYSqC0B1a8xQcV?si=1bf0468876524f9b
― glenn mcdonald, Tuesday, 4 April 2023 13:49 (two years ago)
ooh nice
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Tuesday, 4 April 2023 13:53 (two years ago)
ooh "koko" is real fun
― ufo, Tuesday, 4 April 2023 22:37 (two years ago)
It's mad as a box of frogs and I love it
Enjoying glenn's playlist too
― the forces of darkness making making us laugh ourselves into DEATH?? (dog latin), Wednesday, 5 April 2023 08:25 (two years ago)
I have nothing much else to contribute to this thread ATM other than I'm convinced coupe decale is quite the thing
― Do I look like I know what a jpeg is? (dog latin), Friday, 21 April 2023 01:49 (two years ago)
I love this lowkey, as the man puts it, bordering on melancholy but also def horny track from Olamide & Ckay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcjOlcWaaU8
Trumpet
― rob, Friday, 21 April 2023 13:25 (two years ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fhtbd5NxW0Buju, Kiss Daniel & Seyi Vibez - Gwagwalada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM8ULpYAX8MFalz & Vector - Yakubu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjCg3jFLBuwGyakie & JBEE - Scar
And special for rob:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdo1E-qsCoQZinoleesky - Many Things
― Nabozo, Saturday, 6 May 2023 19:59 (two years ago)
Nothing that really lifts me off my feet here I must say
― Nabozo, Saturday, 6 May 2023 20:09 (two years ago)
I don't know how my esteemed colleagues feel about them, but there's a bunch of new naijapiano songs (Asake's 2:30, Joeboy's Body & Soul, Young Jonn's Aquafina) that sound rather messy.
― Nabozo, Sunday, 7 May 2023 13:52 (two years ago)
And special for rob
lol, but I agree it's not that remarkable -- I guess the thrill is gone
― rob, Sunday, 7 May 2023 16:09 (two years ago)
fyi the current Zinoleesky banger is party No Dey Stop with Adekunle Gold:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnXq06m9P4g
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Sunday, 7 May 2023 17:51 (two years ago)
Jonz with last year #1 boyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsEjqV7kZdMRuger - Jonzing Boy
He also has a more upbeat (though maybe less personal) single out called Bun Bun with Jugglerzhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n22O3NR1yRIRuger & Jugglerz - Bun Bun
and I guess Shu-Peru is the song of the momenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1NPXKoTGy0Kizz Daniel - Shu-Peru
― Nabozo, Friday, 19 May 2023 07:58 (two years ago)
I've heard worse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_-v1fNdSHsAsake & Olamide - Amapiano
― Nabozo, Sunday, 28 May 2023 09:30 (two years ago)
The new Burna is... lazy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxnu4MmAF68Burna Boy - Sittin On Top of the World
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 2 June 2023 09:39 (two years ago)
For @pitchfork I wrote about @asakemusik’s new album Work of Art, which is phenomenal. Asake’s one of the best artists right now, just the most unimpeachable in the Afropiano / Street Pop zone rn. He had the best Nigerian pop album of 2022 and now 2023!!https://t.co/QSQ3CdmBGe— Joshua Minsoo Kim (@misterminsoo) June 16, 2023
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 22 June 2023 00:51 (one year ago)
Since Chale was posted her, why not Mnike? Oozes coolness, and the chorus seeps through directly to hook onto your brain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_hgm2Mf6AgTyler ICU & Tumelo.za feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee - Mnike
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 27 June 2023 13:08 (one year ago)
Full versionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxwydXdudWo
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 27 June 2023 13:09 (one year ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyaVNggovdMIyanya & Buju - Sinner
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 4 July 2023 07:40 (one year ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmytMK1ZjcYOmah Lay - Reason
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 4 July 2023 07:42 (one year ago)
That's a very good one and Tom London's career introduction after being Soweto's Finest lead choregrapher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-oVLcko1cETom London feat. Optimist Musicza and Soweto's Finest - Tom London
― Nabozo, Friday, 14 July 2023 09:32 (one year ago)
Fast review: Dreamlike song. Floating, dense, smooth. The fast delivery and overdubbing on the chorus is serpentine, the keys are like soulful high notes in a prog song, and the whole production slays.
