Proper video for “Akwaaba” is out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHjV0kzFKG8
(GuiltyBeatz feat. Mr Eazi, Pappy Kojo & Patapaa, “Akwaaba”)
― breastcrawl, Friday, 23 March 2018 20:17 (six years ago) link
(There's dancing)
― breastcrawl, Friday, 23 March 2018 20:19 (six years ago) link
2018's first official Summer Jam, btw
― breastcrawl, Friday, 23 March 2018 20:31 (six years ago) link
steady
― ||||||||, Friday, 23 March 2018 20:32 (six years ago) link
???
― breastcrawl, Friday, 23 March 2018 21:49 (six years ago) link
I produce a bunch of data-generated playlists on Spotify, including a set based on the distinctive listening of countries. There hasn't been much African representation in this list, because Spotify hasn't been directly available in any African countries, but we just launched in South Africa, finally, and with a little tweaking of thresholds this week I was able to get lists for Ghana and Tanzania, as well. So, if you're interested:
Ghana: https://open.spotify.com/user/thesoundsofspotify/playlist/6zvs325lRproQd0Sd83oQg?si=k0tX616kT9mgp9Z0za4ehQSouth Africa: https://open.spotify.com/user/thesoundsofspotify/playlist/6KeYZIeYiElx86iOhDigH3?si=PMOriAFJTEWQ5kv7hsmHPwTanzania: https://open.spotify.com/user/thesoundsofspotify/playlist/56S93wwXTegxAuz9Np96zY?si=q4s8d5E9SgWqoD5v2BBK6g
― glenn mcdonald, Friday, 23 March 2018 22:53 (six years ago) link
I think this new Mayorkun (ft. Davido) track is pretty nice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EitxN6DDN4
― ahomka ginger, Wednesday, 28 March 2018 20:34 (six years ago) link
Slimcase seems to be the man of the moment in Naija music. Here's an interview where he talks about Shaku Shaku (3:00), the meaning of "SaintSamiGanga" (4:23) and says he is the most featured Naija artist since December until today and he might be right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5d2JDKgDoo
― ahomka ginger, Wednesday, 28 March 2018 20:48 (six years ago) link
There's this new Ghanaian artist with a song sounding like UK afroswing. The beat might be taken from "Barking" by Ramz, quite similar beat at least. Interesting to see how big impact this UK sound (Not3s, J Hus etc.) will have there.
Kwesi Arthur - The Anthem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW-i367I1Ro
― ahomka ginger, Wednesday, 28 March 2018 21:10 (six years ago) link
I think soundwise afrobeats is a bit locked-in. You can look towards America, Jamaica, UK, South Africa, retro African (trad, 90s or Antenna-levels party synths), but then you sound derivative and "interesting", and the next song you can come back to the central sound, even if every new idea there is quickly exhausted.I think my favorite song of the year is still Soco (which has a video).I'll be staying in South Africa for a while, so I soon get the opportunity to complain about them and third-rate distruction boyz songs too :)
― Nabozo, Thursday, 29 March 2018 07:36 (six years ago) link
Ha ha! Where in SA are you going to be staying? The whole Afro Bashment/Swing scene is still cool but it seems like all the best songs came at the beginning of it. It has settled in now but it doesn’t seem too exciting anymore.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 29 March 2018 08:57 (six years ago) link
The trajectory reminds me of Mr Eazi’s. He’s still good, but there’s no magic in what he does anymore.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 29 March 2018 08:59 (six years ago) link
Another excellent Sauti Sol track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3oOJcyf7iA
― daavid, Thursday, 29 March 2018 19:08 (six years ago) link
I find this a baffling statement:
I think soundwise afrobeats is a bit locked-in. You can look towards America, Jamaica, UK, South Africa, retro African (trad, 90s or Antenna-levels party synths), but then you sound derivative and "interesting", and the next song you can come back to the central sound, even if every new idea there is quickly exhausted.― Nabozo, donderdag 29 maart 2018 9:36
Mutatis mutandis and all that, but can’t this basically be said about all music ever?
Also, how are you defining “afrobeats” here? As Nigerian and/or Ghanaian contemporary pop music? African pop music in general? Just looking at Naija pop: At any given moment, there are several different strands of music that are popular simultaneously. Right now there’s pon pon, there’s shaku shaku, you have Simi, Olamide, “Soco”-phase Wizkid, Rudeboy, Niniola… - what’s the “central sound” here? (And that’s not accounting for the styles and genres that aren’t (currently) mainstream/on the charts.) All of this is evolving and shapeshifting continuously - influenced by factors both internal and external, indeed. What’s not to love?
