Davido: (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for 105.1) and Aṣa: (Photo by David Wolff - Patrick/Redferns via Getty Images).
Nigerians react to Davido and Aṣa's Instagram Live session.
Davido and Aṣa's Instagram Live Performances Will Have You in Your Feels
Davido and Aṣa singing covers of each other's songs is the sweetest thing you'll watch today.
Yesterday, Nigerian artists Davido and Aṣa had a joint jam session on Instagram Live. The artists sang covers of each other's songs and those on social media have had a lot to say about their lively performances—both good and bad. Whatever your thoughts are on the performances themselves, we reckon that's it's probably the sweetest thing you'll watch on the internet today.
Many countries are currently on national lockdowns and as a result, people are having to spend even more time indoors due to social distancing measures. Fortunately, performances from our favourite artists via Instagram Live sessions are providing some much needed respite from the current reality while keeping artists connected with their fans.
Davido sang a cover of Aṣa's 2007 release titled "Bibanke". While his passionate performance of the song has drawn applause from fans across the board, there are those who weren't impressed by the "1 Milli" superstar. On the other hand, Aṣa caused quite a stir with her renditions of Davido's wildly successful anthems "Fia Fia", "Blow My Mind" and "If". With each artist having been equipped with backing acoustic instrumentals, it was a genuinely mellow session hosted by two of Nigeria's biggest artists.
Watch the clips of the performances below:
Davido singing Bibanke while Asa watches is 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/lVozsOBMJf
The three artists are among 437 shortlisted nominees to receive the national honor.
In honor of Nigeria's recent 62nd Independence Day celebration, the Nigerian government has shortlisted nominees to receive national recognition.
The awards fall under several categories, but Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has been nominated to receive the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) award, while Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba and Teniola Apata, whose stage name is Teni have been shortlisted to receive the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). The awards are a recognition of their accomplishments in music and their service to the country in various capacities. The awards are a symbol of recognition of the value that the artists have added to the Nigerian music scene, as well as their influence on Nigerian society.
Burna Boy has taken the music world by storm, and his recent record "Last Last," from his sixth studio album Love, Damini, quadrupled his fame and further pushed Afrobeats into the global music scene. The 'African Giant' has become a fan- favorite who has underscored some of Nigeria's civic issues in his music. He also became Nigeria's first Grammy winner, an accolade that solidified his stance in the music world, but also highlighted the impact of Nigerian artists. For over 27 years, 2Baba has been a force in African music, and is one of the pioneers of Afrobeats. Beyond the music, 2Baba is also known for his humanitarianism and philanthropy. Teni got her big break after releasing hit singles "Askamaya", "Case" and "Uyo Meyo," three records that made people pay attention to her artistry. The three have made significant strides in putting Nigerian on the map and have become well respected by their peers.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu is set to honor the trio who are among 437 other nominees, with five people slated to receive the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), 54 to receive the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) and 67 to receive the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The award show is set to take place on October 11th at Nigeria's capital of Abuja.
Watch the new music video for the God's Timing's The Best standout track.
Azeez Fashola, professionally known as Naira Marley, just released a new music video for his record "Ayewada." The Rexxie-produced song is taken from his debut album, God's Timing's The Best.
Ever since he broke into the music scene, Marley has brought with him a unique representation of what Afrobeats means. The record "Ayewada" is a song that marries elements of Afrobeats with hip-hop, in a compelling synergy of what can best be described as Afrorap. The up-tempo song is catchy, with background instrumentals that reinforce the fast pace of the record. Over the years, the edgy singer has garnered a reputation for being fearlessly risqué in his artistic approach, which has gained him the cult-like following of his fans, the renowned "Marlians."
Naira Marley's sound has also become a phenomenon because of his unique ability to fuse elements of UK rap with the indigenous intonations and verbiage of the Yoruba language while tying it all together with catchy beats. His palette for music is particularly interesting because it stands out from the competition, and although Marley's sound is unique and unsaturated, he still manages to be commercially successful.
In addition to his versatile sonic sound, the 31-year-old Marlian leader also has an electrifying stage presence, as has been seen with his appearances at WizKid’s StarBoy Fest at London’s O2 Arena, Afro Nation festival in Puerto Rico and Portugal, and many more. Never been one to follow trends, Marley's unpredictability and organic sound is perhaps two of the strongest elements that make his fans gravitate towards him.
