Rolling Afropop 2023

Lol!

Omah Lay’s Holy Ghost is positively gorgeous:

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

And ODUMODUBLVCK’s Blood On The Dancefloor is something too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr5YwkazQbw

what albums/tracks have been favourites this year, i've done a terrible job at keeping on top of this thread

Tyla (amapiano crossover)

made a thread for tyla since the album's on its way

Apart from the usual suspects (Co-star, Pretty Girl, the Asake and Burna Boy albums etc) I still listen to Adekunle Gold - Chasing Peace of Mind and Davido - In The Garden. I don't get why Unavailable became the big hit, I love that other song to bits.

At this stage, a lot of the less poppy, more instrumental, and dare i say it 'donk-flavoured', amapiano reminds me of the experimentalism of vintage dub

Vibekulture Sa & Mcdeez Fboy - Duck Vibes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CySpcmCx6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ7zd5A6lQI
Oxlade - Katigori

From the year I'd say:
- Anything Victony is on
- Ditto Buju / BXNX
- Crayon & Ayra Starr - Ngozi
- Byron Messia - Talibans
- Fireboy DML - Yawa
- Omah Lay - Reason
- Reekado Banks - Feel Different
- Leigh-Anne - My Love
- Adanna Duru - Pop!
- 2Point1 - Stimela
- Abigail Chams & Marioo - Nani?
- Sho Madjozi - Chale

That's a start.

I'm enjoying seeing this girl grow, she's a raw talent, gives off Gyakie/Tems vibes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqdyB5k1sJI
Qing Madi - Vision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj9mwag091U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YJXW0uwHrU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-PkIzv-Qt8

i really need to keep up with senegalese music properly because it has the best drums in the world

me too, i always have the same reaction! thank you for posting these.

Couple other things that caught my ear from Senegalese charts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haBMfY0z5M8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKboYK87ROg

ooh "ni la deh" is lovely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9e3AogOOz0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5RChlIETwA

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

i really love "surprise"

Tangal might be the first one I'm really connecting to. But yeah striking how their style is at the crossroads of so many things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hALNVDRN4_U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmioOXClM2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg81-Iv_guU

ok that's exhausted my youtube digging of the last few days

Really feeling the 3-Step stuff today

Wow, that list of Senegalese music kinda just got better and better. Might vote for Tégguil sa Tank when EOY listmaking begins.

If dog latin or anyone else wants to do a posting spree of 3-step videos it would be must appreciated. What little I've heard, I've liked.

Also, new Teni album out last month, for the people who enjoyed Wondaland! It's not as good, unfortunately :(

Narah Diouf I see was mentioned last year for a track , and I like that 2023 track “Teguil sa Tank” with Bilou XIV also.

https://sondela-recordings.bandcamp.com/album/rising-strong

I have no idea what to call this, it's afrohouse and Thakzin is involved.

Honestly, there's a lot more going on here, kind of big room-ish electrohouse? But it doesn't suck?

Also it's weird to see the old UK Funky people involved in this, Dubplate Malice releases afrohouse on his label and Perempay and Davinche just released something on Sondela a couple months ago.

Asake and Amaare made Fader best 2023 albums list

last month's cruel santino ep is wonderful, especially "ftr" which combines mbalax drums (finally that sound is moving beyond senegal/gambia!) with rage synths which is an incredible combo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGhEzL3e72o

Oooh, new Cruel Santino music! Thanks :)

Flavour's Big Baller is a banger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf40zo26TIE

Tyla “water” was 17th on the Uproxx music critic poll for songs.

Amaarae 14th on Uproxx critics poll for albums

I just wanted to do a final post to acknowledge the death of Zahara on 11 December 2023. She died from liver failure age 36 after years of battle with alcoholism. She was a Xhosa girl from a village outside of East London who made it big. Life and music labels didn't treat her too well, but her voice shined powerfully. Maybe those stories make me emotional, but I have to repress tears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1CMWnxfFys
Zahara - Ndiza

And one more for the road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEV_4xBrMJU
DJ SBu feat. Zahara - Lengoma

Someone should start an Afropop 2024 thread please.

Done

Rolling afropop 2024