Afrobeats 2013

Whatcha know about ChingChangWallah?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KJZXx2vMpA

for earlier stuff, see the old thread: "See I like Beyoncé, but she dey with Jigga / I like Nicki, her yansh is bigger..." // D'BANJ - OLIVER TWIST // afrobeats in the charts

^ THAT tune there should be enough, but just to make sure this thread gets off to a flying start

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGsSQHz03Qk

Thanx, Benny. Good start for sure. Especially loving the Ching Chang Wallah joint!

Oh and here's Olu Maintain's first single since NAWTi, over a year ago now I think. Following up a single like that must have proved impossible, but this has got Olivia of 'Candy Shop' fame (and apparently 50 cent is involved somehow according to this article http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/olu-maintain-my-collabo-with-50-cent/135426/) and is decent enough. Album on the way soon too.
http://youtu.be/lclL-Lg1pjc

One more post for the night. Beatmonsta is a new producer to watch this year going by these. Riddims for fans of Krynkman or Ball j's nuttiest stuff from last year ie; the stuff I reaaaly like.

1Fame Blue-Balls
http://youtu.be/qZrzHiV7ZXg

Lighter - Bounce to the beat
http://youtu.be/4M9BHWepXl0

Not too keen on the vocals on that one but a hot beat anyway.

!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8ImcWpQXBg

I thought I recognised the name - this is the same Stella Mwangi who represented Norway in Eurovision with some awful Shakira-lite nonsense?

the very same!

Cool, another Kenyan girl to watch this year could be Victoria Kimani, she's just signed to Chocolate City, the same Nigerian record label as Ice Prince (and seemingly flits between London, NY, LA, Nairobi). She released this great single last year which has been unfairly overlooked I think.

Ayaya
http://youtu.be/UbfHgD9yE2A

Back to Ghana, yet another great Kwaw Kese track just appeared, riding some next-level opera sampling riddim.
http://youtu.be/UOOxLt49lf4

Apparently he's also reshot the video for last year's incredible Ball J produced single 'Let me do my thing'. Would be nice to see that blow up properly this year, it definitely deserves to be heard more widely.

I have nothing to contribute so far but I'm glad this thread exists. Gonna have a bang on most of this lot tonight.

"Let me do my thing" was a great discovery from the year-end poll nominations thread.

Been appreciating a bit more of the GH Rap stuff recently which I'd almost totally ignored in favour of azonto. Check Sarkodie's double time flow in this one, pretty stunning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS1rbIPocX0

and this, yet another brand new Kwaw Kese- like Sarkodie I think he gets the slower tempos right in a way not many GH rappers I've heard do.
http://youtu.be/hYk9bfZO1UY

The problem usually comes with rapping in an american accent, almost always embarrassing, and rarely happens on the azonto stuff. Case in point, this new Sarkodie one 'Pizza and burger' is fantastic until Jayso comes in (though its not just the accent but the lyrics are well cringey too). These ex-skillions guys need to stick to producing - Ball J, I'm pointing at you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYCyVms4p-o

Anyone found any other GH rap worth listening to?

Some more brand new azonto to check out. These are all quality.

London's Fuse ODG's 2012 hit 'Antenna' has received the full video treatment and remix featuring Wyclef Jean!
http://youtu.be/6LCoksSQMzs

Kwaw Kese killing it again...probably my favourite vocalist right now.
Bradez - Wossop (Remix) (Feat. Kwaw Kese)
http://youtu.be/wEnnGqIMpEY

B-Gee Ft. Keche & Kankam - Odo Mu Tolerr
http://youtu.be/pSperwGf6WQ

VIBE SQUAD - AKOLA KITI KITI
http://youtu.be/M0u_5qlqK_8

guys.... Benny... check out this dancing!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSmiwQvwYYQ

Def gonna be checking this thread through the coming year :-)

That video is brilliant! Great selection of hits for the soundtrack too.

1. DANCE TONIGHT - SONNI BALLI
2. VERA - D-BLACK FT JOEY B
3. AZONTO FIESTA - SARKODIE FT APPIETUS & KESSE
4. INNIT(UK AZONTO) - GASMILLA
5. JEGGINGS PARTY - YAW SIKI
6. KUKERE - IYANYA
7. SHIGEGE - T.O & STUNNAKID

Love that "Jeggings Party" is the name of a song, sounds more like an ILX display name.

suddenly discovered this totally insane Ball J beat, that Benny B linked to last month and that I hadn't really listened to so far...
instant number one for 2013:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrrFO3rDEww

Blaq Jee ft. Joe B: "Grugye"

^ yeah that one is growing on me, wouldn't say its up there with ball J's best, its <i>slightly</i> too knotty and lacks a really strong hook. But all the little details will keep bringing me back to it. 'Asore party' was like that for me too at first but now its one of my favourites, just WTF is this music? http://youtu.be/rE-TrIwxybc

This first appeared late last year but is apparently receiving the full video and single release treatment soon. Its produced by Amadaa (AKA Krynkman/Nshona Music/shadowy genius behind numerous classics last year). Deserves to be huge!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy08AHNOY68&playnext=1&list=PL7_4CsBVOueSJevYJah5UVHPbmMxtrYPh&feature=results_video

Is there enough material for a Benny B Ball-J Beats Part 2 Mix now? The first rules my life like a quixotic emperor.

you know what? I think there probably is. Watch this space.

