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Apple Music spotlights Africa’s foremost creators with their Songbook & Behind The Boards playlists

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With the eyes and ears of the world currently upon Africa and the musical forces emerging from all over the continent, Apple Music is spotlighting the creators who work behind the scenes, the continent’s finest songwriters and the producers who play a vital role in taking genres like Afrobeats, Amapiano, House and Afro-Pop to the world.

Apple Music’s Songbook & Behind The Board playlists take a peak behind the curtain at the musical inspirations of the men and women who pour their blood, sweat and tears into crafting some of Africa’s biggest hits.

The Songbook playlists include: Afro-folk singer-songwriter Msaki (who features on some of SA’s biggest house music tracks), Nigerian multi-platinum award-winning producer Kiddominant (who has written and produced for Davido, Wizkid, Cardi B, Beyoncé amongst others) and Nigerian producer Krizbeatz (who produced Tekno’s smash hit first single “Pana”).

Similarly, Behind The Boards is a smorgasbord of talent across all genres – from Afrobeats to hip-hop to neo-soul, and features the likes of Del B, Don Jazzy, Ruff and Tweezy.

“As a kid, I started making beats in my room in Nigeria,” Kiddominant tells Apple Music. “I was constantly daydreaming about touring the world and making music for a mass audience, watching Timbaland, Kanye, Dr. Dre, and many others. Moving to The States, I’ve worked day and night doing what I can to make Afrobeats a global sound, as the first Nigerian producer to be certified Gold in the U.S., thus opening more doors.”

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Behind The Board’s full selection includes playlists from Kiddominant, Kel P, TMXO, JR, Ganja Beatz, Gemini Major, Killbeatz M.O.G Beatz, Del B, Peruzzi, Tweezy, Nduduzo Makhathini, Wasafi Records, Eternal Africa, Lunatik, Alie Kyez, Simba Tagz, Noble, Mr. Kamera, Select Play, Ruff and Juls.

“Even though I make music from Lagos, my sound is global. I want a kid in Tokyo or Paris to be able to bump to my music and enjoy it.” – Kel P

“Making music is a freeing experience for me. If my listeners can feel that and enjoy the music, then my work is done.” – TMXO

“Throughout my career, writing music has always been my way of connecting the world to Africa, and not the other way around. This hopefully carries on beyond when the music stops.” – JR

“Our work basically speaks for itself in terms of diversity and showing our range as producers but we hate being boxed as just hip hop producers and we want the world to know we make a bit of everything.” – Ganja Beatz

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“I’ve been blessed and fortunate to work with some of the most talented and amazing artists in South Africa. To be part of movements, moments and history through music is priceless. One of my strengths in production is my drums. Whether it’s Afrobeats or Afrosoul, trap or trap-soul, my drums hit hard.” – Gemini Major

You already know the faces and voices that have popularised your favourite tracks, now discover the gifted producers and songwriters behind the music.

Listen to the Songbook & Behind The Boards playlists

Kiddominant –  http://apple.co/Kiddominant

Killbeatz –  http://apple.co/Killbeatz

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Krizbeatz –  http://apple.co/Krizbeatz

Del B – http://apple.co/DelB

Ganja Beatz – http://apple.co/GanjaBeatz

Tweezy – http://apple.co/Tweezy

Gemini Major – http://apple.co/geminimajor

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Alie-Keyz – http://apple.co/Alie-Keyz

Sarz – http://apple.co/Sarz

Don Jazzy – http://apple.co/DonJazzy

 

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Introducing “SEX” by Soundsbysdl: A Fusion of Abuja and Accra Underground Scenes

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This groundbreaking album transcends borders, seamlessly merging the vibrant sounds of the underground music scenes in Abuja and Accra.

“SEX” Features Two Distinct Sides:

Side A: With an electrifying and upbeat rage, Side A pulsates with energy, showcasing the raw intensity of the underground scene. Featuring a lineup of talented artists including L1trendsetter, Ya ROE, Kwelit, Jaleel Thomas, Usan-JT, Danny Montanna, Javan Santana, Trap KYD, and Siient Parker, Side A immerses listeners in a whirlwind of captivating beats and impassioned lyrics.IMG 8298

Side B: As the journey unfolds, Side B offers a tranquil and mellow atmosphere, serving as the perfect counterpart to the high-octane energy of Side A. Artists MASK MO, Kwelit, Micky wrecks, L1trendsetter, KOMÉ, Tyler-Leigh, Rezzyvfm, and Ruch Sensei contribute to this soothing sonic landscape, inviting listeners to unwind and reflect.

Adding to the album’s allure is a bonus track from the esteemed Ghanaian group AD20. Their contribution enriches the album with authentic Ghanaian flair

“SEX” was executively produced by the talented Kwelit and curated by Jodye SDL, ensuring a seamless fusion of musical styles and influences from both cities.

