Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Dear music enthusiasts,
I trust this message finds you well and basking in the melodies of the new year. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the musical gems we shared last week. If you did, buckle up because we have a consistent supply of dazzling tunes from around Africa and her diaspora planned for you throughout the year. Our journey together promises to uncover hidden gems, showcase talented artistes, and ensure you’re serenaded with the best sounds you might have missed.
Before we immerse ourselves in this week’s musical wonders, a quick reminder: if you’re an aspiring musician with a track that deserves its moment in the spotlight, send us an email at yinoluu@afrocritik.com to learn how to be considered. Stay in the loop by following us on all our social media platforms @Afrocritik, and you won’t miss any playlist information or artiste spotlights.
Now, let’s embark on the delightful journey through this week’s musical treasures:
Vocal Chops On Display:
Prepare to be enchanted by the impeccable vocals on display this week. Yung D3mz’s Before the Sun Comes Down EP showcases his pristine vocals on tracks like “Futuristic” and the soulful “Game Love”. Tesh Carter’s Toxic EP is a vocal feast, boasting performances that captivate on “On and On”, the mesmerising “Lose My Head”, and the remix to the powerful “Monster”. Nigeria’s vocal king, Timi Dakolo, treats us to an hour-long auditory experience in his album The Chorus Leader, featuring gems like “This Woman”, the heartfelt “No Forget Home”, and the soulful “Ke Na Ke So”. Singer Kemuel flexes his vocal prowess with the soft delivery on the emotive “Stay”.
Outstanding Unique Albums:
Dive into captivating and unique sonics that rule the day in this category. Kenyan rapper, Blinky Bill, delivers one of the most engaging and varied listens in ages with We Cut Keys 2. Experience the magic of tracks like the infectious “Remedy”, the mysterious “Dracula”, the hustler’s anthem “Get That Paper”, and the Goldlink-assisted gem “Compare”. Kwazulu-Natal native Mnqobi Yazo’s UBHOKO album enchants with soulful tunes like “I Believe” and the soul-stirring “Insingizi”. South African rapper, Priddy Ugly, delivers a masterclass throughout DUST, showcasing tracks like the reflective “No Plans”, the soulful “Soul Food”, the energetic “Ntja’ka”, and my personal favourite, the thought-provoking “Piece 4 Peace”.
These highlighted tunes are just a glimpse of the musical wonders waiting for you on the playlist. There’s more to discover on the albums and from the artistes mentioned, so go check them out. And if you’re an aspiring artiste with music worth spotlighting, don’t forget to reach out to us at yinoluu@afrocritik.com for all the details.
So, immerse yourself in the magic of these sounds, submit your music if you have a gem to share, and enjoy the musical journey until next week. May your days be filled with beautiful melodies!
Yours in music,
Yinoluwa “Yinoluu” Olowofoyeku is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative who finds expression in various media. His music can be found across all platforms and he welcomes interaction on his social media @Yinoluu.