^^^ Awesomest customer service ethic.

:)

An all krynkman one would be just as juicy tbh. It kinda blew my mind when I read this http://www.thefader.com/2012/06/27/lungu-lungu-mystery-of-the-fisherman-beat-maker/ ...and realised just how many absolute TUNES he's been involved in.

New krynkman/kwaw kese for 2013 (posted at the end of the last thread but needs to be here)

Shoelace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCFsNaqm7Ls

I will generously grant you permission to make as many afrobeats auteur mixes as you deem appropriate.

Guys, guys, can I just...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XC3hgCWujw

^^^ Dylla ft. Gasmilla - Shashee Wowo

Like, how much is there going on in this track? Those chipmunk voices! In what other genre would throwing in a bit of 'Sweat' by Inner Circle seem like an amazing idea?

haha at first I was like "this tune is real good but I don't quite see the cause of the hosannas", and then it keeps getting crazier and crazier and crazier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeN8fL6qAXo

Felly - Ghana Girl Swag. Absolute hall-of-fame football rhyme on that one.

vp Good find. There was another great song called Shashee Wowo by Stay Jay & Tiffany last year.

http://youtu.be/kv2Fkr37dqY

The chipmunks in this one are super-awesome too
http://youtu.be/P1XoOA1HyTk

* xp i mean

I think shashee wowo is a dance? It's namechecked alongside the Migraine Skank in the Fuse ODG Azonto.

An all krynkman one would be just as juicy tbh.

a Krynkman mix would be hugely appreciated--have pretty much loved everything I've heard from him and have read that Fader piece a couple of times but haven't quite put in the effort to run down a proper selection of his stuff

that Kwaw Kwese "I Feel Good" track (http://youtu.be/hYk9bfZO1UY) Benny posted a few days ago has about 30 different things going on in it that are amazing, like that "Billie Jean"ish walking rhythm.

Ball J Beats Volume 2

DOWNLOAD
http://www.mediafire.com/?dss5o846pti7csj

STREAM
http://www.mixcloud.com/bennybrassic/ball-j-beats-volume-2/

1. Obrekuo ft. Praye - Ayifuro
2. Torgbe ft. akc4 - School Girl
3. Praye - 2012
4. 2Blows - Medi
5. GreenField ft. EL - Carry dey go
6. Bluebox ft. Bottlez - Spedede
7. Dompe Sope - Fyne Boy
8. Diary Ft King Ayisoba - Come see for Ghana
9. Nana Tee ft. Stay J - Mr Dross
10. Rocky Jigga - Nana Akua
11. Nhyiraba Kojo ft. Ball J & Screw Face - Ayalolo
12. Blaq Jee - Grugye
13. Konfi ft Dobbie - Tekkie
14. Mr kash ft. Joe B & Nii Funny - Nkwan Nko
15. Jousack ft. Joe B- Kiss ya girl
16. Fifi Selah ft. Stoneboy - Survival
17. 2Blows ft. Awal & Joe B - To Wo Bo
18. Nana Tee ft. Old Sodja - If you are an African
19. Kweku - Pressure

Thanx, Benny. Loads of new stuff to feast on, yet again! ;-))

Found this on YouTube: Konfi & Dobble, recording that track "Tekkie" (#13) in Ball J's studio.
Ball J: "Takes a lot of convincing (hip hop) niggas to do azonto". A recurring theme, it seems...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4VfncMvopY

^ Interesting. This interview with Ball J is worth a listen http://www.hulkshare.com/ydni3mkmvnv6

He talks about how his heart is really in hip hop rather than azonto but acknowledges he sounds 'too much like Jay Z', mentions UK Funky and Garage as an influence on Lapaz Toyota, the recording of 'Let me do my thing' etc.

rob if you like that kwaw kese track 'I feel good' you might be pleased to know it features on a compilation of Appietus productions coming out soon. The big track released so far is 'Azonto Fiesta' with Sarkodie, and this other new one with Samini makes it sound very promising indeed.

Samini - Too Serious
http://youtu.be/nvshlB9Qx8U

And this old (pre-Azonto craze) Appietus compilation on bandcamp is very sweet highlife and also worth checking. Fantastic producer.
http://appietus.bandcamp.com/

This one might be on the new comp too and is also brilliant.

5five - Gargantuan body
http://youtu.be/jgCKbfxs2MA

The Samini is good and the 5five is awesome, very excited for that comp. I'm going to check out the highlife one now too, thanks.

