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Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio With Nandi Madida this Friday with Rema
This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Rema, a Look Back at the Top Songs of 2023, and the Year’s Biggest Breakout Artists!
Tune in to Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida this Friday, December 15th 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 InterviewNigerian Afropop star Rema joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his chart-topping hit, “Calm Down.” He also discusses his latest EP, ‘RAVAGE,’ evolving his sound, exploring amapiano, and creating a legacy.The Big 5: 2023’s Top African Songs
To close out 2023, Nandi Madida shares some of the top songs from every corner of the continent, with chart-topping tracks from Omah Lay, Asake, Harmonize, Ayra Starr, and Tyler ICU & Tumelo.za feat. DJ Maphorisa, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA & Tyron Dee. Check out the full collection of the year’s biggest tracks on Apple Music’s Africa Now 2023 playlist, HERE.The Breakouts of 2023
This week’s show highlights the biggest breakout stars from across the continent, including South African pop singer-songwriter Tyla, Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK, and Tanzanian soul singer-songwriter Abigail Chams. Discover the full collection of the continent’s biggest emerging acts on Apple Music’s Africa Rising playlist, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars. Listen HERE.Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, December 15th 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.***Rema tells Apple Music about Evolving His SoundWhen you’re blessed with a gift, it’s beyond making it seem logical. To me, it’s more like a spirit thing, it’s not like a brain thing, it’s not like a thought process. There’s nothing I needed to study to be able to get others to tap in with me. I was just tapping in with myself, and if others follow me? Great. If they don’t? Great. I’d say for me it’s mostly internal, when I hear the voice in my head it’s leading me and I feel like a vessel, to leave a mark in the world. It’s like I’m chosen for it so whether or not I try to run away from it, it’s just what it is.
Rema tells Apple Music how He Aims to Create a LegacyI’m supportive to creatives. You see all these great things that have to do with my storytelling, my journey, my branding, my visuals, my photos. I’m not the one taking the photos, I’m not the one shooting the videos, I’m not the one doing all if that they’re just young youths waiting for someone to invest in them, to bring out them crazy ideas, right? That’s what I live for, I live for investing in the youth. It’s beyond musicians, it’s beyond my peers and colleagues. Everyone wants to create, I feel like a lot of creatives have a place in my journey, so I do as best as possible to reinvest in my career, in myself. I’m not just here because I want to drop a banger, make some money and live a flashy life. In 50 years to come, people are going to trace a lot of things back to me – songs back to me, fashion style back to me, visuals back to me, a whole bunch. I want to be able to touch all areas of life, but music is like the first rocket. When it detaches, it goes to wherever it needs to go.
Rema tells Apple Music How He Explores Amapiano AuthenticallyI feel like tapping into a sound, most especially when it’s within Africa, I take my time to study. I don’t jump on the wave, I take my time to understand things. When me and Musa Keys were in the studio, I was like ‘I know a lot of Nigerians are doing amapiano but I need you to educate me about amapiano’. I don’t want to just hop on it. Yes I can make a banger, but it’s like can you teach me? When I hear the ones from South Africa it holds more spirit than the ones from anywhere else. Although I don’t understand everything they’re saying, I can feel the particles, the elements or the spiritual essence of the music. I know there’s a lot of amapiano from different parts of Africa, but educate me about yours, right? I feel like that’s necessary. I’m so down to collaborate, and while I collaborate I want to learn, I don’t want to do it the wrong way. Yes, amapiano is a sound I really want to tap into, but give me time with that!
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MeanAugustine Ready To ‘Elevate’ With New Single
Versatile Ghanaian Musician, MeanAugustine has officially premiered his latest song titled “Elevate” live on streaming platforms.
Formerly known as Narja, MeanAugustine has shaken up the music scene with the release of this new superb record that is difficult to place under the umbrella of a specific genre.
He shows off impressive versatility by switching different styles and fusing distinct genres to produce an euphonious record.
“Elevate” is simply a motivational song that talks about focusing, grinding, finally winning and rising to the next level in one’s career.
However, there is nothing simple about the trilingual delivery and performance by MeanAugustine on the Z3NA produced track.
Effortlessly switching between English, Twi and a modicum of Patoa, the artiste enraptures a medley of listeners.
Created on the back of a normal conversation between two artistes; MeanAugustine and Kinjunia, “Elevate” was chiefly performed as a freestyle.
