The twenty-second edition of the Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Greetings, cherished music enthusiasts! It brings me immense joy to be back with you on this melodious journey through the vibrant world of African music. I must admit, I took a brief hiatus to tend to my health, and during this time, the healing power of music proved truly miraculous. Now, I return with renewed vigour, ready to share the beautiful music I’ve discovered with you this week.
Before we dive into this week’s musical tapestry, allow me to extend my heartfelt apologies for the delay with our Monthly Editorial Playlist. Rest assured, it is on its way, and you won’t want to miss the extraordinary tunes we have in store. To stay in the loop and ensure you’re among the first to enjoy it, follow us on our social media platforms @afrocritik.
Now, let’s delve into the heart of the matter – the music! This week’s playlist is a bit longer than usual, a sonic extravaganza to compensate for my absence. Brace yourselves for a diverse and delightful selection that will hopefully touch your soul in many ways. This week’s haul features:
A Few Big Names: Setting the tone this week are some of the industry’s heavyweights. Mavin Records’ empress, Ayra Starr, leads with her soulful song, “Rhythm & Blues“. South African rapper, Nasty C, drops the magnificent I Love It Here album, a sonic journey featuring tracks like “Endless”, “Release Me”, “Pops,” and the soulful Ami Faku-assisted “This Time”. His countryman, Cassper Nyovest also delivers a stellar album titled Solomon, gracing us with tracks like “Who Jah Bless”, the enchanting “Candlelight”, “After 10”, and the captivating “018.” The rap-heads can rejoice! Tekno impresses with his The More The Better album, offering us “Peace of Mind” and the titular “The More The Better.”
Heartfelt Offerings: This selection sees artistes laying their emotions bare for us to embrace. Oladapo redefines African R&B on his fantastic album In Case I Never Love Again, featuring gems like “Break Up”, “Perfect Timing”, and the heartfelt “Over Again”. Kemuel laments on “Alone“, Cina Soul expresses wariness on “Plenty Evil“, and SaveMilli leads with emotional depth on “Don’t Leave“. Anais Cardot enchants us with “Purple Room”, “Que Te Gusta De Mi?”, and the soul-stirring “Colours” from her stunning Pink Magnolia EP. Xeniah Manasseh’s “Soul Lovers” and “Love/Hate” exemplify the brilliant works found on her Love/Hate Pt.1 project. 9t9’s Lose Ctrl EP brings forth “Psycho”, “Blue Film”, and the seductive “Sticky.”
(Read also: Love/Hate Pt.1 Review: Xenia Manasseh Delivers an Impressive Introduction on Her Debut LP)
Laid Back Jams: For moments of relaxation and vibe-setting, we have an array of wonderful tracks to chill and unwind to. Ghanaian super-producer takes us back to his roots with “Unfortunately”, “Sometin Small”, and the mesmerising instrumental “Palmwine Riddim” from Palmwine Diaries, Vol. 1. Highlife band, Kabaka and His Oriental Brothers, return with the album Abialam, offering the titular track that radiates nostalgia and warmth. “Original Composition” by Obi Original & The Black Atlantics soothes the soul as a single. Dusten Truce invites us to take a Smoke Break, Vol 2 with tracks like “Left & Right”, “Need You”, and the reflective “Outside”. Gospel artiste, Kojo Dave blesses us with Surrounded, and the album gifts us with “No More” and the spiritually uplifting “Fire Fall”. Rising stars, Joeyturks and Zubi, contribute their unique flavours with “Leaning” and “Lifestyle” respectively.
Our Weekly Dose of Electronica: Our collection of dance and electronica finds never disappoint. Amapiano-Afrobeats blends abound, featuring “Higher” from Patoranking’s World Best, “Toronto” by Balloranking, and “Say Salud” by June Freedom. The Chosen is a magnificent new album by MaWhoo, offering tracks like the sultry “Spanish”, the mesmerising “Imikhokhla”, the enchanting “Bali”, and the rhythm-filled “Ngilimele”. Kah-Lo’s extensive dance album, Pain/Pleasure, is a treasure trove with gems like “Runaway” and the infectious “It Girl.”
All these songs and more await you in the playlist.
Dear readers, this playlist is not merely a list of songs but a journey through the depths of emotion, a voyage across genres, and a celebration of artistry. Whether you choose to follow the curated order or take an adventurous shuffle through the tracks, I implore you to delve into the experience fully and relish in the joy of discovery.
Don’t forget to add, follow, and share your favourite songs, as our playlists are ever-evolving with frequent updates. If you’re an aspiring artiste eager to share your musical creations with the world, seize the opportunity to feature on our playlists – reach out to yinoluu@afrocritik.com for all the details.
Now, let the rhythms sweep you away, the melodies ignite your spirit, and the harmonies resonate in your heart. Enjoy this musical journey, dear readers, and until next week – let the music carry you to new heights!
ENJOY!
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.