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“SEX” marks a historic moment in music, as it becomes the first album to merge the underground scenes of both Abuja and Accra. Soundsbysdl invites music enthusiasts worldwide to join in the celebration of this unprecedented fusion of cultures and sounds.

Experience the electrifying fusion of Abuja and Accra  underground scenes with “SEX” by Soundsbysdl. Available on all major streaming platforms, this album is a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and unite cultures.

 

 

 

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Introducing oShamo’s New Single, “Life of the Party”

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Nigerian-born, UK-based rising star oShamo presents his first official single of 2024, setting the stage for what promises to be a standout year. Aptly titled “Life of the Party”, the song was produced by SkeellzGotbeat and showcases oShamo’s distinct bass voice and charismatic personality. Throughout the track, listeners get a glimpse of oShamo’s charismatic personality, which shines through every lyric and note.

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“Life of the Party” has rapidly gained popularity and is currently trending on TikTok. The song has inspired over 7,000 organic videos, accumulating more than 4 million views. Its popularity continues to increase day by day.

Signed to Mr Eazi’s emPawa Africa, oShamo steps into the spotlight with this vibrant, energetic track, destined to become a staple in every party playlist, just as its name suggests.

“Life of the Party” is now available on all major music streaming platforms.

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Connect with oSHAMO @Official_oshamo

 

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Tems Tells Apple Music About What Fans Can Expect From Her Upcoming Album, And More…

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Tems joins Eddie Francis on Apple Music 1 to talk about her new song “Love Me JeJe” out now. Tems talks about how she came up with the new single, how it was a collaborative effort amongst her friends. She reveals that her mother loves the song and that it’s inspired by a Nigerian classic.

Also, Tems gives fans a glimpse into what they can expect from her upcoming album, “Born in the Wild”.

Key quotes below please feel free to credit Eddie Francis on Apple Music 1. Video to follow shortly.

Tems tells Apple Music about the love she gets from people…

Eddie Francis: There’s this certain reaction you get from people where like people love you. It’s not even just a like. Does that get weird? Because we feel like we know you and we don’t know you and you don’t know us.

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Tems: I think I’m used to it. I don’t know why though. Always I’m like, “Do you really feel this way? Why? Why do you like me?” I don’t know, but I think I’m used to it now.

Eddie Francis: Like when they see you, it’s like, “Oh my God, it’s Tems.” And I’ve talked to you before and I know you’re really on energy and spirituality and I know you got to feel it. When did you realize you have a different kind of relationship with people that are fans of your music?

Tems: I think it’s just the reaction and in real life, the amount of emotion, there’s just this energy that feels pure that I get all the time. And I was like, “Yo, this is not normal. This is not normal.” It is different if it’s like, “Oh yeah. I think you’re just so cool.” And that might be the case, but I don’t know. It’s so much love sometimes, I just, I don’t, it’s just wild.

Tems on the creation of her new song, “Love Me JeJe”…

So basically, I went out to dinner with my girls, with my friends, two of my friends. We’re just like, “Oh, let’s just do a cute dinner. It’s going to be cute.” And afterwards, my friends are always telling me, you never show us your Tems side. Everybody else, yeah, you’re Tems, but my friends don’t feel like I am when I’m there. It’s just like, I’m this girl. So they’re like, “Oh, you never take us to the studio. We don’t even know if you are like… Are you a doppelganger? Are you like, what is that?” So I said, “Okay, tonight we’re going to the studio and you people, you are going to sing?” So they were like, “Oh my god, crazy. What?” So we went to the studio and two of my producers, they made this beat, Spax and Guilty and they sent it to me as a challenge like, “Oh. Yeah, I’m sure you can’t do Nigerian. I am sure you can’t do this jam.”

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So I was like, I just had it in the back. So I played it and I told my friends, “Yeah, lets all freestyle, take turns. Oh yeah, you do freestyle, you…” So one of my friends did “Love Me Jeje, Love Me Tender.” And then my other friend was just screaming as well. And I was like, “Actually this is a mad vibe. I love this vibe. I’m going to keep this in the song.” And I did my own freestyle and it just was such a cute vibe and I wanted to pay tribute to the actual song ’cause I love that song. My mom loves that song. “Love Me Jeje.” The original song is from Seyi Sodimu. The original song is called “Love Me Jeje” as well and it’s a Nigerian classic and it just felt right.

Tems on the term “JeJe” and what it means…

Jeje is African and Jeje also just means the concept of the song Love Me Jeje, Love Me Tender, it just means love me softly, take your time with, love me unconditionally and show me good love. That’s what it means. So that’s the idea of “Love Me JeJe”.

Tems on “NEPA” and what that means when she uses it in the song…

NEPA is, so basically NEPA is the electricity company in Nigeria. And basically, we don’t always have 24 hours electricity. So when there’s lights or when the electricity comes back on, there’s this like, everybody, you just hear your neighbours shouting, “Hey, there’s electricity now.” So you turn me on like the electricity, I’m back on, you electrify me, basically.