“The song was actually inspired by my conversation with Kinjunia, we talked for about two hours on how to elevate our music career,” MeanAugustine told Amplify Ghana.
He added that the chorus: “me and my gang go elevate,” just came to mind and he straightaway decided to record.
The song was mixed and mastered by MeanMix.
“Elevate” by MeanAugustine is now out and available on all digital streaming platforms.
Follow MeanAugustine on Instagram
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TIWA SAVAGE RELEASES ‘LOST TIME’, THE FIRST SINGLE FROM THE OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK FOR DEBUT FEATURE FILM ‘WATER & GARRI’
Singer, songwriter and actor TIWA SAVAGE has today released LOST TIME, the first single taken from WATER & GARRI – THE SOUNDTRACK album. ‘Water & Garri’ is a feature film from Everything Savage and Unbound Studios and is set for release on May 10, 2024 on Prime Video with the full soundtrack also released on the same day through EMPIRE. Watch the trailer HERE.
Produced by Khari ‘Needlz’ Cain (Bruno Mars, Drake, Cardi B) and Poo Bear (Justin Bieber, TY Dolla, Usher), Lost Time is a captivating, stripped back guitar-led mid tempo record which sees Savage reminiscing of a past love and the yearn to re-live happier times.
The immersive soundtrack album was curated by Savage and includes ten original songs from Tiwa alongside featured artists from the worlds of Afropop, R&B and Hip Hop. Giants such as Grammy nominated stars Olamide and Ayra Starr, respected Nigerian singer- songwriter ASA, Cameroonian multi-instrumentalist and singer Richard Bona, gospel artist ZacardiCortez as well as newer talent Black Sherif, Young Jonn, Mystro Sugar and The Cavemen all feature on the album.
The Water & Garri film and its accompanying soundtrack marks a pivotal chapter in Tiwa’s artistic journey as she embarks in the world of film taking on her first lead role in a feature movie as well as its Executive Producer. The ‘Water & Garri’ film sees her play the role of Aisha, an ambitious fashion designer who returns to her native home ‘Eastside’ after 10 years away living in the United States following a family bereavement. At home, Aisha finds that things have drastically changed, violence has escalated, and tensions are high. As she reconnects with family, old friends, and her past love, she must learn to live with her scars and confront the guilt she left behind.
Lost Time is out now on all streaming platforms. Listen Here
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Listen Up: Sofie drops new bouncy heartbreak anthem “Party Pooper”
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Listen Up: Class In Session, Ajebo Hustlers drops “Bad Boy Etiquette 102”
Dynamic multi-genre duo Ajebo Hustlers are back with their latest project, the aptly titled “Bad Boy Etiquette 102.” Hailing from Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Knowledge (George Dandeson) and Piego (Isaiah Precious) have been steadily building a reputation for music that entertains and enlightens. Listen here. (more…)
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Apple Music Celebrates Africa Month with Afrobeats Spotlight
Apple Music is celebrating Africa Month with a special focus on Afrobeats, highlighting one of the most eclectic and influential sounds in music today.
Apple Music kicks off the celebrations with the introduction of cover stars on its Afrobeats Hits playlist, starting with Nigerian singer-songwriter, Fireboy DML who just released his new single “Everyday.”
“As the first artist to be featured on this Apple Music playlist, I feel incredibly honoured and grateful,” Fireboy DML tells Apple Music. “Since 2019 I’ve had incredible support from Apple Music and I’m sure the whole African music scene can say the same. I’m excited to see where this leads and what it will do for the culture.”
Speaking about his new single “Everyday,” Fireboy DML adds: “This new era of my career is about reconnecting with one’s roots, old self and focusing on the things that truly matter — love, family, personal health. I think that’s where success truly lies. ‘Everyday’ is a song that reminds you of the days when we used to make celebratory love songs, of simpler times. From the moment the instrumental starts playing, you can already tell what you’re in for. I’m excited to share this record with the world!”
Read Also: Apple Music Releases New Africa Now DJ Mix Featuring DJ Joenel
Apple Music is also featuring “The Story of Afrobeats in 20 songs,” a written editorial feature highlighting the music and artists that helped the genre grow from a West African staple into a global phenomenon.
Towards the end of the month of May, Apple Music will also be launching a new Viral Afrobeats playlist, as well as an new Afrobeats category page that will house new releases, playlists and essential albums from the genre.
Apple Music has also released the Top Artists and Top Countries by streams of Afrobeats Hits for the past year.
