Browsing Tag

Afropop

Flex3r created a meditative dreamscape with his pop-hip-hop crossover, Let It Go

Posted on 21 October 2023

Flex3r (AKA Cedric Kasongo) versed the bars that punctuate his honeyed harmonies straight from the soul in his latest cocktail of hip-hop, RnB, Afrobeat and pop, Let It Go. Since making his debut, he’s established himself as an authentically compelling creator who pushes the limits of hip-hop; with Let It Go, he allowed his sound to sit on a plateau of pure mindful compassion.

While no one ever needs permission to let negativity go, we all need affirmations weaved into cathartically euphonic soundscapes from time to time. Harbouring hate will only serve to hold you back in life; let it go, and unshackle yourself with this stunning dreamscape of a release that borders on psychedelic etherealism.

The Congolese-American recording artist is clearly one to watch; from the distinction in his signature style to the revelations in his lyrics, the melody-maker who was born in DR Congo, raised in Zambia, and lives in Baton Rouge, is unparalleled through his determination to stay in his own lane.

Let It Go breathed freedom onto the airwaves on October 13; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

Daniel Aether poured soul into the fourth deadly sin with his afrobeat electro earworm, Envious

Posted on 25 February 2023

With his latest single, Envious, the Nigerian-Italian singer Daniel Aether raised the roof on Afrohouse while exploring the fourth deadly sin with flavourful soul.

There are few things in this world as disheartening as unveiling jealousy from someone that pretended to be a friend; we’ve all been there, and now we have the ultimate soundtrack for euphonic redemption. If success brings bitterness to your inner circle, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will be hoping for your downfall.

The 21-year-old Scotland-residing artist takes influence for his afrobeat electro earworms from a wide array of genres, resulting in a melodious sound that he can definitively call his own. While the Kaytranda-ESQUE beats bring the energy and colour, Aether’s opulently rich vocal lines spill the harmonised ad-libs that will undoubtedly become what he’s revered for in his promising career.

Envious will be available to stream from February 24th. Hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Marshall Stain has announced his debut single: ZOMBIE

Posted on 31 October 2022

Marshall Stain is an artist and songwriter who perfected a distinctive blend of Amapiano and Afro-Pop music influences. Recently, he announced his upcoming debut single, ZOMBIE. The track serves as a groundbreaking introduction to Marshall’s infectious grooves and melodies. In addition, it also highlights the incredible versatility the Johannesburg artist brings to his audience.

The song is not a stand-alone single: it will also feature on Marshall’s upcoming EP, “VILLAIN YOU LOVE,” which is going to be available on streaming services soon. The song kicks off with a melodic acoustic guitar pattern and it quickly delves into a minimalistic, yet incredibly powerful beat. Marshall’s vocals are melodic and energetic, immediately making a connection with the audience.

Find out more about Marshall Stain, and do not miss out on “ZOMBIE.” The song is now available on all the best digital streaming services.

GIFTED rocks Afropop with hip hop in his latest single, Mr. Oh No

Posted on 6 October 2022

Afropop rocks with hip hop in the up-and-coming artist GIFTED’s latest single, Mr. Oh No, which brings the best out of his trademark lyrical hook, which any of the Canadian artist’s fans will know to be “oh no, oh no”.

It sounds simple, but with the soul that GIFTED pours into his vocal delivery, it is an efficaciously ensnaring feat of vocal melodicism that proves why the young luminary hasn’t failed to rack up in excess of 50k streams with some of his releases that are all about the warm melodic loops and the vibes which prove that conviction doesn’t need to be synonymous with aggression.

Mr. Oh No officially dropped on September 22nd; check it out on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alabama EDM hip hop artist Cashies is looking fly in his urban dance track, My Money

Posted on 16 September 2022

One of Alabama’s hottest urban dance artists, Cashies, dropped the ultimate feel-good Afrobeat pop track with his seminal 2021 release, My Money.

The warm and saturated hip hop-influenced instrumentals around the dancey BPM and the funk in the grooves makes My Money the ultimate track to listen to while you’re on your grind or on your daily commute. The simple yet infectiously efficacious lyrics bring a sense of optimism and positive determinism that is scarcely seen in the airwaves in 2022. Whether you’re balling or scratching a living, there are no limits on who can derive euphoria from this fly release, which exhibits the soul in Cashies’ playful RnB pop vocal timbre.

Any fans of Playboy Carti, Travis Scott and Kanye, won’t want to miss out on this dance-worthy track that puts you in the best headspace to live your life to the fullest.

My Money is available to stream on SoundCloud and purchase and download from Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get your good vibes straight from the source in ORAL P’s blister of Afropop bliss, Give Me Love O

Posted on 10 September 2022

East Nigeria-hailing Afropop artist ORAL P has captured international audiences since his 2018 debut; in his first release of 2022, Give Me Love O, he’s as soulfully versatile as ever.

With its jazzy undertones and rich Afrobeat flavour, Give Me Love O falls into that rare category of music that throws away commercialism, embraces a brand of soul that knows no borders and oozes commercial potential as a result of the vibrantly innate good vibes. With Give Me Love O on your playlists, you will always have a source of serotonin.

The Radio Edit of Give Me Love O is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Afrobeat Artist Wisdom has released his debut chart-topping album “(Not) Just a Man”

Posted on 28 November 2019

Internationally acclaimed Afrobeat artist Wisdom has recently released their debut album “(Not) Just a Man” and injected plenty of organic soul onto the airwaves.

(Not) Just a Man has already reached the tops of the charts in Nigeria, and the exotic rhythms are sure to enamour anyone in the search for vibrant, flowing Afropop in colder climates too.

With each track being infectiously euphoric and glistening with sun-kissed soul, each track stands as a testament to their versatility. With elements of R&B, Afro Pop, Jazz, Afro-Soul and Afro House all utilised under a deft rhythmic command, there’s a smorgasbord of different sticky-sweet textures to delve into. Yet, we’d recommend hitting play on the punchy energetic earworm which is “Zombie” for the best introduction to Wisdom’s magnetic sound.

You can check out Wisdom’s debut album for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MARENIKAE – VYBZ: Roots Deep Electronic Afropop

Posted on 5 March 2019

If your average Pop hit doesn’t have near enough rhythm, West African singer songwriter MARENIKAE has the rhythmic remedy. Her latest single “VYBZ” was released after the successful release of her debut album “Ajebutter” and it serves not only as a convergence of musical styles, but also for different cultural norms and narratives.

Usually, with Neo-Soul the inclination may be there to keep it as old school as possible to keep the authenticity of the sound but MARENIKAE isn’t your average artist. Instead, she’s curated a single which has every possibility of appealing to a cross-generational audience. Soak up the roots of Soul while appreciating the magnetic vocal talent to the tune of Electronic Afropop in this potently powerful hit.

You can check out the extended version of MARENIKAE’s latest single VYBZ for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast