Rolling afropop 2024

So I know he has his own thread, but the new Wizkid EP has two superb songs that feel like a great way to start up the 2024 afropop thread.

First, the amapiano banger Ololufe, featuring Wande Coal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H7ZJaWXRAs

And my favorite, which I also nommed for 2023, IDK featuring Zlatan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2NkA-7WILc

totally missed this over the holidays, finally listneed to it yesterday. all great songs, but my favorite was one that you didn't highlight

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

Also I think the fourth song just got a video, lol

Wizkid “Diamonds” new video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utmQRZSs6SE

there it is. IDK and Ololufe still the ones for me though...

RIP DJ Katapila from Ghana. He blended Ghana styles with Chicago & Detroit style dance. He dj’d parties, funerals and more at home, and after Brian of Awesome Tapes from Africa found 2 of his tapes and re-released them, he did Europe gigs as well.

There’s a long heartfelt Awesome Tapes from Africa Instagram post

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2iRl0mo2ud/?igsh=aWQwamF1dWNuemNz

Pleasant songs right here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhyzYPSHRQU
Ayra Starr - Commas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrhgS919qjw
Victony - Everything

After decades of white artists getting hits by copying music from West Africa, I like this new wave of Nigerian pop based on really prominent samples. But still, Post Malone? Lovely song, but... wow...

Shey u remember millbankhall sec school? This(sunflower) was the soundtrack to our lives in OJO. Being able to sample my all time favorite song will always be a reminder, that dreams definitely turn reality. S/O @PostMalone & @SwaeLee for letting me do this. for my boys, OJO to… pic.twitter.com/fbSbEv2tYR

— VICTONY (@vict0ny) February 8, 2024

"everything" is good but the sample is just unnecessary? it's just briefly thrown in there without much purpose

100%. But it's so nice...

Also it makes me feel ancient Victony describing “sunflower” as the soundtrack to his sec school.

Cool song but agree on the sample being unnecessary. I guess it’s more about clout? Like saying: remember that song we all loved? Well, I’m at the level where I can sample Post Malone with his blessing.

Until someone says otherwise, I'll be posting Amapiano here to maximize attention since we struggle to keep multiple threads active (as sad as that is).

Unclear atm if this is part of a project, or if track titles are supposed to say wav.files, but it has a video and I really like the atmosphere on this follow up to Mnike. Nice psychedelic tropical sounds extending in the background. The list of features includes Leemckrazy, Tman Xpress, Ceeka RSA,Visca, AL Xapo, Sjavas DaDeejay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR1HWnqn-Ok
Tyler ICU - Ebasini

Listening now on headphones, this is strong stuff

It's deep and soulful. I guess Wav.files is the name of the project.

Benson collaborates with Headie One but this is all him. I actually like the bubbly melody.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRfTsOWE124
BNXN feat. Headie One - Maximum Damage

My bad, this was on his last year's album, maybe I should go and listen to that

I'll make it up with this charming song partly in French from Gabon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4I-T38LPeo
Emma'a feat. Jungeli - Biso Mibale

Tems “Free Mind” is still getting dc go-go band covers and DJ mixes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2ICul0432w

OH
MY
GOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_JtSZQSHP8

RINGMASTERS FEAT. TAC RSA & QUAGO - UTHAYELA

I need a copy of this. Can't seem to find it anywhere

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/omah-lay-afro-depression-new-music-1234985144/

Afro- depression!

Omah Lay is going to put an ep with Ozuna

Omah Lay is going to put an ep with Ozuna

This article is a little sad. I'm ready for a slightly less vulnerable, more confident Omah Lay, which is what he's hinting at.

Pretty good afropop lineup at Roskilde this year. Last year was a breakthrough with Rema and an already legendary Burna Boy concert at the largest stage, so it was bound to be a bit of a letdown, but Tyla (if she makes it), Tems, Omah Lay, Amaarae and Sho Madjozi (!!!!!!!) is pretty good. Throw Mdou Moctar and some Nyege Nyege related electronics into the mix, and I'm satisfied.

TikTok’s influence on African music, including genres like Afrobeats and amapiano, has propelled artists such as Ghana’s Black Sherif, Nigeria’s CKay and South Africa’s Tyler ICU to global success through viral hits.

https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/tiktok-distro-platform-soundon-now-available-nigeria-south-africa-and-egypt

https://afropop.org/articles/sample-chief-bridges-afropops-generational-divide?utm_source=main_mail_list&utm_campaign=3c508ab8f9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_05_16_08_09_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-68a279e068-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Article about the SampleChief TikTok and Instagram site that shows where afropop/ afrobeats songs got samples from

https://dcleakers.net/the-5-best-afrobeat-afropop-albums-of-march-2024/

anyone listened to the new ayra starr yet?

