Psst! Cool Stuff: 7 African Artists To Listen To
Can you smell it? Summer is edging closer and closer. It’s an exciting time for African music right now, and we have carefully handpicked songs from around Africa that have the perfect amount of groove and good vibes. Bubbling with anticipation, we bring to your radar some of the coolest stuff you need to be listening to.
Come along now!
BLXCKIE – FORTUNE TELLER FT NICOLE ELOCIN (SA)
This sweet sounding bop is the first track off South African rapper, Blxckie’s debut EP, 4LUV. Dominated with delicate vocals from Nicole Elocin, melodious beats and shimmery guitars; it’s super tuneful with immense replay value. This catchy RnB track is easy to love.
OBONGJAYAR – TINKO TINKO (NG)
There’s nothing that Obongjayar touches that doesn’t drip with unique magic. This Afropop song is an undiluted retro groove. The futuristic video; directed by Milo Blake, is literally out of this world. The thing I love most about this song is how effortless Obongjayar makes the composition of this hypnotic tune seem.
VICTONY – JOLENE (NG)
Victony gives a suave delivery with Ktizo on this cheeky, short tune. It’s hard to not get addicted to the steamy lyrics over jangly beats. The chorus is filled with chants of Jolene, begging her to break him out of the spell she seems to have cast. Easy to sing along to, Jolene is perhaps one of the most infectious songs off the singer’s newest EP, ‘Outlaws’.
MOLIY – 9 TO 5 (GH)
This song screams one word, hustle. Ghanaian American singer and songwriter, Moliy comes through with this raunchy Reggae-Rock track off her debut EP, ‘Mahogany Street’. I mean what’s not to love about hearing badass women singing about chasing paper and ambitions?
SPINALL & ASAKE – PALAZZO (NG)
In a way Asake is building a distinctive sound for his music, you know it’s him when you hear violins over Amapiano beats. There’s a certain energy that Asake brings to his videos that’s hard to emulate or even match, literally oozing stardom.
Paired with a video creatively directed by TG Omori, who is still yet to miss, this track is undeniably a chart climber and will be a summer staple. Asake and Spinall deliver self assured lyrics over classical and oddly sensual beats. Asake is redefining street hip hop with fresh energy and vibes, and we’re here for it!!
FULLY FOCUS – DIMENSION FT BIEN (KE)
Kenyan DJ Fully Focus, and Bien from Afropop boy band, Sauti Sol pair up on this slick, bouncy record . Even if you are a rock, you will move your waist when you hear the melodies of this song. To all my grind catchers, this is for you!
HERMEZ – SUGABLU ft SUTÈ IWAR & MAUIMØON (NG)
SugaBlu is the perfect blend of Afro Fusion and RnB, an Afro Blues classic if you will. You might wanna play this while driving with your roof down, with a fine shawty in your passenger seat. Don’t say I didn’t do anything for you.
Sutè Iwar, known for his catchy but subtle hooks, helps out with Mauimøon to create an alternative signature record.