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Come Closer: Wizkid Scores His Second Platinum As A Lead Artiste.

Wizkid

Nigerian Afrobeat Super Star, Ayobami Balogun, popularly referred to as Wizkid has scored another RIAA-certified Platinum record following his 2017 hit single “Come Closer” which featured Canadian Rapper Drake getting certified by the RIAA.

Come Closer is a mellowed exciting Afrobeat record, which showcases Wizkid as a lover boy in his Caribbean holiday bag.

The song which was released in 2017 has now been certified Platinum in the United state, although a lot of people believe it came late, however, it is still a much-deserved fit for the record, which kept us on our feet and rocked the whole of 2017.

READ ALSO: Kenyan Gospel Rapper XLVI K Debuts Drill Music BREAKING NEWS (UFO)

This record also proves what Drake, who recently announced he might be Nigerian, has contributed to the globalization of Afrobeat.

Drake first worked with Wizkid on “One Dance” which has now been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The two then proceeded to work on Come Closer.

However. in 2019, Tekno also worked with Drake and Swae Lee on a record titled “Won’t be late” as a producer. Drake has also gone ahead to work with Nigerian superstar vocalist and songwriter Tems, on two records.

This without a doubt is proof of what the Canadian rapper, Drake has contributed to Afrobeat.

ZRi.: His Abstract And Extraordinary Debut, SAMO

In a time where local music has soared to new heights and South Africa becoming the new hub for all things art, be it music or fashion, I still think there’s much more to explore in this country many of us call home.

I recently went down a rabbit hole where I discovered artists I’d never heard of and believed it was my duty to introduce readers to new music makers they may or may not be familiar with. This was when I found 19-year-old ZRi. (pronounced Zuu-Ree) who makes Alternative music and whose sound captivated my eardrums.

Admittedly, I haven’t been listening to ZRi. for long. However, though I can’t recall my first encounter, I was locked in from the jump and have been counting down the days to his debut album release. SAMO is finally here.

There is a whole different space of music being made right under our noses and ZRi. seems to have grown a loyal and supportive fan base.

In his new project, ZRi. expanded his reach and worked with a variety of artists. The likes of Oxii Moron and Tyson Sybateli, with whom ZRi. has worked, as well as many others offered a great deal of their creativity to make SAMO what it is today.

SAMO

Sitting at 10 tracks long, a 17-minute run throughout, ZRi. proclaimed this album as one of the best to drop this year. “Not the type of artist to talk about my music but I can confidently say that SAMO top 5 projects of this year,” he tweeted, “this is something I’ll stand for 4L.”

The album is a work of art where ZRi. explores his artistry through experimenting with flows, production (from boom-bap to lofi to electro-pop), as well as his sonic relationship with his featured accomplices.

“The closest thing to Basquiat”

Drawing the inspiration behind his art cover from Jean-Michel Basquiat, ZRi. sees himself as “the closest thing” to the famous Neo-expressitionalist.

SAMO (originally pronounced “Same-Oh” i.e. “Same Old Shit) is a graffiti tag primarily used between the 1970s and 80s in the streets of New York City by Basquiat and collaborator, Albert “Al” Diaz. This project is also a collaborative effort between ZRi and Steveisfrench who was instrumental in bringing SAMO to life.

He delves into the various facets of his being; love, art, his vices, and much more, where he further tips his hat to Jean-Michel through skits and acknowledging SAMO.

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to and dissecting this body of work, kudos to ZRi. and his team for their efforts in producing a masterpiece.

Run it up:

Kenyan Gospel Rapper XLVI K Debuts Drill Music BREAKING NEWS (UFO)

XLVI K is a pioneer Gospel Drill artist in Kenya. Having started his career in
2022 with his debut single “Afande Ati?”. He has followed that up with over
ten singles and a four track EP dubbed DRIP. He is currently working on an
Album to be released by the end of 2023. Thrilling, unapologetic and Christ-centered best describes this showstopper
performer.


Breaking News (UFO) is meant to officially introduce XLVI K to drill listeners,in the song he explains why his face is hidden making him unidentified andthat he is from Zion which is a foreign place ie not of this world. These two combined makes Him an unidentified foreign object (UFO). The song isinspired by John 17:16 “I have given them thy word; and the world hathhated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. The Audio produced by Rayp mastertouch and Lyric video done by tomato entertainment is set to take the Kenyan Drill industry by storm.

Follow the Kenyan rapper for more on social

Nyashinski shuts down Nakuru City with an electrifying performance

Rapper Nyashinski headlined the Walker Town Concert circuit held at the Rift Valley Sports Club in Nakuru last Saturday for yet another exciting experience.

