Ghanaian artist FARAZO STANZY is back with brand new single, ‘RASTA FLEX’, dedicated to all the Rasta guys who are in love with their culture of pure peace and love…and when they find the right lady, she’ll have the same importance as their movement.
‘RASTA FLEX’ was released last Friday (6th November). Why not listen here.
Kenneth Medenu – otherwise known as FARAZO STANZY – has always motivated the youth in his hometown in Ghana and also adopted that into his music with a string of singles, ‘Stay Strong’ (see accompanied video below), ‘Proud of Mama’, ‘Superstar’ and ‘Why Me’. His words of encouragement, along with the slick soundscapes of the Motherland, has recently earned him a nomination for the 2024 VMEA Awards as Best Afrobeat Artist Of The Year.
Now the promising upcoming artist returns with EP, ‘Trust The Process’, which consists of six tracks, which continues to uplift his community despite the trials and tribulations that life sometimes presents. ‘Trust The Process’ EP is out now via Audiomack for your pleasure…why not listen right here.
Must Listens: I’m Healing, Don’t Disappoint Me, Why Me,
PSYKHI‘s new EP, Forest People, was born out of the dichotomy of observing the patterns of human thought and behaviour while also musing on the musician’s own approach to life. The Ghanaian creative is profoundly introspective and that pensiveness is evident through every strain of his punk, indie, rock, and rap laced EP, which features five tracks of pure expression. Now London-based, he has already introduce the EP with tracks ‘Sitting On Ice’, ‘Don’t Disappear’ and ‘Dry’, the last of which was picked up by CMU Daily, Ones To Watch, FAULT Magazine, EARMILK, Notion, Elevator and more. Joining this triad of punk-infused tracks is title-track ‘Forest People’, an anthem for all of those who’ve “gone astray”, and lead single ‘Dyed In Wool’.
Speaking about the new EP, psykhi shares: “Forest people for me felt like the harnessing of spirit. To find love for oneself and to be able to stand up for what you believe in.”
Introduced by an 80s-esque keyboard melody, the focus track takes after the idiom ‘dyed in the wool’, often used to describe someone who is steadfast in their opinions and stubborn to change them; and it’s such a person that psykhi directs his poetic lyrics towards. In his distinct breathy tone, the artist rhythmically delivers uncompromising lines like, “Think you’re flawless since you feel this way/ Tell me what’s expected/ Tell me what’s addictive/ You usually shake your head like a disappointed friend/ I hope you don’t pretend/ You can be more than specific.” Backed by elastic bass and upbeat drums, these cadenced verses ramp up into cathartic choruses in which the instrumentation and psykhi’s usually brooding voice lets loose. The whole track functions on the push-and-pull mechanism in which moments of restrained lyrical potency are exchanged for fiery punk-rock riffs, and vice versa.
The official music video for ‘Dyed In Wool’ was directed by No Format (@no___format). It’s a greyscale performance video that’s reminiscent of the late 70s and 80s punk aesthetic. While the collage effect reflects the disparate parts of psykhi’s creative mind coming together to produce his affecting and unforgettable songs.
‘Forest People EP is undoubtedly a collection for the outsiders; for anyone who has been lost, for anyone who has receded into the overgrown jungle of their mind and come out the other side to tell the tale…Have a listen below…
Produced by Drvmroll, who has worked with Burna Boy, Sway DaSafo and Frisco, with arrangements and co-production from Rvdical The Kid (Tems, Amaarae, Kojey Radical), award-winning Ghanaian rapper M.ANIFEST‘s single, ‘Scorpio Flow’ is a head-bopping statement track and a chest-thumping reminder that the Madina native has carved his own unmatched space in the global music ecosystem, and is in a lane all by himself.
Continuing to put his hometown Madina on the map, M.anifest has returned to the place that shaped his formative years for the accompanying ‘raw yet minimal’ music video for ‘Scorpio Flow’ teaming up with directors Motheo Moeng and Edith Nwekenta.
An icon with six acclaimed projects, countless awards and over three million fans on social media, M.anifest is one of the most revered figures in African music. Described as one of the foremost rappers on the continent, his musical reach extends well beyond Africa, with collaborations that range from Damon Albarn, Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Flea and Erykah Badu and Tiggs Da Author, Kojey Radical and Burna Boy. His fifth latest studio album Madina To The Universe – stylised as MTTU – will further solidify his iconic status within the African music landscape.
Check out the official video for this fire track below…
Following on from his second single of the year following ‘Slow Down’, which was widely supported by i-D, The Independent, Highsnobiety, DJ Target and more, KING PROMISE brings on the party vibes with track, ‘Ring My Line’. Featuring Headie One, who rolls out imitable laid back bars, King Promise deliver his silky smooth crooner lyrics over a vibrantly smooth afro-fusion sample.
The First Films Worldwide directed video, brings to life the hypnotic single. Filmed on Ghana’s lush tropical coastline, the three-and-a-half minute production features both artists, soaking up the vibes surrounded by statuesque, goddess like women to soon head to an after-hours party.
Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, King Promise is an ardent storyteller inspired by life, love, family, hustling and partying, over an irresistible blend of afrobeats, hip hop and R&B. Since first releasing music officially in 2017 via Soundcloud, Promise’s fanbase quickly began to swell as word spread and a huge buzz manifested locally. Before he knew it, his career had taken off and he now counts fans in the likes of GQ, Complex, Boiler Room, BBC Radio 1 and more. Though a humble guy not bothered by numbers, he has over 35 million streams on his top 5 tracks on Spotify alone and 2.6 million followers on his socials and claims Ghana’s most streamed album of all time with his 2019 album, ‘As Promised’ (which saw him share tracks with Raye, Wizkid and more). With his irresistible signature crooner lyrics and palpably warm and danceable energy, King Promise is somewhat of a hidden gem outside of West Africa.
‘Ring My Line’ is part of an incredible new project he wrote over lockdown which he’s yet to shed light on…check out the video below…
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