Browsing Tag

Afro Beats

Delve into OnnaDi’s oceanically lush summer playlist staple, Keep a Smile

Perfect for those chilled summer vibes, OnnaDi’s seminal single, Keep a Smile, is the ultimate sun-kissed soundtrack to fledgling romances. While the lyrics allude to the infectious happiness that doesn’t relent in the presence of the person giving those honeymoon feels, the robust African rhythms bolster the grooves and the tropically lush reverb gives Keep a Smile an idyllically oceanic atmosphere.

If urban pop that breaks the monocultural mould gets the oxytocin flowing, your summer playlists won’t be the same without Keep a Smile.

Check out the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tom X Wolfe serves a smorgasbord of culture with ‘SUPADUPAFLY’.

Tom X Wolfe

Aural innovator and producer Tom X Wolfe’s 2021 album, ‘RISKY’, is an intoxicating mash of pulsing impassioned culture. It is also an exhibition of the artist’s multi-genre production and arrangement talent that has previously seen Wolfe working alongside Cash Sinatra, Maky Lavender and BGMFK. With over 3 million streams under his belt and plenty of international critical acclaim, Wolfe is set to take the industry by storm in 2021.

With African and Caribbean roots bedding down in the mix along with western notes of glitchy EDM hip hop, the lead track, ‘SUPADUPAFLY’, is the ultimate summer hip hop playlist staple. There is plenty of kick behind the 808s, but the snapping grooves feed into a sun-baked soundscape which throws plenty of jazz-laden haze your way.

Check out Tom X Wolfe on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The rise of a future legend: Fèroce drops excellent three-track EP ‘Emergence’

Fèroce is back with a supremely creative release and this time its a three-track EP that makes you appreciate his music diversity on ‘Emergence‘.

After the debut success of ‘Handy‘ earlier this year, this is an RnB fused Hip Hop entry that is almost cinematic and shows the quality of this performers strong voice and top lyrical ability.

Intentions‘ features Wxterboi and starts off proceedings that lays down a marker for the high standard of this release. The story of trying to show them your intentions but they keep on doubting you no matter what you say. The vocals are crisp and tight, the beat glows up the room and you feel the urge to turn this up all the way.

Bummy‘ features Ousha as this is probably the highlight of the EP due to its excellent lyricism and build up that soon sparks a fire within you and makes you think of living that comfortable life. No one wants to be struggling while feeding their family and this is a top track with a fiery Hip Hop flavor that sticks in your mind. Fast money is out there but the risks sometimes out way the reward as sooner or later, the blue lights shine when you least want them to and from there, everything changes.

No Banter‘ is the final track off the EP and features East London’s Just Isaiah. This feels like a track with more of an Afro-Beats vibe that certainly gets the foot stompin’ started. This is all about being taken seriously as when you are with the crew, you are out for business and the time for laughs can be saved for later.

”My music is versatile and takes inspiration from my own experiences and experiences of those around me. I speak on movements and ideologies that I’m passionate about.”- Fèroce

Emergence‘ from the wildly talented Fèroce is an excellent three-track EP that showcases the incredible variety that this young musician has deep inside his soul. He is trying out a few different styles to find which one he enjoys the most and this is an exciting period for him, as he build up his fan base and also knowledge of the wild music game.

If he can stay focused and not let unnecessary distractions lead him astray, we could be witnessing a special artist and future legend, who seems to have it all in his armor if he wants it enough.

Stream this wonderfully constructed EP via Spotify and see the visuals on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Larizzle freshens up the UK’s Tribal House Scene with the multi-layered masterstroke release ‘Ama Chill’

Ten years of DJ’ing at the forefront of the UK’s Tribal House and UK Funky scene, with a sound he describes as UK Afro House – taking in South African Amapiano along the way – Larizzle is already no stranger to the limelight. Performing in some of the biggest venues in the UK and Europe, providing guest mixes to the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra, Kiss Fresh, and Capital Xtra, and supporting big names such as Nas, Stormzy, Skepta, and Mark Ronson, might be enough for most people – not to mention twice winning the UK Official Mixtape Awards in 2012 and 2013, of course.

However, Larizzle is definitely not one to rest on his already sizeable laurels. ‘Ama Chill’ is his second personal music release, the follow up to October’s debut ‘Ama Play’, and it bears mention here the second release on his own ‘Larah Records’ label, founded in memory of Larizzle’s late daughter. Chilled yet funky from the first beat, ‘Ama Chill’ kicks in with irresistible afro drum beats and sonorous chants of ‘hey’, before melodic pipes build a repeating ariose mantra intensifying to a thumping drum-and-bassline climax. The whole track develops, piece by piece, into a multi-layered masterstroke, each section augmenting the previous parts whilst all carrying their own individual identities, that central repeated melody sticking in your head long after the final beat has echoed away.