― breastcrawl, Thursday, 29 March 2018 21:13 (six years ago) link
I agree with you on “Soco” though. Here’s that video you mentioned:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VrWaED18_g
― breastcrawl, Thursday, 29 March 2018 21:15 (six years ago) link
Oh right.. afroBEATS, I read that as afro swing. Sorry. Anyway, I agree w breastcrawl on this particular point. Last year was a bit samey w all the 98 bpm stuff but atm it feels less predictable.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Thursday, 29 March 2018 21:41 (six years ago) link
"Akwaaba", the Italian edition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzadvC4D8Z0
Akiti Wrowro ft. GuiltyBeatz & DJ Kess, “Kokoti”
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 1 April 2018 18:51 (six years ago) link
It's true, it's constantly "evolving and shapeshifting", I just feel with a rather narrow margin for creativity, like any dance-pop music (what it is). Anyway my idea was only that looking towards established styles from other countries is not really a door leading to creativity for afrobeats, so I feel there's not much to hope from Nigeria receiving UK influences back or from copying South Africa for example. As for the "central" sound, I guess it's one of those "know it when you hear it" based on rhythms, vibe, melodies, vocal style etc.And to answer longneck: Johannesburg :)
― Nabozo, Tuesday, 3 April 2018 12:44 (six years ago) link
And a brand new song from Ghana (KiDi - Adiepena)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH8DAiSjmfAAnd this one with old boy Sarkodiehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag_ffZ-OV38
― Nabozo, Friday, 6 April 2018 12:56 (six years ago) link
And WSTRN followed up on Ben Ova and it has Tiwa and Eazi.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07rVIVkKA58What do you think ? It's alright but lacks punch / intensity imo.
― Nabozo, Friday, 6 April 2018 13:19 (six years ago) link
https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2018/04/04/599485289/my-friendship-with-janka-nabay-genius-of-bubu
Janka’s music doesn’t exactly fit this thread, but his use of programmed Sierra Leone born beats makes him kinda related. This NPR piece is by a guy who directed a video for Janka sometime after first hearing his music on a cassette brought back from S L.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 6 April 2018 16:07 (six years ago) link
I guess it's a bit late in the year for dec 2017 songs, but has anyone noticed that song by Burna Boy (koni baje) ? Actually the album came out this year (Outside)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9iW99DAs70
― Nabozo, Monday, 9 April 2018 06:34 (six years ago) link
No Skin Tight, but Mr Eazi / Efya with a decent songhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y7phGL6Sl4
― Nabozo, Friday, 13 April 2018 06:47 (six years ago) link
I guess it's a bit late in the year for dec 2017 songs, but has anyone noticed that song by Burna Boy (koni baje) ? Actually the album came out this year (Outside)
I think I mentioned way upthread that imo Outside is fantastic. The first 5 tracks, including Koni Baje, are especially strong, with Ph City Vibration probably my favorite
― rob, Friday, 13 April 2018 14:58 (six years ago) link
The new Wizkid & Mut4y is awesome:https://youtu.be/nUNe2svMR2A
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 13 April 2018 15:21 (six years ago) link
Wizzy really is on another level right now. He also dropped three “freestyles” yesterday on Starboy’s Soundcloud, including a track with Ty Dollar $ign that - thankfully - is way better than their two collabs on Sounds From The Other Side.
The link: https://soundcloud.com/starboymusic
(“Highgrade”, the Ty track, is on Spotify as well.)
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 14 April 2018 21:09 (six years ago) link
Loving this Cassper Nyovest x Davido jam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb49bOipNuY
“Check On You”
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 14 April 2018 21:12 (six years ago) link
Two cool tracks from Ghana that just sound great:
Papa Chie, “Palm Wine”:
https://soundcloud.com/papachiemusic/papa-chie-palm-wine
DJ Lord ft. Magnom, “Kuntu”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WU8IHo27lo
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 14 April 2018 21:32 (six years ago) link
Two from Angola, despite the relative lack of enthusiasm for the Angolan bangers I posted earlier. Kizomba instead of kuduro this time, but equally good:
Tchobolito ft. Ary & Dicklas One, “Papel”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3JFecyQed0
DJ Elly Chuva ft. Tchobolito, “Lixo No Luxo”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdHlS2Z_dhc
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 14 April 2018 22:12 (six years ago) link
“Lixo No Luxo” especially reminds me a bit of Olu Maintain’s sumptuous 2011-2012 (Nigerian) hit “Nawti”. I’m glad that sound still resides somewhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oa5KVZtAnU
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 14 April 2018 22:13 (six years ago) link
btw, this is the live stream from Coachella, where Wizkid is about to perform in 15 minutes' time, if I've got the schedule right.
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 14 April 2018 22:16 (six years ago) link
ah yeah, that live stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyh9blvR54Q
― breastcrawl, Saturday, 14 April 2018 22:17 (six years ago) link
Wizkid MIA unfortunately...
