The nineteenth edition of the Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Hey there, my wonderful music aficionados! I hope you’re all swaying to the rhythm of life and embracing the musical symphony that surrounds us. It is your dedicated music explorer back again, and we’ve hit yet another milestone in the realm of auditory pleasures. This week’s playlist is a record-breaker, becoming the latest longest edition. The thrill of this week’s discovery has my heart racing. We’ve uncovered a treasure trove of musical gems, and I can’t wait to share this musical adventure with you.
Before we plunge into the musical wonderland that awaits, I want to make sure you’re all in the loop. Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms, @afrocritik, for all the latest updates, from curated playlists to captivating pieces and beyond. If you’ve been following along, you already know that we drop a monthly editorial playlist that is a sonic journey through the best of the spotlights from the past few weeks. The latest edition, featuring the standout gems from Weeks 15 to 18, is about to drop. Keep an eye out on our platforms so you don’t miss out. And hey, if you’re an aspiring artiste looking to share your musical magic, hit me up at yinoluu@afrocritik.com to learn how to get your work featured.
Now, let’s delve into the heart of the matter – the music! Brace yourselves, because this week’s playlist is an absolute powerhouse, thanks to an abundance of musical discoveries that had me dancing with excitement. This week’s categories and songs include:
(Read also: South African Singers, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Qwabe Twins, Clich Double Awards at BIMAs 2023)
A Number of Big Names: Olamide takes us on an intriguing journey with his new Unruly album, gifting us tracks like “Trumpet,” “Celebrate,” “Mukulu,” and “Hardcore.” South African DJ extraordinaire, Uncle Waffles, returns with the mesmerising Solace project, gracing us with tracks like the titular “Solace,” “Khumbula,” “Waffles Anthem,” and “Peace & Happiness.” Falz keeps the fire burning with his latest single, the electrifying “Operation Sweep.” Young Jonn collaborates with Jeremih and Nektunes to bring us the Amapiano-infused groove of “Anti Social,” while Black Sherif captivates with the melodic drill sounds of “Simmer Down.”
Buckets of Soul: Immerse yourself in a sea of soulful melodies spanning genres. Geoxpress enchants with the profound “Free,” “Ashes on My Burberry,” and the remix of “365” from his Xpressions project. South African sensation, Pula, serenades us with his soulful voice on “Pula” and “Jeteme,” teasing a forthcoming project. Newcomer, Söulaar, proves his mettle with the cosmic soul offerings, “Tension,” “Stand By You,” and “Company,” from his Cosmic EP. Francophone flavours grace our ears with “Too Easy” and “Fou De Toi,” adding a touch of magic to our soulful journey.
Intersectional Rap: Dive into a world of rap excellence with Kwaku Asante’s “Take You There” and “Thinking of You” from his Wanderlust album, as well as “Inside Out” and “Until the Morning” from his Inside Out EP. Loatinover Pounds unleashes a remix of “Sosh Plata.” RayTheBoffin treats us to the visionary sounds of “Brain” and “Lifeline” from his Freckles EP, as well as “Cyber Jesus” and “No Fair” from his Run Boy, Run album. Ghana’s Kwaku DMC sets the stage ablaze with “Babes,” “Lavida Loca,” and “PITJ” from the Party In The Jungle album while KwesiSoul’s City on Fire project ignites with “Live Like This,” “Get Yourself,” and “Ghost.”
Our Weekly Dose Of Amapiano: Amapiano enthusiasts, rejoice! Mavin Records’ fresh signee, Lifesize Teddy. drops the infectious “John Wick” from her self-titled EP. Oladapo brings the Amapiano vibes with “If At All,” Nandy serenades us with “Follow,” and Blaq Jerzee delivers “Oroboto.” East African stars Rayvanny and Diamond Platnumz join forces on the scintillating “Yaya,” while Mbosso and Chley collaborate on the mesmerising “Sele.”
Phew! That’s just a taste of the musical banquet we have in store for you. Don’t hesitate to explore the full playlist conveniently awaiting your eager ears on the right-hand side of this page. Remember, if you encounter any hiccups with the playlists, you can always find us @afrocritik on your preferred music streaming service.
Now, it’s time to let the melodies sweep you away, the beats ignite your soul, and the rhythms dance with your heart. Be sure to follow, save, and share your favourites with fellow music enthusiasts, and for all the talented artists out there, seize the opportunity to showcase your tunes on our playlists – reach out to yinoluu@afrocritik.com for the necessary information.
Finally, my dear readers, I charge you to embrace the magic, savour the sounds, and until next week, put someone onto some dope music!
ENJOY!