Semenya coasted comfortably during the race and made her move with 300m left, The Guardianreports. She overtook Kenyan athlete Beatrice Chepkoech, who finished second. Wales' Melissa Courtney came in third place.
South Africa has garnered 21 medals so far at the Games—revisit Akani Simbine'srecent win Monday night.
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.
Nigeria's Olamidedrops his latest single "Rock" with the accompanying music video. The track is the first to be featured from his upcoming 10-track project, UY Scuti. "Rock" is a mellow and flirtatious little number that stays true to Olamide's distinct sound. It's certainly a smooth jam you'll have repeating over and over again on your various playlists – trust us.
Khuli Chana feat. Tyler ICU, Stino Le Thwenny, & Lady Du 'Buyile'
Khuli Chana's new music video for "Buyile" finally dropped, almost a month after the South African hip-hop artist released the single. Khuli Chana's better half DJ Lamiez Holworthy features prominently in the music video alongside hip-hop duo Stino Le Thwenny. Amapiano's current cream of the crop DJ Lady Du and producer Tyler I.C.U also make an appearance in the video. Co-producers DJ Sumbody and Vetty also join in to celebrate Khuli Chana's new musical chapter.
Ghanaian rap star Kwesi Arthur continues to tease his forthcoming debut album Son of Jacob (due this summer) with "Winning," a hard-hitting new single featuring American star Vic Mensa. The new track sees both rappers going in over a booming drill beat that's sure to be heard blasting on the streets of both Tema and Chicago.
South African emcee A-Reece is teaming up with L.A. counterpart Joey Fatts for a collaborative project. The two emcees announced the project in April and have since whet fans' appetites with a new song. Where You At" is a soulful banger that is built on a deep bassline and an assortment of strings, keys and pads. Producer Nickdow aligns the song's several layers so perfectly he leaves plenty of space which A-Reece and Joey Fatts fill with heartfelt raps.
With his pink hair and eye-patch Ruger is becoming one of the new breakout artists coming out of the highly-competitive and saturated Nigerian music scene. "Bounce," the highlight from his Pandemic EP, has been rising in the Nigerian charts and, with just one listen, it's easy to tell why this sugary and addictive track is a hit.
South Africa's multiplatinum artist Elaine has shared the music video for her latest single "Right Now" — and it's a definite must-see. True to form, the production on "Right Now", once again, proves that Elaine is untouchable in her lane and the stunning music video seals her mark. "Right Now" tells the story of a lovers tiff with Elaine choosing to spend a night out with her girlfriends instead of moping over the lover's quarrel. Elaine is still pining over her lover, yet chooses the intimacy of friendship and bonding over a strip club outing.
Ghanaian star KiDi returns with the airy new single and music video for "Touch It," off his forthcoming album Golden Boy. The track, produced by KiDi, Richie Mensah and Jack Knight, is built on mid-tempo beat work and synth keys. Check out its REX-directed music video above.
"Ye x4", the most anticipated song in Blxckie's upcoming album B4 Now, is now available for streaming. The emerging emcee drops lofty bars, alongside fellow Durban rhyme spitter Nasty C, over a banging beat consisting of whizzing synths drenched in reverb and anchored by a deep bassline. This is the first time the two rappers are on a song together.
British-Ghanaian artist and producer Juls comes through with the new single "Chance," featuring Projexx and Tay Iwar. The track, which blends reggae, dancehall and R&B, is a preview of his forthcoming new album set to drop later this summer. The Accra, Ghana-shot music video for "Chance" follows the love story of a young couple living their best life.
Blue Lab Beats is a London-based duo — comprised of producer NK-OK and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM — cooking up a blend of jazz, afrobeat and hip-hop grooves. The pair have now released their new 5-track We Will Rise EP, which features the likes of Kojey Radical and Ghetto Boy. Get into the EP's fully infectious lead single "Blow You Away (Delilah)" and watch its Jamestown, Accra music video above.
American-based Nigerian artist chuXchu comes through with his 5-track debut EP, Luv Struck. EP standout track "Numbers Don't Lie," a catchy R&B joint, sees the rising artist connecting with Ayo Jay, the man who gave him his first shot in the music game. Speaking about the new EP, chuXchu mentions: "A lot of people appreciate the music, but don't know who chuXchu is. My goal is to change that narrative and get people to see the range and versatility in my music." Listen above.
