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Falana shares brand new single and video ‘Joy’

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Falana earned some initial recognition for her self-produced EP ‘’Chapter One’’. The Canadian-Nigerian singer-songwriter subsequently travelled to Africa, North America, Europe and the Caribbean to work on new material. It was a process of self-discovery, which revealed new layers to her songwriting. She now shares the first taste of those sessions with the release of the single ‘Joy’. Listen here: https://ffm.to/falanajoy

A spirited fusion of vibrant Afrobeat, elegant R&B and island flavour, ‘Joy’ is a song that speaks to this moment in time. Falana’s impassioned delivery leaves you in no doubt that she means every word she sings. And by the time she’s put her heart and soul into its hypnotic hook (‘’No stress, I’ve got pure intentions… I count my blessings one day at a time’’), it’s impossible not to feel its spell sparking a new wave of positivity in your mind.
‘Joy’ marks the first release in a series of singles from various global artists to be released on Red Bull Records. Dedicated to discovering and showcasing talent on an international scale, Falana is the latest ground-breaking artist to partner with the label. The track was written with fellow singer-songwriter, Omolara Ayodele and producer, KINGBNJMN (Future, DJ Snake) at the legendary Geejam Studios in Port Antonio, Jamaica. ‘’It’s crazy that the song was written two weeks before the world went into lockdown’’, says Falana. ‘’Over the last ten months, the song’s sentiment surfaces all the time, whether it’s in everyday conversation, on the news or at social media. It feels like the song was birthed right at the time that the world needed it’’.

Falana returned to Jamaica to film the song’s video with director, Mykal Cushnie, whose culture-centric narrative storytelling has resulted in collaborations with Popcaan, Sean Paul and Damian Marley. As well as capturing some of Port Antonio’s striking natural beauty, the video also shows how her style and signature braid pom-poms are an extension of her artistry. She adds, ‘’I think the video is such a beautiful visual representation of ‘Joy’, the song and the feeling. The energy on set matched the song and I was so grateful for that’’.

Born and raised in Toronto, Falana’s upbringing was soundtracked by a diverse music selection that spanned Fela Kuti to Sia. At home her Nigerian parents would play a lot of traditional Yoruba music as a way of staying connected to their culture, and through the melting pot of the city, Falana was introduced to the Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B that she’d spend hours compiling into her own mixtapes. By her final year of high school Falana decided to take her music more seriously and began paying in installments for her first guitar. She taught herself to play by watching YouTube and learning her favourite Lauryn Hill songs. Through balancing side hustles with her studies and winning local singing competitions, Falana developed a taste for travel: winning a trip to London, spending six-months living in Denmark and visiting Cuba.

She later relocated to Havana, realising that the island’s musical heritage would help her fulfil her own potential. It was there she recorded her debut EP ‘’Things Fall Together’’ with a local producer and live band. She returned for a year in Toronto before she again departed, this time settling in her parents’ hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, where she’s remained for the past five years.

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Falling between so many of the genres that have influenced her own journey, Falana she’d often felt like an outsider, working on the periphery of multiple music scenes but never quite fitting in. With her new work, she’s finally been able to hit the balance she’s been searching for her whole life. It’s the start of a bright future.

 

Instagram: falanamusic
Facebook: Falana
Twitter: @falanamusic

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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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