Ah here's the official video, apparently banned from TV in Ghana as (I quote),

"‘Gargantuan Body’ is a song that extols the body of plump women. The group, in the song, professes its love for such bodies; hence some ladies displayed their heavy buttocks for the cameras.
That is what the TV stations apparently have problems with. According to NEWS-ONE sources, if TV stations have to edit the video for their platforms, they will have to edit the heavy buttocks parts out but that will also take away some excitement from the video."

lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kfMjode7bl4

that track is dope

Benny, your Ball J mix #2 is excellent btw. it's funny, as excited about the D'banj thread as I was last year, I feel like a lot of this stuff is only just starting to really click to me--like I've only really just now absorbed the azonto logic. I should revisit your year-end list from the old thread.

Hey this is such a great thread I had to register.

I visited Ghana recently. Here's a list of tracks that were in heavy rotation in parties and everywhere. Some of them have been mentioned here before but not all of them I guess.

Fuse ODG - Antenna
R2Bees - Life
Iyanya - Kukere
Dr Slim & Dobble - Seke
Timaya - Bum Bum
Bisa - Azonto Ghost
Criss Waddle - Ayi
D-Black - Vera
Edem - Over Again

There's a new vid for this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm5Pdlt9fPA

Bisa - Azonto Ghost
Criss Waddle - Ayi

^ aren't these two songs the same?

Welcome to the thread by the way. Cool to hear that Antenna is doing well over there, need to get that Fuse ODG album I think.

Welcome, daje. I was pleased to see the Fuse ODG album is on spotify--not much of this stuff has a legitimate presence in the US. "Oliver Twist" is still not officially released over here.

"Azonto Ghost" and "Ayi" indeed have similar elements but they are not the same song. Both feature Bisa on vocals and I guess Ghanaians know the songs also from the movie, "Azonto Ghost".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVlxrPVp_XY

The availability of this stuff is a problem... It seems artists themselves distribute their songs via hulkshare and don't care much about bitrates. Some singles and albums end up in itunes too. I guess one of the most anticipated albums is "Revolution II" from R2Bees, it was supposed to come out already, but: http://www.mtvbase.com/news/r2bees-album-delayed/

posted on the hip hop thread but belongs here as well:
http://www.tropicalbass.com/2013/02/fokn-bois-strong-homosexual-guys/

haha yeah I posted about that album on the last thread - its good for a laugh (and really well produced). Sample song titles 'I want to be white', 'Laffin at cripples'. 'Thank god we're not a Nigerians'...

xxpost

Daje I was just being stupid, clicked on the same song twice on youtube cos it said 'azonto ghost', didn't realise they were both from the same movie. Turns out they're both crackers :)

Fya, fya, fyayaya!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ9e4wMOdcY

The original Fire is a useless clunker but this is a joy from start to finish. Although lol at the 'afrobeats remix' being pretty much the music he was making four years ago anyway.

The last minute is particularly great "Zunga, zunga bingbangbong Donaaaaaaeeeeeeeeo". If I had a tail I would be wagging it right now.

There's this hypothesis that with the direction that azonto beats are going, Ghana is getting more receptive to house music. So far, South African and Angolan style of house hasn't been too big over there. Could be interesting if Ghanaians started making their own brand of afro house. Maybe there's already some GH producer doing that?

Some GH tracks have a certain house feel already. This is the most garage-y I've heard so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px8uCc2juIo

love that

Love this new Guru one, best thing I've heard from him since Karaoke (and the beat is indeed very ball j-esque). The vids great too.

Guru - Nkwaada ft Dobble (prod. by Danny Beatz)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=42wg1Uo0jgg

Oh and 4x4's 'London Bridge'now has now got a proper video. Dunno why they shot it in Amsterdam though, seems like an opportunity missed considering how big an anthem it already appears to be on the London scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6bEwyJbj_E

Very informative article about Ball J in the studio here, first in a series called 'Fruity Loops (Africa's beatmakers)'
http://www.thisisafrica.me/music/detail/19799/fruity-loops-africa-s-beatmakers-ghana-s-ball-j-beats

Found this business model interesting...

So how does Ball J make it all work? "I own the studio, so I can charge my own fee for studio time. If an artist can't pay the full fee, we release the song, if it hits, then he pays the balance. Or I wait till the artist gets shows, then I get a commission." This last bit is an innovative model, highly relevant in Ghana today where artists make all their money from shows and endorsements. "I'm also into helping the underground, making sure everybody gets the best."

Guru track is great, though the cultural context of that video is quite lost on me. Nice to learn a bit more about Ball J too. I was listening to a really good compilation of Ghana hiplife from 2008 this morning in an attempt to get a better handle on where this stuff came from. I'm curious, Benny, daje, others: have you been following music from Ghana for a while? (sounds like Matt has been) I have a western hipster's knowledge of 70s Ghana afrobeat and highlife stuff, but then more a less a huge and continuous gap until azonto.

nah, I got only into it about a year ago when I heard that Abrantee mixtape, but i was totally smitten and it became last year's overriding musical obsession for me. Haven't really listened to much much african music before then, even Fela Kuti is still on my 'to check out properly' list. I'd like to know more too but its difficult enough keeping on top of current stuff, I haven't had time to really delve. I would like some more pointers on good naija pop to check for though, I've only been checking GH properly.

Whats the hiplife comp you've been listening to?

The hiplife comp is called Black Stars--it was put out by the same German label that put out that Ayobaness south african house comp. It starts off in a similar vein to American ~positive vibes rap~ like The Roots with highlife/afrobeat as the base rather than jazz/soul/funk, and there's also stuff that comes close to being straight up dancehall, though the instrumentation and percussion is always distinctly West African. It feels more localized and GH as it goes on like the compiler wanted to ease in Westerners with more familiar sounds first.

I would also love to hear more naija stuff itt. Clicking around youtube hasn't been particularly fruitful in that area. And as much as I enjoy Wizkid's autotuned whine, I would like to hear other voices. Listening to that RnM track made me realize how few women I've heard for one thing.

That's a great compilation, Kangaroo especially, but it feels ancient compared to the azonto stuff in this thread.

Yeah I agree with that. I guess what I'm wondering is what was happening in GH dance music immediately prior to azonto? That Ball J piece Benny linked to makes it sound like it grew out of hip-hop (at least for him), which seems a little surprising to me. I suppose it might make more sense to me if I understood the UK dance influences as well as you guys.

Most of the big names in Ghana were/still are making hip hop - Ball J, EL, Krynkman, Sarkodie, Kwaw Kese, Guru etc. I think the popularity of the azonto dance itself made producers like Ball J to jump on what is essentially a craze, pushing the music in a poppier more uptempo direction to suit the demand. I certainly got the impression from an interview with Ball j that he'd much rather be recognised for his (vastly inferior imo) hip hop stuff, rather than the azonto beats he makes for other people. Reading through the blogs and webzines from Ghana you will quite often come across articles complaining about azonto's meaningless pop lyrics etc - its seen as a novelty to many detractors who prefer hip hop or more rootsier stuff I think, even some of the people making it (its a moneyspinner of course).

As for the uk dance influence, Funky and Garage were mentioned as influences on Lapaz toyota, like it was aimed at something that would appeal to London audiences. I do think its influence can be overstated (dancehall is obviously a big influence) but being a big fan of UK funky definitely primed me for this stuff - I just assumed Oliver Twist was a UK Funky tune when I first heard it on the radio.

Thats my semi-informed take on it anyway, I know practically nothing about hiplife/hi-life.

I didn't follow GH music before azonto that much. I think it was this Tinny song back in 2009 that made me check out some hiplife stuff but I didn't find it too interesting back then. When I was in GH I had the chance to see a lot of these artists live but I didn't know their older songs...some of that older stuff is nice, one of my favorites is Ahomku Wo Mu by VIP (2004).

This list of Ghana Music Awards winners was interesting to me:
http://omgghana.com/omg-exclusiveghana-music-awards-winners-2000-2011/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJx0eih949g
digging this

has this site been mentioned?
http://afritunez.com/

There are also GH sites like ghanamotion.com, bigxgh.com, hitzgh.com, I haven't decided which one is best.

They just released the video for RnM's Oya:
http://youtu.be/1clf_NrzY6U

yeah bigxgh is the one I usually look at for new stuff

More Naija stuff:

Wande Coal ft. Don Jazzy - The Kick. Also the azonto marionettes are delightful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn3QMADWTdY

Ice Prince ft. pretty much everyone - Aboki remix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytoVxlfS4q8

Samflet ft Olamid - Suwe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht65Krb3xtM

Indigenous MALIQ - Ame Nwod:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmnS2yL1MYQ

Actual acid line on this one!

nice one, I'll check them out. The puppeteer guy is from South Africa btw, that is some crazy shit though!
http://youtu.be/v4oKeXYxXv0

Ghanamotion.com, who daje just mentioned above, does a handy top twenty round up video of hits every week. Seems like Fuse ODG's 'Antenna' with Wyclef is the biggest tune at the minute. This R2Bees track 'Bayla Trap' is also massive at the minute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmuwYOa6CBs

So glad a version of Antenna exists without Wyclef on it. For one tiny second when I first saw the video I thought they were actually dancing on the Eastenders set.

Love this one as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE3mBvHaEE4

Hahaha I really can't tell whether the Ode To Joy lift here is inspired or awful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhZnQ-mBg8I

cor i never knew ching chang wallah was east ldn slang for rock paper scissors

(dimly remembered scratchy from roll deep saying it ages ago, just thought was some mad ting at the time)

xp ^ I'd go with inspired me.

That Felly/Joe B track you just posted is killer btw.

I'm not about to post about 20 youtubes but I strongly recommend you check out anything produced by Dr Ray & Cash 2, too many great tracks to mention.

I like the dude who raps in french in the ching chang wallah vid best

you been checking for this stuff recently rtc? Ain't seen you round these parts for a while is all and I got some good tips off you last year.

nah, not for a few months... tbh i don't even check the youtubes itt now cos knowing morbid me i'll then be down the afro rabbit hole for a week and my workload's stupid enough as it is

in truth as well though i am also kind of a share price slag and idk it all just doesnt seem to be in the air as much as this time last year with 'oliver twist' spearheading, even if the tunes are doubtless still boss

marionettes are awesome.