British-Mauritian singer Lavaud has released her 4-song debut EP KING VAUD along with a striking music video for its title track. "King Vaud" is a sensual afrobeats track which sees Lavaud showcasing her vocal skills over a beat by Nigeria's Tuzi. It's accompanying music video was shot in Jamaica by British-Nigerian director Christina Nwabugo.
Olamide's latest single 'Rock' is the first single from his upcoming album 'UY Scuti' which is set to drop this June.
Nigerian artist Olamidehas released his latest single "Rock" with the accompanying music video. The track is the first to be featured on his upcoming album which is due to be released on June 14. The 10-track project, titled UY Scuti after one of the largest known red stars, is the follow-up to his 2020 album Carpe Diem which included the smash hit, "Infinity" featuring Omah Lay,as well asseveral other notable artists including Bella Shmurda, Phyno, Bad Boy Timz, Peruzzi and Fireboy DML.
"Rock" is a mellow and flirtatious little number that stays true to Olamide's distinct sound. It's certainly a smooth jam you'll have repeating over and over again on your various playlists – trust us.
Describing the track in his own words, Olamide says that, "The song is saying my lady doesn't have to do too much to impress me — I love you already." He goes on to add, "It's expressing what a guy would sing to a girl to give her confidence. I'm telling the women out there that, if a man truly loves you, you don't have to go overboard to please him."
The music video, directed by the talented Nigerian filmmaker and music video director, Clarence Peters, is a hazy mashup of intensely choreographed scenes, disco-inspired colours and what appears to be a whirlwind love affair in the making between well-known dancer Soliat Bada and Olamide himself. The visuals accurately portray both the sensual energy and mischievous intentions conveyed in the lyrics of the track itself.
Speaking about his upcoming 12th studio album and how he came to choose its unusual title, he says, "I chose UY Scuti for the title because this project is way bigger than anything I've ever done before." He ends off by saying, "From the creativity, the amount of work that went into the project, the process, it's just a new Olamide inside me."
The streets of Cape Town and Nairobi have been flooded with pro-Palestine protests in light of the recent bombing of Palestinians in Gaza by Israelis.
Protests have been taking place in two Southern African countries, namely Kenya and South Africa, since the tragic Israeli attacks on Palestinians this week. This past Monday, Israeli police stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque where thousands of Palestinian worshippers had gathered seeking protection. However, 300 Palestinians and two Israeli officers were subsequently wounded, according to reports. Currently, there are back-and-forth attacks between Israeli troops and Hamas, a Palestinian militant group in Gaza, which have resulted in the death of at least 300 people and counting.
Earlier today in Kenya, police have dispersed a crowd of at least 200 protesters in Nairobi who are peacefully standing in solidarity with Palestinians. A number of protesters have been arrested according to Reuters. The protests started after prayers acknowledging the beginning of Eid were said at a nearby mosque. Among the protesters was well-known human rights activist and photojournalist, Boniface Mwangi, who explained his stance on Israel briefly saying, "Israel is the last Apartheid nation in the world."
In South Africa, on the other hand, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and the Al Quds Foundation led a peaceful mass protest in Cape Town which was attended by thousands this past Wednesday. Among the attendees was Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late struggle veteran and former president, Nelson Mandela. Mandela called on protesters to demonstrate at the Embassy of Israel this Mandela Day (celebrated July 18) and demand its closure in addition to the closure of the South African Embassy in Tel Aviv. His grandfather's stance on Israel, which he often referred to as an Apartheid state similar to that of South Africa's pre-democracy, remained steadfast over the years with him having expressed, "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has since condemned the recent attacks on Palestinians with President Cyril Ramaphosa saying, "The NEC [National Excecutive Council] reaffirms its support for the people of Palestine and their struggle for freedom and self-determination," EWN reports.
Recently awarded 'Best New Talent' by Monocle, Sweden-based South African textiles designer Nkuli Mlangeni-Berg talks about her unique ongoing collaborations with African designers and her tremendous love for weaving.