― Nabozo, Friday, 14 July 2023 10:05 (one year ago)
very unengaged this year sadly, but wow "reason" is fantastic, I'll have to check out the whole deluxe edition
― rob, Friday, 14 July 2023 12:16 (one year ago)
"Sinner" is nice too. I just really love BNXN's voice; I revisited Gwagwalada and loved it
― rob, Friday, 14 July 2023 12:20 (one year ago)
Agreed, also he knows how to make music fun
Mid-year is when I start engaging usually. Doing it any earlier feels like you're alone to push the cart, but around June it's like abundance and let me do harvest season on this music.
― Nabozo, Friday, 14 July 2023 14:51 (one year ago)
yeah I was very invested in being an early adopter / hit-spotter for my pet genres for a while, but this year I think that's finally left me
― rob, Friday, 14 July 2023 14:57 (one year ago)
Watched just now this Tyla performance on DSCVR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r3XnJAXmI0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88a7rr8KXcE
Hadn’t realized how attractive she is. She has the mannerisms of a popstar down to a T, a great voice and an excellent set of singles so far.
Hope she makes it big.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 4 August 2023 00:58 (one year ago)
I had to google the lyrics of Fireboy DML's latest single YAWA because I had a doubt
― Nabozo, Monday, 14 August 2023 15:00 (one year ago)
There is no word for how weird the coloured accent is (Tyla).
― Nabozo, Monday, 14 August 2023 15:04 (one year ago)
I only found out today that A-Star is born and bred in London
― Stomp Jomperson (dog latin), Monday, 14 August 2023 19:33 (one year ago)
Anyway his recent album King of Afrodance is good fun
― Stomp Jomperson (dog latin), Monday, 14 August 2023 19:34 (one year ago)
Billboard's "best albums of 2023 so far" includes Davido and Spinall.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 15 August 2023 05:22 (one year ago)
Enjoying Tom London upthread
― Stomp Jomperson (dog latin), Tuesday, 15 August 2023 10:13 (one year ago)
2023 has been less insanely good for afropop than 2022 was, but isn't it always like that? You can't have Rema, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Asake all do albums every year - and the two we've got were a bit less good than last year. Highpoints for me were seeing Rema and Burna Boy live at Roskilde, my first afropop shows. They both brought down the house.
I loved In The Garden from the Davido album, which isn't the hit. But it's so good.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFStBh7AMZQ
And I think Adekunle Gold made his best album yet with Tequila Ever After? Opener Chasing Peace of Mind is incredible, combining the naija sound with amapiano rhythm as so many others do, but then getting Habib Koité from Mali to put some desert guitar on top of it, and taking the afrofusion to the next level.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDqaVLUvrvs
― Frederik B, Friday, 25 August 2023 20:15 (one year ago)
Lojay is on the new French & Swae - Wish U Well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyuCgK3_W-E
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 25 August 2023 21:24 (one year ago)
Ayra Starr coming to DC in September
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 27 August 2023 16:58 (one year ago)
Loved that track from Adekunle
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Sunday, 27 August 2023 17:37 (one year ago)
Yay! Ruger has a new album out called R U The World
― Stomp Jomperson (dog latin), Tuesday, 5 September 2023 11:10 (one year ago)
MTV video awards nominees :
Best AfrobeatsAyra Starr – “Rush” – Mavin Global HoldingsBurna Boy – “It’s Plenty” – Atlantic Records / Spaceship Entertainment Ltd.Davido feat. Musa Keys – “UNAVAILABLE” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA RecordsFireboy DML & Asake – ”Bandana” – Empire DistributionLibianca – “People” – Sony Music U.K. / RCA RecordsRema & Selena Gomez – “Calm Down” – Mavin Global Holdings Ltd / Jonzing World Entertainment / SMG Music / Interscope RecordsWizkid ft Ayra Starr– “2 Sugar” – Starboy / RCA Records
MTV winner was Rema and Selena Gomez
― curmudgeon, Friday, 15 September 2023 15:52 (one year ago)
The stuff from this summer is very good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvO36ngj2P4Oxlade feat. Dave - Intoxycated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ1UyrBljgwReekado Banks & Adekunle Gold & Maleek Berry - Feel Different
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7CHVcjwpAgFireboy DML - Yawa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBNKFH7Xj70Qing Madi & BXNX - Ole
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2td9-16fscVictony - My Darling
― Nabozo, Sunday, 17 September 2023 08:04 (one year ago)
Realizing we haven't posted Stamina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pz7y8Sl0coTiwa Savage, Ayra Starr and Young Jonn - Stamina (produced by Magicsticks)
― Nabozo, Monday, 18 September 2023 09:17 (one year ago)
Still Focalistic biggest fan on ILX, such baffling fun music, so creative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g73VxMU8Rp8Focalistic feat. Ch'cco, Mawhoo, Eeque, Thama Tee - Wena my Dali
Ditto Chleyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2byDgJ8AyADiamond Platnumz feat Chley - Shu!
