Rolling Afropop / Afrobeats 2021

Seeing how established and vital African pop is on ILM (and not only), let's be among the first to start off the new year !
I assume we will have a separate thread for the South African scene(s) and that breastcrawl will curate a Spotify playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcbGePUukKA
L.A.X. - Go Low (from his Nov. album)

And because it seems that music does not like frontiers, here's a Nigerian song incorporating amapiano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FtuXxKikNk
Zinoleesky - Kilofeshe

He's a new guy chaperoned by Naira Marley.

This is a year old but I kinda love it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN8OwvaHLU4
Ethic Entertainment feat. Konshens - Figa

that’s Kenyan gengetone, right? another blind spot there

but yes, one of the big musical stories of last year was amapiano taking root outside of South Africa. watch this blow up further in 2021. in Nigeria homegrown piano is all over the charts right now. lots of producers (including some of the biggest names) are taking a stab at it.

case in point: the biggest song in Nigeria right now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFX9cruEfoo
Rexxie ft. Mohbad • KPK (Ko Por Ke)

another big one besides the Zinoleesky, that’s providing Phyno with his biggest hit in ages:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YrjQz_zncY
DJ Kaywise ft. Phyno • High Way

this is not exactly a smash, but it should be - I love it to pieces, such a sticky hook!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnN1JeKowTU
Eltee Skhillz ft. Niniola • Lucy (Remix)

(this one is actually produced by a SA producer, Eternal Africa, who works with Naija artists as well)

Did we do Tanzapiano yet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hIka4cx_-U
Rayvanny ft. Diamond Platnumz • Woza

can’t wait for the “Jerusalema”-biting video!

(actually we did: I posted Marioo’s “Mama Amina” with Sho Madjozi & Bontle Smith on the Amapiano thread last month, but “Woza” is more interesting to me because the amapiano is incorporated in the bongo flava here)

...for contrast, some of that nu classic (convential?) Naija “afrobeats” sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dE1mygXWOE
Runtown • If E Happen For Lagos

...and this, from Ghana:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zOz0R4z_9A
Darkovibes • Crazy People

(from his latest EP The Cornerstone. I nominated his Kpanlogo album from last spring for the EOY, it’s very groovyvibeywavey)

...and oh yeah, in 2021 afropop will go even more global:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gijs__G364g
Mr Eazi ft. J Balvin • Lento (prod. Killertunes)

so excuse me for being on a roll, *BUT*:

that L.A.X track Nabozo posted is a great example of how thoroughly amapiano has permeated Naijapop in just one year. it’s not overt amapiano, like the Zinoleesky, Rexxie and Kaywise tracks, but it’s unthinkable without it.
(the same can probably be said about that Darkovibes track, although it’s possible I’m hearing things)

I’m constantly updating my (quite possibly unique) Spotify playlist for tracking and tracing amapiano’s influence on (with a few exceptions, so far) West African pop. I’m now at 99 tracks, but I’m sure I will come across many more, it’s become hard to keep up:

🇳🇬🇬🇭🇿🇦NAIghaPIANO🎹🎹

(my criterium is: if I feel the track wouldn’t have sounded like it does without amapiano I’m including it. it’s likely not everyone will agree with all of my choices. I welcome comments and suggestions!)

Nabozodamus:

I assume we will have a separate thread for the South African scene(s)

and that breastcrawl will curate a Spotify playlist.

Very curious in the new year abt the scene from Angola

have you heard any good stuff from there recently? I’d be very curious to hear them

them, it...

I did a dive midway last year and found some stuff I dug, need to do a follow up, there was def a distinct sound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVkpPRu77Js

Ah cool, that’s the track that came up last year in our convo about Angolan kuduro and “Afro House” in the Dance Music Nobody Talks About thread.

For the record, we’re talking about:
DJ Malvado & Nelo Paim ft. DJ Habias & Nad Beatz • Amingas

🔻🔻Could everyone please label the tracks they are posting?
It makes it so much easier to search for something, and as with all internet links, there is every chance these YouTubes (or Soundclouds or whatever the case may be) will become broken at some point (in a couple of years perhaps, or you know, next week, it happens all the time), and then we won’t have anything left to go on.🔺🔺

...and oh yeah, in 2021 afropop will go even more global

about that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-GX9bpT3MI
Nao ft. Adekunle Gold • Antidote (produced by Sarz)

(thanking ufo for the alert)

(hope to be able to put up the Rolling SA thread tomorrow btw)

the sister thread is up!

