Browsing Tag

Afro Fusion

Groove away heartbreak with the hot-to-handle afrobeat hit, Shakara Love, from Mr Yomi.

Posted on 11 June 2023

Waves of euphoria crashed in with the latest single from the heir to the UK afrobeat scene, Mr Yomi; Shakara Love is the perfect introduction to one of London’s hottest rising artists.

At tonal value, Shakara Love is your archetypal vibe-steady summer earworm, but lock into the captivating soundtrack and explore the depths of unrequited love, narrated by Yomi’s luxe with animated soul vocal lines which effervesce around the steamily ascending Afrobeat melodies that will leave you yearning to hit the dancehall floor.

It is one thing to create a high-vibe anthem from a track that gravitates around a bright lyrical theme. It is another entirely to hit the rhythmic ground running with a sunny-side-up sensibility while versing on raw emotion.

Shakara Love hit all major streaming platforms on May 26; hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Princess Wonda is the future of afro-fusion in her sensually emboldening single, My Body

Posted on 21 April 2023

Princess Wonda is the future of afro-fusion in her sensually body-positive single, My Body, taken from her eponymous EP. The UK-born Nigerian vocalist and entertainer unforgettably entered the world music scene in 2021 alongside the Congolese legends 1da Banton and Awilo Longomba. Her debut album charted at #27 on iTunes; given the sensuously rhythmic glamour in My Body, we’re putting our money on this soulfully indulgent hit getting even higher.

One of the hardest relationships women can form is with the skin they’re in; Princess Wonda is the ultimate aural relationship coach in My Body by radiating the confidence that every woman should want to exude. Exotic yet wholesome in equal measure, My Body spills sun-drenched good vibes by the smorgasbord. If this isn’t the afro-pop hit of the summer, there is something seriously wrong with the music industry.

My Body was officially released on April 21; check it out on Spotify.


Review by Amelia Vandergast

ISSAMWERA show us what real rhythm sounds like with ‘Issamwera’ (feat. Adrianna Ferro and Sunna Fridjons)

Posted on 27 April 2022

Bringing our healing planet a warm welcome as they look to reboot their travels after this horrific pandemic wreaked their tour plans, ISSAMWERA soothes our souls with something rather spellbindingly incredible on ‘Issamwera‘ (feat. Adrianna Ferro and Sunna Fridjons).

ISSAMWERA is an indie Iceland-based 6-piece band that performs African, Latin and Jazz rhythms to captivate audiences wherever they play live.

Formed by Yara aka monace, the inspiring Mozambican-born Icelandic multi-instrumentalist, when she started missing the vibe of her beautiful home country. She then brought in bassist Andres, the Argentinian-Icelander, Cheik, the Guinean-Icelander and Kwami, the Brazilian-Icelander on percussion, with Ellert on keys and Ingo on guitar, as the band was now complete with the two locals making this a truly international outfit.

”The band’s name comes from blending the meaning of two words: “Issam-wera”, which is a word from Sena a language from Beira, Mozambique, that means “to come”, Mwera referencing the Mwera tribe in North Mozambique, and”Samvera” from the Icelandic language, meaning “togetherness.” Uniting all these meanings to place Issamwera as being “welcomed.” ~ ISSAMWERA

Shaking our earlobes alive with a magnificently unique energy that is perfect for music festivals, ISSAMWERA displays a tight performance that is absolutely magnetic and might take your breath away. This is a cinematic single that shall get you in the mood to groove and dance all your worries away.

‘Issamwera‘ (feat. Adrianna Ferro and Sunna Fridjons) from Iceland-based 6-piece Afro-Fusion band ISSAMWERA, is a superbly authentic single that takes you into a world that is packed with a genuine vibe that grabs your attention with wonderful aplomb. They connect so naturally and this is something rather special, that needs to be heard all over the world. It’s that good.

Listen to this new single on Spotify and check out their IG page for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Make Me A Friend: YXL Ayo stomps on the snakes with ‘Fimile’ (Prod. Hippy Jack)

Posted on 10 July 2021

Inspired by his late Grandma who kindly asked him to add in Yoruba into his music arsenal, YXL Ayo is back with a fantastic new single off his six-track ‘IBUKUN‘ EP called ‘Fimile‘ (Prod. Hippy Jack).

YXL Ayo is a Skegness, England-based indie Afro-Fusion artist with Nigerian heritage. He fuses a wonderful mix of self-aware lyrics that is on the right path to that ultimate enlightenment, which has you excited for his future.