Afropop may be in a kind of slump, but let's try to revive anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg3aMnVU1xU
TitoM, Yuppe & Burna Boy feat. S.N.E - Tshwala Bam Remix

To compare with the original
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK4dC7rASYs

In other news, Asake cut his hair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp0b_fqPvkM
Victony & Asake - Stubborn

Qing Madi is still 17 and reissued Vision with a video not shot on her couch and with added vocals from Chlöe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae_GdPXYvzw
Qing Madi & Chlöe - Vision

Maybe salvation comes from South Africa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a-zkNFOOsg
DJ Tshegu, LeeMcKrazy, Zee Nxumalo feat. Al Xapo,Vyno Keyz & Quay R - Chengu Shesha

Remember minor hit Sete and ever wondered what he's been cooking ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydc8o3eGma4
K.O - Let Me Cook

anyone listened to the new ayra starr yet?

― sean gramophone, 1. juni 2024 15:19 (two days ago) bookmarkflaglink

Yeah, there's some great things on it! Love the piano on this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUykV-jnMvw

X-post - that DJ Tshegu & others cut from South Africa sounds good

hi all,

mostly want to say thank you, as i am normally a spongey lurker in here. but today, i found a fun one i wanted to share-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAJzWzulIDo
florence adooni - "otoma da naba"

idk anything about her, but the bio says gospel vocalist from ghana. this is the "b-side" of her most recent single, which came out in april. the beat is f'kn sixk.

That is good. I have vague memories of seeing references to Ghana gospel on this thread and or the global mostly African bands one.

Shoutout to Shakes & Les's production

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdqKUy9XKnc
Shakes & Les & LeeMcKrazy- Funk 99

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBNw5w6alY
Zee Nxumalo, Pabi Cooper & 031Choppa (feat. Shakes & Les) - Thula Mabota

Firmly 2023 but I don't think we ever posted Imandi Lento. Sounds like something breastcrawl would love (soulful, story-like, long-format). Love the use of an actual bass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNJ2-UBp2WE
Mellow & Sleazy, Sjavas Da Deejay, TitoM - Imnandi lento

Tekno had to postpone dc and NY shows scheduled for now as his band members couldn’t get their visas approved in time . Shows rescheduled for July

The new Rema is anutha BANGA:

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

Rema & Shallipopi - Benin Boys

Can't remember if it's been posted before, but this list of 3-step tracks from RA is pretty great: https://ra.co/features/4322

New Karun album is short at 7 tracks but they are all excellent and varied in style… goes from afropop to trip hop to r&b and makes it work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf_vRZwT3ak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcsIRSr_DM0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ov81-sAC0

I saw Amaarae, Omah Lay and Sho Madjozi yesterday at Roskilde Festival. Amaarae didn't work, bad stage, bad sound, she couldn't save it. Omah Lay is apparently a superstar with several songs that all Danish teens know by heart - who knew? And yeah, Sho Madjozi. A blast from start to finish, four dancers and a dj, nothing was to corny to get the crowd to shout along louder, no rhythm was too fast or complex to get us to dance wilder. And everything exploded during Chale.

https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/top-afrobeats-songs-2024

top afrobeats song list from back in February with Twe Twe by Kizz Daniel and Davido.
Wotowoto Seasoning by Odumodublvck ft. Black Sherif

and more

https://www.boomplay.com/playlists/59019444

Omah Lay #1 on this list of streamed afrobeats songs in the US

New Rema album is… intense

On my list to hear this weekend

I love it

Tekno made a big point earlier this year when his Washington DC area show got postponed of saying on his Instagram it was a visa issue for his bandmembers. The gig got postponed to today and suddenly yesterday afternoon got cancelled. No explanation from Live Nation or Tekno. I don't know if the NYC gig happened this past Thursday

Groovy amapiano produced by Djy Biza, who follows in the steps of Mr Jazziq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL0uWSakdnw
Felo le Tee, Scotts Maphuma & Thabza Tee - Yebo Lapho (Gogo)

Viby mini/maximalist amapiano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrW2Zap7R4k
TXC & Davido feat. Tony Duardo, LeeMckrazy & DJ Biza - Yebo

Match made in heaven, Omah Lay I'm awaiting your album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeXGLGsq9ug
DJ Spinall, Omah Lay & Tyla - One Call

I didn't think so much of it at first, but it's nice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ScKK4yw_tQ
Fireboy DML - Everyday

As of 30 mins ago, One Call has a video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB4tnXnUFKs

Reading a description of singer Aya Nakumara who just performed 3 songs at Olympics opening ceremony. Washington Post says she’s of Malian griot heritage and is more recently known since 2018 as a French pop star who mixes afrobeats & r& b into her style .

