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Angelique Kidjo Tells Apple Music About Finding Her Identity Through Black Music on The Message on Apple Music 1
On a special Black Music Month episode of The Message on Apple Music 1, Grammy Award-winning Beninese superstar Angelique Kidjo joins Ebro Darden to discuss finding her identity through Black music, the importance of learning from each other’s stories, her educational foundation for African women, and more. The Message is a series that aims to further the dialogue about the unrest and inequalities in the United States and abroad via intimate conversations with some of the most prominent voices in Black music today, who also create exclusive playlists of the songs inspiring them to keep pushing forward.
Video and key quotes from the episode are below — feel free to use and credit Ebro Darden on Apple Music 1. Listen to the episode in-full HERE.
Video | Angelique Kidjo Tells Apple Music About Finding Her Identity Through Black Music on The Message on Apple Music 1
Watch: http://apple.co/Kidjo
Angelique Kidjo Tells Apple Music About Finding Her Identity Through Music…
“My identity as a Black person, being aware of what it is to be Black come from music. The first time I heard the word ‘slave descendant,’ it was when I heard my brother playing Jimi Hendrix…I was like, ‘By the way, who’s this guy? What language is he speaking in? He looks African to me.’ That’s when my brother said, ‘He’s African-American.’ I said, ‘Come on. How can you be African and American at the same time?’ I was nine years old. Then I learn and throughout the year, suddenly at 15, I heard about apartheid in South Africa.” Then, my world just collapsed.”
Angelique Kidjo Tells Apple Music About The importance of Learning From Other People’s Stories and History…
“We could have saved so much time, and be so much impactful if you have known each other’s story. I didn’t know anything really much deeply as I know now about the Civil Rights movement in America, until I arrived in America. And I can tell you that the youth in Africa still don’t know it. And for me, it’s urgent for us to learn our own history. Because if we don’t know it, we are still at danger of being fooled again.”
Angelique Kidjo Tells Apple Music About Collaborating With Burna Boy on “Do Yourself”…
“When I listened to the song, it was such a beautiful song that I was just thinking musically to accompany his voice and to be with him in song. So I sent the first version of the song, and then he said, ‘Ma, I need you more. I need your voice more.’ I send the second version. He said, ‘I need your voice more.’ And I said, ‘You want me to Angelique Kidjo the song?’ And he said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, ‘Okay, that’s what you’re going to get.’”
Angelique Kidjo Tells Apple Music About The Batonga Foundation…
“A mother pulled me aside and told me, ‘Angelique…if our girls finished primary education and they’re not in secondary education, they’re going to end up having the same fate we have. Being married early and bearing children at a very early age. And then the future is done. So what are we going to do about secondary education?’ It was not in the mandate at that time of the UN. So I take upon myself to create Batonga and I’ve seen many experts talk to many people. Everybody told me, ‘Angelique, this is just a dead end because the rate of dropout of girls in secondary education is too high. You’re going to fail.’ And I look at people, I say, ‘Well, if it’s easy, why bother?’”
Angelique Kidjo Shares Her Message…
“I grew up in a household where my dad and mom always used to say to us, ‘You cannot come back here and say you failed because you’re Black because that is something like that doesn’t exist. Success or failure has nothing to do with your skin color, is when you let people drag you into only reducing you to the skin color that you fail.’ I took that literally, and I hit the world stage. Every time they throw my skin color at me, I give them a big smile. I say, ‘Okay. Well, I’m Black. I’m proud of it. Can we have a conversation right now? Can we get to business?’”
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GHANAIAN FASHION COLLECTIVE FREE THE YOUTH RECRUITS KWESI ARTHUR FOR DEBUT SINGLE “WHO DAT BOY?”
Today, Ghanaian fashion collective FREE THE YOUTH – who have taken the streetwear scene by storm and have been featured in VOGUE, The FADER, and NATIVE – make their first foray into music releasing their debut single, “WHO DAT BOY?”, available to stream now on all digital platforms via LVRN Records/The Orchard – LISTEN HERE.
Produced by Quantum, the Accra-based, 10-person collective have leveraged their influence within the music space – collaborating with some of the hottest talent from the continent. On “WHO DAT BOY”, they enlist Kwesi Arthur for a debut single that perfectly fuses afro sound with drill to deliver what will no doubt be the soundtrack to every ‘fit check’ video on social media.
“We made Who Dat Boy with our boy Kwesi Arthur and it’s just one of those songs that we want the youth to rage to. ”
The release of ‘WHO DAT BOY?’ is not just a foray into music for FREE THE YOUTH but a continuation of their mission to empower and inspire through a unique cultural narrative. The collective expands their “selling stories, selling hope” mission into the music arena with distinctive, off-the-wall style and unabashed confidence. As they continue to challenge conservative norms that stifle creativity in Ghana, FREE THE YOUTH aims to free the youth, one beat at a time.
ABOUT FREE THE YOUTH
FREE THE YOUTH is a community, a movement led by young creatives passionate about empowering all African youth to connect through the arts and street culture.
FREE THE YOUTH is at the forefront of the African creative and streetwear scene. Since launching in 2015, the brand has grown with its cultural influence firmly established throughout Africa, Europe and USA in particular. With cutting edge designs, annual limited edition pieces and international collaborations, the brand has built a strong reputation and loyal community.
Stream FREE THE YOUTH’s new single “WHO DAT BOY?” out now via LVRN Records/The Orchard.
Listen to “WHO DAT BOY?”
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MrrrDaisy Explores Themes Of Love And Reminiscence In New Single “Echoes Of You”
MrrrDaisy, the visionary Ghanaian-Spanish artist known for his eclectic mix of African music and modern pop, announces his highly anticipated return with the single “Echoes Of You.” Following a year dedicated to artistic exploration and musical refinement, MrrrDaisy re-enters the music scene with a track that masterfully blends dance-pop with elements of synthpop, capturing the complex emotions of love and memory.