”YXL Ayo has gone back to his Nigerian roots and is back with a new Afro-Fusion inspired EP titled “Ibukun”, which translates to blessed/blessing from Yoruba which is a native language in Nigeria.” – YXL Ayo

You feel his fueled up motivation here as he sounds in peak form, with a clearly crisp like-a-summers-morning vibe that sparks your attention into his exciting mindset.

”On ‘Fimile’ a moody tune about brotherhood that doubles as the perfect soundtrack to a late-night drive, Ayo delves into mental health, nightlife and the downside of social encounters.” – YXL Ayo

This is an emerging artist who has brought on a smokey-cool beat that blazes rightfully into the mixture here to emanate something quite special. There is no fake energies here, only an inner feeling which tells you that he is tired of the games and being disappointed. His only goals are to be happy inside, whilst leaving everyone else to get caught up in all the small-mindedness.

‘Fimile‘ (Prod. Hippy Jack) from the Nigerian/UK-based artist YXL Ayo, is one of the more assured tracks so far in 2021 in this highly competitive genre, as its stacked full of world class quality and that rare memorable nature that has you nodding your head in approval. His beloved late Grandma would be mightily proud.

Stream this new track on Spotify and see more views on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Andrea Charls ‘Arrow’ – a beautiful, soulful, indescribable whirlwind of exquisite vocal delivery

Posted on 21 December 2020

Andrea Charls is already an internationally recognised singer-songwriter, working with artists as diverse as Bobby McFerrin, Annie Lennox, Javier Limon, Pepe de Lucia, and Mario Frangoulis, with work recognised by the Latin Grammy Awards, The International Songwriting Competition, and the Hollywood Music and Media Awards.

Her new single ‘Arrow’ is a whirlwind of deep, rumbling bass, sequenced synthesisers, and Charls’ stunning, delicate multiply-layered vocal parts. There are elements of Suzanne Vega’s work here, mixed in with a vaguely Latin feel and obvious hints of Charls’ Cypriot heritage (Andrea was born and raised in Cyprus before moving to Boston, Mass., to pursue her career). It’s a dazzling track, melancholic, uplifting, charming, and elegant all at once, choir-like in parts and upbeat in others, all held together by Charls’ exquisite vocal delivery. Lyrically thought-provoking and contemplative, beautifully performed, and intricately put together; ‘Arrow’ really does deserve to be heard. Often.

Listen to ‘Arrow’ on Spotify; follow Andrea Charls on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

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

Posted on 20 August 2020
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

LaiLaiTee reminds us to always have love ”On Your Mind”

Posted on 15 June 2020

Tokunbo Samuel aka LaiLaiTee is an Irish-Nigerian singer-songwriter and producer. Recently, he relocated to Johannesburg in South Africa to study and record music. LaiLaiTee describes his style of music as Afro-fusion and that’s exactly the vibe going there. It’s Africa to the core and I personally love it. Being South African born, this reminds me of some wild parties and music to bounce to while in the mini-bus taxi headed to work.

”On Your Mind” is a well-produced song that is passionately delivered with outstanding vigor from a clearly talented artist. This is a man who knows what is wants and is finding out what is on her mind. He wants clarity and won’t stop until he has the answer. LaiLaiTee is currently in the City of Gold in South Africa where he will find the biggest music industry in Southern Africa. He has a big future and big things are set to come. You can feel his willingness to put in 100% and not expect anything given to him.

Stream this new track right here on Spotify.

Head to his Facebook page to get more info on future gigs.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Jahmore – Universe: Tropically Sonic Afro Dancehall Rhythms

Posted on 28 January 2020

“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

Posted on 10 January 2020
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

Ivory Blue – Wait for Me: Rhythmically Rendered Afro Fusion

Posted on 29 July 2019

“Wait for Me” is the incredibly endearing latest single from up and coming Afro-Fusion artist Ivory Blue. As you’d hope, there’s plenty of groove which will pull you along through the rhythmically organic progressions in the melodically spaced single.

The exotic beats take inspiration from Reggae, Dancehall, R&B, and Naija culture to offer a dynamic soundscape which you’ll definitely want to feature on your Summer playlists.

Despite the good vibe feel to the track, the lyricism isn’t what you’d expect from your average Afro-Fusion track, it plays around with the subject of the uncertainty of love while avoiding becoming a lovelorn single; ultimately allowing the single to resonate as incredibly authentic.

You can check out Ivory Blue’s latest single Wait for Me for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast