The idea behind ‘Teintée Africaine’ came about when I noticed a growing trend: European acts of African descent were increasingly tapping into the current popular African sounds and genres to innovate. The idea, then, was to pair those works with those made at the source. While the latter enjoyed less plaudits outside its locale,...
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R&Cs: Godzilla
The homie was talking earlier about the older cats embracing the new generation of talent. And there’s no bigger case here than the recent pairing of Eminem and gone-too-soon Juice WRLD on “Godzilla”. We often deride the current hip-hop flagbearers and point at their lack of rapping skills, which they make up for with...
Continue readingR&Cs: Come Thru
You might recall that Summer Walker had one of the most notable albums last year with Over It. Now, one of it’s more outstanding tracks, “Come Thru”, has been released as a single and got a video treatment. The song has been an instant hit because it tugs at our melancholic heart strings with...
Continue readingFlying Over 2019, Pt. II: Africa to the World?
2019 is in the books and we’ve tried as much (and as quick) as possible to whittle down the music we’ve enjoyed to our favorites. It turned out that, between four guys, we had a loooot of them — in spite of overlaps! In the end, we agreed to pick out a few major...
Continue readingR&Cs: Akulaleki
I have been looking forward to the video treatment of Samthing Soweto’s “Akulaleki” ever since his album came out. (Truth to be told, it might even be before that, when DJ Maphorisa “leaked” the song.) In any case, the honey-voiced crooner has come through along with the video of another Isphithiphithi notable, “AmaDM”. We...
Continue readingR&Cs: Slow
I didn’t expect a new Rayvanny single when he just a release a couple of those a week or so ago. But he’s hooked up with Phyno (who just released a very very good album) for a catchy mid-tempo. I’ve been a fan and it feels perfect to set off with “Slow” as we...
Continue readingR&Cs: Chuchumaa
Another one from the Wasafi Records hit factory! Behind Diamond Platnumz and Harmonize, Rayvanny has been a consistent hitmaking machine. He’s barely allowed us to take in “Vumbi” and “Girlfriend”, or allowed us to get tired of shaking it as instructed in “Tetema” (with its slew of remixes), that he’s reloading with “Chuchumaa”, another...
Continue readingPure Lounge 5: Old Continent
I am quite fond of the Pure Lounge 4 and I was pleased with the positive feedback that the playlist had garnered. I also liked that we dug into our personal pictures to capture the feeling I wanted to convey. It proved a winning and fulfilling combo. So why not do the same again?...
Continue readingR&Cs: Perfect Illusion
It is with relatively little fanfare that Lady Gaga has returned to the pop music circuit. Then again, in this election year, the hottest export from the States is a Donald Trump fait divers. Back to the music, I look forward to more Martin Garrix material; I believe that the Dutch DJ is poised...
Continue readingGoodbye 2018: Rejoice
I hope you’ve enjoyed the chill (and slightly uptempo) vibes that we shared ealier in our recap playlist of the more memorable popular hits of this year. Similarly, we now propose a complementary playlist of party anthems. So, say goodbye 2018, but get off that seat and let us drive your hips into 2019....
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