It’s another Friday, which typically means our favourite music acts from around the world bless us with new music in the form of singles or projects.
Since most African governments enforced a shutdown, new music or content in any form has been very welcomed by an eager audience in need for anything that will distract them from the boredom or anxiety that comes with being locked down.
This week’s new music Friday is dominated by mostly Ghanian acts with only one entry from Nigeria, enjoy.
Nxwrth – NASA: Thanks For Flying
Urban Ghanaian music collective, La Même Gang, is renowned for their Afro-Trap sound; boasting of artists Darkovibes, Kiddblack, RJZ, $pacely and Kwaku BS. But the key element to their soundscape is producer Nxwrth, whose contributions to the gang’s first two projects ‘La Même Tape’ (2017) and ‘Linksters’ (2018) helped create an unorthodox sound, defying the otherwise mainstream genre in Ghana. Finally ready to kickstart his solo discography, Nxwrth steps out with the release of his debut album, NASA: Thanks For Flying. Just as the title suggests, the entire 12-track project poses an intergalactic feel; highlighted by the blend of extensive synth progressions with Afropop drums. Drafting in a host of artists from Tsoobi, to a fellow gang member, Darkovibes, Nxwrth sets the listener on an astronomical plane to watch his battle for world domination take form.
GuiltyBeatz – Different EP
2019 hosted a number of wins for ‘Akwaaba’ hitmaker, GuiltyBeatz. From performing alongside Empawa Africa boss, Mr Eazi, at Coachella, to racking up three production credits on Beyoncé’s Grammy-nominated album, The Lion King: The Gift; the Ghanaian producer’s year couldn’t have gone any better. Now back with his long-awaited project, Different EP finds GuiltyBeatz flexing his versatility and range. A blend of AfroPop, AfroBeat, Reggaeton and Gqom sounds, the project packs an array of artists highlighting each genre; with each song seamlessly transitioning into the next, inherently urging one to listen with no skips.
Stream Different EP below
Kwesi Arthur – Turn On the Lights
Ghanaian singer/rapper, Kwesi Arthur is back like he never left. For his first offering of the year, he delivers his version of Future’s ‘Turn on the Light’, steered in a more AfroPop direction. The catchy, Yung Demz produced track finds Arthur lamenting on the woes of the single life ‘Turn on the lights/I’m looking for a boo/I just wanna put my hands on someone’s daughter too’.
Stream Turn On the Lights below
Darkovibes – Kpanlogo
Sensational Ghanaian AfroPop/Afrobeat singer-songwriter, Darkovibes has finally unleashed his highly anticipated debut album, Kpanlogo. A blend of Highlife, Afrobeat And Reggaeton soundscapes, Darkovibes creates a masterpiece conveyed through a potpourri of Ga, Twi, English and Pidgin English. The name Kpanlogo is a Ghanaian dance form, associated with the Ga ethnic group, thus in a way giving off the direction the album might be targeted towards. Enlisting A-list features ranging from Joeboy to Stonebwoy to Peruzzi, the Ghanaian artists makes a bold statement on his trajectory for 2020.
Stream Kpanlogo below.
Ogranya – Imperfect EP
Budding Port Harcourt singer/songwriter, Ogranya, has been steadily making his mark on the scene. His latest offering, Imperfect EP, is a project showcasing the artist’s progression as he experiments with his artistry. An honest coalescence of Afro-soul, R&B and Jazz, the project sees the artist showcase his refreshing originality and compelling vocal prowess.
Stream Imperfect below.
