rolling afropop 2022

he's said it's pronounced "benson," which is his real last name

yeah, that will def put an end to any potential confusion with Buju Banton, which I assume is the reason for the name change

ha! thanks vc, I wasn't actually expecting anyone to know the answer lol. do you all listen to afrobeats podcasts or radio or...?

What's the connection between Omo Ope and Finesse?

gotcha

ha! thanks vc, I wasn't actually expecting anyone to know the answer lol. do you all listen to afrobeats podcasts or radio or...?

― rob, Friday, March 25, 2022 2:15 PM (eight minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

ha, i saw an article about his name change and it helpfully pointed out the pronunciation. also the first track on his e.p. from last year is called "daniel benson (buju)"

lmao I suppose I could have googled it myself. I only figured out the change because Finesse got greyed out on Tidal

Buju should have doubled down and renamed himself Buju Benson, who's going to recognize BNXN ?

get himself double sued

The Asake ep is dope- I didn’t quite get him at first either but he’s got it. Omo Ope is the standout though - Olamide guesting it (and him being signed to YBNL) makes a whole lot of sense. He’s very much the next generation’s Olamide.

sign of the times:

https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/ckays-love-nwantiti-tops-first-billboard-us-afrobeats-songs-chart-1235050658/

here’s the full top 30:

https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/

all Nigerian btw, except for the big Ghanaian hit of the year - which is super lovely and happens to have a suitably Naija sound:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxyzTOX_tDQ
KelvynBoy • Down Flat

my favorite cover version:

This guy 😅 @_LHOGY pic.twitter.com/X39cOXvx3v

— Black Star ⭐️ (@kelvynboymusic_) March 3, 2022

ok I get the fuss now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WU__JQuB8g

(Sungba remix w/Burna Boy)

so then how do you (and others) feel about Black Sherif before and after Burna?

“Second Sermon” (July 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFdD3Y8mqPI

“Second Sermon (Remix)” (December 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPf8LT2uNbs

how it started: “First Sermon” (May 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M8GrF2b7M0

so yeah, these are all from 2021, but they’re very relevant to the BBC piece curmudgeon linked about Ghana drill/asakaa, even though Black Sherif, the biggest star to come out of this scene so far, doesn’t even get a mention there.

this sound has blown up in Ghana over the past 18 months at least, and has been influencing mainstream Ghanaian pop as well. I have to admit I was slow to catch on - for instance, I only realized well afterwards that that big bass in Okyeame Kwame’s “Yeeko” (as well as many other recent Kuami Eugene-helmed hits) comes straight from drill.

a recent one that comes out of asakaa but very much does its own slightly trippy thing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=294N-3477PU
Jay Bahd ft. Skyface SDW, Chicogod & City Boy • Masherita

the black sherif x burna boy track is excellent, it's true

I do prefer that version yeah, but I should have said re: Asake that it wasn't so much that Burna elevates the song, more that it prompted me to listen to it again and I liked it—that said Burna is always welcome!

that Masherita is really good. drill (or that glissando bass sound anyway) is huge in dancehall right now too

table is the table posted this in last year's thread, though unfortunately it looks like you can't stream it there anymore: https://hakunakulala.bandcamp.com/album/nai-yetu-mixtape

sorry, should mentioned that's Kenyan

that glissando bass sound

haha I tried to explain the difference between trap and drill to a friend recently and "glissando bass" is about the only way to do it quickly

fun to listen back to Yeeko with that in mind btw, I definitely hadn't picked up on that either given how different the vibe is (this time I also noticed he says "drilly" at one point...I think)

Interesting how Free Mind from 2020 is outperforming most of the songs from If Orange Was A Place

I had no idea either, but I just checked the YouTube comments: people are seriously feeling this song

Less glissando bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErIwMUm91Xs
Pabi Cooper, Focalistic & Ch'cco - Banyana Ke Bafana

Focalistic is still on a roll, beyond the fact that something in his pitch is the definition of (bafana) charisma

This is also delightful and proper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsRwRaOqrxw
June Freedom, Djodje - Si Ki Min Krè

I don't remember we posted that song with Buju which is on Basketmouth's all-pleasant Horoscopes EP (if you want 20 Nigerian stars pocketed in a EP size).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg5yK6aZ2C8
Your Body

Video for Emiliana is out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypr5QN7Xn_M
Ckay - Emiliana

“all-pleasant” is selling Horoscopes short, I feel. It was my favourite afrobeats/afropop album/EP of the year until Rema came along.
it’s world-famous-in-Naija comedian Basketmouth’s second project as a musical curator, after 2020’s Yaba, which was also very good. Remember “Myself” with Show Dem Camp and Oxlade?
On the new one he’s also included Ghanaian artists like Efya and Kwabena Kwabena.

