Listen

Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio this Friday with DBN GOGO

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2024

This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With DBN Gogo 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, February 2nd 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 Interview
South African amapiano DJ and producer DBN Gogo joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about her latest track, the PRVIS3 and Triple X Da Ghost collab, “STINGRAY (feat. Durban’s Finest & Effected).” She also discusses her new EP, ‘Click Bait,’ becoming one of amapiano’s most prominent women, and how the genre’s global growth inspires South Africa’s young people.

The Big 5
Nandi Madida shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Zlatan feat. Asake, Aṣa, Ajebo Hustlers feat. ODUMODUBLVCK, Murumba Pitch & Mthunzi feat. Omit ST & Buhle Sax, and Lady Zamar.

Africa Rising
Nigerian Afrobeats singer-songwriter and entertainer Nasboi 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 his singles, “Umbrella (feat. Wande Coal)” and “Lover Boy.” Listen HERE.

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 Sarz and Asake’s collab with American rapper Gunna, “Happiness,” Apple Music’s Africa to the World playlist. Listen HERE.

Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, February 2nd 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.

***

DBN Gogo tells Apple Music How She Became One of the First Women in Amapiano

It seems like a lifetime ago because piano is moving so fast, it’s almost running away from us! I really came into it at a time when I was still playing old school house, a little bit more dance music and I think the more I started to play, people wanted later slots. Everyone is sort of playing the same music at the time, and this new sound that I keep hearing – I was introduced to amapiano in Pretoria, so I was hearing a lot of bacardi, broken beat, that vibe – and I was like, let me see what this is all about and I started mixing old school, piano and gqom. In a one hour set you would hear all three genres, I don’t even know how I was doing that, and it just kind of became a thing because the women in piano were the vocalists, so yeah I think I was just at the right place at the right time, really fortunate and willing to learn because it hadn’t been adapted by a lot of people.

Now a lot of people know a lot of the sound and a lot of the music through me because I really came into it and it just became one with me, and I started making music. It just felt authentic for me to make that, especially with someone like a DJ Dinho who hails from Pretoria, who is part of the first people making the sound. It was a no brainer for me.

DBN Gogo tells Apple Music Why She Named Her Latest Project ‘Click Bait’

You know there was a time when a lot of people were patronising others for jumping onto amapiano and, you know, riding the wave and it’s like… it’s our music, why would you not get into this thing that we’re all doing? I see that our dance and our afro tech is really becoming a thing, even globally, so I was like let me dabble and see how I can interpret it in my own way and see what we make of it.

That’s why we named the EP Click Bait, because you’re going to tap in it thinking that you’re going to be listening to your regular regular DBN Gogo – making piano, making you dance. Yes we’ll have a dance, but we’re giving you a new flavour. We’re showing you the versatility, we’re showing you that South African dance music is here, we’re all here and we’re all working together, we’re collaborating and we’re pushing this music. Doesn’t matter what variation of it it is, we are pushing our sound.

DBN Gogo tells Apple Music why South African Music Deserves the Spotlight

It’s the universe telling us that we matter, what we make matters. There’s an audience for us, we’re not just a small country at the bottom of Africa, we have dreams that are valid. We have a sound, and it’s not the first time South African sound has gone international, it just shows us that we can create our own things and we are worthy of that as we are worth being looked into.

I don’t think there is any other genre that worked as hard, even during lockdown. Blood, sweat and tears – there are kids that have died for this sound, you know? It’s not child’s play, people are being employed, treating their families with this sound… so it really is incredible that we’re getting our time to shine and we can do anything we set our minds to. I think the youths of South Africa have needed something to be inspired by for a very long time.

Listen

Listen Up: Class In Session, Ajebo Hustlers drops “Bad Boy Etiquette 102”

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

VJ Scaro

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…)

Listen

Apple Music Celebrates Africa Month with Afrobeats Spotlight

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

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!”

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/AfrobeatsHits

Discover Afrobeats in 20 songs: https://apple.co/Afrobeatsin20Songs

Listen

Apple Music Releases New Africa Now DJ Mix Featuring DJ Joenel

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

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.