That Wande Coal "Kick" tune is nice! Thanks.

Jayso (Skillions) has this new cartoon music video with Sarkodie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fphrK9fKClI

very nice

I was watching this cartoon with my boys and we all really dug the theme. Can anyone recommend something with a similar vibe?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC22rD92Xvo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Someone (curmudgeon) posted a link to the so-called Afribiz Charts over on the Rolling World Music Thread 2013 a month ago. It's of more interest to this tread, I think, since it features the current African hits, "African electronic dance music mostly", as curmudgeon put it. The chart started out in December 2011 as a Top 50 and as of this year has become a weekly Top 100 chart, published on the Afribizcharts site, which is being operated from South Africa. It's inspired by Billboard and aims to establish itself as the first and ultimate pan-African chart, "the uniting platform for all its 53 countries". Only artists "who reside in the continent of Africa" are eligible. The chart is compiled from "radio & TV airplay, record sales, radio & TV charts, YouTube views and electronic & print media appearances" - no specifics are given. How accurate it is (or even could be) is anyone's guess, I suppose, but it's a very ambitious and interesting project nonetheless (certainly if you're a chart buff like me).

When you look at the actual Hot 100, however, it doesn't appear to be a truly intercontinental chart. Large parts of Africa have not been represented at all in the weeks that I've been following it. No entries from Northern Africa, for example, and, most strikingly, nothing from the "francophone" parts of Africa, not even DR Congo. It's basically the "anglophone" countries, plus "lusophone (former Portuguese)" Angola and Mozambique. I'm not sure if this is due to some kind of cultural bias, or simply a reflection of the stronger economies of these countries, resulting in bigger music markets. As it is, the chart is heavily dominated by acts from powerhouses South Africa and Nigeria, together making up no less than 75-80% of all the entries (Lagos to Soweto indeed), with Ghana as a distant third with about 10%; and then there's Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique and Botswana with just one or a few entries each week.

So, what about the music? As for the Naija hits, it's big names like P-Square, D'banj, Wizkid, DaVido, Flavour, and in general a lot in the style of what rob up in the thread unflatteringly, but somehow still lovingly, described as "Wizkid's autotuned whine". The South African ones are predominantly kwaito, but Die Antwoord is in the top 10 as well. But with azonto having been my gateway into current African music last year, I've been focusing mainly on Ghanaian artists, and they seem to be doing well for such a relatively small country. The current #1 song is actually Ghanaian: it's thread fave "Antenna" by Fuse ODG, but in the version featuring Wyclef Jean (so much for the 'artists residing in Africa' rule, in both cases, lol); in December "Vera" by D-Black (produced by Krynkman!) became the first-ever Ghanaian track to top this chart, so azonto fever seems to be spreading outside of Ghana too. Half of the charting Ghanaian hits I've come across are azonto: apart from "Antenna" and "Vera" there's D-Black's new one "Change Your Life" (featuring EL), Sarkodie's "You Go Kill Me"" and "Azonto Fiesta", Gasmilla's "Innit (Azonto)" and Guru's "Karaoke" (both Ball J Beats!), and Dr. Slim's "Ole Seke" (featuring Dobble) - none of those strangers to these threads, apart from "Change Your Life". The other half are hip hop/hiplife tracks by Sarkodie and D-Black (them again), and M.anifest and Edem - more often than not with vocal hooks by female singers like Efya, Vivian Chidid, Sherifa and Mo Chedda.

But enough of the chart talk, time for some hits…

From Ghana:

azonto:
D-Black / "Change Your Life (Ha Ma Kyake Min)" (#44 last week):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmPn6Au5c8w

and definitely not azonto:
M.anifest / "Asa" (featuring Efya) (#11 last week):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj7C1-CV_w8

Two recent Naija #1's:

P-Square / "Alingo":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWaNr5fNm84

Burna Boy / "Like to Party":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZzDOygmE_I

And South Africa:

Professor / "Fingerprints" (featuring Oskido and Character) (currently top 5):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgl_XRqEPiQ

which led me to Character and his fantastic 2011 album The Marathon, which features tracks like "Ex":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqJL9s0V6iQ

and my favourite "Night Rider" (no video, but the album is on Spotify).

wow thats my listening sorted for the night! Cheers.

Here's a brand new Ball J production complete with ace video

Kente Praye Tintin Kportor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG6nMNJ6_9E&feature=youtu.be

or rather, here

http://youtu.be/aG6nMNJ6_9E

Re: RTC's share price thing, I wonder if that's at least partly down to D'Banj just not following up Oliver Twist at all, even by re-releasing Mr Endowed. I mean he's theoretically still on his way to becoming an international star, although the route to that appears to be just hanging around with Kanye occasionally while waiting on those crucial Wale and Rick Ross verses for the album.

