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Gyakie talks about Twitter backlash and more on Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio
This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Gyakie, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week, and Mandla Sibeko’s Favourite African Proverb!
Tune in to Africa Now Radio With Cuppy This Sunday, March 28th at 2p Lagos/London / 3p Johannesburg/Paris / 6a LA / 9a NYC on Apple Music 1 and broadcast on Cool FM in Nigeria every Sunday at 6pm
Cover Star Interview
Ghanaian singer Gyakie is this week’s cover star, and joins Cuppy via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about her latest track, “Forever (Remix)[feat. Omah Lay].” She also discusses juggling her music career with life as a student; her collaborations with fellow artists Stonebwoy and Efya—and who she wants to work with next.
The Big 5
Cuppy shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Crayon feat. Bella Shmurda; Femi One; Emtee feat. Lolli Native & Flash Ikumkani; M.anifest feat. VIC MENSA & Moliy; and Mr Jazzi Q, Kabza De Small & Lady Du feat. Boohle.
Africa Rising
South African singer Tyla and DJ and producer Kooldrink are the latest Africa Rising cover stars, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars. https://apple.co/31gWTdb
Proverb of the Week
South African entrepreneur and the founding director of FNB Art Joburg, Mandla Sibeko, shares his favourite proverb: “To work out the road ahead, you have to ask the people ahead”—a lesson on the value of mentorship.
Mini Mix
Cuppy finishes this week’s show with a special mini-mix of Apple Music’s Francophone Africa playlist, dja la foule. This week’s mix includes music from Tayc; Aya Nakaumra; Dadju feat. Tiakola; Didi B; and Charlotte Dipanda. https://apple.co/3rjjXlU
Tune in and listen to the full episode this Sunday, March 28th at 2p Lagos/London / 3p Johannesburg/Paris / 6a LA / 9a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow or on Cool FM in Nigeria every Sunday at 6pm].
For a limited time, new customers to Apple Music on iOS and Android in Nigeria and South Africa can enjoy all of this great content with 6 months of free Apple Music through the Shazam app. Returning customers get 3 months of free Apple Music.
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Gyakie on why Omah Lay was on the “Forever” Remix
“Omah Lay is a very, very talented guy when it comes to melodies, lyrics, the way he flows on the beat. My manager and I felt Omah Lay was going to be the best fit. And guess what? We sent Omah Lay the song, he recorded his verse. Apparently, he actually put a fun fact on Twitter that he actually had the verse written down even before I sent him the song. And so he was there ready to see if we’re going to cover and then get the verse. And so when we sent him the song, he recorded his part, in about two hours he sent it back to us. So when I came to Nigeria, we met up with his team. So we shot a video for the remix, which is also coming very soon. Super, super, super video.”
Gyakie on Twitter backlash
Cuppy: “I have to say as someone that understands you and appreciates and respects your artistry, you took on Twitter to explain yourself and I think people misunderstood your tweet. What did you really mean?”
Gyakie: “So apparently as I was talking about the fact that the song that I make is for people that connect with me… But I think some people read different meanings into which, you know – this life that we’re in, everybody has opinions. Probably somebody also read a tweet in a certain tone. And so some people understood it differently. Others also understood it from my perspective. But at the end of the day, I sent an apology to anybody that felt bad about the tweet. It was all love and so everything has died down.”
Cuppy: “Everyone will be all right. You know what? Next time, Gyakie, sing it, maybe that will make them know the tone.”
Gyakie: “I would sing that because I have to sing it so they’ll know that I’m not here to fight with you people.”
Gyakie on recent and potential collaborations with Ghanaian artists
“I would love to work with almost all of them, but I’ve been in the studio with Stonebwoy. Yeah. I have a song too with Efya. In the beginning, those are the people that I really wanted to work with and then, God being so good, it actually happened. Yeah. But aside that, Sarkodie, Samimi, I love to work with Payday, R2Bees.”
Mandla Sibeko’s proverb
“My late grandmother often used to tell us that… She used to use this proverb called [foreign language], meaning that you can only really find out about the road ahead through the people who’ve already been there.”
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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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