Okayafrica highlights 10 African Children's Illustrators to Know from the new wave of illustrators, designers and animators.
Late last year Ghana-based pan-African literary organization Golden Baobab introduced us to a shortlist of talented illustrators, whose work ranged from 3-D Ashanti folktales to intricately drawn Moroccan cityscapes and African barbershop-inspired murals in Durban. Awarded in November, the inaugural Golden Baobab Prize for African Illustrators was one of the foundation's six prizes recognizing the year's best African writers and illustrators of children's stories. In the following pages, we highlight ten of Golden Baobab's finalists from the new wave of illustrators, designers and animators from across the continent.
Here's our round up of the best tracks and music videos that came across our desks, which you can also check out in our Songs You Need to Hear This Week playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
The buzzing Fireboy DML rolls through with the new single "Peru" which follows up his excellent album, Apollo. The Shizzi-produced track, Fireboy's first official single of the year, is yet another earworm from the constantly rising Nigerian artist. Get into it above.
Juls ‘Wicked' ft. Sam Wise, Knucks & Kadiata
British-Ghanaian hitmaker Juls drops another head-banger for your party playlist. In "Wicked," he connects with UKtalents like Sam Wise, Kadiata and Knucks for a smooth and celebratory track about someone who grabs your undivided attention. "This song is a blend of Funk Carioca, Azonto and Baile Funk," Juls mentions, "but it still has a very fresh British vibe to it whilst sounding very African at the same time."
Jeune Lio 'A Night In Cocody'
Ivory Coast-based Jeune Lio comes through with the eight-track EP, Night In Cocody. Throughout the release, the Cameroonian DJ blends sounds from across West and Francophone Africa to create some truly captivating vibes. The EP features appearances from Joochar (Kiff No Beat), Soukeïna Young, Magasco, Diane DDD, Stanley Enow and more.
Ayo Jay 'Paranoia'
Ayo Jay, who you probably know from "Your Number," drops another addictive jam in the shape of "Paranoia." He goes in over Caribbean-influenced beat in this highlight off his latest 5-song EP, Wonder Shall Never End.
Adekunle Gold 'Sinner' ft. Lucky Daye
Nigerian Afropop star Adekunle Gold comes through with the music video for his new single "Sinner," the latest taste from his upcoming album due this fall. In "Sinner," Adekunle goes in over a historical story of love and lust. "Weirdly, I was thinking about King David and Bathsheba's sexcapade and thought it'd make a beautiful song," he mentions The Marcel Akunwata-produced notably features Lucky Daye.