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 15 April 2018 00:09 (six years ago) link
Let's continue with the good stuff, this time from Kenya:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JhtLNQBIA0
Sasabasi, “Bila Hook”
Last year’s “Lakini Bado” is good too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73gFxBY56os
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 15 April 2018 00:10 (six years ago) link
Oh, Diamond Platnumz has an album out, A Boy From Tandale. It has lots of good tracks and ambitious collabs, but also the cheapest artwork ever. Current hit is the lovely “African Beauty”, which was produced by Krizbeatz and features Omarion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH2QsiBixe4
More USA with Africa: The new Ne-Yo single was co-produced by none other than Don Jazzy. He can be heard in the backing vocals too! (btw, Ne-Yo has a feature on the Platnumz album as well, 2016’s “Marry You”).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5WC-9TbjjQ
Ne-Yo ft. Bebe Rexha & Stefflon Don, “Push Back”
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 15 April 2018 00:44 (six years ago) link
A quick stopover in Ghana…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZKjAKlcv9I
Gasmilla, “Ak3somorshi”
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 15 April 2018 01:04 (six years ago) link
…and then it’s back to Naija. This might be my favourite shaku shaku track so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8So5MpSNI94
Jaywon ft. Mr Real, Ido West, Ichaba, Gabzy Gambo & Toyin of Life, “Ma Sun (Stay Woke)” (It also has the biggest line-up.)
Hope I get to hear this on a massive soundsystem sometime, because whatever is happening 45-55 seconds in, I want to feel it in my body.
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 15 April 2018 01:05 (six years ago) link
On second thought, let’s finish in Cameroon. Jovi, “Pimentcam”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZKjAKlcv9I
Amazing track. We need more music from l’Afrique francophone in this thread. In fact, we need more of everything. We’re covering a whole continent’s pop music here!
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 15 April 2018 01:06 (six years ago) link
Gaah, I fucked that up. Final destination is Ghana after all. This is that Gasmilla track:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ieGtNtM1AM
― breastcrawl, Sunday, 15 April 2018 01:12 (six years ago) link
Pimentcam reminds me of "Coller la Petite" or "La sauce" (also Cameroonian and about chili...).I don't have anything to contribute right now, except that I realized I really like "FIA" by Davido. I was still stuck on If.Ok, I'll post Sisi Mariahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6P258KGqjM
― Nabozo, Monday, 16 April 2018 10:49 (six years ago) link
Jovi (a/k/a Le Monstre) is also the producer of « La sauce » (and all of Reniss’s stuff), so that makes sense. My favourite recent track of hers is « Eya Eya », such a sweet song: https://youtu.be/AQ77YDwxjxcAs for Franko, his latest « On s’assoit pas » is same-old same-old, but I like it: https://youtu.be/sO5i-rvyyDYWould love to hear of others’ Cameroonian, Ivorian, Senegalese, Congolese etc. favourites!
― breastcrawl, Monday, 16 April 2018 21:49 (six years ago) link
Gqom time: The new Mampintsha with Babes Wodumo, “Amaketanga”. Those final 30 seconds though - wish there was more of that! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VOxf6Fu0To
Sho Madjozi, “Huku”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBnKYuv8O3A(A dance routine to the track on SA daytime TV, because why not?)
Coupla months old: DJ Sandiso ft. Okmalumkoolkat & Amadando - Isam-Qeh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwZmoz8ptm8
Also, DJ Sumbody’s “Ayepyep”, posted back in January, does not get old!
― breastcrawl, Tuesday, 17 April 2018 23:00 (six years ago) link
Bisa Kdei’s new album Highlife Konnect is out. It features two Guilty Beatz, including current hit “Hammer”, which is gorgeous, and two Juls-produced tracks, “Domi Bi” and “Door Mat”. But the highlight for me is the beautifully understated (even by Bisa’s standards) “Bie Wueni”, which I’m guessing is an update of some specific old-school highlife style. Anybody who can enlighten me on this?https://youtu.be/lEn3LHgrCtY(Bisa Kdei, “Hammer”)
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 21:59 (six years ago) link
I'm really loving the new wizkids. Lagos Vibes is exquisite.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Wednesday, 18 April 2018 22:27 (six years ago) link
Fingers crossed for his rescheduled Coachella show on Saturday. Hopefully the visa issues will be resolved.
― breastcrawl, Wednesday, 18 April 2018 22:52 (six years ago) link
There’s more: https://youtu.be/QfB0UI28pfoKiddominant ft. Wizkid, “Alright”(and several “official” singles to be released soon)
― breastcrawl, Friday, 20 April 2018 00:29 (six years ago) link
That Bisa Kdei album really is wonderful.
― human and working on getting beer (longneck), Friday, 20 April 2018 08:36 (six years ago) link
The fantastic new Sun-El Musician album Africa to the World has its own thread.
― breastcrawl, Friday, 20 April 2018 12:15 (six years ago) link
Just started listening to Bisa Kdei's new album, sounds awesome so far!
Loving this new DJ Coublon produced track:
Seyi Shay ft. Flavour & Dj Consequence - Alelehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBGZWI6cnHM
And my current favorite in Ghanaian pop music:
Kidi - Adiepena https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH8DAiSjmfA
― ahomka ginger, Saturday, 21 April 2018 21:24 (six years ago) link
Davido, Olamide, and Burna Boy all coming to 3 different clubs in DC for shows in May. These will be late-night gigs that likely won't get any crossover attention, but Washington's dedicated afropop/afrobeats community (largely immigrants) will turn out.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 23 April 2018 20:16 (six years ago) link