This marks the first time the Arab country is issuing these permits.
The Moroccan government recently gave 10 farmers permission to grow cannabis legally. This marks the first time the country will issue permits following the legalization of cannabis production last year.
According to the Institute of Security Studies, Morocco is part of a growing group of African countries who would like to position itself as a booming international legal market for cannabis. This new legal development will allow farmers in the northern mountain regions of Taounat, Al Houceima, and Chefchaouen to grow cannabis that will meet the legal market's demand. Before now, cannabis had been widely cultivated in Morocco illegally; however, the law passed by the Moroccan parliament last year does not permit the use of cannabis for recreation. The national agency, which regulates cannabis activity in Morocco, issued the permits and said that farmers would be encouraged to increase legal cannabis production to meet the demands of the market.
According to the Morocco World News, the Moroccan government is optimistic that this new development will help to improve the lifestyles of farmers, and increase their livelihoods amid a growing legal global market for the element. The global cannabis demand is growing and is projected to reach over US$ 100 billion in the next five years. If more African countries legalize legal cannabis, the industry could be worth more than $7 billion by 2023.
Because of Morocco's close proximity to Europe, it could potentially become a leading legitimate cannabis exporter. In 2020, Moroccan farmers collectively experienced a drastic income dip that fell from approximately $497 million a year in the early 2000s to less than $321 million dollars in 2020, according to an interior ministry study last year.
Before the legalization was implemented, Moroccan farmers indicated that they wanted the implementation to be sped up. In an earlier statement, Mohamed Abbout, head of the Rif Mountains Association said that the legalization would be a step in the right direction for the country
"Farmers are desperate when it comes to the drug trade,’ said Abbout. ‘That's why they're waiting for the legalization, so we can create a medicinal market."
After 16 years, the legendary South African MC’s pen and musicianship remain sharp-as-ever on his fourth album, SR3.
“Never knew, 2022, ngizobe ngisathel’ induku,” veteran South African lyricist and musician K.O raps on “THE CALLING”, from his newly released fourth studio album SR3 (Skhanda Republic 3). While it’s a simple line for an MC with revered penmanship like him, the bar is packed and provides a sneak peek into the rapper’s current state of mind. With more than 16 years in the game, the artist born Ntokozo Mdluli has been through and seen it all.
“Really made it back, when these niggas thought it was over. Heart of a soldier, nobody can hold us. Asisenabangani kule game cause a lot of them bogus,” he expresses in the first verse of the song.
16 years at the top
K.O’s staying power and lyrical prowess have been something to marvel at, even after all these years of being active in the rap game. Since bursting onto the scene as a member of the trio Teargas in 2006, K.O has been consistently spitting at the highest level.
The rapper remains peerless when you consider or try to pit him against the other MCs from his initial era. His wit, sharp lyricism, rich vocab and command of the languages he raps in, and braggadocio bars continuously prove that he is a generational talent. His influence on South African hip-hop has been prolific and impactful over the years.
K.O
Image courtesy of the artist.
Mending relationships & accepting the fate of others
K.O, like most humans, has had fallouts with associates/affiliates and has gone separate ways with some people along the way. These mishaps have been well documented. During the Cashtime Fam era, AB Crazy left the crew to go sign with Kalawa Jazzmee. When they started Cashtime Life, Smashis (now known as Zingah) was sidelined and former Teargas member Ntukza decided not to be part of the new collective. After having numerous successes as a label, the cracks within the Cashtime Life stable started to show, and one-by-one members of Moozlie, KiD X, and Maggz left, and K.O was sometimes blamed for their departure and the demise of the label.
Of all of these break-ups, one that hurt rap fans the most was the dispute with Lunatik, the beatsmith behind the production of K.O’s era-defining solo debut, Skhanda Republic, and who by default, helped to pioneer the township culture and kwaito-embedded Skhanda rap sound. SR3,the third installment of the famed album series, marks the creative reunion of the pair on a complete body of work as Lunatik was not involved in K.O's last two albums, PTY UnLTD (2019) and SR2 (2017). The talented producer makes a glorious return here, working on eight out of the twelve tracks on SR3.
