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Nigerian Rapper, A-Q to release“Purple doesn’t Exist” album soon

Nigerian Rapper, Gilbert Bani, better known as A-Q, is set to release his new album at any time. For over a decade, A-Q has been a hip-hop evangelist in Nigeria.

A-Q’s career began in 2000, and he has since released seven albums; Listen and Overstand (2005), The Past Present and Future (2010), Rose (2016), Blessed Forever (2017), Crown (with Loose Kaynon) (2018), God’s Engineering (2020), and GOLDEN (2021).

A-Q revealed his eighth studio album, “Purple Doesn’t Exist,” via his Instagram page, and it will be released sometime between July and August of this year.

He wrote, “I’m finally back in the studio 🔥 This will be my most vulnerable piece of work…
 

“Purple doesn’t Exist” see you July/August 2022”

Blxckie Hops on Feel Good Live Sessions

South African hip hop rave of the moment, Sihle Sithole, popularly known by his stage name Blxckie, or more fondly Somnyama, was recently invited to feature on veteran rapper JR’s Feel Good Live Sessions in Cape Town. The video of the live session posted on JR’s youtube channel on Friday, April 7th, 2022 has already garnered 27,500 views and is still not slowing down.

Feel Good Live Sessions is an exclusive live show platform founded by veteran SA rapper JR, to give artists from various genres and different parts of South Africa, a platform to perform their songs with a live band, their live band, or a studio provided band.

The platform is also an opportunity for artists to perform their more mellow or less popular songs to a small crowd, for more intimacy between fans and artists.

Blxckie performed live and slowed down versions of some of his most popular songs, mostly the newer ones; features, and songs from his latest EP, ‘4Luv EP.‘ With ‘David‘  and Nasty C assisted ‘Yex4‘ being the only songs from his debut album, ‘B4NOW.’

Coincidentally, the show the performance which took place on a lawn in Cape Town was also hosted on JR’s birthday. Previous artists hosted on Feel Good Live Sessions include Nasty C who was assisted by Rowlene, the late Riky Rick, AKA, Shekhinah, and lots more.

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Nasty C Announces Nationwide Campus Tour

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Seems like a new Nasty C Project keeps approaching, and fast, the South African hip hop juggernaut has been on a run of PR events that look very much like a rollout for a project. First, he changed his public image and introduced the fans to a new suit, cigar-smoking, and flat-cap-wearing persona; Which he now dresses like, starting from his exclusive birthday bash on February 11th, 2022. Then he posted a bunch of photos on his Instagram dressed as the persona, then a single titled ‘Can’t Imagine‘ followed, with David posing, dressed as the same character.

For the next phase of this likely rollout, the ”Hell Naw,’‘ spitter has announced a nationwide Varsity Campus tour. The tour tagged #Ivysonarmytour, will feature one on one interactions with fans, performances from artists and DJs from the different campuses, dares and challenges, and comedy from youtube stars.

The tour dates will be announced soon said the rapper as he asked his followers for suggestions on what other varieties could be added to the events. Peep the announcement post below. Is a new Nasty project coming soon?

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The Gospel According to Blacko

There is something about vulnerability in art, especially when canvassed in a way that elicits a catharsis of empathy and not sympathy from the intended audience. Mohammed Ismail Sherif Kweku Frimpong of Konongo, Ghana, effortlessly embodies the stories of the Ghetto youth in The Gold Coast and uses anywhere a camera exists and a microphone can be mounted, to spray paint this collage of emotions telling his story and consequently the stories of many African youths living under fight or flight conditions; having to deal with the consequences of their decisions when their localities did not offer them much of a choice in the first place, good or bad, they keep traveling the African concrete jungle like Kweku himself. 

The gospel according to Kweku Frimpong is deeply rooted in truth and relatability; his truth…whether one wants to hear it or not, he tells his unconventional truth.

The 20-year-old street preacher got into the limelight after recruiting self-acclaimed African Giant, Nigerian Afro-Fusion superstar Burna Boy for the remix of his highly acclaimed single, ‘Second Sermon,‘ to much critical and commercial acclaim both at home and in the Mecca of African music; Nigeria.

His videos display the demeanor of a regular street thug and his lyrics show that he is more than what is presented on the surface. Blacko toys between introspection and aggression. The angering passion hanging in his voice, especially on the higher notes when slapped on to the very relatable lyrics such as, ”of course, I fucked up, who never fuck up hands in the air?” from ‘Kwaku the Traveller.’Baring himself to the virtual jury on the internet; becomes sugar to the ears.

The above-quoted line has diagnosed sonic diabetes to millions of Tik Tokers all around West Africa and beyond, ‘The Sherif’ is fast becoming Ghana’s next big export, the journey started with breaking into the Nigerian market.

The passion of Blacko goes beyond his vocal cavity and pen, Kweku also brings his pain to his performances, the videos show undaunted facial expressions with every syllable uttered, accompanied by bulging neck and forehead veins, a synthetic downpour at his Tik Tok famous 3 Music Awards performance.

black sherif performance

Blacko’s story has always been the backdrop for his sonic direction, although he does predominantly drill music, the melodies are freshly hiplife inspired and doused in Twi parlance, the lyrics telling stories of his journey.