The intact joy of hearing Samthing Soweto again, with a cameo from Sha Sha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCglg8rc0vo
Aymos, Samthing Soweto & Mas Musiq (Feat Sha Sha) - 10K Yey'Nkomo

oxlade album is out tomorrow, "ifa" ft. fally ipupa is glorious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81N4FpEt9wI

I like that . Ipupa is scheduled for a North American tour shortly

oxlade album is unsurprisingly really good, here are a couple more highlights

"asunasa" ft. wande coal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP-DX8FnH70

"rmf"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9gSx42K3Is

Lady Amar - INTO EMNANDI

superb bass heavy amapiano track

is this track this year's Chale:


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

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5tMwNCkhmxhw9ZkgW8PYM4?si=caNQgcAoTtWNNr28hv6FBA

Senegalese vocalist Awa Gambia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjR_6N-8iic

This is going and worth posting in two versions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTrxJh34XvM
Dlala Thukzin, Funky Qla & Zee Nxumalo (feat. MK Productions) - Ama Gear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObhUaQWsjfw
Long version

Potential song of the year imo

Love it

Of course you do, there's an Osama vibe to it :D

Yes there is! Thanks for this find. already played it 3 times this morning.

whole of the dlala thukzin album is incredible

Listening to Oxlade from Africa (OFA) 2024 album . It’s decent Nigerian Afropop, although 1 listen hasn’t wowed me. He’s scheduled to be at the Howard Theatre in Washington DC tonight

Xpost- I am not a huge amapiano fan but yeah Dlala Thukzin album Finally Famous Too sounds pretty good - lush and rhythmic

Been listening to Fally Ipupa from the Congo. He adds a romance / r’n’b Afropop sheen to his Congolese rumba. Not completely wowed but your view may vary.

Kenya seems to be the place for catchy, uptempo dancehall-inflected pop at the moment:

Iyanii ft Mwanaa(Vijana Barubaru) & Cedo - Kifo Cha Mende
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywxrFIuokQk

The Fally Ipupa North American tour got canceled. I guessed it was visa issues, but saw a TikTok where someone was blaming poor promotion

Any critics lists with afropop/afrobeats out there somewhere?

Here's Ugandan artist Mudra D Viral with Hoozambe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msRDbpet-CE

that just makes me think of "macarena" somehow

haha, there's a similarity yeah.
although as well as that, there seems to be a bit of a 90s reggae-pop/dancehall revival going on in Ugandan and Kenyan pop right now

More dancehall-inspired stuff from Tanzania and Kenya respectively...

Marioo feat Fathermoh, Sean Mmg, Ssaru & Motif - Statue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw5tB9LQQVM

Matata Ft. Watendawili - Inakubalika
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4WFmVMfPFI

Apple Music has a Africa Now Best of 2024 playlist with some text :

Building on the massive commercial success of “Water” in 2023, Tyla began this year by winning the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance—a signifier of both the stratospheric rise of amapiano and the unstoppable global appeal of music from the African continent. And with the Gunna and Skillibeng collab “Jump,” Tyla asserted herself even further with an anthemic shout-out to South Africa. “I really just wanted to tell people who I am, and I had to show my confidence through the song,” Tyla explains. “‘They’ve never had a pretty girl from Joburg/They see me now and that’s what they prefer’—that line is too iconic.”

The track’s African vibes are mirrored in this roundup of the biggest songs of the year from across the continent—from amapiano favorites like TitoM and Yuppe’s “Tshwala Bam” and Felo Le Tee’s “Yebo Lapho (Gogo)” to Afrobeats hits like Asake’s “MMS,” Ayra Starr’s “Bad Vibes,” and Tems’ irresistible “Love Me JeJe,” alongside hypnotic bops from Kizz Daniel, Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi, and more

Tyla is making various lists. Rema and Tems are getting a few

This works very well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3zvl_yDX4M
Ruger & Tiwa Savage - Toma Toma

Oh wow, that's good, lol.

Substacker Brad Luen says re Zee Nxumalo, Goldmax & DJ Tira ft. Boity, Dee Koala, Zulu Mkathini & Ney the Bae: “Drip Juluka" :

Eswatini-born Nxumalo is the year’s most valuable singer on Southern Afrotronican singles (“Thula Mabota” and “Ama Gear” have previously been covered in this column.) GoldMax is a rising producer who made a telling contribution to the best song on the year’s best album of new African music, Thukzin’s Finally Famous Too. Don’t ask me what everyone else does. More recently Zee’s dropped a (shockingly avant) collaboration with McDonald’s Grimace; the division of labor is even less clear on that one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP0uHC0CH44

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCy0HqntQ-_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Zee on Mcdonald's commercial with Grimace

I like Drip Juluka and realize I've been sleeping on SA in general this year. Could someone please give me a quick round up of the main developments and highlights? If possible? Even Amapiano mostlly dipped below my (malfunctioning) radar.

why does "toma toma" interpolate "clocks" lmao

I like the similarly-named "Tompa" by Vinka + K&K

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMYXjZ-Klok

Agree that Zee owns the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0esAWt9XKsE
Goldmax, Dlala Thukzin & Funky Qla feat. Zee Nxumalo & Beast RSA - FOMO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRL3K5Wwac0
Shakes & Les, DBN Gogo & Zee Nxumalo feat. Ceeka RSA and Chley - Funk 55

"Kedezemba" is a term for the last month of the year and also meaning "festive season" in South Africa and Namibia. Alas, I missed in DC yesterday an event billed as Kedezemba Amapiano that was scheduled from 2 to 9 pm