Connect with us

Buzz

Santrofi’s ‘Alewa’ adjudged one of the Biggest Albums in 2020

Published

on

SANTROFI

Highly reputable music critics have already declared Santrofi’s ‘Alewa’ to be one of the best albums of 2020. Now, the numbers have spoken, the data has assembled into integers and decimal points in Pan African Music’s (PAM) end-of-year music review.

PAM is a France-based major music digital distributor for independent music dedicated to promoting music from the African continent and diaspora.

“Alewa” was named among other albums from gigantic artistes on the continent encompassing Stonebwoy (Ghana), Hailu Mergia (Ethiopia), L’esprit de Nyege (Uganda) and Burnaboy from Nigeria.

Santrofi, devised from the mythological precious bird from the Akan language — is a collective of spirited and celebrated young musicians assembled around bass player Emmanuel Ofori whose credentials include playing with highlife heavyweights Ebo Taylor, Pat Thomas and Kwashibu Area Band.

The album, “Alewa” is an organic and well-crafted experiment, in an era where many African musicians attempt to seduce a Western audience by making their music pop.

Advertisement

While Ghana still predictably serve as home to flourishing highlife music, the genre’s worth saving still need practitioners and advocates who are willing to propel it forward. Highlife music boasts a long, rich history — about 100 years — of transformation, adaptation, tumult and triumph. From radical-bashing pundits to brave and bold composers, highlife music has remained alive even as prognosticators routinely predict its demise.

Santrofi, the vintage-inspired Ghanaian highlife band, gives us a glimpse into a serene world, a real breath of fresh air that reminds us to uphold Ghanaian highlife.

The debut album is a mixture of culturally rich and authentic Ghanaian highlife music brewed with melodic beats, blues, jazz, funk, groovy percussion and silky vocals served in a Ghanaian pot.

Alewa is an album of love songs—the oldest subject in the book—but it’s filled with other significant themes – racial segregation and discrimination, unity in diversity, jealousy, economics and other cultural happenings in society. In it, ‘Alewa’ builds a self-contained world that luxuriates love—both sonically and lyrically—while still hinting at some of our age’s deep-seated flaws.

Last year was without question one of the most challenging years for the music industry. Santrofi had its share as the band’s booked concerts in over 20 European countries were cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic; this was after a successful tour in 2019.

Advertisement

Source: Emmanuel Jewel Peprah Mensah

Advertisement

Buzz

Davido Inks Partnership with UnitedMasters For His Nine+ Records Venture

Published

on

Davido Inks Partnership with UnitedMasters For His Nine+ Records Venture

Making yet another major power move, three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated Nigerian global superstar and Afrobeats pioneer Davido has inked a deal with UnitedMasters for his recently launched label Nine+ Records.

In this groundbreaking collaboration, Davido will spearhead artist development, A&R, and behind-the-scenes curation, nurturing a pioneering lineup of artists across the continent under Nine+ Records. United by a shared vision, the teams will work together to introduce and foster talent, amplifying Davido’s influence and extending his reach even further. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of African and world music.

Together, the teams will collaborate closely in order to not only introduce, but cultivate career talent. It only expands Davido’s influence and reach.

Read Also: Davido gifts fan $50k to payoff student loans

Of today’s announcement Davido said, “I couldn’t be more proud to partner with Steve and the team at United Masters, this announcement represents an exciting new chapter for developing and established artists around the world.”

Advertisement

Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of UnitedMasters states, “Over the last 2 years, we’ve proven our commitment to Africa investing in artists, education, and technology. Today, we are doubling down. With this new venture with Davido & the launch of Nine Plus Records, we reinforce our mission in becoming a bridge for artists on the continent. Together we’ll identify & develop new artists while supporting them with brand and synch opportunities.”

Nine+ Records will be announcing more artists and partners in the future.

Last night, Davido just sold out one of the most iconic venues in the world, headlining Madison Square Garden in New York City. He ignited the stage with what will be remembered as a historic set, bringing Afrobeats to the Big Apple in the biggest way possible. In advance of the show, he extensively spoke to Billboard who praised how “Performing in New York has also become a special ritual” for him.

This news also arrives on the heels of various major company announcements for UnitedMasters. The company locked down a high-profile alliance with SymphonyOS and Groover. Plus, it hosted its annual “A Celebration of Independence” GRAMMY® Concert at the Palladium in Hollywood, CA. The show boasted an all-star lineup, including headliner Davido, Uncle Waffles, Tokischa, Donavan’s Yard, and NLE Choppa. Of the latter, The Source wrote, “This marked the first time UnitedMasters featured international acts, solidifying its impact and representation within the global independent artist movement.”

Stay tuned for a whole lot more soon

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Buzz

Court Orders Service Of Notice For DNA Test To Mohbad’s Wife

Published

on

Mohbad

The Chief Magistrate Court in Ikorodu has granted approval to serve a notice for a DNA test to the wife of late singer Ileriouluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known as Mohbad, at her last known address. (more…)

Continue Reading

Buzz

Ghana’s New Train from Poland Crashes During Test Run

Published

on

tain

Reports reaching Ameyaw Debrah Media indicate that the recently imported train from Poland, designated for the Tema-Mpakadan railway route, has encountered an accident. (more…)

Continue Reading

Buzz

I got into music because my crush always associated with musicians – Tiwa Savage

Published

on

tiwa

Nigerian songstress turned filmmaker, Tiwatope Savage has disclosed that she became a musician because she had a crush on a “guy” who was always around musicians.

(more…)

Continue Reading

Buzz

Mr. Drew Addresses Allegations in JAMROCK EVENT CENTRE’s Lawsuit

Published

on

DREW

Renowned Ghanaian singer and dancer, Andrew Nii Commey Otoo, known by the stage name Mr. Drew has vehemently denied accusations of failing to perform at the Easter Dance Party organized by JamRock Event Centre. (more…)

Continue Reading

Buzz

I must win Artiste of the Year again – Okyeame Kwame

Published

on

kwame

Ghanaian rap icon, Kwame Nsiah-Apau, widely known as Okyeame Kwame has boldly declared his determination to reclaim the coveted title of TGMA (Telecel Ghana Music Awards) Artiste of the Year. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending