This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Nviiri The Storyteller, 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, June 9th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music  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
Kenyan singer-songwriter and guitarist Nviiri The Storyteller joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest track, the Bensoul collab, “Blessings.” He also discusses his new album, ‘Inside Out,’ tackling a range of emotions through his music, and how he’s experimented with new sounds.

The Big 5
Nandi Madida shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from LADIPOE & Bella Shmurda, Simi, Nkosazana Daughter & Young Jonn, Wanitwa Mos, Master KG & Seemah feat. Lowsheen, and Reekado Banks feat. Adekunle Gold & Maleek Berry.

Africa Rising 
Nigerian singer-songwriter Bloody Civilian 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 her singles, “Mad Apology” and “I Don’t Like You,” from her debut EP, ‘Anger Management.’ Listen HERE.

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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 Nigerian superstar Rema and his single “Charm,” from Apple Music’s Afrobeats Hits playlist. Listen HERE.

Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, June 9th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 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.
Nviiri The Storyteller tells Apple Music about his new album, ‘Inside Out’

You know The Storyteller gets a bit emotional with his music, whether it’s club or not, and I’m always passing a message. There’s a lot of questions out here on my current status, I’ve mentioned it all in that music. You’ll know whether I’m in love, whether I’m dating, whether I’m still fighting, everything is there. That’s why we’re calling it ‘Inside Out’, I’m just letting it all out there, from deep within.

Nviiri The Storyteller tells Apple Music about Creating His First Full-Length Body of Work

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I feel like this was the right time to put out a body of work because now it’ll be able to get people to understand my new sound, sonic-wise. It’s also the same I did with ‘Kitenge’, because I was initially known as the man of the party, then after that I did ‘Kitenge’ which is more of an emotional EP, and of course I’m now considered principal of the school of heartbreak, I ended up opening a school of heartbreak here in Kenya! There’s a lot of burden to carry there so I just left it alone… and you basically on the album since we’re tackling all these sides – we have the party side, the conscious side where I’m just advising people, then the sad part and we have the love songs in there – and the fact that we have almost like four songs of every genre [on the album], it puts us in a good place to pass that message across.

Nviiri The Storyteller tells Apple Music about Exploring New Sounds

It got to a point where I had to decide on my own that my sound is how I write and how I approach the music, not necessarily the genre because that would limit us from exploring other sounds. Currently we have R&B tracks, we have amapiano, I’ve actually done house—not in the album, but I’ve done house—we have afropop and we’ve experimented in all the sounds. By the time it’s even in the album it’s not the first of its sound – we’ve done tracks over and over to make sure we get it right you know. We travelled all the way out of the country – the album we wrote in Dar es Salaam, Uganda and South Africa, just to get the feel of those specific places otherwise you’d be lying to yourself and your audience.

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After an entire year of missing her beautiful sound, with her last release being ‘Blue Jeans’, Afro-fusion singer, Kkeda has just unveiled her highly anticipated new single titled ‘All Night’. Blending elements of Afrobeats with her signature R&B style, Kkeda delivers a sultry and infectious sound that leaves listeners craving more.

Inspired by a blend of personal experiences and the desire for a carefree and passionate connection, ‘All Night’ takes listeners on a journey of love, desire and the allure of the night. The lyrics, penned by Kkeda herself, reveal a story of longing and the pursuit of genuine affection. With lines such as ‘’You think you’re smart, stop belling my phone line. If you want to settle, start booking the airline’’, Kkeda effortlessly captures the essence of desire and the yearning for a deeper connection without games, emphasizing the importance of actions over mere words.

Kkeda’s stunning vocals and charismatic presence have earned her a rapidly growing fanbase, with her previous releases garnering significant attention and praise. With ‘All Night’, Kkeda continues her streak of all hits, no misses, solidifying her position as a rising star in the R&B and Afrobeats scenes.

Kkeda’s journey began in London, where she was born to parents of Jamaican heritage. Raised by her loving grandmother in Ghana from the age of 5, she discovered the power of music at a young age. During her teenage years, Kkeda faced the challenge of scoliosis, which led her back to London for necessary spinal surgery. It was during this time that music became her solace and source of inspiration. After a successful recovery, Kkeda seized the opportunity to attend a prestigious London-based theatre school for two years. However, her heart was set on pursuing a career in singing, which led her back to Ghana. In 2019, she made her debut with the captivating track ‘I Like It’ in collaboration with Groundup Chale.

Kkeda music is a soulful blend of Afro-fusion, R&B and Pop. It serves as a powerful means of expression for her. Allowing her to convey a range of emotions, from anger and love to fear. Driven by her desire to make a lasting impact on people’s lives, Kkeda’s aim is to create music that resonates deeply with her audience. Her ultimate goal is to facilitate connection and self-expression, inspiring her audience to navigate and embrace the myriad of emotions that weigh upon them.