His vulnerability shines through in the fact that one would confuse his ”street escapades” for the glorification of gang culture, but the line, “I really lost my way” in ‘Second Sermon,’ nuances that thought. Kweku Frimpong chose the streets, the streets did not choose him. Son of a wealthy Car Tyre dealer living in Greece, Kweku fell to the ways of the streets, mistakes not unlike some other average young African males out there.

This is reminiscent of the TDE Hiipower revolution code when Kendrick Lamar posited his own translation of Tupac Shakur’s THUG LIFE Philosophy with the words, ” this is a gangster story but a gangster with a difference, a gangster with a conscience.’ In Black Sherif’s case, it’s a gangster with self-awareness and empathy as ”rest in peace Aunty Mariam;’  and  ‘Aunty Marie, this be the life I dey live for here,’ can be heard on ‘Second Sermon.’

The former is an ode to his cousin, the 18-year-old WASS student killed by a speeding Taxi on November 28, 2018., while the latter is the artist giving a situational report of his lifestyle in Accra to his Mother living in Athens, Greece. A rooted but troubled soul, telling his story through dirty camera lenses and grimy lyrics.  ‘Coming through like a raging storm.’ This is the ‘Gospel According to Blacko.’

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Vector Releases First Single of the Year

After a fantastic 2021, Vector begins 2022 with this new single, My Name, produced by Mr Kleb. On the path to self-discovery, you discover the significance of knowing your name.

Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David who is popularly known as Vector Tha Viper has delivered a new single dubbed ‘My Name’ which automatically serves as his first official single for 2022. Ever heard a singing Vector? Well, here’s your chance.

On ‘My Name’, Vector floats seamlessly on the Mr Kleb-produced amapiano instrumental.

listen and enjoy:

https://audiomack.com/vectorthaviper/song/my-name

Kenya’s First Continental Superstars: What Happened to Camp Mulla?

The year is 2012, and the location is Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Nigeria’s new school king Davido, emcee and fashionista Ice Prince, Veteran rappers Khuli Chana, M.anifest, and Zeus have graced the stage in front of the whole continent, then enters the fresh-faced and raving group of three Kenyan boys; Taio Tripper, K’Cous, Shappa Man and their first lady, Miss Karun. The Amakipkip, dog tags, high tops, and snapback-wearing crew straight out of Nairobi were as hungry for glory as a Lion is for a baby Zebra.

Beyond the sagged pants and backpacks was a unique and head bumping sound oozing from the fountain of modern African youth, as the 2010s seemed to be the era of cultural liberation for African teens, driven mostly by the pop culture revolution of Afrobeats, Kwaito, and African hip hop…from the AKAs to the Wizkids as the and profound ”cool kid” lyrics to match.

The group was designed to rock a house or rooftop party dancefloor from Jozi to Lagos to Nairobi. Behind those sounds, were profound lyrics layered in the same philosophy of the sound and doused in hip hop parlance and African street slang. Highlighting the experience of the African urban, juvenile youth at the time in a language the kids could relate to.

Hence lyrics like “OG smoking by the Oz,”‘ ” all I know is swagger, I keep it fresh all day,”  ” Swagger so vintage, African Fresh Prince, ever seen a Kenyan boy look harder?,” ”everybody’s tryna get paid in Nairobi,” rapped in a cadence so smooth and easy the average listener who may not have been a rap fan would bump their head to, Camp Mulla thinned the line between backpack rapping and party hip hop, with Karun’s smooth vocals on the chorus icing the cake.

That recipe and philosophy built the songs that Africa partied to in 2012-13; ‘Fresh All Day,” Party Don’t Stop,’ and ‘Addicted.’ These four kids from Nairobi were Kenyan music’s first continental export, way before Khaligraph Jones’ music frequented the Gulf of Guinea and the Cape of Good Hope.

Kids who grew up in the 2010s, albeit parents or in the labor market now, will always look back at this era fondly. The blueprint for African hip hop and youth urban and pop culture, from slang to fashion to art, was nurtured in this era, after being birthed in the late 2000s, this new identity was now carving a route more rooted in African experience than a corruption of the African-American experience.

It was a full-blown revolution and Camp Mulla and their peers were at the helm of affairs. So what then happened to these raging rolling stones? What happened to ‘the C.A.M.P.?’

Camp Mulla was an alternative hip hop group originating from and based in Nairobi, Kenya. The group of four rose to prominence with the release of their single “Party Don’t Stop” on 31 August 2010, signed to Sub Sahara records.

The party anthem and subsequent smash hits, and the release of their debut studio album, Funky Town, earned them a nomination for Best International Act (Africa) at the 2012 BET Awards, following their first international recognition moment where they were nominated for Best Video at the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards.

At the peak of their fame, after garnering Channel O, MTV EMAs, Headies, and MOBO nominations, the group’s lead singer Karun and rapper Taio both left the group to pursue higher education and solo careers. The group tried to move on by adding a replacement, in the person of Tiri, but the original Camp sauce was missing and they eventually disbanded in 2013.

