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The Definite Afrobeats TEASER Playlist for THE NOVICE
Hot Picks By Fans Across The Continental Divide
By; Nii Yalley
The beautifully constructed re-branding of Wizkid revolves around a perfectly cultivated skill set, Naija culture and art in all its forms, beautifully woven in the fabric of Afro beats rhythms. For the Nigerian-born singer, the power of his performance is captivating music lovers around the world. He gyrates and slides into pidgin lyrics like a seasoned poet flipping the script while sticking to his art ethos. For the newbies who are beginning to take note, Afro beats has opened their hearts and minds to a new sound and upended their taste buds. They are falling madly in love with the genre and the future looks bright for this alternative form of music that seems to be forging a musical lane all by itself. Wizkid's “Essence” featuring Tems was a timely trailblazer for the sultry and catchy “Love Nwantiti (Remix),” featuring CKay and Kuame Eugene, who delivered vocals that are equally loaded with the solid one-liners only suitable for passionate lovemaking.
To be honest, making a projection about the future of Afro beats would be a huge mistake. But our love for the genre and just about everything in-between compels us to compile a list of the outstanding singers who make us move our bodies, and the melodic riffs that have us humming along the pidgin lyrics by these powerhouses who are poised to slay listeners with the sword of indigenous street pizazz only familiar to those of us who can relate to the depths of post colonial struggle. These are a new breed of artists and they move us with their quick-witted lyricism. For our list of up and coming Afro beats artists to watch in 2022, we’ve selected the artists that stood above the rest in 2021 with stellar music and powerful roll outs. Artists like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, CKay, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, KiDi, deserve their props in an industry that isn’t great at giving them their due.
As the musical style continues to make its way into mainstream music, one of the artists who has been integral in its rise is Davido. Since his first major hit, “Dami Duro,” in 2012, he has consistently dropped hit records such as “If,” “UNAVAILABLE” and “Fall,” all of which have crossed over globally. The Nigerian singer-songwriter earned three Grammy nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards, including for Best Global Music Album for Timeless. Along with releasing his own music, Davido is the founder of his own record label, Davido Music Worldwide. The company has previously supported artists such as Mayorkun.
With a plethora of new hits coming down the pipeline from Ghana to Nigeria, amongst the diaspora in the UK and across the Atlantic, Afro Icons will continue to introduce the emerging artists that we believe will do amazing things in 2024.
Tiwa Savage feat. Brandy — “Somebody’s Son”
Women are shifting narratives and redefining paradigms by owning businesses, becoming breadwinners, and being in charge of their lives en masse.
With all of that in tow, Tiwa Savage's “Somebody's Son” is a favorite track written from a woman's perspective who has the world's weight on her shoulders and has been through several heartbreaks. Nonetheless, she yearns for her soul mate, hopeful that things will turn around for her.
The Mystro-produced track is the latest number from Water & Garri, which features Nas, Rich King, Amaarae, and Tay Iwar.
Widely considered the "Queen of Afrobeats" Tiwa Savage is like how Beyoncé is to American pop music.
KiDi feat. Tyga — “Touch It (Remix)”
Now, as we visit the raunchier or sexually-liberated side of Afrobeats (think of the themes mainly in modern Jamaican Dancehall), there's a remix to Ghanaian artist KiDi's high-streaming track “Touch It.” The new version, produced by Dennis Nana Dwamena, Richie Mensah, and Jack Knight, features a verse from Young Money artist Tyga.
In theme, “Touch It (Remix)” is a song with advice similar to 1da Banton's "No Wahala," but fills in the space of what to do next after you've gotten over life's ills. Like Goya Menor and Nektunez's "Ameno Amapiano (Remix)," it is poised to bubble and take off by the time Detty December— the annual homecoming of Africans overseas — rolls around.
TRENDING VIDEOS
Wizkid
WizKid - True Love (Official Video) ft. Tay Iwar, Projexx. Classic cut from WizKid’s album, Made In Lagos. The album is full of silky cuts, and “True Love” – which is taken from the critically-acclaimed LP – is the perfect example of the Nigerian star’s smooth and polished sound. With Juls’ mellow production and sentimental lyrics from WizKid, Tay Iwar and Projexx, the collaboration is infused with a mellow vibe that extends to the visuals where Wiz gets cosy with model, Winnie Harlow.
CKay
Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah), CKay. The song charted across Europe, Australia, Latin America, and New Zealand, reaching number one in India, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, and gained popularity across TikTok. The song peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number one on the UK Indie Singles Chart. It also reached No. 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Wizkid - Justin Bieber
WizKid - Essence (Audio) ft. Justin Bieber, Tems. This record was nominated alongside other great records from top artistes such as "Every Chance I Get" by DJ Khaled Feat. Lil Baby & Lil Durk, "Family Ties," by Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar, "Kiss Me More" by Doja Cat Feat. SZA, "Way 2 Sexy" by Drake Feat. Future & Young Thug, and "Whole Lotta Money" (Remix) by Bia Feat. Nicki Minaj.
2023 AFRO NATION FESTIVAL IN MIAMI
Visit Us At The World's Number One Afro Beats Beach Festival
Afro Nation took over Memorial Day weekend in Miami with an explosive lineup of the top Afrobeats and amapiano acts. Dubbed the "world's biggest Afrobeats festival," fans from all over the world descended on LoanDepot Park to witness magnetic performances from artists and DJs across the diaspora.
A global festival that's taken place across the world in Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Ghana, Afro Nation's inaugural U.S. festival in Miami split artists across two stages, the Piano People Stage and Main Stage, spotlighting rising amapiano acts like Aya, Skyla Tylaa, Focalistic, Uncle Waffles, Kelvin Momo, DBN Gogo, and Major League DJz. The South African genre recently gained popularity during the 2020 lockdown and has since paralleled the rise of Afrobeats with hits like Asake and Olamide's "Amapiano" and Uncle Waffle's "Tanzania."
Afro Nation also recruited dancehall artists Mavado and Shenseea (a last-minute replacement for Beenie Man's slot), Panamanian singer Sech, and French singer Dadju to diversify the global lineup. Burna Boy and Wizkid closed out the festival on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, performing their hits that have taken the world by storm.
Down Flat by Kelvyn Boy (Ghana)
Ghanaian Afro-dancehall singer Kelvyn Boy turns to highlife for his latest offering ‘Down Flat’, which pours lavishly with amorous confessions to a woman.
Afrobeats is generally concentrated in the West African countries of Ghana and Nigeria. Still, so infectious has the sound been over the years that it has gained ground in other parts of the continent. We bring you our dynamic annual playlist of the biggest Afrobeats songs for the year. Make sure you bookmark Afro Icons for your listening pleasure throughout 2022.
Attention by Omah Lay ft. Justin Bieber (Nigeria)
Nigerian singer Omah Lay’s new single ‘Attention’ features Canadian pop star Justin Bieber and heralds the KeyQaad act’s forthcoming debut album. The song was produced by Harv, who worked on Bieber's hit ‘Peaches’.
AFRO ICONS RADIO - TOP 50 COUNTDOWN
Enjoy The Latest Trending Hit Singles From Emerging Afro Beats Artists
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Nii Yalley (Executive Editor) – nii@afroicons.com
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