Actually, D'banj has released a couple of followups for the African market (he has signed a megadeal with Sony Music Entertainment Africa, this is separate from his deal with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music apparently), but they haven't been too well received, from what I understand.
This is his latest, also a recent #1 on the Afribiz Chart, called "Cashflow". Warning: Don't expect another "Oliver Twist" or "Mo Gbono Feli Feli", you will be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af9_E6H7b_c

Few new things I've been feeling...

Swag Society - I'm too hot (prod. by Ball J)
http://youtu.be/QG3M3KbmWPY

Sena Dagadu - Extra Large
http://youtu.be/EvZgsjDtUNc

MoBlack - MeKa (Original Mix) ft. King Ayisoba
http://youtu.be/oaHAaAFZY4w

and finally a great 'official dance' video for R2Bees/Sarkodie's massive 'Bayla Trap' single - body poppin' Accra style. This is produced by Killbeatz and I've to think of it as the Ghanaian equivalent of Tinie Tempah's 'Pass out'. Maybe the biggest tune I've heard this year and its not even azonto.
http://youtu.be/laRsCw12dyg

official video here. I posted it before but it bears repeating.
http://youtu.be/5XzmbY8i7sc

R2bees album is out March 29th

Some naija tracks I've been feeling lately:

Ajebutter22 - Omo Pastor (video is so dope!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89_m06oRbMM
Maleek Berry ft. Wizkid - The Matter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrhyYcSrQkY
TBoy feat. Boj - Talkin Drum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaMCn5WW0HQ

And this azonto tune & video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jnJ5BHL-ho

do any of the afro-heads here live in London?

Where's the best place to go to actually hear this stuff these days? There must be a load of nights across London but they fly under the radar a bit.

A Ball J Beat reviewed on the Singles Jukebox.

And a brand new Ball J Beat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNb7QpDt9-s

Better President / Ankaa (feat. Oboi P)

Ball J doin' it for himself: "Togo Bikini"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADSC0iJFKBM

(but did he save the best beat for himself? hmmm...)

Naija: Strong follow-up from Burna Boy to "Like to Party": "Tonight".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciOwy1RDdeU

More Naija: LNC / "Ko Sere (Tribute to Fela)" - this tribute features Azonto piano.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGrXINlsY6Q

niceness, Togo Bikini isn´t the cringey Jay-Z impression I thought it would be.

DJ Neptizzle Ultimate Afrobeats 2013 mix is out today too
http://djneptizzle.com/

I guess he's swallowing his pride, going full-frontal Azonto novelty on this one.

My two recent favorites:

Gemini feat. EL - I'll Do Don't Do
http://youtu.be/05z25pzywpI

Looney - Mempene
https://soundcloud.com/akwaabamusic/lonney-t-k-r-mempene

I'm waiting for this remix of "Antenna" with Sarkodie, R2Bees and Wande Coal:
http://www.ghanandwom.com/news/fuse-odgs-antenna-afrobeats-remix-to-feature-sarkodie-r2bees-and-wande-coal

Btw, there's a UKG remix of Antenna, by TS7.

i realize that "scapegoat" is 2 years old or w/e and is only getting attention now because of kanye but man what a dope song

Very interesting collaboration between Wizkid and Femi Kuti:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfN84WKrUxQ

Very different from Wizkid's usual sound, a much harder beat and Femi Kuti's sax is a wonderful addition.

Blimey, Fuse ODG "Antenna" is at #9 on UK iTunes today - would be great to continue the current fine run with an Azonto UK Number One.

!!!!!

It's been on the 1xtra playlist for ages but I didn't realise it had crossed over to R1 as well.

summer seems like the right time to dive back into this stuff. this Ice Prince is nice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfgIGxF1NVQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5WxjV1PUXQ

wish there'd been more of this sort of x-over

http://soundcloud.com/atumpan/the-thing-todd-edwards-remix

HELLO

Is there a bit of a buzz around Atumpan at the moment? The original The Thing is great and he's playing in London soon.

Also Wizkid appears to now be signed to Tinie Tempah's label.

atumpan signed to ministry this year

i think moreso than scrambling for breakout hits labels are probably just cottoning onto the low but solidly reliable level of afro interest. all the big songs have a seemingly endless shelf life really, no one ever minds hearing them again

have a punt on a rerelease, get a few remixes on it, maybe a bob sinclair thing might happen, maybe just a bit of major lazer pleb money, see what happens

Atumpan's been played a lot on 1Xtra in the last week - so, yeah, there must be a buzz.

http://africaindc.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/waiting-for-p-square-we-dont-run-things-things-run-we/

Aww, I missed P-Square's 2 am to 3:30 a.m. D.C. gig

http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/ghanas-new-viral-dance-craze-is-alkayida-yep-meaning-al-qaeda/

I missed Nigeria's Timaya too last night. He's in Chicago at the Shrine tonight

http://africaindc.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/weekend-african-music-in-dc-1-419ed-at-the-timaya-show/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhk52GlkhVA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ILZLgPVkFI

Khona is just astonishing

While Nigerian corporations seem to be currently losing the battle to South African ones for retail domination of the continent, demographics are helping Nigeria win the battle on the entertainment front. In my experience, South African music (like Kwaito) has a very limited following in much of Africa and is not even that strong in the SADC (southern African) region, with Namibia being a notable exception.