This was the latest in a series of Walker Town events that have taken place in several counties in Kenya since its launch in 2022.

Nyashinski on stage entertaining fans at the Walker Town Concert in Nakuru

The star-studded Johnny Walker event brought a massive crowd of fans for a thrilling experience. The revellers enjoyed an immersive concert experience with alternative fun activities, including art, fashion and local cuisine.

The series of events aims to connect artists to their fans through live performances and meet and greets. It has grown to become a fan favorite with good attendance.

Gates were open by 3 PM, and mixes from Kenyan deejays among the DJ Protege and DJ Pierra Makena warmed up the crowd.

Radio personality Kwambox electrified fans with her set, inviting guest artist Joeboy to wow the crowd. He showcased an amazing performance with his catalogue of hit songs.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Dj Protege Kenya 🇰🇪 (@djprotegekenya)

Kenya’s most celebrated rapper, Nyashinski, took to the stage at half past two in the morning to a rousing welcome from his fans. His band accompanied him in delivering an electrifying set. 

The rapper’s popular jams ensured partygoers stayed on their feet and sang along. He performed some of his most loved songs, among them Malaika, Free, Hapo Tu, Hello and properly, among many others. 

The Walker Town Concert, Nakuru in pictures

Interestingly, he had some advice for upcoming artists considering his long career.

He said,

 ‘If there is any upcoming Kenyan artist listening to me right now, I want to tell you one thing, Do not give up,’

He then left the stage, allowing Dj Joe Mfalme to end the night with his thrilling mix.

The Nakuru edition proved how successful the Walker Town concerts have been. The consistency and uniqueness exhibited by the event organizers have set it apart.

Read Also: Shrap over the rest: The new sound of urban Kenyan rap: Nyashinski shuts down Nakuru City with an electrifying performance

Drake Ancestry: What Does It Mean For The Nigerian Hip-hop Scene?

DRAKE

Probably the World’s most commercially successful rapper to ever touch a mic, Canadian rapper Drake just confirmed he might be Nigerian.

Over the last decade, we have seen Drake get into the Afrobeat music scene for a lot of reasons.

From jumping on Wizkid’s Ojuelegba remix to finally making a global record on “One Dance” with Wizkid. The rapper has been all up on our faces.

The rapper took to Instagram early this morning to share what he described as being his Father’s ancestry result, which indicates a whopping 33% of which indicates he is Nigerian.

READ ALSO: Back When: 12 Years Since Davido And Naeto C Dropped The Hit Record.

The rapper who without doubt enjoys Afrobeat as much as we all do, seem to be delighted about the discovery as he shared the result with the caption “This is my dad’s result, Does this mean I’m a Naija man finally?”

Drake

Nigerians have taken to social media to share their reactions on the matter. A lot of which have been more of a joyful feeling for everyone.

However, what will Drake being Nigerian mean for the Hip-hop community? We have seen French Montana, embrace Morocco fully since discovering he was Moroccan, do you think Drake will do the same?

French Montana, since he discovered he was Moroccan has travelled to the country from time to time and shared in the country’s culture while contributing his quota to the Moroccan music industry.

The question I am looking to ask is, “What will this revelation contribute to the Nigerian Hip-hop community?”

Listen To Dj Malefactor’s Latest Single, #LightWork

Dj Malefactor has been working hard in the studio and the Spotlight RSA platform, collaborating with some of Africa’s finest artists and has no plans of slowing down.

He’s back in the streets with his latest joint titled Light Work and it features PDotO, LandmarQue, Jimmy Wiz, N’veigh, MPK, and Abstrakt, who trade bars and war stories about their rise to prominence while also poking fun at the competition.

The Hustle alumni, Jimmy Wiz closes the track off by paying homage to all the fallen soldiers as he gives an impressive lyrical performance. A reminder that despite his hiatus, he’s still got it.

Run it up:

Super Mega Lives On With Big Wins At Metro Fm Music Awards 2023

Before his death AKA had promised that his next album was going to be the one, and he did not disappoint as he delivered a stellar album with bangers, even though he has to deliver it posthumously as his life was taken about a month before the album could be cleared for release.

Early in the Metro FM Music Awards 2023, the late Supa Mega’s Parents, Tony and Lynn Forbes accompanied the rapper’s eight year old daughter to accept not one, not two but four different plaques for the rapper’s outstanding album ‘Mass Country,’ which earned him the plaques for artist of the year, best male and best hip hop artist.

The Megacy was in high spirits as they couldn’t resist the cute movement Kairo Forbes sang her dad’s song word for word while accepted his award for best collaboration which he won for his song ‘Lemons (Lemonade)’ with Nasty C.