Subsequently, several members of the group put out solo efforts with little critical and almost no commercial success; most notably Shappaman’s ‘Wildlife on Tape.’ Karun still has an underground budding career, going for a  more edgy image and mature sounds, it’s hard to believe she was performing in front of Africa at 15.

In September 2017 the main four members announced their reunion at The Wave performance at the Waterfront, Ng’ong racecourse, but soon after disbanded again

The group’s musical style, fashion sense, and origins have drawn comparisons to The Black Eyed Peas, and their eccentric style was being put on blast for a while as being too “bubblegum music. So sad we never got to see them hit the peak of their potential, but a least these five Kenyan teens put rhymes in our mouths, smiles on our faces, and dance steps on our feet while they were here. lasted.

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Pusha-T Finally Drops the Hov Collab

Amidst rumors of an unreleased Jay Z and Pusha T collaboration in the vaults throughout last year, King Push confirmed early this year that the collaboration in fact did exist, and would be on his forthcoming project, ‘Push and P.’ The single features Jay Z and veteran rapper and singer, Pharrell Williams, and is also produced by the latter.

Skateboard P’s return to the production games sees him in a more solemn and mellow sonical direction more akin to Pusha’s style than the unique fast-paced, electronic, and ”bling” sounds he was known for in his Neptunesdays.

Sterling Ruby who made the single artwork for ‘Diet Coke‘ also made the artwork for ‘Neck and Wrist.’

“Neck & Wrist” follows Push’s recent singles “Diet Coke” and “Hear Me Clearly.” The song marks Jay-Z and Pusha T’s first collaboration since 2016’s “Drug Dealers Anonymous.” The Brooklyn and Chicago emcees also appeared on Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy song “So Appalled” in 2010.

The song features a stellar verse from Hov, who only pops up once in a while to drop one of those, and then go back to his family and billions. The verb is as braggadocious and witty as one would expect a Jay Z to be. The following lines stood out in the verse;

”Y’all spend real money on fake watches, shockingly”

“I blew (blue) bird money, y’all talking tweeter feeds.”

Then he addressed the opinion in the hip hop community that he would not be as successful if veteran rapper and often acclaimed greatest rapper of all time, The Notorious BIG, was still alive in the next line.

”They say if BIG was still alive, Hov would not be in this position. If Hov was alive you would have got The Commission.” Referencing the supergroup that he and BIG were to be a part of, before the latter’s untimely demise.

Watch the ‘Neck and Wrist’ lyric video below.

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KashCPT Taps Blxckie for ‘DENIMS’

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Cape Town rapper and songwriter Kelsey Minaar, better known by his stage name KashCPT, recently released the video for his latest single titled ‘DENIMS,’ featuring blazing Durban rapper Blxckie. The trap banger features a smooth hook from Somnyama and ferociously spit verses from Kash.

The video is prison-themed, shot in Cape Town, and directed by Taun Visser, on the song the rapper’s cadence spots an uncanny resemblance to American rapper, Lil Baby‘s.

DENIMS‘ is coming nine months after his last single, ‘ops’, and has amassed already 15,000 views.  Enjoy the video below.

M.I Abaga Announces New Music After Wedding Announcement

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Looks like M.I Abaga walked into the studio and will likely jump on stage before walking down the aisle. Off the back of announcing his impending marriage to longtime lover, Eniola Mafe, the Veteran rapper has announced new music for his fans, Via on his Official Twitter account @MI_Abaga, on April 5, 2022.

The self-acclaimed “Daddy of African rap“‘ via the tweet,  posited that his forthcoming album and eleventh studio project will be one of the best not just in his career but in African music history. Claiming the album might win a Grammy.

That might seem like a lofty claim as global superstar Wizkid’sMade in Lagos‘ album just lost two grammy nominations on Sunday night. Abaga would have to do a whole lot if he is serious about bagging that shiny Gramophone plaque for African rap.

Nevertheless, the album that was apparently halted by the wedding plans will be titled ”The Guy,’ MI had announced on rapper, Ikechukwu’s podcast. You can read the announcement Tweet below.

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https://twitter.com/MI_Abaga/status/1511406885450170371

Coi Leray Voices Displeasure Over ‘Blick Blick’ Video

24-year-old Republic Records signee, rapper Coi Leray revealed on her HIpHopDX Rising Star interview that she was a bit disappointed by her performance in the video for her hit collaboration with Nicki Minaj.

Despite massive applauds from fans and her industry peers alike, including the featured Nicki Minaj, Leray said she could have done way better in the video if only she did not have to deal with a fractured knee throughout the video shoot.

“I did all that Dancing on a fractured knee,” Coi Leray wrote in part. “I gotta get minor surgery on it but I do physical therapy to maintain it for now. I wanted to go 10x harder with the choreo but it looks so good for a fractured patella,” the rapper revealed.

Despite her reservations, the rapper admitted that she enjoyed wearing a wig for the first time on set and also enjoyed working with Minaj.

The song has since peaked at number 37 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart, heer second-highest performance on the chart, and the video amassed 11.7 million views on Youtube in no time. Leray’s debut album is right around the corner, the al titled ‘Trendsetter‘ and will drop on April 8, 2022.