Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Greetings, fellow music adventurers!
Today, as we stand at the threshold of a brand new spotlight, there’s an extra spring in our step and a sparkle in our eyes. Why, you ask? Well, it’s International Women’s Day, a momentous occasion to celebrate the radiant spirits and boundless talents of women everywhere! We’re seizing this opportunity to celebrate the incredible strength, resilience, and beauty of women everywhere. To all the remarkable women out there, this spotlight is dedicated to you!
But that’s not all! Today marks the debut of our revamped spotlight series, now making its grand entrance on Fridays instead of Saturdays. Don’t fret about the change; consider it a delightful surprise in your weekly routine. Remember to follow us on our socials @Afrocritik to stay in the loop about such delightful adjustments.
Now, let’s talk tunes! This week’s playlist is a veritable treasure trove of sonic splendour, carefully curated to dazzle your senses and uplift your spirits. It’s been an absolute joy curating this playlist, as it’s brimming with eclectic sounds from across Africa and her diaspora. Trust me when I say this is one of my personal favourites in recent memory.
Before we delve into the musical journey that awaits, a gentle reminder: aspiring musicians, take note! If you’ve got a musical masterpiece waiting to be discovered, don’t hesitate to shoot us an email at yinoluu@afrocritik.com for a chance to shine in the spotlight.
Now, let’s uncover the musical gems of the week:
Some Fun Afro-Piano Jams: Prepare to be swept away by the infectious energy of Afro-Piano as the stylistic fusion of Amapiano and Afrobeats continues to give us fresh sounds to enjoy. Straffiti ignites the dancefloor with the electrifying “Personally“, while Kemuel serenades us with the enchanting “Polo“. Kenyan singer, Bien, teams up with South Africa’s Ricky Tyler for “Another Episode”, Kweku Flick takes an interesting approach on “Our Day” and Nigerian newcomer, badthesoundboy, delivers an infectious unique spin on “Dangerous”.
Subtle and Sensual Afrobeats: Transitioning to the softer side of Afrobeats, we find ourselves enveloped in a groovy emotion. Sam Adeniji’s “Water” cascades like a gentle stream, while Ess thee Legend’s “Abyss” beckons us into a world of introspection. Oche explores sensuality on “Jeje”, Chinko Ekun gets introspective on “Wait”, Dumomi the Jig expresses his desires with “Butterfly”, Lagos-born Mus increases the temperature on “Stabilizer”, and H3riQ flaunts his NeoSoul-Makossa stylings on “Mo”.
Brilliant Projects to Explore: This week gave us a number of albums and EPs to sink our adventurous teeth into. Angolan rapper and singer IAMDDB gives us “Ibiza”, “Cry Baby”, and “Reminder I’m That Ni**a”, from her 6th project Love Is War, Ghanaian all-rounder, Smallgod, gives us the star-studded Bridging The Gap album represented here by “All Mine” with Ms Banks, “Oh My Days” with Haile and King Promise, and “Want Me”. Oliveboy releases the deluxe version of his Avana project, from which we get “Home Alone” and “NBA”. We get “My Name is Rave”, “Sapa”, and the sombre “4:00 AM” from the Raveolution project by Rave, and Oosha’s new Ooshatide project gives us “Motivate” and “Over U”.
But wait, there’s more! I’ve only scratched the surface of what awaits you in the playlist. Be sure to listen in for the full spectrum of musical magic and don’t forget to explore the featured artists and albums in their entirety.
And remember, if you’re harbouring a musical masterpiece of your own, we’re here to help you shine. Submit your music to yinoluu@afrocritik.com for a chance to be featured in future spotlights.
Now, without further ado, let the music wash over you like a warm embrace. Share, recommend, and revel in the joy of discovery as we embark on this musical journey together. Until next time, stay tuned and keep the rhythm alive!
Warm regards,
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.