The twenty-fifth edition of the Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Greetings, music enthusiasts! It’s that time of the week again when we embark on a musical journey to uncover gems that will inspire, groove, and ignite your passion for diverse sounds. This week’s playlist was a delight to curate, discovering beautiful music from all over Africa and her diaspora, which promises an exciting listening adventure for those willing to dive into the uncharted waters of sound.
Before we begin, a little housekeeping. If you’re an aspiring artiste with a tune that deserves recognition, don’t hesitate to send your music to us for consideration. I implore you to follow us on our social media platforms @afrocritik to stay in the loop. Don’t forget to explore the September monthly editorial playlist – a curated collection of the month’s best tracks. We promise you won’t want to miss this sonic masterpiece.
Now, let’s dive into the playlist! Be prepared for a journey that transcends genres and styles. There might be a few left-field inclusions, so keep an open mind, and you might discover something extraordinary.
This week’s playlist delivers:
A Few Big Names: We start strong with some of the industry’s heavyweights. Mayorkun graces us with the infectious “For Daddy“, and he’s also featured on Medikal’s “Balenciaga” from the Planning & Plotting album. This project also gifts us the captivating “We Made It” featuring the renowned Sarkodie. Mr. Eazi has been busy too, offering up the vibrant “Fefe ne Fefe” and the danceable “Chop Time, No Friend“. We’ve got the comedy king, Basketmouth, making a musical return with “Party“, featuring the talented Peruzzi. BOJ and Ajebutter, the legendary collaborators, reunite for the irresistible “Rora“. Not to be outdone, DJ Maphorisa presents the Chukela project, and we get a taste of it with the Kabza de Small-assisted “Weh Mama”.
Impressive Discoveries: This week, we unearthed an array of exceptional talents. Ema Onigah’s Dust Off EP is a delightful experience, with tracks like “Dey So” and “Sidemirror” that showcase unique artistry. Azawi, hailing from Uganda, delivers a stellar album titled Sankofa, treating us to tracks such as “Money”, “Brand New”, “My God”, and “Egaali”. Runda’s Beautiful Lies EP is represented here by the title track, a piece that beautifully captivates the essence of the project. Ivorian-Canadian singer, Monna Muse, graces us with “Mad Love” and “Confusion” from her Mad Love EP. “Demon” by the talented Corall Hooch takes us on a musical journey with its mesmerising melodies. And finally, Analo Kanga’s Analogies project gives us “Rhumba Ya Warembo”.
(Read also – Sincerely, Benson Review: Bnxn Makes a Bold, Brazen Debut as One of Afrobeats’ Finest Artistes)
Some Dope Hip-Hop: Hip-Hop aficionados, this section is for you. Alte rapper, Zamir, returns with a three-pack EP titled Slush, and all the songs hit the mark, including the Odunsi-assisted “Ama Kip Kip”, “Slush”, and the star-studded “Moved Up”. Nigerian rapper, Shalom Dubas, takes us on an introspective journey with “In My Soul“. Canadian-raised rapper TOBi shares his PANIC album with us, and we’re treated to “Get Yours”, “Someone I Knew”, and “Hoodwinked”. And for those who appreciate drill vibes, we have T.O.D Szn’s “Live From The Buj“, SuperWozzy’s “Head to Head“, and Medikal’s “Sowutuom”, delivering the raw energy of the genre.
Miscellaneous Light Sprinklings: We wrap up with a few outliers. In time for Felabration, we get a new edit of the great Fela Kuti’s “Stalemate” as well as “Waggle Dance” from the Circles album by the Classica Orchestra Afrobeats. We delve into the soulful Tuareg music group Tinariwen’s deluxe version of their Amatssou album, which presents enchanting tracks like “Tiwyaghe Falam Fakra” and “Tidjit”. Then if you’re in the mood for smooth and soft Amapiano vibes, you’re in for a treat. Sam Deep’s Imali Ye Ntwana album takes centre stage, offering tracks like “Thando Lwethu”, “Lalala”, and the title track, creating a blissful atmosphere. Daliwonga’s Dali Dali album enriches our experience with the sultry “Seduce Me” and “Igunana”.
This week’s playlist took me far and wide to uncover a treasure trove of musical gems that have broadened my perspective. As you enter the beautiful melodies, I implore you to let the rhythms and lyrics wash over you. Be sure to follow, save, and share your favourite tunes with fellow music enthusiasts. And remember, if you’re an aspiring artiste, take advantage of the opportunity to submit your music for consideration. Reach out to yinoluu@afrocritik.com for all the details.
So, embrace the magic of music, let the beats carry you away, and until next week, may your days be filled with beautiful melodies! 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.