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‘All Night’ comes in two versions: the original version and a sped-up version available on all major streaming platforms here: https://lnk.to/yWSV8veP

OR

Instagram: kkedaofficial
Twitter: @kkedaofficial1

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Up-and-coming artist BizGawd is set to release his highly anticipated EP entitled The Only Way Is Up. The EP consists of eight tracks that showcase the artist’s versatility and range of emotions. Listen Here.

The EP brings out various vibes ranging from motivational situations that one can find themselves in, to love, and a go-getter mindset. Each track has its unique sound and style, making it a perfect blend of different afrobeats and Afropop genres. The project promises to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will leave listeners feeling inspired and uplifted.

The Only Way Is Up is executive produced by Bybo Beatz, who is known for his exceptional production skills. The EP was engineered by Godboi Pelly and PRJR, who ensured that each track was mixed and mastered to perfection.

BizGawd out with anticipated EP, ‘The Only Way Is Up’

BizGawd‘s raw talent and the team’s expertise have resulted in an EP that is sure to make waves in the music industry. The artist has already released two singles from the EP, “Mela” and “Boa Me,” which have received positive reviews from fans and critics alike.

With his unique sound and relatable lyrics, BizGawd is on his way to becoming one of the most promising new artists in the industry. The Only Way Is Up is a testament to the artist’s dedication to his craft and his commitment to creating music that resonates with his audience.

In conclusion, The Only Way Is Up is a must-listen for music lovers who are looking for an EP that is both inspiring and uplifting. BizGawd‘s talent and the team’s expertise have resulted in a project that is sure to make waves in the music industry and cement the artist’s place as one of the most promising new talents to watch out for.

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JAE5 finally returns with ‘I Wish’ – yet another banger just in time for warmer days. Known for consistently collaborating with the hottest talent out there, the Grammy-winning producer has enlisted Nigerian rising star Lojay and Cameroonian-American breakout songstress Libianca for his latest offering. – Listen HERE.

The producer, who is known for delivering some of the biggest hits in the UK and beyond, such as J Hus’ ‘Did You See’ and Dave and Burna Boy’s ‘Location’, took the leap to step into his own spotlight in 2021 by releasing his debut single ‘Dimension’ ft. Skepta and Rema. Last year, he then followed up with the summer hit ‘Propeller’ ft. Dave and BNXN.

“This one’s a personal favourite, and we’ve got more in the locker” JAE5

“the journey of making the song was as memorable as the song itself” Lojay

With the chorus affirming that ‘I wish I poured all my love on you’ and lyrics such as ‘It’s been so difficult to ease up when you’re gone/ It’s a little rough, so I had to write a song’, ‘I Wish’ is a poignant yet captivating track that reflects the longing to have cherished and the desire for a second chance. Kicking off with JAE5’s spellbinding signature afrobeat-infused production, Lojay’s effortlessly soothing vocals immediately draw listeners into a world of bliss. Taking over the second verse, Libianca complements the Nigerian star with her truly mesmerising voice floating over the laid-back beat before both artists join the chorus in conjunction.  With the new release, JAE5 has once again proved his ability to create timeless hits and claim his status as one of the UK’s most coveted producers.

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ABOUT JAE5:

Taking home the award for ‘Best Producer’ at the 2020 MOBO Awards and ‘Best Producer’ at the 2021 Grammy Awards, the East-London producer has been famed for his genre-bending style of infusing Afrobeats, hip-hop, bashment and dubstep sounds into his production. With 4 UK Top 10 singles and 10 UK Top 40s under his belt, JAE5 is the mastermind behind the scenes of some of the UK’s biggest hits, including J Hus’ 2017 platinum-selling debut album ‘Common Sense’ and also the rapper’s Number 1 Gold second album ‘Big Conspiracy’. Having worked with some of the biggest international names out there such as French Montana, Future, Koffee, Popcaan, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Sam Smith, Anne Marie, Mark Ronson, Jess Glyne, Dave and much more,  JAE5 decided to jump into his own spotlight in 2021 by releasing his highly anticipated debut single ‘Dimension‘ featuring Skepta and Rema, which he followed up with ‘Propeller’ featuring Dave and BNXN last year. With much more music to come, we can only expect his trajectory to skyrocket from here onwards.

ABOUT LOJAY: 

Lojay is a force to be reckoned with. His hit song ‘Monalisa’ featuring Sarz & Chris Brown has gone viral, creating a TikTok trend with a huge number of fan-made videos. To date, the original version has accumulated 74m streams on Spotify and 70m views on YouTube – and counting. While last year was a career-defining year for the rising superstar, 2023 looks even more promising. Alongside being featured on the cover of Apple Music’s Africa Rising, a privilege reserved for only a selected few artists, he has also recently announced a North American tour, including stops in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, and Toronto, and has released his highly anticipated EP titled ‘Gangster Romantic’ which is stacked with new fan favourites.