Four awards from six nominations, Mega didn’t lie when he rapped on the album, “coming in coming in hot, coming in hot kaMbuzi.”

Rest in Peace Kiernan Forbes, the Megacy and Mzansi music shall forever miss you. This is for supervision and control.

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Nasty C Delivers Peculiar Performance at the 2023 Metro FM Music Awards

“I used to eat Maas on the kitchen floor,” rapped Nasty C on his song ‘Black Out,’ the Durban emcee Nasty C sent a wave of excitement amongst fans at the Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit last night as he appeared on stage with Robot boii to perform his load shedding themed song ‘Black Out.’

Nasty C let Robot Boii perform the song for him while proceeded to sit on stage and eat the South African delicacy Amasi, which he rapped about on the song.

The act made Mzansi Twitter go wild, one tweep said “Nasty C used to eat Maas on the kitchen floor, so he decided to do it on stage.”

The rapper was the biggest winner of the night in the 2016 edition of the awards ceremony as he took home four awards for his debut album ‘Bad Hair.’

The self proclaimed Zulu man with some power also won in the 2023 edition as his 5 times platinum certified collaboration with AKA, ‘Lemons (Lemonade)’ won the collaboration of the year award.

If you enjoyed reading this article do not hesitate to share with friends via all social media platforms.

Back When: 12 Years Since Davido And Naeto C Dropped The Hit Record.

Back When

It becomes 12 years today since Legendary Nigerian rapper Naeto C was featured on Davido’s first official musical release “Back When“.

If anyone had told Naeto C when the record was brought to him that the singer would turn out as one of the brightest global superstars Nigeria will ever produce, he probably would have had his doubt.

Davido, who is one of the most prolific musical exports from Nigeria and Africa as a whole got Neato C, who at then was, without doubt, one of the coldest rappers in Nigeria to feature on his first-ever release Back when in 2011.

How The Record Came Together

The collaboration was made possible by Davido’s manager, Asa Asika, who also doubles as Naeto C’s cousin.

READ ALSO: Tion Wayne Drops Healing Visuals

The song which was released on the 7th of May 2011, will later become a hit song in Lagos, Nigeria. It became one of the most played records in the clubs and transcended into becoming a national hit for the then 17years old Davido.

Naeto C’s verse on the record was one of the most memorized hip-hop verses of that year.

This also goes to prove the power that the Nigerian Hip-hop industry used to possess. Who would have thought Davido needed a verse from a Nigerian rapper 12 years ago to blow up?

Back When is a laid-back record, which was self-produced by Davido himself. The singer recorded the song in London and reached out to his friend, Asa Asika who he will later ask to become his manager.

Asa who use to work at his uncle, Obi Asika’s Storm Records at that time, had suggested that getting Naeto C on the record will be perfect.

The record was then sent out to the rapper who after some paperwork added his verse to the record before a music video was shot by Clarance Peter for the song.

It’s amazing to see that Hip-hop contributed greatly to the rise of one of the biggest Nigerian musical stars on the more popular Afrobeat side of the Nigerian music industry.

Today also marks Davido’s Day celebration in the industry, what’s a better way to commemorate the occasion than to shine some light on the Timeless hitmaker’s Back When with our very own Nigerian Rapper Naeto C?

Enjoy Back When.

Slikour Publishes Self-Titled Memoir

Rapper/ businessman, Slikour, real name Siya Metane, is now a published author of his newly released autobiography, SLIKOUR: The Life Story of a Hip Hop Pioneer.

Having come into the industry with his rap group, SkwattaKamp in the mid-1990s, later reaching mainstream success, Slikour temporarily put down the mic to build one of the most valued music and entertainment agencies, Slikour OnLife.

With his life and career having gone full circle, Slikour reached a sweet spot where he’s ready to share his knowledge and experiences, and who better to help him than journalist and founder of i(m)Bali LIVE sessions, Helen Herimbi-Moreni.

The Book chronicles his beginnings with SkwattaKamp as well as his journey establishing Slikour OnLife. “Take a rap name, make it bigger than you. Turn it into a platform, then a business that’s acquired, buy it back and grow its equity to sell it for a higher price. But in the meantime, while you do that, put it on a book cover.”

It was published on the heels of SkwattaKamp’s SVN album release, the group’s final project together as they bow out with a bang. “The Kamp is officially out the building,” shared Slikour in an Instagram post.

It’s no doubt that many of us will benefit from reading this book, be it on a personal level or in our careers. Be sure to grab a copy and collect some gems from Slikour.