Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight 2024: Week 8
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Greetings, cherished music aficionados!
How delightful it is to have you grace us with your presence once again. Your arrival brings a ray of sunshine to our musical abode, and we couldn’t be happier to see you here. Despite encountering some power hiccups in Nigeria last week, we refused to let anything dampen our spirits. And guess what? We’re back, and we’ve returned bearing gifts! Not only are we resuming our spotlight festivities, but we’re also thrilled to unveil the March edition of our monthly editorial list. It’s a double dose of joy that we’re eager to share with you!
Remember to stay connected with us by following all our social media channels @afrocritik. This way, you’ll always be in the loop with the latest playlist updates and music discoveries.
This week’s playlist was an intriguing adventure to compile, as I traversed through a plethora of new artistes and stumbled upon some truly unique sounds. But before we immerse ourselves in the auditory bliss, a gentle reminder: aspiring musicians, your moment in the spotlight awaits! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at yinoluu@afrocritik.com for a chance to shine.
Now, let’s embark on a journey through the mesmerising musical realms of this week’s spotlight:
High Energy Afrobeats: Prepare to be swept away by a wave of pulsating rhythms and melodies as we enter into the realm of high-energy Afrobeats. Producer collective, 44DB, enlist Babbz and KC Freely for “Hol’ Up“, Krizmoni features Jamoyper on “Billion Dollar Chasing“, Patoranking joins Kocee on the fun “Credit Alert“, TOME brings a hint of Brazilian vibes on “Addicted“, Candy Bleakz supplies a whole energetic EP titled Better Days from which we get “Party Hard” and “Para”, and superstar producer Ozedikus gives us “Ifeoma” with CupidSZN and BoiGizmo.
Sensual Soft Afrobeats: For those moments when you crave a more tender embrace, indulge in the velvety-smooth melodies of sensual soft Afrobeats. Songstress T’neeya sets a smooth tone with “Tonic No Lime“, Anna Joyce shows off her vocal chops on “Off Para ti“, Le Ru shows up with “Princess Darling“, while Liahm opens up on “Fraud“. Shekhinah and Moliy weigh their options on “Risk“, Noir dazzles with the exceptional “Surrender“, and REALMS collaborates with Zirra for the sensual Raining Season EP from which we get the titular “Raining Season” and “Vulnerable”
A Little Bit of Rap: There’s a dynamic world of rap to dive into, with a collection of captivating verses and infectious beats. Psycho YP and Minz join Major AJ on “Some Kind Things“, Justrbillo exemplifies his great flow on “PYT 4rm Lagos“, and Steph delivers a stylish verse on Kofee Bean’s “Silly Nigga 2“. We get bouncy Grime entries in Kenny KK-Shot’s “I Gotta Go” and SRT GWalla’s remix of “Ghana“, and Raytheboffin flexes his skill on his Purple Lens EP from which we get “This Is Not Enough” and “Believe.”
Some Diverse Sounds: Explore an eclectic mix of musical styles and influences with a diverse array of tunes. Senior Oat gives us a dance tune in “Reason to Pray“, Otami gets experimental on “GO!“, Tomilola and Sinmidele provide acoustic renditions with “Watch Me” and “heaven on earth” respectively, Ethiopian Ebne Hakim gives us “Gela“, Becca gives us the soulful “Makoma“, multi-talented Tim Lyre is joined by Alte pioneer BOJ for “All Night” and South African band, Beatenberg, releases the alternative When I Fall Asleep project from which we get “Gold Mine” and “Wheelbarrow”
Remember, this is just a glimpse of the musical wonders awaiting you in our playlist. Be sure to explore each featured artiste and album fully to uncover your own hidden gems. And don’t forget, if you’re a budding musician with a sound worth sharing, reach out to us for a chance to be featured in future spotlights.
Until next time, dear music enthusiasts, keep the rhythm alive and let the melodies guide your soul. Rinse and repeat the playlist, and let the music transport you to new heights of sonic bliss! Finally, 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.