MZANSI MUZIQ 2021 🇿🇦 Rolling South Africa thread

No hits, but a few things that caught my attention lately from some "minor" artists:
- IcePrince feat Tekno - Make Up Your Mind. It's no "One Leg Up" but decent single from last year, I like the saxophone.
- Mmzy - Wildin. New guy, not fully convinced by Animal despite the interesting somber tone / sax, but I like Wildin.
- Barry Jhay - O Ga Ra. This is from 2018, I had never heard of the guy. Warm stuff, I like that flute.
- Ecool - Sobente. Nothing particular, a little slow, but competent.

The DJ Spinall album (Grace) is noteworthy if you're looking for a consistent set of songs (and you don't think albums are overrated)

Ok I'll post something officially
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZIp43W3ws
Runtown - If E Happen for Lagos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtqzVHK-MfM
DJ Tunez & Olamide - Require (more Amanaija)

Oops, I checked the whole 2020 thread and forgot to check here: Runtown already posted :/ O Ga Ra actually late 2019, not 2018.

(redacted)]

okay so i've been to busy to nom this year but will try to put in a ballot on the train home tomorrow afternoon. what have you guys been voting for so far?

*too

Too busy to spell, it seems

(i feel like this is the tread where all the people i have similar tastes with tend to come together, so feel free to mention all genres)

honestly I'm trying to take the poll less seriously this year -- ilm massive isn't what it once was and that's fine, I don't need to get upset about it. But vote for Koffee's "Lockdown" and you'll make me happy longneck :)

I will!
Wait... so no one nom'd any of the Scorpion Kings albums? Just the Kabza solo? No vote splitting then, I guess. Lol.

Trying to free up some time to post more music this year. ilm massive may not be what it used to be (mea culpa), but you guys are still trustworthy when it comes to new music.

ha to be clear, that def wasn't aimed at anyone round here! I still get a ton of enjoyment and value out of the board, just less so the eoy poll than times past

Tru dat

A lot of really great stuff this year - even quite a few albums(!) - but i don’t expect much of it to enter the list. I’m listening to breastcrawl’s nom’d SA tracks right now and am amazed at how many great tracks I’ve missed even though I’ve been listening to SA stuff all year.

so otm -- it was an overwhelmingly abundant year and I can't pretend I heard much more than a fraction. weirdly I feel like albums is where there might be some afropop consensus? iirc I voted for Wizkid, Tiwa, Amaarae, and Azana...might be forgetting something else too. I nommed the uneven Burna but can't remember if I had room for it

I prefer the Davido to the Burna tbh but not sure if it was nom’d? Didn’t see Niniola either? Oh well. Will vote for Wiz and Tiwa, the best of the bunch.

hm might be worth double checking the Davido, there was def some enthusiasm for that. also I didn't care for it, but I would assume the Fireboy DML was nominated

guys, you’re catching me at a bad time...

ILM 2020 EOY🔷AFROPOP NOMS

ILM 2020 EOY🇿🇦SOUTH AFRICAN NOMS

🎼is my posting in vain?🎼

sorry breastcrawl, it's cuz I don't have spotify

i voted for the wizkid, azana, fireboy and tiwa albums, and simmy ("ngihamba nawe") and busiswa in tracks

Haven’t listened to the Azana album until now but it deserves my vote. Gorgeous stuff.

ok if the poll motivated you to listen to that for the first time, then I love poll

If memory serves correctly I voted for 4 afropop albums and 4 tracks, but guess I should avoid naming which ones for spoiler purposes.

a+ bop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xopfgeXDlKA
Bankulli x Not3s • Foreign

(killer production by DJ Coublon)

shocker! TSJ not in agreement with my tracks ballot!

breastcrawl* > tsj

*I voted for the album, but not the song

Omah Lay is a good example of the plateau problem I had with 2020 in general: so much sustained quality that I struggled to pick highlights from genres or even artists

"godly" >

really hope it places, it was my favourite Omah song so far, but I fear he is another one who might (have) be(en) vote-splitted away

*is* my favourite...

"godly" >

― J0rdan S., Sunday, January 24, 2021 12:03 PM (one hour ago)

lol I guess that might be true, but I basically liked everything I heard him on last year...and thus didn't vote for any of them sorry!

