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DJ Sly drops new album featuring Wendy Shay, Fameye, Ice Prince, Eddy Kenzo, and others

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Ghanaian Disc Jockey and Producer DJ Sly has released another album just two years after releasing his debut album ‘Upness ’.

‘The Persistent’, the 11 – track set – his second studio album – sees him calling on some of the biggest names in music.

The project, exclusively produced by himself Gideon Alorgbey.TRACK LIST

Ghanaian prolific DJ featured African talents like Ghanaian vocalists Wendy Shay, Fameye, Nina Richie, Malcon Nuna, Unyx and FRD, Nigerian stars ; Ice Prince, Airboy, Jay Bagz, DNA, ilblackibeat and Dicey , French rapper and vocalist Rapper ; Cheezy, Abouh Mala and East African music sensation, Eddy Kenzo.

DJ Sly described the vision of the Persistent as the fearless motivation that drives him to success. The album which is about his journey in life explained how he struggled to get recognition but he never gave up on his dreams and took the struggles as motivation.

https://music.apple.com/gh/album/the-persistent/1561145501

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Chinaz’s ‘Mile 2’ transforms the struggles of a suburb into a universal anthem of hope

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The Nigerian star’s first song in a while will leave you pumped and ready to take over the world! Crank up your volume and listen as he weaves a tale of struggle into a universal anthem of hope and confidence. Stream or download ‘Mile 2’ across all major digital platforms here: https://chinaz.fanlink.tv/Mile2

Chinaz is back and like it is said, the comeback is always better than the setback! After going MIA following the release of his debut EP, “King David,” in 2022, he returns from the dungeons with more than just ammunition. He shares a winsome track bursting with a force: the hope to overcome tomorrow and it has our absolute attention.

‘Mile 2’ is like that friend who reminds you to keep your head up, no matter the situation. It addresses the struggles faced by the everyday people of Mile 2–a suburb in Nigeria–through the lens of Chinaz. This sunny, hope-filled anthem features a striking blend of dynamic Afrobeats, making Chinaz’s versatile voice and lyrics stick like never before.

About lyrics, Chinaz has a couple that audiences can resonate with and find strength in: “Plenty plenty times I suffer. Plenty plenty times for dogba/As I dey try to do my best oh. Plenty plenty no believe am/Gradually, Oluwa lo sho mi. Na ah/Spiritually, Oluwa lo sho mi. Na ah/Mentally, Oluwa lo sho mi. Na ah/Financially, Oluwa lo sho mi. Na ah.”

After two years off the grid, Chinaz is back to excite even the most passive fans with a jolt of good music. He is poised to sweep the industry with an inferno of hits following his short break and ‘Mile 2’ is the first to put his name back on the lips of music fans.

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Vudumane has a score to settle with naysayers on ‘Jungle’

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Vudumane has a score to settle with naysayers on his latest release, ‘Jungle.’ This bold, unapologetic track is a big gotcha moment for critics of the now-famous artist who first tasted success in 2005. Stream or download ‘Jungle’ across all major digital platforms here: https://ffm.to/vudumane_jungle

If you’re an Afrobeats aficionado, the lively rhythms of ‘Jungle’ will get you in your element. Vudumane makes a beautiful case for perseverance, stirring up an infectious anthem for anyone told they cannot achieve greatness and producer, Khalifa ensures his victory roar feels like something out of a blockbuster movie.

Vudumane’s lyrics will leave you intrigued. They serve as a poignant reminder of the power of self-belief. Lines like, “Don’t worry. Vudu, time will tell. Don’t worry/Nobody. Matter don cast, I see nobody,” are not just catchy but cathartic. They resonate with audiences, turning their struggles into triumph as they vibe with the man of the hour.

“Throughout my life, I have been underestimated by others who did not expect me to succeed because of my unconventional lifestyle and innovative approach to music. Now that I have proved myself, it is time to officially address such people and let them know how wrong they were,” says Vudumane.

‘Jungle’ is a sound reminder to rise to the occasion and prove your doubters wrong.

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With music dating back to the mid-2000s and collaborations bearing the names of Davido, Zlatan, Selasi and Kwabena Kwabena, Vudumane is as grand as his résumé suggests. Formerly known as Nyankonton, the Ghanaian-Nigerian star’s seamless fusion of styles has seen him capture audiences in the American and European music scene through vibrant sounds that honor his tradition. Whether Afrobeats or Amapiano, Vudumane’s breathtaking songs continue to push the envelope of each genre. This innovative approach has earned the ‘Odo Wuo’ breakout star a reputation on the world stage as a champion of cultural exchange through unity and self-discovery.

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Spotify’s RADAR Africa: Showcasing the Diverse Sounds Redefining the Continent’s Music Scene

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Spotify’s RADAR program is dedicated to bringing rising talent to the forefront globally, showcasing what is next in sound, and lifting artists by helping them expand their global reach on their path to superstardom.

The past few years have been a clear testament to the growth of African music globally, and this year, Spotify’s RADAR Africa program is shining a spotlight on the continent’s rising stars. Joining the ranks of previous RADAR Alumni such as Ayra StarrVictonyBNXN, and Bloody Civilian from Nigeria, Shallipopi is the latest addition to the RADAR Africa list. Hailing from Eswatini,  Manana who is South-African based follows in the footsteps of luminaries like Tyla and DBN Gogo, representing his nation’s thriving music scene.

Ugandan artist Joshua Baraka’s inclusion underscores the program’s commitment to showcasing the diverse talents that make the African continent proud through their art, following in the footsteps of fellow East African RADAR Alumni Xenia Manasseh from Kenya, with both representing the region.

 

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music, Sub-Saharan Africa says “This cohort represents some of the continent’s most promising artists. As African artists continue to rise globally, Spotify is excited to continue playing its part in the rise and discovery of local artists, showcasing their diverse talents to the world.”

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Shallipopi, popularly called “Presido De La Pluto” by his fans, gained popularity through viral freestyles, offering a fresh perspective on street culture and influencing street lingo through his music. Hailing from the culturally rich Benin City in Edo State, Nigeria, Shallipopi proudly showcases his roots on tracks like “Obapluto,” one of his top five most-listened to songs on Spotify, following “Ex Convict“. His track “Cast” holds the top spot as his most-streamed song, while his album “Shakespopi,” which has amassed over 13 million streams since its release, further highlights how he adeptly fuses tradition with modernity, and seamlessly blends his cultural heritage with contemporary elements.

Shallipopi’s reach continues to grow, with over 1.9 million additions to playlists in the last 12 months and a global audience led by Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ghana, and South Africa over the last 28 days. The street-loved artist is embraced by Gen Z’s with 52% of his listeners aged 18-27 and millennials with 19% at 28-34. He also commands a larger male following at 66% compared to female following at 31% over the last 28 days.

Ugandan artist Joshua Baraka burst onto the scene with his soulful 2020 debut “Tomorrow,” captivating listeners across Africa and globally, and amassing a fervent following. Nigeria stands as the top country streaming his music the most on Spotify over the last 28 days, a testament to the viral success of his hit “NANA“, also his most-streamed song. Nana remix featuring African superstars Joeboy , King Promise and Bien further solidifies his popularity, ranking among Baraka’s top three most-listened tracks, trailing closely behind his other smash hit “Dalilah.”

While Nigeria leads the charge, Baraka’s cross-cultural resonance is evident as Kenya, the United States, the United Kingdom, and his native country Uganda follow among his top five streaming countries, underscoring the singer’s ability to craft melodies that resonate with diverse audiences worldwide. His core Spotify audience over the last 28 days spans Gen Z and millennials, with 53% aged 18-27 and 25% aged 28-34, while his male listenership at 59% outpaces females at 38%, further highlighting his capacity to captivate audiences across genders. With over 195k playlist adds on Spotify in the last 12 months, his ever-growing fanbase is a true showcase to the power of cross-cultural relevance and the boundless possibilities of artistic collaboration.

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Hailing from eSwatini, Manana is a multi-talented singer, producer, and Grammy-winning songwriter renowned for his lush melodies and jazzy R&B production. His soulful performances and masterful songwriting prowess, include credits with Burna BoyJon VinylSauti Sol, and the legendary Usher, which helped catapult him to prominence.

Manana’s global appeal is evident as South Africa, the United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and the United Kingdom emerge as the top five countries streaming his music over the last 28 days. He has garnered over 144k playlist adds in the past 12 months and with an audience comprising 50% male listeners and 43% female listeners.  His music resonates strongly with the younger demographic aged 18-27 making up 58% of his total streams and 23% aged 28-34, over the last 28 days. Additionally, one of his most streamed tracks on Spotify “Distance – Acoustic” features his exceptional songwriting talent.

 

We had a sit down with Shallipopi, Manana and Joshua Baraka to delve deeper into their music and creative journey.

 

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SHALLIPOPI

 

How would you describe your musical style and what are some of the influences that have shaped your sound?

My music is experimental music or what I call Afro-talk. It’s just my own type of sound.

 

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How does it feel to be one of this year’s Spotify RADAR artists?

It feels great. It’s an opportunity for more people to meet me at the front. This is just the beginning.

 

Artists often face unique challenges. What has surprised you most about the music industry so far?  What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned on your musical journey?

