Singer Crispen is out with a brand new afropop tune ‘Mafaro” which is a tale of struggles, pain, jubilation, and triumph. (more…)

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Today, multi-platinum artist / rapper Moneybagg Yo releases his highly anticipated new album SPEAK NOW. Coming in at 17 tracks, the sprawling project delivers bone-rattling beats and rapid-fire bars as well as a number of superstar collaborations including country icon Morgan Wallen, R&B great Chris Brown, and many more. Listen HERE via CMG/N-Less/Interscope Records.

Today’s record arrives alongside official music video for standout track “TABOO MIAMI”. The Frankie-directed visual matches the energy of the club-ready anthem perfectly, featuring vibrant visual effects and fast cuts of Bagg in various clubs around Miami. Watch HERE.

SPEAK NOW kicks off with “ALL YEAR,” which sets the stage with kinetic beats and white-hot bars. Other standouts include “GANGSTA RELATE” featuring Lil Durk, a somber track exploring the hard knocks that helped shape the hitmaker, and “WHISKEY WHISKEY” featuring Morgan Wallen — a southern hip-hop/country hybrid about drowning sorrows. Recent single “TRYNA MAKE SURE” also stands tall as does just-released “PLAY DA FOOL.” See SPEAK NOW’s full tracklist below.

With the release of SPEAK NOW, Moneybagg Yo re-introduces himself to fans with a diverse, genre-hopping collection of undeniable anthems.

SPEAK NOW Track-list:

1. “ALL YEAR”
2. “SPEAK”
3. “P RUN”
4. “TRYNA MAKE SURE”
5. “TABOO MIAMI”
6. “FIREPLACE”
7. “I FEEL IT”
8. “DRUNK OFF U” feat. Chris Brown
9. “BUSSIN” feat. Rob49
10. “TIC TAC TOE”
11. “GANGSTA RELATE” feat. Lil Durk
12. “PLAY DA FOOL”
13. “RICH VIKING”
14. “ON DET” feat. YTB Fatt
15. “WHISKEY WHISKEY” feat. Morgan Wallen
16. “AW SH_T”
17. “GO GHO$T” feat. Kevo Muney

Apple Music’s Rap Life Radio, presented by Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, Ebro Darden will feature Usimamane on this week’s episode. Ebro and Africa Now Radio host, Nandi Madida, chat about their latest single “Cheque” available to stream on Apple Music.

Alongside Usimamane, Rap Life Radio will feature Bella Shmurda, Zlatan and Jeriq’s new single “Oghene”, as well as Jay Jody and A-Reece’s new single “Vamonos”.

Spotlight On

From a young age Usimamane (real name Omuhle Simamane) was immersed in a musical and creative environment, influenced by a family with deep musical roots. Influenced by a wide range of artists from Drake, 50 Cent and The Game, to Brenda Fassie, and Boom Shaka, Usimamane developed an innate passion for music and eventually, his own style, blending rap and trap underpinned by rich R&B melodies.

With a style that he describes as “fate” music, which embodies hope, joy, and inspiration, and aims to uplift and motivate people from all walks of life, Usimamane brings a unique perspective to the music scene.

First To Know

“Being chosen to grace the cover of ‘Rap Life’ is an honour that underscores the global impact of our music and culture,” he tells Apple Music. “This recognition is a testament to our journey and the power of Hip-Hop to unite different cultures around the world.”

Press Play

Rap Life Africa serves as a companion to Apple Music’s flagship Hip-Hop playlist, Rap Life.

Today, rising star Victor Ray shares his brand-new EP, i tried. — a powerhouse project spotlighting his stunning vocal work and captivating brand of soul/R&B. Released via Capitol Records, i tried features the UK-based artist’s recent viral hit “Comfortable,” hailed as a “phenomenon” by CLASH Magazine. Go HERE to listen to i tried. now.

The third EP from Ray, i tried. is the latest in a series of critically acclaimed releases that began with his debut EP i was. and continued with i felt. (a September 2023 project praised as a “searing and mature body of work” by Wonderland Magazine). This time around, the Uganda-born musician brings his unforgettably moving vocals to a selection of songs that match their tremendous emotional depth with a timeless but forward-pushing sound.

A gorgeous example of that dynamic, i tried.’s hypnotic closing track “Lose Myself” unfolds in delicate piano melodies, cinematic strings, and moody samples of crashing thunder as Raysurrenders to the pure ache of longing (from the chorus: “If I lose myself to you/Ain’t no better way to lose”). All throughout the EP, Ray infuses his songwriting with a soulful sincerity made all the more powerful thanks to his extraordinary vocal command and ability to channel so much raw emotion in a single note. Watch the official video for “Lose Myself” HERE.

Along with “Comfortable” and “Lose Myself,” i tried. includes the previously released singles “Halfway There” and “Falling Into Place” feat. Debbie — an epic duet that premiered last month and quickly earned raves from the likes of Vibe, who deemed the track a “shooting star blazing into our orbit.”

Says Ray, “Moving past the themes of loneliness and betrayal, as explored in my previous EP ‘i felt.’, ‘i tried.’ emphasises emotional growth in the continuation of this story with songs like ‘Comfortable’ and ‘Lose Myself’, now moving into a more hopeful space in the pursuit of real connections with ‘Falling into Place’ and ‘Halfway There.’”

Recently named an Apple Music “Up Next UK” artist, Ray grew up in Newcastle, England, and got his start busking around the city while still in high school. After building up a major following on social media — where he now boasts over 4 million followers and over 1 billion combined views across all platforms — he delivered i was. in February 2023 and offered an early glimpse at his sophisticated yet deeply impassioned artistry.

Over the past year, Ray has made his name as a magnetic live performer, a feat that’s included completing a sold-out European tour, supporting Teddy Swims on a spring 2024 tour of the UK, and performing a sold-out headline show at famed London venue Lafayette. Last month, he also took the stage at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in the UK, where he drew the biggest crowd of the day for the BBC Introducing Stage. On the heels of i tried.’s release, Ray is now gearing up for a fall headline tour of the UK and Europe, whose pre-sale sold out within hours.

Tracklist for i tried. by Victor Ray:

1. Comfortable
2. Falling Into Place ft. Debbie
3. Halfway There
4. Lose Myself

Today, with the release of an album unlike anything he has ever done before, PJ Morton takes listeners on a trip from Cape Town to Cairo. Out now via Morton Records/EMPIRE, the unprecedented project is to Morton what Graceland was to Paul Simon, except that the 5x GRAMMY-winner fully created his new LP during a 30-day journey across Africa. (more…)