Listen

Greykoffi drops new urban Christian music, ‘Follow Who Know Road’

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Greykoffi drops new urban Christian music, 'Follow Who Know Road'

Jerry Michelle Mishiame, artistically known as Greykoffi/ Nyeselorm is a Ghanaian – UK based Contemporary Urban and Christian musician, and songwriter. Greykoffi is a former member of a duo group “Tekyerema”.

Listen on https://audiomack.com/greykoffimusic/song/follow-who-know-road?share-user-id=2147534

Greykoffi began his recording career in 2003, where he recorded his first demo with various artistes at that time. He has performed with several Ghanaian artistes like Reggie zippy, Echo, Castro, Asase aban, Episode and many more.

In 2006, upon the death of his duo group partner, Greykoffi decided to embark on his musical journey alone. In 2016, he released his first Album titled ‘Where Grace Smile’. His career goals are to provide an atmosphere of worship for many youths to connect with God, and also to show the average artiste not to bury their dreams because of the industry standards and the challenges of life.

Greykoffi/Nyeselorm has released another single titled ‘Follow Who Know Road’. The song features one of the industry’s unique and talented musician called Kweku Afro. The song is available on all digital platforms.

Listen

Ghanaian songstress, Elizha secures milestone feature with reggae icon Anthony B

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Ghanaian songstress Elizha is on a new dancehall adventure as she features award-winning Jamaican producer and artiste, Anthony B.

The singer/songwriter has unveiled her new single titled “Sugar” as she takes listeners on a rollercoaster dancehall ride with Anthony B, who has worked with some of the best musicians around the world.

The feature is indeed historic, as Elizha becomes the first Ghanaian female artist to feature a top Jamaican reggae and dancehall icon.

The US-based Ghanaian singer is on a mission to reassert herself as one of the budding musical stars to emerge from Ghana, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

Produced by Kros, the new jam by the American-based Ghanaian musician is her first major collaboration in her career, which has sparkled over the past months.

Elizha has had a remarkable career thus far having being adjudged the Best Female Vocalist at the 2023 Ghana Music Awards USA.

The “Sugar” single is available across various streaming platforms.

Listen

Liv North shares new song ‘Boyfriend’ featuring Kwaw Kese

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Rising Afrobeats sensation, Liv North unveils her latest single ‘Boyfriend,’ featuring renowned Ghanaian rapper, Kwaw Kese. The must-listen song celebrates love and appreciation for partners, showcasing Liv North’s vibrant style and knack for deeply felt lyrics in one scoop. ‘Boyfriend’ is in line to become a radio sensation. Listen to it here: https://fanlink.tv/liv-boyfriend

On ‘Boyfriend,’ Liv North again shines brightly. Her soulful vocals seamlessly flow into Kwaw Kese’s signature rap style to create an engaging sound that sounds fresh yet familiar. This beautiful synergy is made possible by the talented DatBeatGod, whose irresistible production captures the passion at stake.

“I’m excited to be releasing ‘Boyfriend’ with Kwaw Kese and DatBeatGod,” Liv North shares about her new release. “This song is very special to me and I hope it resonates with listeners as much as it does with me. It’s a celebration of love that I can’t wait for everyone to hear.”

Liv North has been a steady voice in the live music scene making exceptional covers, all of which are on her 2022 album, “The LivE Xperience, Vol. 1.” Her spicy fusion of Afrobeats and R&B has grown on fans over the years, with ‘Boyfriend’ set to become a resounding success and further solidify the singer as one of the genre’s favorites.

About Liv North

Liv North is quickly cementing herself as the new Afrobeats diva on the block. Known for her captivating vocals and infectious energy, Liv North has garnered massive attention among fans with a unique sound that blends traditional Afrobeats rhythms with contemporary influences. With each new release, her music pushes the boundaries of the genre while celebrating love, life and culture.

Stay tuned for more updates from Liv North and follow her on social media for the latest news and announcements.