There are loads of piano-adjacent music from Tanzania, also newcomers:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhWQ2SXTO-YAbigail Chams x Marioo - Nani?
― Nabozo, Friday, 22 September 2023 13:31 (one year ago)
wish i'd heard tyla's "water" before last week. sounds really really nice during these final days of warm weather in ny
― is he disgruntled adrian? (voodoo chili), Monday, 2 October 2023 21:10 (one year ago)
"girl next door" w/ ayra starr from earlier this year is awesome too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7C6FhmE37M
― J0rdan S., Monday, 2 October 2023 22:32 (one year ago)
(i would also pay real money for a crazy cousinz remix of this song)
― J0rdan S., Monday, 2 October 2023 22:33 (one year ago)
Mnike is the song of the year.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 3 October 2023 07:42 (one year ago)
GoodNation Feat Lojay & Joé Dwèt Filé - Routine Loverhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2UZvdg_uH4^Digging this. Especially the bassline.
― daavid, Thursday, 5 October 2023 15:54 (one year ago)
Victony is really the revelation of the year for me, though I guess the potential was clear from his first EP. After the tasty production of Juls on My Darling, his latest is produced by Kzito. Adding Babylon because it's also on the playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdWlB1A4Ye8Victony feat. Babyboy AV - Jaga Jaga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cPaiU31AtAPatoranking feat. Victony - Babylon
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 13:52 (one year ago)
Jaga Jaga is gorgeous. These subtle percussions are the future.
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 13:59 (one year ago)
Water has a video btwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoiOOiuH8iITyla - Water
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 10 October 2023 14:19 (one year ago)
I think Asake is only afropop artist on Pitchfork’s best of albums list 2023 so far
― curmudgeon, Monday, 16 October 2023 15:39 (one year ago)
Amaarae? I don't know what I would add to those two. I can't stop listening to the Burna Boy album, but it's not his best, and who else has really delivered a consistent album?
― Frederik B, Monday, 16 October 2023 17:08 (one year ago)
Those Victony tracks are fire
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Monday, 16 October 2023 19:03 (one year ago)
Rema guested with Ice Spice on Saturday Night Live on her second song
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 17 October 2023 04:51 (one year ago)
one of my friends is obsessed with "water" so i pointed him to some of her other songs ("getting late" esp.) to make sure he knows she's, you know, developing a catalog and isn't just amounting to one hit song. he seems legit excited abt her. international star tyla incoming!
― dyl, Tuesday, 17 October 2023 14:23 (one year ago)
From every video and performance I’ve seen of her, Tyla definitely has that IT factor to make it big with the right push.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Tuesday, 17 October 2023 15:39 (one year ago)
I did a "which afropop song will break through next" poll with my students a while back and they all agreed water was irritatingly catchy to the point of being boring. They did vote for it though.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 18 October 2023 09:38 (one year ago)
It’s number one now on Billboard US afrobeats chart
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 18 October 2023 19:12 (one year ago)
Water doesn't do half as much for me as some of her prior stuff. Not sure I'd describe it as "irritatingly catchy", I'm not hearing much hook here
― ...eh you get the gist of it (dog latin), Thursday, 19 October 2023 13:20 (one year ago)
It's kind of all hook to me. Just a bit low on fun.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 19 October 2023 16:41 (one year ago)
This song from November 2022 just popped up in the YT channel and that definitely should be posted and maybe also on the r&b thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I9ufTCxQ20Adanna Duru - Pop!