Really digging KPK

mutual satisfaction guaranteed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAkcBuc-52o
DJ Spinall ft. WurlD & Niniola • Pure Water

(from Spinall's Grace album mentioned upthread)

Speaking of Rema, I think Dimension belongs in here even though it's not strictly Afro. One of the best songs out, imo.

JAE5, Rema & Skepta - Dimension
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QWCjiZSdGQ

“Dimension” is very good.
Rema is also on the new Justine Skye single, “Twisted Fantasy” (once again mirroring a Wizkid career move in the process)

(and one for the reggaeton fans: he’s also on Bad Gyal’s “44”, in Spanish!)

Yeah, he's quite obviously positioning himself to be *the next wizkid*. Which means he'll probably enjoy even more success than wiz internationally in the long run. It's all very exciting.

Rema is a total star, as soon as his bit starts I forget what Crayon even sounds like they should cut Skepta from that song...sorry, I realized recently he just doesn't work for me on afropop, always sounds stiff and awkward to my ears. Jae5 kills it though!

Angola:

sensational: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wp7NH0iBPw
Elenco Do Rangel • Rangel Já Não é o Mesmo

ever-delightful, ever-entertaining: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u7zcMg9sPA
Scró Q Cuia & Nerú Americano • 5 Milhões (produced by Crazy Baby & *Vado Poster*)

Mozambique:

mozampiano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTkmSCEG4ZQ
KK Angel ft. Macache DJz & Ana Flores • Sk'Ngidinga

two tracks from Malinese rapper Ami Yèrèwolo’s new album AY, which goes *hard*:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaweQdfiTMk
Ami Yèrèwolo • Je gère

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFj30weUzYk
Ami Yèrèwolo • I bamba

(Yerewolo was one of Lafawndah’s collaborators on the Ancestor Boy remix album and also part of the second edition of the Amazones d’Afrique project)

New guy out with a short album starring Mayorkun, Terri, Joeboy and Teni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2P_vjYXisI
Laycon - Fall for me (feat. YKB)

Ami Yèrèwolo has great energy - wish the production was more my bag.

love the panning on the Laycon track!

oh hello!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSXIW_RuZ7U
Blaq Jerzee ft. Marioo & Eddy Kenzo • Sokoma

(another collaboration with East African artists, album in this vein on the way apparently)

speaking of (as for now imaginary) collaborations, how about Dawn Richard on that alté tip?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1xF3iLeCeg
Le Mav ft. Tay Iwar • Supersonic

(you all know Tay Iwar, right? my days, when I'm not with you baby...)

some absolutely blinding posts over the last few days.

tell us more, dl!

(how did you like the Teni album btw?)

wow that Le Mav song is giving me LIFE

Gotta say I haven't properly let the Teni sink in, but it didn't sound like there was anythign immediately enjoyable as Shakeam or Case

Sk'Ngidinga has some awesome donking bass on it

Other highlights include the Ami Yerewolo and Scro Q Cuia tracks.

apols for posting before catching up (though I did listen to "Supersonic" and liked it), just wanted to post this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1Rs5Ew71FY

Ajebo Hustlers x Omah Lay - "Pronto"

ok just put "Supersonic" on again and it's wow good. I must have had the volume on too low the first time: there's a ton of wild stuff going on in the mix

for further listening: Le Mav and Tay Iwar made an 8-track mini album called Gold together in 2019 and it’s super smooth and wavy.

or should that be Mav-y?

revisiting Teni’s Wondaland and once again enjoying her particular blend of earnestness and fun

(it’s a naijapiano-free zone tho, in case you were wondering)

here's some Kenyapiano:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LrBiIPshog
Movaz Dance Kenya (Movaz Warombosaji Nation) • Nditni

their first track from late last year, "Danger Dinji", was straight amapiano, this follow-up has more of a gengetone inflection

(their name is kinda confusing: Spotify has both the artist and label as "Movaz Dance Kenya". the artwork and YouTube have the artist name as Movaz (Warombosaji Nation). think they originated as a dance crew called, yes... Movaz)

Just checking out Laycon's second album '...Shall We Begin...'

Very entertaining and diverse Naija-pop with a clear US hip-hop influence (or is that just the Kanye-esque 'God Body'?). Loads of guests on here too: Teni, Joeboy, Terri and others.