Conversely, Nigerian pop stars are massive throughout west Africa and are quickly gaining ground across the continent. The same holds true for Nollywood movies. Accordingly, I was very interested to see this piece in a Zimbabwean state paper about an upcoming performance by D’banj, a Nigerian star with ties to Kanye West.

http://africaindc.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/the-spread-of-africa-in-africa-sa-vs-naija/

"Khona" is one of the best tracks of the year imo. I posted it on the Summer Jams thread in June, hoping for more traction than on this seemingly moribund Afrobeats one, but nothing much happened. Biggest hit out of South Africa this year, a smash across the continent.

"Jaiye Jaiye" was posted upthread (by ahem me too). I'm eagerly awaiting Wizkid's second album. He's probably overtaken D'banj as the biggest star of Naija music, with his deceptively simple but very addictive beats and melodies.

A small tribute:

Starboy feat. L.A.X. & Wizkid "Caro":
(Starboy is the name of his label)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF47kno4Dro

Maleek Berry feat. Wizkid & Phenom "New Bounce":
(Maleek Berry is the producer he signed to his label, their first collaboration "The Matter" was posted upthread)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPpuHY7Ejt4

and this early hit, still my favourite - "Don't Dull":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcJhrOStkl4

This one was posted over on the old thread, but definitely needs to be here: Nigeria's current #1, DaVido "Skelewu":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6zixMk7gnQ

Been loving this jam from Tiwa Savage's album, not a single, but it should be, "Ileke".

Tiwa Savage – Ileke (Spotify link)

Another Naija smash that belongs here, P-Square "Personally":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttdU19Kwce8

And finally a biggie from Ghana, Shatta Wale "Dancehall King":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYiCIyhq01o

here's that Spotify link for Tiwa Savage's "Ileke" again:

http://open.spotify.com/track/7AwIBOQeAE43sCMNgqC64j

"Khona" is great. Thanks

"skelewu" and "caro" are so amazing - can't get enough of the percussion in the former

the mad sax in "jaiye jaiye" >>>

is that tiwa savage album worth buying btw?

Skelewu is fantastic.

My other favourite doing the rounds rn: Lola Rae's Fi Mi Le. It only does one thing but it does it really well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3mXXKc6QXA

*Sarkodie, Ghanaian afrobeats rapper, is doing some US shows. Friday October 25th he's at a Howard U Homecoming Afterparty 9 pm to 3 am at Vita 9 Lounge DC, 1318 9th Street Northwest Washington, DC

street-team promotion

http://carmencham.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/alunguntugui-dont-be-shy/

x-post -Sarkodie missed his flight from Ohio, so DC show got postponed. Maybe it will be this Friday. Not sure

Sneakbo ft. L Marshall - Her Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQN_2TuK44Y&feature=c4-overview&list=UUzoRAhSu72f-FkidkvZj-mw

^ thats ILL BLU on producky

yeah been loving that

great innit, suppose it was just a matter of time before those lot made a proper afrobeats song together.

Guru sounds good over the Khona beat btw
http://youtu.be/-l1PTm9M0WE

Guru does have great taste in beats

Guru - Alkayida
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rq1A8b6JPw

Then there's
"Guru drops the first ever Gospel version of Alkayida"
http://www.ghanamotion.com/music/motion-hype/guru-amen-prod-by-beatmonsta

the beat on that is next level.
This too

Guru - More Vim
http://youtu.be/lYER3MwFA7s

Interesting set of articles about the recording of the 'Roots of Azonto' soundbank.

http://www.thisisafrica.me/music/detail/19968/the-roots-of-azonto-day-10-recording-master-drummer-mohamed-alidu

more here
http://www.thefader.com/2013/08/08/lungu-lungu-fruity-loops-live-drums-in-ghana/

Krynkman aka Nshona apparently made this sick beat in a few minutes using it.

https://soundcloud.com/akwaabamusic/nshona-muzick-naano-afro-afro

hot on the heels of "Skelewu", this new scorcher from DaVido, "Omo Mummy":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJFZQUVroh4

Lex, a late reply, but: Tiwa's debut album is nice enough, and it includes most of the singles she released over the past years (some as bonus tracks), but it has a serious lack of new killer tracks. Apart from "Ileke" the only one that 's up there is the deliciously blunt "Written All Over Your Face". Nothing Afrobeats about that one though, so not really for this thread. It's an R&B track (she has a side career in the US, she did backing vocals for Whitney and wrote songs for people like Fantasia and Monica).
This is her previewing "Ileke" at the album listening party. Very cute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfOs-SzY98E

a couple of Naija hits:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN6qNDMeWm4

Timaya "Ukwu"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pe7whelUMc

Skuki feat. Phyno "Voom Va"

...and Temi Dollface's "Pata Pata", Nigeria by way of London.
Don't think it was ever posted here, reviewed in the Singles Jukebox though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EinxcEiDNU

Anyone seen any end of year ballots highlighting this stuff?

http://www.afribizcharts.com/top100.php

As breastcrawl noted back in February, this chart is flawed, but it does include lots of Nigerian, South African, and Gahanian stuff that may be of interest.

