We’ve decided to start this column because every week we receive emails from artists to give their songs a chance on our platform, sometimes we do, but due to the sheer amount of music submissions we get [and the subjectivity of art factor], we’re not able to give them all special treatment, meaning some potential gems slipping through the cracks.
The purpose of this column is to bring us closer to our mission of highlighting youth culture, without capitulating to the bias of the most popular names, but actually give a chance for alternative subcultures to keep developing by being a platform they can look to, and give motivation to keep creating because we acknowledge and celebrate their existence.
Every week from now, we’ll be publishing our top picks from our mailbox, well and poorly packaged alike, in a post like this, so keep the submissions coming to editor@morebranches.com.
However, we urge senders in the future to not send just a link to the track to be considered, but added text and visual material to give a writer an easier time of deciphering the message you’re trying to pass across.
Commas and Karma by Abena Rockstar
On first listen, you can feel the energy, swiftly backed up by bars from the rapper from Ghana. She has been making music since the age of 9, recording her first demo in 2006 and bagging some accolades along the way; her 2017 single Abena was selected for study at the Department of African Studies at Howard University in the US, and the same year she performed at Chalewote Street Art Festival.
This is my stand out song from her 2019 EP Harvest Season
Mutual by Nar’h featuring Vanilson
The song Mutual is a slow melodic lovers tiff which describes a young boy and girl sharing the same feelings towards each other. Nar’h is a Ghanaian artiste who features Vanilson from Angola on Mutual, which was also produced by Vanilson. The song was mixed and mastered by Plugn6ix. The cover art was made by plvgwill.
Fire Don’t Burn by Proof The Sensei
Proof The Sensei is an upcoming rapper based in Ibadan, Nigeria. Fire Don’t Burn is a love song written to appeal to the ones who feel like the “fire” of love consumes one, and so they refrain from the act almost entirely. In this song, Proof The Sensei and Remy Baggins try to convey the message that “fire” of love doesn’t burn and should otherwise be embraced. This single is the first track off Proof The Sensei’s sophomore EP “Sensei – Master of Elements”
Feels by Rexofthewest
His record “Feels” is a short story of confusion in which the protagonist’s mind is torn between feelings of lust and affection. He struggles to acknowledge the fact that he’s truly falling in love, but eventually gives in to the reality.
RexoftheWest is a Nigerian music producer, singer-songwriter and visual artist. He’s worked behind the scenes with the likes of Johnny Drille, Maka, Oxlade, Korede, Straffitti, and more. His vocal style draws techniques from legendary English band UB40, Jon Bellion, to name a few.
High Tension by D.i King
Following previous releases ‘Chobooi’ and ‘Dibi’, Afro Fusion artist, D.i King, returns with ‘High Tension’; the third single preceding the release of his EP. The song was produced by Keezy.
Doing Well by Kayus
Doing Well is a post EP single from Nigerian rapper Kayus ensuing the project titled ‘Plot Twist’ which he released in late 2018.
One Call by Otunba featuring Hameed Idowu
Otunba is a Nigerian afrobeat recording artist based in New York. His most notable release Good loving featuring Minz racked up over 24,000 plays on SoundCloud. One Call is the most listened track from the Otunba’s ‘Pure Vibez’ tape so far.
