Song of the Day: Confusion – M.anifest

award-winning Ghanaian rap veteran and UNICEF ambassador M.ANIFEST‘s latest single, ‘Confusion’ is rich in musicality from the very start. The lush guitar licks and percussion drums are the central elements of the alluring sonic bed of hip-hop and afrobeats which blends seamlessly together.

‘Confusion’ is driven by M.anifest’s captivating wordplay, assured cadence, and infectious melodic rap flow, as he weaves an enthralling tale about the beautiful chaos of living in a modern African city like his hometown Accra. According to M.anifest, “such is the paradox of life in our cities, that there is always a constant tension between the feeling of ‘hurry hurry’ and ‘ok wait’”.

A rap music veteran of over a decade, with six acclaimed projects spanning that time, countless awards over his career and over three million fans on social media, M.anifest is one of the most revered figures in the African music scene. Described as the foremost rapper on the continent by The Guardian UK, with further acclaim from BBC, CNN and Revolt, his musical reach extends beyond Africa, with collaborations that range from Damon Albarn and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Flea, to Erykah Badu and Tigga Da Author, to Kojey Radical and Burna Boy.

Have a listen to ‘Confusion’, produced by MOBO Award nominated artist and producer JULS (GoldLink, Kojey Radical, Pa Salieu, Ms. Banks)…

Oxlade drops official visual for single ‘DKT’

Causing serious waves across the international music scene since the release of his dazzling debut EP ‘Oxygene’ which has since amassed over 70 million streams and its addictive lead single ‘Away’ being named as one of Rolling Stone’s ’50 Biggest Songs of 2020’ – Nigerian Afro-fusion sensation OXLADE drops the brand-new, official visual for his smooth single ‘DKT (Dis Kind Thing)’.

The follow-up to the ‘Oxygene’ EP, the Spax-produced single has now received over eight million streams since its release last year. The dreamy, visual depicting love’s ups and downs, was directed by Dammy Twitch (Davido, Teni The Entertainer, Mayorkun) and stars Nigerian model TaraGold.

Check out the video for ‘DKT’ below…

Nova Shares Afrofusion Track, ‘Precious Diamond’ Featuring Katasha J

Following on from the success of his well-received single ‘Replay’, Toronto-based alternative afrofusion artist NOVA is kicking off 2021 new single titled ‘Precious Diamond’, featuring Toronto songstress and musician Katasha J. The bouncy number is a teaser to his upcoming fourth studio project.

‘Precious Diamond’ is an infectious R&B leaning offering, with lush pop and afrofusion sensibilities, over which Nova continues to lean into the vulnerability he began to reveal on ‘Replay’, as he pines for experiencing life’s special moments with someone special, this time with the help of Katasha J, who adds her sultry harmonies and delicate vocals, to the glorious affair.

Born in England to an American father and a Ghanaian mother, raised in Nigeria, and now living in Canada, the influence of these vibrant and diverse cultures can be heard throughout Nova’s innovative genre-bending sound.

Check out ‘Precious Diamond’ below…

Kaydee Steps Up With Brand New Single, Up To Something

Following on from the momentum of his previous singles, ‘Piroro’ & ‘Kemistry’, rising UK Afrobeats Sensation KAYDEE bounces back with ‘Up To Something’, a perfect balance of Afrobeats melodies and UK AfroSwing. His latest offering is about is a beautiful lady who is always up to no good.

Born Akinduro Henry, Kaydee started out early November 2019 where his vibrant sound made it on different playlists and radio stations in the UK and in Nigeria. So get to know Kaydee and hit play on his newest banger below…

 

EP Review: 034 – Oloye Coldman

Although it’s only five tracks long, OLOYE COLDMAN‘s latest EP, ‘034’ features 16 (yes,16!) artists contributing to a spectrum of sound where western urban influences meets the gleeful presence of the Motherland (more specifically, Nigeria).

Here in this set, you’ll experience the real vibrancy on a modern take of Igbo music, working with the sweet runs of piano keys and trumpet, giving a real bluesy jazz feel (listen to ‘Why E Be’), straight up chilled hip-hop/R&B trap effort (in ‘What’) to old school-hip-hop-inspired sound with vocals giving a rich motherland feel (listen to concluding track, ‘Gone’).

In this bio, Oloye described his EP as ‘the first of its kind in Nigeria’ – he’s not wrong – as this mini set is bursting with massive sounds which will leave lasting impression. Have a listen to the EP below…

Must Listens: What, Gone