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 24 October 2023 09:01 (one year ago)
Listening to Lady Donli “Pan African Rockstar “ album. Some of it sounds good
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 26 October 2023 14:55 (one year ago)
Loving this jazzy SA sensation:
Oscar Mbo & - KG Smallz - Yes God (feat. Dearson) (Mörda, Thakzin, Mhaw Keys Remix):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bFIkEDffuk
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Sunday, 12 November 2023 11:48 (one year ago)
Grammys nominees for Feb 2024 awards
Best African Music Performance
AmapianoASAKE & Olamide
City BoysBurna Boy
UNAVAILABLEDavido Featuring Musa Keys
RushAyra Starr
WaterTyla
― curmudgeon, Monday, 13 November 2023 03:37 (one year ago)
Good choices.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Tuesday, 14 November 2023 14:38 (one year ago)
critic and substacker Brad Luen nitpicking Asake--
Asake: Work of ArtPopularizing amapiano with Afrobeat(s) characteristics, he’s become the hottest hitmaker on the Nigerian charts. At album length, it becomes more apparent that the songwriting per se barely exists (poor Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork’s best critic this year, was reduced to making claims about Asake’s “intimate storytelling” to justify an 8.0; should’ve reserved that for NewJeans), though his pidgin can sound Biblical to speakers of other dialects: “heavily, we are getting lit”. But he’s a skilled vocalist, handling varied rhythms and code-switching at will, and he has no shortage of newish-to-pop sonics. Standout “2:30” is the start of a run that tunes the donk into funk almost as avant as DJ Black Low’s, a trick hard to overuse, like the all-too-brief snippets of store-brand highlife and unlike the massed chorales. The closing “Yoga” samples Mauritian(-Australian) singer-percussionist Jason Heerah and suggests a way forward for Asake that involves more engagement with African traditions. Honestly, though, there’s still much room, if little incentive, for him to improve on what he does now. Grade: B (“2:30”, “Yoga”, “Great Guy”)
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 26 November 2023 23:46 (one year ago)
i don’t care what this guy thinks
― is he disgruntled adrian? (voodoo chili), Monday, 27 November 2023 00:32 (one year ago)
wtfffffff
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0HuZH0P1mL/
i'm gutted. one of the best shows i've seen in years.
― citation needed (Steve Shasta), Monday, 27 November 2023 00:39 (one year ago)
Thakzin 3-step music bridges afro-tech house and amapiano
https://x.com/misterminsoo/status/1728997781254336783?s=46&t=u2ZSlsY3trRV36IPP6jNDQ
― curmudgeon, Monday, 27 November 2023 04:56 (one year ago)
https://www.snl24.com/drum/celebs/news/have-you-heard-of-a-new-genre-called-three-step-this-dj-tells-us-where-this-sound-comes-from-20230921
― curmudgeon, Monday, 27 November 2023 04:57 (one year ago)
Felo Le Tee/Mellow & Sleazy: The III Wise Men (New Money Gang)South African amapiano trio, affiliated somehow with DJ Maphorisa (Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe), although the producer names that appear here areTshelofelo Mokhine, Phemelo Sefanyetse, and Olebogeng Kwanaite (plus Mlotlasi Phoshoko on one track). Beats are inscrutable enough they take quite a while to settle in, and will be hard to distinguish from future efforts. But pretty good for now. *- Writer Tom Hull from his year end list
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 28 November 2023 21:52 (one year ago)
Jon Pareles , one of The NY Times music critics, has Nkosazana Daughter “Uthingo Le Nkosazana” album in his additional top 20 albums of 2023 he also likes
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 November 2023 16:37 (one year ago)
Jon Caramanica of NY Times has Asake “Work of Art” as his number 1 album
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 November 2023 16:41 (one year ago)
take that brad luen!
― is he disgruntled adrian? (voodoo chili), Thursday, 30 November 2023 17:18 (one year ago)
ah fuck does this mean that asake is not going to take brad luen's advice to engage more deeply w/ african traditions......
― slob wizard (J0rdan S.), Thursday, 30 November 2023 17:30 (one year ago)
Lol!
Omah Lay’s Holy Ghost is positively gorgeous:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBjHEkLlrEY
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 30 November 2023 20:20 (one year ago)
And ODUMODUBLVCK’s Blood On The Dancefloor is something too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr5YwkazQbw
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 30 November 2023 20:24 (one year ago)
what albums/tracks have been favourites this year, i've done a terrible job at keeping on top of this thread
Tyla (amapiano crossover)
made a thread for tyla since the album's on its way
― ufo, Saturday, 2 December 2023 03:25 (one year ago)
Apart from the usual suspects (Co-star, Pretty Girl, the Asake and Burna Boy albums etc) I still listen to Adekunle Gold - Chasing Peace of Mind and Davido - In The Garden. I don't get why Unavailable became the big hit, I love that other song to bits.
