Rising Nigerian Emo-Afrobeats star OGC is thrilled to share latest single, “Blessed Boy,” following the enormous success of his debut EP, “Epiphany,” which debuted on Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums Worldwide. The song is the lead single off his next album, “The Maraji Experience.”

Download and Stream “Blessed Boy” https://song.link/blessed-boy

As they take us on a journey of their ascent to the top of the industry against all obstacles, the Grey Beatz-produced song stars NATIVE Records frontline sensation Odumodublvck. Odudomoblvck provides a glimpse of what his victorious return to the oil city of Port Harcourt might entail. Both musicians use their past to demonstrate to the audience that it hasn’t been a smooth ride. The track’s flawless soundscape, which is created by the alluring drum and bass beats, gives it even more vitality.

Speaking about the single, OGC said: “After the success of my debut EP ‘Epiphany’ I knew God has a purpose for me and felt like pouring out my emotions in ‘Blessed Boy’. Also I needed someone who has a similar story to me and who better else than my brother Odumodublvck. He understood the assignment and killed it.”

OGC is getting set to release his forthcoming debut album titled “The Maraji Experience” later this year and it promises to be an exciting project.

CONNECT WITH OGC:

 Instagram – Twitter – Apple Music – Spotify

D Jay gets the year off to a tender start with his new song ‘Morning Stress.’ Stream or download ‘Morning Stress’ across all major digital platforms here: https://empawaafrica.lnk.to/DJayMorningStress

After months of lodging on some of the continent’s hottest playlists, thanks to his unforgettable 2022 hit ‘Balance It’ – which raked in over 20M streams on Boomplay alone – and later its Mr Eazi-assisted remix, D Jay is ready to deliver his next chart-topping delight: ‘Morning Stress.’

Another love song to put the singer’s feelings into perspective, ‘Morning Stress’ is an instant Afrobeat charmer, driven by a steady flow of drum loops that pave the way for D Jay’s supple intonations – one that he seeks to woo his love interest with, singing: “Baby girl, come caress me oh, caress me/Free up my mind, oh”.

Announcing ‘Morning Stress’ as his next release on Twitter two days before Christmas Day, D Jay’s new song could be well underway to become another infectious hit, following in the footsteps of his previous release, ‘Balance It’, seizing the airwaves in the process.

Last year, D Jay was one of Ghana’s breakout stars, dominating social media and the airwaves with his irresistible song ‘Balance It’ – a smooth cut that has to date accumulated over 40M streams on all digital streaming platforms.

CONNECT WITH D JAY

Instagram: onlydjayy
Twitter: @onlydjay

Today, GRAMMY® Award-winning, global superstar Meghan Trainor recharges, re-energizes, and revamps her global smash “Made You Look” with a brand new Official Remix featuring Kim Petras. Listen to “Made You Look (Feat. Kim Petras)” HERE. The original highlighted her acclaimed new album, Takin’ It Back, out now. Listen to Takin’ It Back HERE.

About the track, Petras commented, “I had ‘Made You Look’ stuck in my head for months. It’s just so catchy and I felt like the song was like a warm hug. So I loved it right away, and then when I got asked to jump on it, I was really, really excited. I think Meghan is such a great pop songwriter, so it was an incredible experience. I’ve never worked with an artist who wanted to track me and comp my vocals and do it all together. She really is like a little angel and such a treasure and deserves everything that’s coming her way with the song and I just feel so excited and honored to be a part of it. We collaborated in a really special way that I won’t forget.”

This notably marks the first collaboration between Trainor and rising pop powerhouse Petras. Together, they lock into a bouncy call-and-response as Petras urges “Don’t be shy, just put your hands on me,” as Trainor’s towering runs ring out. It adds a whole new dimension to the fan favorite.

On the collaboration, Trainor gushes, “Kim is an icon. I have been a fan for a very long time and I am so excited to have her on ‘Made You Look.’ We had such a fun time in the studio together and she added the perfect energy to the song. She is a queen and I cannot wait for everyone to hear her voice on this song! She really brought it to a whole new level.”

“Made You Look” has exploded as a runaway hit and a major moment for Trainor. It has tallied over 353 million global streams. Simultaneously, the music video has clocked north of 87 million YouTube views. At radio, it continues to hold strong in the Top 5 at Pop.

She continues to breathe new life into the track. In addition to the Joel Corry Remix, she capped off the holidays with “Made You Look (A Cappella).” It gathered 6.2 million YouTube views on the accompanying video featuring friends Sri, Scott Hoying, Elyse Myers, and Chris Olsen.

So far, the song has soundtracked over 4 million TikTok videos and 308K YouTube Shorts. Apple Music touted it at #1 on its A LIST POP Playlist, and Spotify placed it on Today’s Top Hits Presents Best Hit Songs of 2022 and the Best Pop Songs of 2022. Billboard applauded it as “inescapable,” and Entertainment Tonight chatted with her about the track.

It sets the stage for more to come from Meghan Trainor in 2023!

Multitalented Ghanaian musician and producer Paapa Versa has released a new video and single titled “Lights go dim” on Friday, 27th January 2023, featuring fast-rising rapper KooKusi.

The music video, directed by MRCMulti.me, depicts both artists struggling to pursue their dreams while fighting their inner demons. 

The incredibly soulful song, produced by Paapa and mixed & mastered by Jayso, holds an inspirational message for all dreamers. “A sentence can change a life. A song can ginger a tired heart. This song is for anyone struggling to smile lately, deeply wounded by someone’s words, or simply trying to recover a joy they once had” the artist says. 

KooKusi has chalked many milestones since the release of his debut EP “5 foot 3” last year, and this collaboration marks another step in his remarkable rise.

The release of this song leads up to the release of Paapa Versa’s third studio album, “Versa Villa”. The artist will host an album launch and concert on Feb 17th 2023 at the Virtual Hub in Accra, Ghana. 

“Lights go dim” by Paapa Versa is now available everywhere:

https://paapaversa.fanlink.to/lightsgodim

Website: https://www.paapaversa.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paapaversa

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/paapaversa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paapaversa

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/paapaversa

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paapaversa

This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Ajebutter22, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week, Africa Rising and Dadaboy Ehiz’s Favourite Track of the Week!

Tune in to Africa Now Radio with Dadaboy Ehiz this Friday, January 27th at 9a London / 10a Lagos/Paris / 11a Johannesburg / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

Cover Star Interview
Nigerian rapper Ajebutter22 joins Dadaboy Ehiz via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest track, “Hear My Sound (feat. Melissa & Not3s).” He also discusses his new album, ‘Soundtrack To The Good Life,’ and his passion for working with emerging producers.
The Big 5
Dadaboy Ehiz shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Phyno & Olamide, DJ Neptune & Ruger, Zlatan feat. Seyi Vibez, Sjava, Q Twins & Mzukulu, and DJ Stokie & Dlala Regal feat. Mpura, Lebo Lenyora & Almighty SA.

Africa Rising 
South African soul singer-songwriter Lwah Ndlukulu is the latest artist featured from Apple Music’s Africa Rising playlist, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars, and this week’s show features her singles, “Ngiyeza” and “Ithuba (feat. Siya Ntuli).” Listen HERE.

Dadaboy’s Song of the Week
Each week, Dadaboy Ehiz chooses his favourite track from one of Apple Music’s African playlists. This week he spotlights Rexxie, Naira Marley and Skiibii and their track, “Abracadabra,” from Apple Music’s Street Anthems playlist, showcasing the hits shaping Nigerian pop culture. Listen HERE (and find a roundup of all Dadaboy’s selections on Apple Music’s Dadaboy’s Playlist, HERE).

Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, January 27th at 9a London / 10a Lagos/Paris / 11a Johannesburg /  1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

Ajebutter22 on ‘Soundtrack To The Good Life’

The album is about enjoying, about having a good time and living soft. I started really making the album, doubling down, a few years – like, the COVID period – and the world was really bleak, man. Everywhere was sad, everybody was feeling really down and depressed, and I didn’t want to make music that was overly deep or had too many think pieces. I just wanted us to be able to take our mind to somewhere where we’re having a good time.

Ajebutter22 on Showcasing Up-And-Coming Producers

I was in charge of the sound, like this is the first album I executive-produced 100% by myself. So I went out of my way to find producers online, on like different digital platforms and guess what? You see some of the producers that are doing crazy things, they’re Nigerian and nobody knows, nobody has heard of them. Some of these guys have 1000 followers, no big name but they’re really good and I’m like you know what, I have to put these guys on. I have to show the world we have all this talent here as well.

Ajebutter22 on His Time Away From Music

Me and BOJ dropped ‘Make E No Cause Fight’ volume 1 and 2 up until 2019, so I didn’t feel like I wasn’t making music, and in 2020 was like the COVID year so I didn’t really feel absent, but yeah I also withdrew a little bit from the music scene, because I was focusing on some things on the tech side.

Before it was a lot easier because I was working in a company as an employee, and now I’m a CEO. It’s crazy doing that, being responsible for people, actually being the main man. It’s like being from a player on the team to being the captain. I’m the captain now, so it’s not easy.