The African New Wave

Weekend Music Break Number 57 includes a tribute to Fela Kuti, music from Lesotho, and the fast rapping of Sarkodie.

A still from Mickey Lightfoot's "L.O.S.T."

It’s the weekend, so let’s dig into the internet’s digital crates for some new music. First up: in a video that strings together GIF-like movements and intriguing textural contrasts over innovative beats, UK rapper/producer Mickey Lightfoot makes his compelling debut with the song “L.O.S.T.

Nigerian rock and roll legend Keziah Jones stages a comeback in his new video “Afronewave” by transforming into Captain Rugged, which is the name of his new album.

Ghana’s fastest rapper Sarkodie teams up with the kings of Azonto FuseODG for the new collaboration “Down on One.”

Fresh off her South African Music Award in the category of Best African Adult Album for her record “Step Child”, Lesotho-born singer Maleh finds her stride with the song “Chimosoro.”

Just in time for the orisha of Afrobeat’s 75th birthday, Eedris Abdulkareem and Femi Kuti pay their respects in the song “Fela.”

Meta and The Cornerstones, the New York City-based reggae band fronted by the Senegalese singer Meta Dia, spread positive vibes in “Silence of the Moon” off their sophomore album Ancient Power:

Overhyped Naija-pop megastar D’banj dances in a forest for some reason in his video for the new club banger “Finally.”

In an album produced by Africa Unsigned and the ever-entertaining FOKN Bois, Ghanaian hiplife artist Bryte hits the big time with his first single “Nadia Number.”

Channeling visual and sonic influences from their South African and Eritrean heritage, Australian group The_PAOK beckons for motion in “Let’s go.”

Brymo reflects on the state of his home Nigeria and the world through impassioned vocals and contemporary dance in the video for “Down.”

And, finally, in a bonus video, massively talented South African jazz musician Kyle Shepherd was (finally) honored with the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for 2014 this week.

 

Further Reading