“Echoes Of You” is a poignant meditation on the enduring impact of past relationships. The track combines evocative lyrics with a pulsating beat, creating an immersive listening experience that explores the persistent echoes of a former love. From the opening lines—”Woke up to the dawn, but your shadow’s still by my side”—to the haunting refrain of the chorus, the song uses the metaphor of an echo to illustrate how memories linger, filling the present with the resonance of the past.
The production of “Echoes Of You” showcases MrrrDaisy’s growth as an artist and his adeptness at synthesizing different musical influences. The song’s arrangement is layered with rich synth textures that enhance its emotional depth, while the rhythm drives the track forward, compelling listeners to both dance and reflect. MrrrDaisy’s vocal performance is infused with a tone of wistful longing, delivering each line with a sincerity that underscores the song’s theme of unresolved emotional ties.
Through “Echoes Of You,” MrrrDaisy continues to push the boundaries of genre, melding Afrobeat with global music trends to create a sound that is uniquely his own. His collaborations with artists like Kudjoe Daze and engagements with international talents have refined his musical palette, enabling him to produce songs that are not only technically impressive but also rich in narrative depth.
Now available on all major streaming platforms, “Echoes Of You” is accompanied by a promotional campaign that encourages fans to engage with the themes of the song, fostering a connection that transcends the typical listener-artist dynamic. This release not only marks MrrrDaisy’s return but also reinforces his status as a transformative figure in the music industry, whose innovative approach and compelling storytelling continue to captivate a growing global audience.
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Listen UP: Bosco Soundtrack “Up sometimes”
One of the most intriguing features of the song is its simplicity. The arrangement serves an aesthetic that is well crafted to arouse a sorrowful feeling, allowing Thank Jordan’s voice to cut deep into the heart and take centre stage. The perfect mix of rap enhances the impact of the lyrics, creating an intimate and engulfing listening experience.
While Up sometime is a motivational song, it avoids cringe and offers encouragement as well as confidence and belief in self potential. The melodic prowess is evident in every unique way to highlight a complex emotion with relatable lyrics. The song is a perfect showcase of strength and dignity in achieving dreams and aspirations the honourable way and emboldening the sense of humanity that pride the soul.
The music video for ‘Up Sometime’ aligns with the song’s storyline by providing a vivid visual representation of lyrics conveyed in the laid back instrumental. the visuals enhance the idea of the song and create a synergy between the audio and visuals.
In conclusion, ‘Up sometimes’ is a melodious masterpiece conveying an encouraging and so assertive with an expression that overlaps boundaries and speaks to the multitude.
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Listen Up: Randy N makes magic with new single ‘Can’t Stop’
Randy N, a hip-hop virtuoso and creative rapper, displays his impressive talents and skills on his latest single, ‘Can’t Stop’. (more…)
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Aklerh Out With Much-Anticipated EP, “Dancehall Queen”
Get Dancehall Queen On All Digital Stores – https://album.link/DancehallQueen
Watch Dancehall Queen Video on Youtube – https://youtu.be/ba3dcC4nClo
By Fiifi Adinkra
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Susan Augustt set to release her first single of the year, dubbed ‘Sexy Depression’
Budding Ghanaian singer , songwriter & live performance coach , Susan Augustt is slowly etching her name across the hearts of Ghanaians one soothing vocal at a time.
The singer who describes her style of music as neo afro-soul is gradually becoming a household name for lovers of good music. Susan Augustt who is known for her poignant lyrics and soulful melodies, is set to release her first single of the year titled “Sexy Depression.”
Scheduled for release on May 10th, “Sexy Depression” seeks to explore the complexities of human emotions and everyday living. Susan Augustt who is known for her ability to blend vulnerability with strength in her music, is set to deliver yet another powerful song that promises to resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level.
Known for her authenticity and fearless approach to songwriting, Susan Augustt continues to carve out a unique space for herself in the music industry. Providing some context on the inspiration behind the song, Susan Augustt revealed the song was written at a time when she had come to a crossroads in her life. “I needed to make a decision about putting myself first and finding peace in that as well,” she explained.
“Sexy Depression” is about the contradictory and complex nature of human emotions. It also highlights the importance of taking time off life’s daunting experiences to take care of oneself. “It’s about being able to put yourself first without feeling guilty or wrong about it,” she continued.
“Sexy Depression” marks the latest addition to the singers impressive discography, which includes previous hits such as “Obaa,” Foreign Love” and “Run back home” which was featured in an NFL Africa Documentary. The song was produced by SosaWaveGod and mastered by Peeondabeat. It is poised to further solidify her reputation as a versatile artist who is unafraid to tackle topics that are generally regarded as both deeply personal and sensitive yet are universally relatable. With approximately 3weeks to the release, a presave link has been provided for fans eagerly awaiting this musical ingenuity.
An intimate listening and release party is also scheduled sometime prior to the actual release date. Fans and music enthusiasts can expect an accompanying visualizer that will carry listeners along on this unforgettable musical journey. Susan Augustt is also hoping to release a multi-genre album in August. “It’s time to showcase my versatility as an artiste through vocal and character expression,” she disclosed. Susan Augustt is a product of Benson Entertainment Production Institute led by Stephanie Benson and has performed on many platforms such as Afrofest Toronto, Ahaban Charity Festival, Library of Africa, One Beat Ghana and Black Girls Glow. She sings predominantly in English, Twi and Ga and only performs live band music.
Click to presave “Sexy Depression.” https://onerpm.link/770616372858
Story by: Maame Adwoa A. Mensah
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