Top Artists by streams on Afrobeats Hits
- Davido
- Asake
- Bnxn
- Omah Lay
- Rema
- Burna Boy
- Ayra Starr
- Adekunle Gold
- Kizz Daniel
- Zinoleesky
Top Countries by streams of Afrobeats Hits
- United States
- United Kingdom
- France
- Canada
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Germany
- Ghana
- Australia
- Switzerland
Discover Afrobeats Hits here: https://apple.co/
Discover Afrobeats in 20 songs: https://apple.co/
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Apple Music Releases New Africa Now DJ Mix Featuring DJ Joenel
Apple Music today released this month’s Africa Now DJ Mix, featuring award-winning, Nigerian DJ, DJ Joenel (real name Eugene O. Nelson-Iye), who has embodied Afrocentricity through his live performances, radio dominance, and personal style.
Born and raised in Ahoada East L.G.A in Rivers State, Nigeria, DJ Joenel cemented his status as one of the leading DJs in the country when he became the resident DJ for Cool FM, the No. 1 hit music station in Lagos. Apart from being the official DJ for Afrobeats singer-songwriter Omah Lay, he has also performed alongside African giants Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid, as well as Olamide, Phyno, Asake, Rema and Kizz Daniel, to name but a few.
Apple Music x DJ Joenel Africa Now Mix Tracklist:
1. Burna Boy – On Form
2. Rema – Dnd
3. Omah Lay – Reason
4. Sarz – Happiness (feat. Asake & Gunna)
5. Zlatan X Asake – Bust Down
6. Kabza De Small, Mthunzi – Amazwe (Ft Mawhoo)
7. DJ Stokie & Eemoh – Masithokoze
8. Kelvin Momo & Babalwa M – Amalobolo (feat Stixx, Nia Pearl)
9. Wizkid – Ololufe (Audio) ft. Wande Coal
10. Young John – Big Big Things (feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez)
11. Kabza – Imithandazo (Ft Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine)
12. Shallipopi – Cast Ft Odumodublvck
13. Skepta, Portable – Tony Montana
14. Tebza De DJ – Ka Valungu (ft. DJ Nomza The King)
15. Jaivah x Marioo – Bruda
16. TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam [Ft. S.N.E & EeQue]
17. Shakes & Les and DBN Gogo – Funk 55 [Ft. Zee Nxumalo, Ceeka RSA and Chley]
18. King Promise – Paris
19. Omah Lay – Holy Ghost
20. Phyno – Do I (Remix) (feat. Burna Boy)
21. Asake – Only Me
22. Flavour – Big Baller
23. Young Jonn- Go Hard
24. Dlala Thukzin – IPlan
25. Chiké & Mohbad – Egwu
26. Kaestyle – Egberi
27. Kizz Daniel, Davido Twe (Remix)
28. Babylon ft. Victony
29. Holy Ten – Ndotokuda (ft. Kimberley Richard)
30. Diamond Platnumz – Mapoz (Ft Mr. Blue & Jay Melody)
31. Davido – NA MONEY ft. The Cavemen., Angélique Kidjo
32. Nandy – Dah (Feat Alikiba)
33. Burna Boy – Tested, Approved & Trusted
34. Azawi – Masavu
35. Kizz Daniel – Showa
36. Qing Madi – American Love
37. Joshua Baraka – Dalilah (Ft Axon)
38. AJEBO HUSTLERS- CELINE DION Ft Odumodublvck
39. Victony – Everything
40. Tyla – Jump (Ft Gunna & Skillibeng)
41. Takura – Hazvireve Rudo Handina
42. Ugaboys – SALARY (ft. Selecta Jeff)
43. Ayra Starr – Commas
44. Bien – Ma Cherie
45. M3lon – Slow Whine
46. KJ Spio – C- Undress You (Ft Sarkodie & Oxlade)
47. Bnxn & Ruger – Romeo Must Die
Check out Apple Music’s Africa Now dedicated space, including its weekly radio show and companion playlist HERE.
Apple Music is the ultimate hub to an eclectic array of independently curated DJ Mixes from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana. Apple Music’s African DJ Mix curator partners also include a wide variety of top-tier names like Balcony Mix Africa,iMullar Sound System, KUNYE, Life Of The Party, Obrigado, Pan African Music, Party In The Jungle, Soul Candi, Spin With Engage and Turntable Entertainment.
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