A very important factor in the success of these projects is producer Duktor Sett, who has managed to forge a wonderful, unifying sound for all these different performers (a sound with lots of oldskoolisms - I’ve never drunk it, but I always wish I had some palm wine at hand when I’m listening to this stuff)

Read more about it in this Joey Akan piece

There’s also an accompanying podcast with Basketmouth and Duktor Sett, I just discovered. (I haven’t listened to it yet)

Anyway, this is “Money”, featuring Oxlade and Efya:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHhgx1M9itg

(btw we really need to talk about Oxlade! the guy is responsible for both my favourite song (well, it was a tie) and my favourite afropop “project” of 2021, and I can’t find any mention of either on ILM!)

this is Oxlade’s first single of this year, “Want You”:

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

(btw we really need to talk about Oxlade! the guy is responsible for both my favourite song (well, it was a tie) and my favourite afropop “project” of 2021, and I can’t find any mention of either on ILM!)
― I'm too sophisti for the pun generator, so sophisti it hurts (breastcrawl), Friday, April 1, 2022 6:47 PM (forty-four minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

Which were those ? He didn't really have much to his name last year, even if I usually like everything he's on, Kolo with Ice Prince being a big one, Ojújú maybe ? If we are talking about the Dunnie Remix (technically 2020), then as sole voter in the YEP I feel entitled to ask for explanations :D

I think the production on such all-star projects, which requires no risk taken, is what holds back more of my enthusiasm on the Horoscopes EP. I tend to see them as a showcase, a pretty polished postal card for Nigerian music. I did hesitate in also linking Celowi and the closer, my other two favorites on first listen. Also seeing The Cavemen. being featured again made me think I should get interested in whoever is doing highlife in 2022. Anyway, all-pleasant was meant positively.

I really like Want You, it starts vibey, but then the bass pulse comes, and it finishes almost funky.

oh, I’m aware “all-pleasant” was meant positively, but it felt too much like damning the ep/album with faint praise when it’s actually damn excellent.

but let’s talk Oxlade >>>>>>> oh yes, “Ojuju”was definitely *that* song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzvDyh0DOIY

…and the Eclipse EP it’s from is *that* project - all four tracks produced by a magically rejuvenated DJ Coublon, all four among my most played tracks of the year.

(for some reason, these August releases were given “Troniq Music” as their main artist after having intially been simply credited to Oxlade - Troniq Music being nothing more than the name of the (his own?) record label. very confusing and commercially unwise. I suspect a Starboy-like situation, as in: after Oxlade signed an international deal with Epic Records, he may no longer have been allowed to release that stuff under his own name. haven’t been able to verify this tho)

the long and short of it is that Oxlade has become my favourite singer in afropop. the guy’s in love with his own voice and all the things he can do with it and I love him for it.
his feature-to-own-material ratio is about 10 to 1, I think, but this year should see more, more, more of solo-him. either way, most of his features are very exciting as well - this vocal tour de force from last year was a big hit in Ghana, for instance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqmxpTbOHX4
Sarkodie ft. Oxlade • Non Living Thing

At first I thought the hook on Fireboy DML's new single was a bit light and I've rapidly changed my mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaC6tL7zYxo
Fireboy DML - Playboy

Also since we've established that remixes are a good thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7wqi1HZFq8
1da Banton - No Wahala remix feat. Kizz Daniel & Tiwa Savage

Ojuju is beautiful! I'll have to check out the rest of that EP as I loved "Away" back in 2020 but he hasn't crossed my radar since. "I Want You" didn't make as much of an impression, but I'll revisit it later.

I'm into this new BNXN that's in a hazy, relaxed & warm mood, sounds like an afternoon nap with the windows open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COgIYkIzg1k

BNXN - For Days

new Black Sherif, “Kwaku the Traveller”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb6I7GoTvzI

can’t remember the last time a Ghanaian artist did so well in Nigeria, if at all: this song is Naija’s most streamed track, the Burna remix of “Second Sermon” is at 10 and he’s got features at 3 (“Always” with Darkoo) and 19 (Poco Lee’s “Yard”).

his delivery is so dramatic, with that great voice he has

“For Days” is lovely - hints at r&b (which it has in common with some of the Rema and, of course, MiL-Wizzy).