Sweet. I feel a Youtube rabbit hole coming on.

x-post-- uh Ghanaian

xxxp

A few have been nominated so far, from memory: Skelewu, Jaiye Jaiye, Khona, an Olamide ("Durosoke") track that hasn't been posted here, I think. There may have been one or two more. I might add a few too...

Sounds like you're talking the ilx poll, I meant the other thread of critics polls

Pata Pata was nommed as well. Going to follow Matt DC down that Youtube rabbit hole, I reckon ...

Mafikizolo follow up "Khona" with "Happiness":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVUFju4tnWQ

xxp

Yes, I was talking about the EOY nominations thread, what's the other one?

Looney (aka Looney TKR) "Amanda" (feat. Cliff Nino). His "Mempene" was posted earlier this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUcV82QkH4w

xpost to breastcrawl-- I was looking for websites and critics who named African club sounds. I thought you were just naming songs appearing on the ilx thread for best of 2013

Nothing from this thread seems to have made that Pitchfork staff list of singles...Was hoping Tim F. could have gotten something on there

Language barrier, marketing, various obstacles I guess

fuse odg's new single is out next week - hopefully he'll get another top 40 hit. it's kinda owning my life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhYhX7c2KlQ

Really really wish Mafikizolo's music was anywhere near as wonderful to me as the videos' design, costumes, etc are.

http://www.mtviggy.com/lists/tina-2013-10-burners-from-new-afropops-magic-year/

I'm in agreement with Ilx & Pitchfork's Tim Finney who did list Mafikizola's "Khona" on his Pitchfork singles list. While the music is a tad less unique than the wardrobes in the video, it still has a catchy charm to it.

oooh, "Atinga" by DeeVS off that MTVIggy list is goooood!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygz7-z3vXEA

http://youtu.be/xJ72hOk7GiQ

this one is really strange and good, I think. Joey B feat. Sarkodie

spooky azonto with more than a touch of SA house to it, Bryte "I like your girlfriend":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmHFKp6APvY

fuse odg is on newsnight speaking to paxman right now!

Aww, missed it.

Nigerian Kcee the Limpopo King is gonna be in DC February 8th

Benny B come back to this thread, or start a new one

Hello ILX. Long time lurker first time poster here - just thought this would be the perfect place to shamelessly publicise a mix of Afrobeats (2013) stuff that Rinse FM's DJ Brackles did for my blog recently:

https://soundcloud.com/jah-klaw/dirtnap-presents-brackles

TRACKLIST

Olamide - First Of All

Lola Rae - Watch My Ting Go

Stay Jay - Format gurlz

Tictac - Pumpum

K9 - Kokoma

Timaya - Ekoloma Demba

Tiffany - Akyee Wo!

May7Ven - Ten ten

Sarkodie ft Fuse - Down On One

Wande Coal - Rotate

Madtraxx - Ita Waiter

Tiffany - Dance

DJ Malvado - Zenze (Uhuru Remix)

Davido - Dami Duro

Hope you lot like it, I think it's brilliant.

nice

http://museke.tumblr.com/

African dance music tumblr

That one is not being updated.

But I think there's still this:

http://www.afribizcharts.com/top100.php

Oh man, that chart is amazing. Is presently checking out everything that peaked at 1, Khona by Mazifikozolo is awesome!

I think "Khona" got some votes on the ilm poll as well as Village Voice critics poll

not enough though :(

I feel so bad I didn't discover it soon enough to vote for it!

Great no 1 at the moment as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHoQsMAtek

amazing

on a more understated tip, also into yemi alade's "johnny"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_XkTKoDI18

Don't call it a comeback! Guru meets up with Ball J again and gets caught in a fat "Pooley" groove. Like it says above: Amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl89MMYoe3Q

someone dancing to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6vFKj7FTvA

I love how Wizkid is starting to try out new styles. Last year there was "Jaiye Jaiye" and now in "One Question" he is totally convincing in highlife mode. The band is on fire!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LZHNln5Afk

Tekno "Dance": nice minimalistic track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhMoatjr-g

Rayce "Jack Sparrow": finally a Naija track that takes a few cues from the glossy production style of Olu Maintain's 2012 hit "Nawti".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhGhs8S4UZw

Don't think this was ever posted here?
Tiwa Savage "Eminado" (feat. Don Jazzy).
One reason I didn't like Tiwa's album too much is I felt it has too many sticky sweet old school tracks, but when they're as irresistible as this one, who can complain?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxPqkwahxe0

Man, Pooley is absolutely amazing. Song of the year so far.

Lex, thanks for posting Phyno - Parcel, absoluting stunning beat! Sickest thing ive heard in ages. Worthy of starting a new thread you think?

The new thread: Rolling Afrobeats thread 2014