― Frederik B, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 08:44 (one year ago)
At this stage, a lot of the less poppy, more instrumental, and dare i say it 'donk-flavoured', amapiano reminds me of the experimentalism of vintage dub
Vibekulture Sa & Mcdeez Fboy - Duck Vibes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CySpcmCx6o
― ...eh you get the gist of it (dog latin), Tuesday, 5 December 2023 10:17 (one year ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ7zd5A6lQIOxlade - Katigori
From the year I'd say:- Anything Victony is on- Ditto Buju / BXNX- Crayon & Ayra Starr - Ngozi- Byron Messia - Talibans- Fireboy DML - Yawa- Omah Lay - Reason- Reekado Banks - Feel Different- Leigh-Anne - My Love- Adanna Duru - Pop!- 2Point1 - Stimela- Abigail Chams & Marioo - Nani?- Sho Madjozi - Chale
That's a start.
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 11:57 (one year ago)
I'm enjoying seeing this girl grow, she's a raw talent, gives off Gyakie/Tems vibes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqdyB5k1sJIQing Madi - Vision
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 13:34 (one year ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj9mwag091U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YJXW0uwHrU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-PkIzv-Qt8
i really need to keep up with senegalese music properly because it has the best drums in the world
― ufo, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 13:57 (one year ago)
me too, i always have the same reaction! thank you for posting these.
― sean gramophone, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 14:04 (one year ago)
Couple other things that caught my ear from Senegalese charts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haBMfY0z5M8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKboYK87ROg
― sean gramophone, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 14:16 (one year ago)
ooh "ni la deh" is lovely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9e3AogOOz0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5RChlIETwA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_YRqIGzztA
i really love "surprise"
― ufo, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 14:21 (one year ago)
Tangal might be the first one I'm really connecting to. But yeah striking how their style is at the crossroads of so many things.
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 14:30 (one year ago)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hALNVDRN4_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmioOXClM2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg81-Iv_guU
ok that's exhausted my youtube digging of the last few days
― ufo, Tuesday, 5 December 2023 15:02 (one year ago)
Really feeling the 3-Step stuff today
― ...eh you get the gist of it (dog latin), Tuesday, 5 December 2023 16:51 (one year ago)
Wow, that list of Senegalese music kinda just got better and better. Might vote for Tégguil sa Tank when EOY listmaking begins.
If dog latin or anyone else wants to do a posting spree of 3-step videos it would be must appreciated. What little I've heard, I've liked.
Also, new Teni album out last month, for the people who enjoyed Wondaland! It's not as good, unfortunately :(
― Frederik B, Monday, 11 December 2023 13:46 (one year ago)
Narah Diouf I see was mentioned last year for a track , and I like that 2023 track “Teguil sa Tank” with Bilou XIV also.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 11 December 2023 17:24 (one year ago)
https://sondela-recordings.bandcamp.com/album/rising-strong
I have no idea what to call this, it's afrohouse and Thakzin is involved.
Honestly, there's a lot more going on here, kind of big room-ish electrohouse? But it doesn't suck?
Also it's weird to see the old UK Funky people involved in this, Dubplate Malice releases afrohouse on his label and Perempay and Davinche just released something on Sondela a couple months ago.
― pattern loader, Monday, 11 December 2023 19:12 (one year ago)
Asake and Amaare made Fader best 2023 albums list
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 13 December 2023 16:01 (one year ago)
last month's cruel santino ep is wonderful, especially "ftr" which combines mbalax drums (finally that sound is moving beyond senegal/gambia!) with rage synths which is an incredible combo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGhEzL3e72o
― ufo, Thursday, 14 December 2023 10:26 (one year ago)
Oooh, new Cruel Santino music! Thanks :)
― Frederik B, Thursday, 14 December 2023 13:45 (one year ago)
Flavour's Big Baller is a banger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf40zo26TIE
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Saturday, 16 December 2023 00:09 (one year ago)
Tyla “water” was 17th on the Uproxx music critic poll for songs.
Amaarae 14th on Uproxx critics poll for albums
― curmudgeon, Monday, 18 December 2023 23:20 (one year ago)
I just wanted to do a final post to acknowledge the death of Zahara on 11 December 2023. She died from liver failure age 36 after years of battle with alcoholism. She was a Xhosa girl from a village outside of East London who made it big. Life and music labels didn't treat her too well, but her voice shined powerfully. Maybe those stories make me emotional, but I have to repress tears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1CMWnxfFysZahara - Ndiza
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 2 January 2024 10:32 (one year ago)
And one more for the road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEV_4xBrMJUDJ SBu feat. Zahara - Lengoma
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 2 January 2024 10:37 (one year ago)
Someone should start an Afropop 2024 thread please.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 16 January 2024 18:12 (one year ago)
Done
Rolling afropop 2024
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 17 January 2024 11:18 (one year ago)