You can check out ‘Ama Chill’ on Larizzle’s website, and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

David Adonis – Safe Distance: A Guide to Dating in the Digital Age

David Adonis allowed the airwaves to keep up with the digital evolution of romanticism with their latest single “Safe Distance”.

Safe Distance breaks the monocultural mould with rhythmically seductive melodies cooked up through an infusion of RnB, Pop and Afro Beats. But much more importantly, David Adonis served an all-important reminder through the resonant lyrics that love and romanticism are still persevere-able.

In a few years from now, tracks like Safe Distance will serve as a memento from the time we globally, simultaneously experienced love displaying resilience against the hate and chaos 2020 thew at us.

We may have a more limited way of connecting, but you can almost feel the fizz of passion between two people locked in amorous fixation when listening to the smooth grooves in David Adonis’ soulfully seductive Afro Beat single.

You can check out Safe Distance for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Quay Rashad has dropped their rhythmically entrancing Dancehall single “My Baby” featuring AU Music

https://soundcloud.com/laquay-1/my-babyfeat-quay-rashad-au-music/s-Kewoyn8uOoH

For their debut single “My Baby”, Quay Rashad borrowed the talent of AU Music and the influence of a myriad of different genres. Each stylistic genre-infusion into the Dancehall mix served to amp up the euphoria while keeping the tempo smooth and undemanding yet soulfully compelling. Hit play and you’ll find elements of Afro Beat, Reggaeton and Hip Hop under a hazily comforting production.

I absolutely adore the eclecticism to Quay Rashad’s high-vibe entrancingly rhythmic sound. There’s a true sense that the breaking artist just let their soul flow right into the soundscape and it didn’t struggle to lead the way. It’s no surprise that there’s already plenty of hype around the release. Get him on your radar.

You can check out Quay Rashad’s single My Baby for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Afro Beats Meets Hip Hop in delz Latest Single “Go and Get Rich”

Houston-based Rapper & producer delz recently dropped his latest fiery New Wave Trap track “Go and Get Rich”. Fans of high-fire Hip Hop will want to pay attention.

Instead of using pure momentum to bring energy to the mix, delz utilised a smorgasbord of different vibrant influences and tones in Go and Get Rich. You’ll be able to pick up on nuances of Pop, Rock, and Afro Beats, the latter brings plenty of warmth to the grinding immersive track.

It’s all too easy to lose yourself in the high-vibe rhythms in Go and Get Rich, it’s infectious from the first hit. Delz is evidently one to watch, especially if you’re a fan of contemporary artists such as J. Cole or Travis Scott.

You can check out Go and Get Rich for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jahmore – Universe: Tropically Sonic Afro Dancehall Rhythms

“Universe” is the standout hit from up and coming Manchester-based duo Jahmore which catapulted the evolution of Reggae Dancehall in a brand-new direction. And I can quite honestly say that I’ve never come across a more pioneeringly blistering sun-kissed offering of contemporary Dancehall.

Distinction lies at the heart of the insanely momentous mix which will take charge of your rhythmic pulses as soon as you get a taste of the transcendent intensity.

There’s an insane amount of depth between the Jangle Pop Indie melodies, the massive high-octane Dancehall beats, and the cosmic reverb in between which ensures Universe still resonates as a smooth, polished concordant mix.

Only a Manchester-based artist could ever have dreamt of bringing those Marr-Esque guitar licks into a soulful spiritual work of Fusion Reggae.

You can check out Jahmore’s fiery fresh jam for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Daron Vande – Waste Time: Sun-Soaked Afro Beats

https://soundcloud.com/daronvande/waste-time

“Waste Time” may not be great advice, but it is the sensational standout single from up and coming World Music artist Daron Vande.

The high-vibe track offers Afro-Beats with sun-soaked Reggae rhythm with one of the smoothest flows we’ve heard in a long time. The Brooklyn-based artist notably excelled in creating an arrestive mid-tempo single with plenty of melodic hooks.

The radio-ready mix is immersive from the first hit. Which is why so many Afro-Beat fans didn’t hesitate in playlisting this vibrant, polished soundscape which comes with plenty of sunny escapism. Waste Time is a track which stays true to its roots, but that’s not to say it doesn’t drip with commercial potential.

You can check out Waste Time for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MOWILLE – Help Me ft. Bella: Entrancingly Rhythmic World Music

If your soul doesn’t feel a little lighter after you’ve listened to MOWILLE’s recently released single “Help Me”, you can presume it’s a little bit broken.

As soon as you hit play on Help Me, MOWILLE’s infectious sunny disposition draws you into the rhythmically flawless feat of World music where you’ll be able to appreciate the acoustic woody instrumentals fed into a vibrant high-vibe mix.

With their vocals constantly switching between Reggae Hip Hop bars to soulful crooning and the addition of Bella’s resoundingly powerful Ballad-style vocals, there’s a smorgasbord of soul to be found in the constantly progressive track.

You can check out MOWILLE’s single along with the rest of their EP by heading over to Apple Music now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast