Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida debuts this Friday 2 June at 2p Lagos/London / 3p Johannesburg/Paris / 6a LA / 9am NYC on Apple Music 1.
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In the world of music genres and emotions, there exists a unique space for mellow beats, effortlessly transporting us to tranquility and introspection. Among Gen Z listeners in Ghana, one trend shines brightly—their unwavering love for mellow music. From Lo-Fi and sad melodies to chill vibes and easy listening anthems, the younger generation has wholeheartedly embraced these soothing sounds to navigate life’s complexities in a fast-paced world.

Whether it’s the introspective lyrics, delicate instrumentation, or soul-stirring vocal performances, according to Spotify data, mellow music has become a trusted companion for Gen Z across Africa as they embrace the beauty of vulnerability and emotional depth.

For instance, in Ghana, Tom Odell’s Another Love, a track that delicately weaves a tale of pain and longing, illustrating the struggle to release a love that has faded away is the most listened to mellow song among Gen Zs, along with Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved, another anthem of heartbreak.

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These standout songs, along with the others, offer a diverse range of introspective and emotive experiences. They touch upon universal themes of love, heartbreak, vulnerability, and self-reflection, making them resonate deeply with Gen Zs. Through their relatable lyrics and melodies, these songs provide a refuge for young listeners, offering solace and understanding amidst the complexities of their own personal journeys.

These tracks have found their home in the meticulously curated mellow playlists like Soft Pop Hits, Chill Hits, Soft Life and Sad Hour among others. These playlists serve as sanctuaries for the wounded hearts seeking solace, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles

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As for the timing of mellow music consumption, the 18-24 age group tend to seek solace in the mellowness of their favourite tunes during two distinctive periods: 10:00 PM, when the world quiets down and the night unfolds; and 12:00 midday, when people seek out moments of calmness and contemplation amidst the busyness of the day.

“Mellow music is a respite from the constant connectivity and information overload of the modern world, offering a space where listeners can find solace, connect with their emotions, and navigate the complexities of life at their own pace” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Africa.

Below is how Ghanaian Gen Zs are consuming mellow music

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Top 10 tracks on mellow playlists among Ghanaian Gen Zs

1. Another Love, Tom Odell

2. Someone You Loved, Lewis Capaldi

3. Lovely, Billie Eilish ft. Khalid

4. Arcade, Duncan Laurence

5. Before You Go, Lewis Capaldi

6. Ben Dover, Yartti

7. Say You Won’t Let Go, James Arthur

8. If the World Was Ending, JP Saxe ft. Julia Michaels

9. Heartbreak Anniversary, Giveon

10. You broke me first, Tate McRae

Top 5 mellow playlists among Ghanaian Gen Zs

1. Soft Pop Hits

2. Chill Hits

3. Sad Songs

4. Soft Life

5. Sad Hour

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Viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to greater access to the ESPN and ESPN 2 channels, thanks to an ‘Open Window’ from MultiChoice. From 31 May to 3 July, more customers on DStv and GOtv will be able to revel in the thrills and excitement of ESPN’s incredible sporting coverage, in particular the National Basketball Association (NBA).

ESPN, which is usually only available on DStv Family and up & GOtv Max and up, will be available from the Access and Plus packages respectively. ESPN 2, which is usually only available to customers on DStv Compact Plus and up, will be available on DStv Compact and GOtv Supa.

This means more sporting enthusiasts will be able to take in top-class football from Major League Soccer (MLS), the ‘ping’ of bat striking ball in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the brutality of the XFL (American Football) and the National Rugby League (NRL) from Australia and New Zealand.

In addition, top-class magazine shows such as ‘NBA Today’, ‘NFL Live’, ‘Pardon the Interruption’, ‘ESPN FC’ and ‘SportsCenter’ provide the widest coverage and most entertaining opinions on a huge range of sports.

But the crown in the jewel for this Open Window will be the NBA Championship Finals, which begin on the morning of Friday 2 June and can extend as far as 18 June if the series goes all seven games.

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The Conference Finals (Championship semifinals) are underway, with the East seeing the Miami Heat take on the Boston Celtics, while the West pits the Los Angeles Lakers against the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns 4-2 in their Conference semi-final series, while the Lakers ended the reign of the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, with a 4-2 win in their series.

The Lakers started the season with a 2-10 record in their first 12 games, but a mid-season roster overhaul has sparked a brilliant run: “I felt like if we ever had an opportunity to upgrade our roster and put some more balance around myself and [Anthony Davis], I felt like we could make a run,” said star man LeBron James.

“I just wanted to come in and make some plays and be efficient and defend at a high level and help [Davis] rebound. Help our team make winning plays. And I was able to make a few of them.”

In the East, the Heat will face a stiff test against a Celtics team which is hungry to make up for last season’s Championship Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors, though key player Jimmy Butler is confident.

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“We’re one step closer to our goal,” said Butler. “We already knew what we were capable of from the jump, I’m talking about the beginning of the season. We got eight more to get. I always say we’re always going to be in this thing together. So proud of all of my guys for playing as hard as we did today and like I said, we got eight more.”

DStv and GOtv are your home of the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Visit www.dstv.com and www.gotvafrica.com to subscribe or upgrade and join in on the sporting excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream the action on the DStv App.

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