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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A Party Mix While We #StaySafe
It’s been a tough few months with the ongoing pandemic. As a professional entertainment purveyor, being on the sidelines for this long is definitely bad for the finances. It could also be as detrimental to the skill set. I’ve seen my peers keep sharp by live streaming and/or dropping mixes. So, I’ve set out...
Continue readingR&Cs: Trick’a Treat
One more for the ShenYeng clan! Since “Blessed” took off last year, Shenseea has been in high demand. And you won’t hear any complaints from me when the trickle we’ve been accustomed to turns into a steady stream of Shenseea bangers like “Trick’a Treat”. The gem is one of many from the Aircraft Riddim;...
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: Sound
Over the past few months the big shots at Wasafi Records have ratcheted up their music outputs. Between Diamond Platnumz and his proteges (the recently-departed Harmonize and Rayvanny), they’re almost releasing a surefire hit every week! On top of that, this year the Tanzanians have made concerted moves to conquer the Nigerian pop market....
Continue readingSmoke x Mirrors ’19|11: I
Welcome back to another session of ‘Smoke x Mirrors‘. And indulge me as I share a bit of introspection. Going back through the past editions, and considering the excellent project that have been coming out as of late, I felt like I might not have shone a brighter light on our homegrown talents. So...
Continue readingR&Cs: Risky
Another one! Say it again with that trademark DJ Khaled understated emphasis! That would probably be what Davido uttered as he launched his latest single, “Risky”, which has all it takes to be another megahit in the same vein as “Assurance” and “Fall“. It’s also a sign that we’re in for a great sophomore...
Continue readingDo You Have a Better Summer Time Playlist?
We’re halfway through the week people. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting ready to get my party hat on in less than 72 hours. And if I happen to be the one supplying the music, then I have a pretty good idea of what it will sound like. After all, I’m the...
Continue readingR&Cs: Blessed
Shenseea has been making her bones in dancehall for a few years now. She’s been regaling us with dancefloor sure shots time and again: “Close to Me” (with Kes), “Hard Drive“, “Instruction“, “Pon Mi” and “Shen Yeng Anthem” are some of the notables. So it was with absolute glee that we received her latest...
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