'Wagwan' is my favourite so far:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li0iFFnb53I

Laycon - Wagwan

ALBUM: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/41isX0xSQygFx5clIpr3dT?si=b576dd5b8b454694

Actually the Teni track is really sweet and sad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJBi93xqs6c

What do you all think of this Juls x Projexx x Tay Iwer tune "Chance"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea7WUPHorp4

(video is the censored version, fyi)

I can't decide if this is lovely and lush or over-refrigerated, and there's a part where Iwer sounds like he's interpolating "Strawberry Letter 23" that I find distracting. Given the lineup it's kind of begging for a remix with Wizkid!

"Wagwan" is cool, sound a lot like the Ghanaian stuff I first heard on the board in 2011 or so (not a diss)

laycon album is good, thanks for sharing. the teni-featuring "want you back" has sweeping davido vibes

“Chance” is an obvious attempt to catch lightning in a bottle twice, but it totally lacks “True Love”s melodic glory - the “Strawberry Letter 23” interpolation only serves to highlight that.

yeah I think you're right, ultimately disappointing

FLASHBACK >>> Davido doing naija(SA)house in 2014:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFYIsryxaSM
Davido • Owo Ni Koko

...and Runtown doing same with Uhuru - with DJ Maphorisa as the rapper!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V7fkC3_ivg
Runtown ft. Uhuru • The Banger

Ghana Sunday:

in the mood:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xbEGphFqAE
Mr Drew • Mood

still in the mood:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da09o3T83bA
King Promise • Slow Down

fuck it - who’s in the mood for another “Yeeko”?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFoo_PBc6MY
Kwame Yogot ft. Kuami Eugene • Biibi Besi

always in a mood for Yeeko. It's totally dug its claws into my brain

so how do you like “Biibi Besi”?

handy compendium:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pYKIKUTbdA

Nigerian-in-Canadamapiano:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAiP18n1u9c
Falana ft. Oxlade • Joy (Spax Remix)

shame on me for missing that R2Bees released an absolute banger late last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AQkMED9HFE
R2Bees ft. Sarkodie • Yawa

(the poor-quality-VHS retro vibe for the video is certainly an "interesting" aesthetic choice)

French afrobeats, presenting the return of MHD (prod S2keyz)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOg7mD7SETc

MHD - "AFRO TRAP Part.11 (King Kong)"

Nigerian singer Lojay just dropped a fantastic EP with brilliant production by Sarz.

"Tonongo" is the first single/video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PohRx1zSIm4

...but the other four tracks might be even better: "Park O X3"! naijapiano jam "Monalisa"! "Panty!"!!! (especially "Panty!"!!!)

...and I posted the Wizkid-featuring title track "LV N ATTN" on the Made In Lagos thread.

...OK, I'm posting it here too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4IEaUhIuCs

"Tonongo" is the first single/video:

This is so great! That bassline!

Rema keeps it coming:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrTkERuwdCc
Rema • Soundgasm

(seems like a shoe-in for the imminent album's title as well)

re the video: another way he's modelling himself after Wizkid is his dress sense, man's got serious drip

omgasms

Two new additions to my playlist from 2020. Couldn't find them on the previous thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov6mUj8HjkI
Dunnie - Overdose Remix feat. Oxlade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWrbnvXgzSQ
Oluwa Kuwait - Loke Loke feat. Teni (shame to shoot a low quality video in front of the twelve Apostles, Teni is on fire though)

KiDi has an album out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22rCt078QDw
KiDi feat. Kuami Eugene & Patoranking - Spiritual

Still feeling Bella Shmurda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0G03824rMc
Terri feat. Bella Shmurda & MohBad - Money

Minor but sweet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y44KfNt4Y0g
Savage & Buju ‐ Confident

A few more vibes from Omah Lay. Falls a bit in the category of Nigerian songs that lack conviction but are otherwise pleasant. Kinda floating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7N7ZJf1res
Omah Lay - Understand

Anyone know anything about Mudra D Viral? Can't find much except that he's Ugandan and has written hits for other people. I like this track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUjPv94LOWo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP_LpUoNx-I
Fireboy DML - Peru

This video just in for the season, a breezy Nigerian-South African duo dating back to Olakira's EP in May and that was maybe a little overlooked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjZ-SjMnx1g
Olakira feat. Moonchild Sanelly - Summer Time

People here are bound to like this lovely romantic joint. And what's not to love, it's been growing on me too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIcsU494u8M
Adekunle Gold & Lucky Daye - Sinner