“No Wahala” is one of those surprisingly (well, I’m starting to get used to it) big global Afropop hits on TikTok/Shazam. They’re going the “Love Nwantiti” route with it, with all sorts of remixes (there’s a French one out, for instance). Absolute banger, of course - the kind that sounds like it’s always existed. Love the slide guitar.

“Playboy” is good, not “Peru”-good, but very solid, and it might grow on me some more.

Can we take a moment to let Fireboy’s success sink in? “Peru”, in its *excellent* Ed Sheeran remix version, peaked at #2 in the UK for several weeks and is still in the top 5, and currently sits at 53 in the Billboard Hot 100. Man even has a video with Madonna under his belt. I wish him Elton John and of course Jon Bellion collabs next.

btw, the Peru remix spawned some of the dumbest reviews in TSJ in living memory, I’m talking about the second and third 4-scores.

and yes, rob and everyone else who hasn’t heard it yet, do check out that Oxlade EP, as well as the Basketmouth album!

loving this from Boj (who goes waaay back in the Naija scene) with Moliy and Mellissa (who you might both know from the Amaarae album, they’re sisters apparently):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyqSIHjvgUk
“In The Loop”

previous single, the Juls-produced “Culture” with Enny, is good too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWtCDU1EQmc

8-song EP on the softer side featuring two songs with Azana including title track Nanini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DKNliP8Gac
Lebza TheVillain feat. Sino Msolo & Tosh - Sosha

Introducing Magixx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=divDTLBDmCw
Magixx - Chocolate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwsGYaF-cEM
Magixx feat. Ayra Starr - Love Don't Cost a Dime (Re-up)

hadn’t checked in on prolific Ghanaian (self) producer Magnom for quite some time, but “Sweetie”s low-key vibe hits the spot for me today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gs9kaxxI4U

"kwaku the traveller" is really something, isn't it? immediately commanding. idk if i've ever heard this kind of delivery over a drill beat

Mellow & Sleazy are dropping a 9-song album (EP ?) in three days. I am enjoying the drive and percussions in recent single SJEPA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkAeAc23vLU
Mellow & Sleazy (feat. Focalistic & M.J) - SJEPA

Actually, that edit is no good and they should all be credited
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHkm9Odpzw4
Focalistic, Mellow & Sleazy and M.J - SJEPA

went on vacation for a week so I'm behind here, but that Boj "In A Loop" song is really nice

Billboard profile on the newly Warner-signed Pheelz

he’s hoping for Cardi B and/or ***Ye and/or Rihanna and/or Drake on the remix for “Finesse”

yeah some of those are really dope... feel like he could get even better if the songwriting improves but the style is intriguing. i think i like the candy rain one the most

Really loving the Kwesta and Kabza album. N'gud vibes!

Candy rain melody too obvious for me to love but the dj song is good I think, albeit quirky conceptually for the states

Bad news in London; there was a crowd crush at an Asake show: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/16/four-people-in-critical-condition-after-crush-at-o2-academy-brixton

that looks absolutely horrible… :-(

yeah that’s horrible. have been enjoying the asake album and had been thinking of going as it’s just down the road.

💔 pic.twitter.com/ne110ugRFb

— ASAKE (@asakemusik) December 17, 2022

The Uproxx poll of “hundreds of critics “ ( mostly US American I think) didn’t have much afropop afrobeats that I could see

Beyoncé won albums poll. 26 voted for Rosalia album, 3 votes for Burna Boy album, 2 votes for Rauw Alejandro album, 3 votes for Asake album

Burna Boy “Last Last” did make singles/tracks list

ok thanks

enjoying this list: https://www.passionweiss.com/2022/12/27/best-afro-jams-2022/

favourite discoveries so far are cabo snoop - "controlla" and yemi alade - "baddie"

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oPkeBJA5NU

Oh I had lost touch with Yemi Alade who was great live when I saw her a few years ago. Thanks

https://afropop.org/articles/2022-afropop-best-of-amapiano-and-afrobeats-top-10

These afropop. org lists are kinda randomly chosen it appears , but y'all might still find them of interest

― curmudgeon, Monday, January 2, 2023 5:13 PM (0 seconds ago) bookmarkflaglink

the rs list posted on the eoy thread looks promising
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-afropop-songs-of-2022-1234650065/

an interesting development: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/vigro-deep-my-house-my-rules/

Sunday New York Times newspaper has their Johannesburg bureau chief listing Art and music he likes . He mentioned Bakwa Lah video and his love of amapiano