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Tems on what fans can expect from her next album, Born in the Wild…

“Born in the Wild” is actually about my journey. It’s about my experience as me and about the experiences I’ve had so far. And it really felt like the life I lived before, the life I was accustomed to felt like a wilderness. And it’s not really more so, yes, I was raised in Lagos and that’s a part of me, but it’s not really about the place, it’s more about the state of being. It was a wilderness in the environment I lived in and there’s so many things that happened and so many lessons I learned to come and be this person now. It is basically coming out of the wilderness. So that’s basically what Born In the Wild is about.

I’ve had to step back a bit to make sure or to check in with myself that I’m being true and also just find healing from all the trauma. Everything I experienced before Tems, I think I had to unlearn a lot of things. And this album is just, it is just a new way of me expressing myself while still centering who I am in it.

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Larry Vibez transports us into his universe in “Diary of Vibez” EP

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Afropop Newcomer Larry Vibez is set to make his mark in the burgeoning Afrobeat music space as he unveils his highly anticipated EP “Diary of Vibez.” The project was released via Big Larry’s Record. (more…)

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CAKES DA KILLA releases ‘Black Sheep +’ album

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Last month, New York rapper Cakes da Killa released “his most refined work to date” (DJ Mag), Black Sheep, and today, Cakes shares Black Sheep + out now via Young Art Records. With five new tracks and fresh album art, the deluxe version of Black Sheepexpands on his “most danceable album yet” (The FADER) and showcases more of Cakes’ “rapid-fire flows, clever punchlines and old-school ‘rapper’s rapper’ mentality” (RANGE).

 

Black Sheep is inspired by seeing the world, by embracing the nightlife and building community. Cakes’ critical and communal acclaim precede him: in the past two years, he’s played GlastonburyGovernors BallSonar, and Whole Festival. He’s worked with everyone from Honey Dijon to Injury Reserve to RyeRye. Whether holding court, going through customs, or crushing competition, Cakes stands firm as a seasoned vet who knows his role and knows the game.

 

Reuniting with long-time collaborator Sam Katz, the producer behind 2022’s SvengaliBlack Sheep finds the duo at their most comfortable and confident: Cakes wrote every bar, Katz did every beat. Over the course of the album, Cakes guides us through a spiritual trip from the clubs of Manhattan to the back blocks of Brooklyn. Black Sheep is a work of survival and sees the decorated emcee fully aware of his power, his place, and no longer settling for less than he deserves.

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Featuring his sharpest writing and most electrifying performances to date, Black Sheep is a coronation of his graduation to foremother: a figure who spent his 20s hustling alongside his peers, focusing on the work, and paving the way for the generation we see today. He’s a rapper’s rapper, a girl’s girl, and he’s ready to be a superstar.

 

Stream/Purchase Black Sheep +

 

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Listen to “Black Sheep”

 

Watch Video for “Mind Reader” (ft. Stout)

 

Listen to “Do Dat Baby” (ft. Dawn Richard)

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Listen to “Cakewalk” by Cakes da Killa

 

Watch Cakes da Killa perform “Cakewalk” on COLORS

 

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Black Sheep + Tracklist

1. It’s A Luv Thang (ft. Wuhryn Dumas)

2. Mind Reader (ft. Stout)

3. Make Me Ovah

4. FourPlay

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5. Do Dat Baby (ft. Dawn Richard)

6. Global Entry

7. Downtown J

8. Cakewalk

9. Crushin In Da Club

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10. Problem 4 Problems

11. Ain’t Sh*t Sweet

12. Black Sheep

13. Chain Gang Pimpin

14. Fly Trap

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15. Not Da One

16. Standing Ovation

 

Cakes da Killa Tour Dates:

Sat. June 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Ladyland Festival

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Sat. July 6 – Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival

Sun. July 21 – Ghent, BE @ Boomtown Gent Festival

Sun. July 28 – Amsterdam, NL @ Milkshake Festival

Fri. Aug. 2 – Amsterdam, NL @ Dekmantel Festival

 

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Praise for Cakes da Killa and Black Sheep

 

 

Cakes Da Killa is a rap icon…” – Mixmag

 

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Black Sheep stands as one of the emcee’s best works to date, continuing his genre-defying style with renewed panache — jazz, house, R&B and rap all meld into one sound throughout the project — while his writing game reaches yet another career-high.” — Billboard

 

“[Black Sheep] is a confident compendium of breathless performances, bombastic personality, and thrilling genre collages.”  — Pitchfork

 

“[Black Sheep is] an impressive display of pure rapping ability and irresistible grown and sexy grooves” — Bandcamp

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WOTOWEI! Quamina MP & Kofi Mole drops first single off their debut joint EP

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Ghanaian music sensations Quamina MP and Kofi Mole have sent waves of excitement through the music scene with the release of their debut joint single, “WOTOWEI” Produced by MPZ, the track is the first single off their upcoming collaborative EP, set to take the industry by storm. (more…)

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