Nothing surprises me about the music game – I’m enjoying it. The big lesson is not to give up. Just do what you’re doing and listen to the people close to you.

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Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your musical journey?

 I’m excited about everything because this is my dream. Doing music back to back, I’ve been doing music since I was a child so everything about it is exciting.

 

MANANA

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How would you describe your musical style and what are some of the influences that have shaped your sound?

I would say I make alternative RnB, with a singer-songwriter twist. My influences are a combination of training from my upbringing, harmonies from choir school, chord progressions from jazz studies and then the rest is from hearing RnB and neo-soul music from my brother’s CD collection

 

How does it feel to be one of this year’s Spotify RADAR artists?

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Feels good. It’s a privilege, I’m very grateful. It is reassuring and encouraging to see that the work we’re putting in is appreciated.

 

Artists often face unique challenges. What has surprised you most about the music industry so far?  What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned on your musical journey?

I don’t think I’ve had any surprises. But I think the struggle I had to deal with is comparison. I think social media has given us access to parts of the world that previously weren’t easily accessible, but has also exposed us to this feeling of inadequacy that maybe isn’t warranted. I think focusing on what I’m doing and not trying to make music that would be viral or “challenge friendly” has been my biggest lesson.

 

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Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your musical journey?

Growth. Every year I start with that being my goal. I’m not sure what that looks like exactly but I know consistent growth has no limit. So that’s the hope for the future.

 

JOSHUA BARAKA

How would you describe your musical style and what are some of the influences that have shaped your sound?

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I’d describe my musical style as an interpretation of what I feel at the time I’m making that particular piece of music. Basically, my music is who I am so I’d describe my music as another version of me. I’ve been influenced by a lot of gospel musicians because I grew up in a staunch Christian family. As I grew up and got access to more genres of music, I became obsessed with Bob Marley, Chronixx, jazz music in general and every RnB artist I could find.

I’ve also been influenced by Ugandan artists like Radio from the duo Radio and Weasel, Maurice Kirya and Elly Wamala.

How does it feel to be one of this year’s Spotify RADAR artists?

It feels really good to be chosen to be a part of this year’s RADAR artists. I feel like a part of something bigger than myself. It’s a step in the right direction and vision which is to shine light on Uganda and East Africa in general.

 

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Artists often face unique challenges. What has surprised you most about the music industry so far?  What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned on your musical journey?

What surprised me the most about the music industry is how different it is from whatever you see on Tv and the internet.It’s not as smooth and easy as it’s made to appear. My biggest lesson so far is that you need to show up regardless of how you feel and do what you need to do.That is the price for growth.

 

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your musical journey?

I’m excited for the day Uganda is recognized on the music scene globally because we have a lot of talents, tujja tujja. For myself, I’m excited to share all the new music I have been working on and some serious work coming up. I’m excited for where all this journey is headed

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Check out Shallipoppi’s ASAP and Cast, Manana’s Hold me Tight and Sunday Morning,  as well as Joshua Baraka’s Dalilah and Nana Remix on RADAR Africa.  Assets to go along with your story are attached.  Let me know if you have any questions or are interested in covering!

 

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Shazam Launches Global Radio Spins Charts, Unveiling the World’s Most Played Tracks on Apple Music and Shazam.com

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Shazam today launched Shazam Radio Spins charts on Apple Music and shazam.com, using its music recognition technology to identify and rank what music is being played on radio across tens of thousands of stations worldwide.

—To build these charts, Shazam is identifying nearly one million hours of music every single day, capturing spins from more than 40,000 radio stations from more than 200 countries and regions around the world.

—The new charts can help identify songs that are trending on radio globally, locally, by genre and by artist, offering unique insights in what is new to the rotation, how the radio landscape may differ around the world, and where artists may be gaining the most traction on air.

—The Shazam Radio Spins charts are available starting today for Apple Music subscribers and on shazam.com worldwide.
On Apple Music, subscribers now have access to a daily global top 200 Radio Chart and a selection of genre charts for Pop, Hip-Hop/Rap, Dance, Electronic, R&B/Soul, Alternative, Rock, Latin, Country. Available in Shazam’s curator page, these charts are ranking the most spun songs on radio in a given week, as captured by Shazam, updated every day.

On Shazam.com, music fans can access one global and various genre-specific radio charts, also ranking the most spun songs on radio in a given week, as captured by Shazam, updated daily. Available genres include: Pop, Hip-Hop/Rap, Dance, Electronic, R&B/Soul, Alternative, Rock, Latin, Country, AfroBeats, Worldwide, Reggae/Dancehall, House, French Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Música Mexicana.