ABOUT LIBIANCA: 

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Libianca, a Cameroonian-American singer, developed a love for music from an early age, influenced by her babysitter’s covers of popular songs and the diverse genres played in her household. Growing up in a church environment, she honed her singing skills by performing with the congregation and participating in school showcases and games. As she entered the early stages of her career, she expanded her reach through open mic events and gained a devoted fanbase. In 2021, she then appeared on The Voice, where she impressed judges and viewers with her unique covers. With a mission to heal and inspire, Libianca addresses mental health struggles and frequently connects with fans on social media, providing a sense of therapy through her music for them. Recently, she signed with 5K Records and RCA, generating buzz with her breakout hit ‘People’ – her steady rise to success is a testament to her talent and potential as a rising star in the music industry.

Today, Memphis artist, established entrepreneur, and Bread Gang Entertainment CEO, Moneybagg Yo unveils his highly anticipated heartfelt new mixtape Hard To Love. After setting off a firestorm of excitement and speculation when he announced its release date—and two years after his most recent full-length project—Bagg is back and more focused than ever. From the tape’s beginning to end, he reminds the listener just how propulsive his music can be. Listen HERE via CMG/N-Less/Interscope Records.

To accompany the release, today he also shares the imaginative video for “Where Ya Bih @.” In the visual directed by whipalo, Bagg pays great homage to the 2005 Oscar-winning film, “Hustle & Flow.” The parallels between Bagg the main character are uncanny as the iconic movie follows the dramatic life of a hustler turned rapper named DJay (originally played by Terrence Howard), who’s also a native Memphian. Like Bagg, Djay’s an overachiever with a stop-at-nothing approach and a crystal-clear vision for his success, and in the video Bagg seamlessly taps into that role as he playfully paints the picture of his comparable drive and passion. The captivating video is set to release today.

The mixtape, Bagg’s first since 2021’s A Gangsta’s Pain, was preceded by a lengthy letter posted to his Instagram account. “I gained and lost more than I ever thought I would,” Bagg wrote, “and had no other safe outlet for all the emotions and dark thoughts that came wit that other than making music.” That sort of to-the-bone honesty is the defining feature of Hard To Love. The Certified Speaker shared various singles including “Quickie,” “Motion God,” “On Wat U On,” his acclaimed collaboration with label mate, GloRilla, and most recently “Ocean Spray.” The mixtape also features “Keep It Low,” his breakneck collaboration with Future, which sounds as if it’s going to leap out of your speakers and rattle around the inside of your car; as well as additional collaborations with Fridayy, Bagg’s signee, YTB FATT, Shott Off, and Lil Durk.

Prior to Hard To Love, Moneybagg Yo shared his chart-topping album, A Gangsta’s Pain, which was the fourth highest selling rap album of 2021.  The RIAA certified Platinum album was listed “Best Albums of 2021” by The New York Times, Billboard, Complex, XXL, Uproxx, and more. In addition to his album going No. 1 he also topped the radio charts four times consecutively with “Said Sum,” “Time Today,” “Wockesha,” and “Scorpio.” Soon after he shared a collaboration with Yo Gotti, Mozzy, and Lil Poppa titled, “Big League,” which was chosen as the official song of the 2022 NBA Finals and can be found on the CMG compilation Gangsta Art.

In just a few short years, Moneybagg Yo has cemented himself as one of the most irresistible voices in the club and on the streets. He developed his label, Bread Gang Entertainment, his artist BIG30 (NLess Entertainment) was tapped as part of XXL’s latest Freshman Class, and his business endeavors extend to the restaurant industry in 2023, recently opening Cache 42 Kitchen and Cocktails in his hometown. The rapper has also been nominated for GRAMMY Awards,  Billboard Music Awards and iHeartRadio Award and collaborated with A-list stars like Kanye West, 2 Chainz, and YG. With Hard to Love, he adds another riveting chapter to his stellar discography.

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HARD TO LOVE TRACKLIST:
1. They Say
2. Keep It Low ft. Future
3.F My BM
4. Ocean Spray
5. Lies ft. Fridayy
6. Sholl Is
7. Still
8. Free Lil A (Interlude)
9. Hurt Man
10. Shot Off Gumbo ft. YTB FATT x Shott Off
11. No Show
12. Where Ya Bih @
13. Goin Thru It
14. Rock Out ft. Lil Durk & YTB FATT
15. Super Wet
16. Motion God
17. Nun Like Me
18. Quickie
19. On Wat U On ft. GloRilla
20. More Sick