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Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio this Friday with Savara

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This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Savara, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week, Africa Rising and Nandi Madida’s Favourite Track of the Week!

Tune in to Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida this Friday, May 10th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 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
Kenyan Afropop star and Sauti Sol veteran Savara joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest single, “Tequila.” He also discusses his new EP, ‘No Overthinking,’ his creative process, and how his solo journey helps him find freedom of expression.

The Big 5
Nandi Madida shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from BOJ & Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr feat. Seyi Vibez, DJ LeSoul feat. Baby S.O.N, LuMai & Nhlonipho, Yumbs, Focalistic & Joeboy feat. Bien & Moliy, and Tiwa Savage feat. Ayra Starr.

Africa Rising
Nigerian R&B star Nezsa—Apple Music’s latest Up Next: Nigeria featured artist—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, “Pressure” and “Nervous Juice.”  Listen HERE.

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Nandi’s Song of the Week
Each week, Nandi Madida chooses her favourite track from one of Apple Music’s African playlists. This week she spotlights South African Afro-house producer Drega and singer-songwriter Simmy and their track, “Ezizweni,” from Apple Music’s Afro House Nation playlist. Listen HERE.

Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, May 10th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 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.

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Savara Tells Apple Music About the Inspiration Behind His New EP, ‘No Overthinking’

For ‘Savage Level’, it being my debut solo album… I had a lot to say and I had a lot of ideas I had been keeping there, so when I started doing the project I asked myself, ”Why am i doing a solo project?“ The first thing is reintroducing yourself to the world, so I really dug deep. I’m a perfectionist, so I remember that experience being so emotional. That album took me through a crazy emotional rollercoaster, because it was a very uncertain time where I didn’t know what was going to happen in the future—I was in limbo in that time [Sauti Sol] were on hiatus, and there was so much public negativity—so I really dug deep and wanted to be true to myself.

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So when it came to this, doing another project… ‘Savage Level’ is about how I grew up, my time and everything. It’s deep, but then when I remember the kind of emotion I had to put in, and this being the first official year that I’m a solo act, I realised I don’t want to hold back any of my ideas. I have so many ideas, and sometimes I move on too quickly. I’ve realised for that the kind of person that I am, the only way I’m going to enjoy this art thing is to release myself, have some freedom and just enjoy the process of putting music out, and not being a perfectionist. I don’t want to die before I put out most of the ideas that I have in my heart.

Savara Tells Apple Music About the Track, ‘Life on the Road‘

I was going through some misunderstandings with my lady, and there was a lot of being in the limelight and a lot of ”he says, she says“ on the road. She’s someone that I never wanted to expose to ”he says, she says“ about industry stuff, so it was a time of my life that I was really down, and I wrote this song because she is someone I never wanted to hurt. It’s just the shenanigans that had had me do such a song, and just express how life on the road is so crazy, and we have to be understood.

Savara Tells Aple Music How ‘No Overthinking’ Helped Him Find Freedom of Expression

Being in a group, there’s a way we are boxed. You are boxed in a certain situation, [so] sometimes  I can do a different type of track and the fans can come to me like, “Oh, Savara! Oh man—we do not expect this kind from you…” So I’m like, ”Yo, I didn’t give up my freedom ” So ’No Overthinking’ is me getting my freedom and enjoying my life in this world.

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RichieO Expresses Devotion To God With New Single Daadaa

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RichieO, a talented musician, is back with a new modern gospel music titled ‘Daadaa (Forever)’, featuring Emmanuel Smith and Omari Kissi Jnr. In this powerful song, RichieO expresses his unwavering devotion to God, declaring that he will praise Him forever. The word ‘Daadaa’ which means ‘Forever’, encapsulates the message of the song – a heartfelt declaration of eternal gratitude to God for His blessings and faithfulness.

Emmanuel Smith and Omari Kissi Jnr also lend their voices to the beautiful melody, adding depth and emotion to the powerful lyrics. The collaboration of these talented artists creates a dynamic and uplifting musical experience that is sure to resonate with listeners.

As the music builds to a crescendo, RichieO’s voice soars with passion and conviction, conveying a sense of awe and reverence for the Creator.’Daadaa (Forever)’ is a testament to RichieO’s faith and his desire to share the message of God’s love and grace through music.

This soul-stirring song is a reminder of the enduring power of faith and the importance of praising God in every season of life. With its inspiring lyrics and infectious melody, ‘Daadaa (Forever)’ is a must-listen for fans of modern gospel music and anyone in need of encouragement and hope. Check out the streaming links here below

 

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Main Streaming Link : https://social.tunecore.com/linkShare?linkid=AECgOL412R8WqwcBYHPEjw

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