“We’re back together as Batman and Robin and [we] created this beautiful masterpiece that I think is actually also just like the first album, it will actually stand the test of time,” the rapper told Apple Music of his relationship with Lunatik. Another producer that resurfaces on the album is the Zimbabwean-born Brian Soko, who produced K.O’s official solo debut single, 2013’s “Mission Statement.”
On the track “THE LIGHT”, K.O expresses his feelings about his relationship with former bandmate Ntukza for the first time on wax. “Ntliziyo yam’, nanamanje is still bleeding, ngoba mina noNtukza just ended up beefing for no reason. He was a brother that I needed, iTeargas namanje would be the hottest every season.” Immediately after these lines, K.O continues to rap about how he is “moving to better things and letting bygones be bygones.” K.O’s fallout with Ntukza has always been a sensitive subject as he is still very close and works with Ma-E, who is Ntukza’s biological brother. In the video for K.O’s, AKA-assisted 2018 song “Fire Emoji,” the entire Teargas trio makes a cameo, which made supporters believe they were making a comeback.
Throughout all his turmoil and accusations by naysayers on social media or podcasts, K.O barely comes out to defend or vindicate himself. Even when he raps about it in songs, he would rather choose to be cryptic and not be direct. On the album closer “STAPURA” though, K.O spares a few lines to cleverly address controversial former music executive Nhlamulo “Nota” Baloyi, rapping “niggas really be all in these tweets, and they talking greasy. Akusiz’ uzibiza nge-authority libele uchoma ngo-not(a), akekho okucel’ i-opinion”.
Tried and tested formulas
In many ways, SR3, much like SR2, tries to replicate the energy of the first Skhanda Republic. On the album opener, “EMPIRE - INTRO," K.O takes time to let other rappers know that they have yet to match his magnum opus of a debut. “Dlulile iminyaka nikhipha namanje anakafiki kuSkhanda Republic. We-Tsholo batshele eSony andizi until they run up the budget.”
“I am just back on my old ish. I’m back in my bag,” the rapper expresses in a press release shared by his label ahead of the album. “We are almost close to the 10-year anniversary of Skhanda Republic 1, I felt like that album was so monumental in terms of how it was put together the sound and the energy. Years later I don’t think we have seen anything close to it, so it can only take the capacity of the person that created Skhanda Republic 1 to bring the same energy back.”
The second track “MOSHITO” opens up with a hallowed shouting of “fuseg” before the beat drops. The hardness and bounce of the song sound like that of “Son of a Gun,” even the lyrical content, cadence, and delivery are daringly similar.
In the press statement mentioned earlier, even K.O admits that the album is not too far off from his monumental debut LP. “Not the same songs,” he expresses, “but the kasi mentality, the rawness and speaking uninhibitedly on certain social matters and current affairs that is the headspace.”
K.O
Image courtesy of the artist.
To kickstart his album rollouts and as a lead-up to his albums, K.O releases rap-centric, no-hook freestyles. SR1 had “No Fear,” and he brought this back on SR3 with “SKHANDAVILLE.” Another ever-present track series within the Skhanda Republic trilogy is “Mission Statement.” The track series usually sees K.O map out his plans and flex his rap muscle, allowing him to talk his shit, and use them as an outlet to reflect on past experiences. Speaking about “MS3” to Apple he shared, “this is the pillar of the album in terms of just the lyricism, attitude, energy and just me staking my claim in the game and who I am.” The lyricist has also managed to keep the theme of these consistent, on the OG “Mission Statement,” he raps “yini ngathi la eJozi kusind’ ohamba nedlozi”. At the same time, on SR3 he says “it’s a whole lot of hating in disguise la eGoli man.”
In the midst of the rawness and hardness of SR1 sits the gangster romantic ballad “Skhanda Love” with Nandi Madida (née Mngoma). The song even received a sequel on SR2 with “Say U Will"—which won a SAMA for best collaboration in 2020. K.O continues on this theme but opts for a Msaki assist instead on “OWAMI.” “I don’t want to be cliché, but this is the ‘Skhanda Love’ of SR3,” he's mentioned.
Since the Teargas days, R&B hooks and borrowing from the soundscapes of pop music have always been part of K.O’s artistic DNA. Think back to “Take You Out”, “Mhlobo Wami”, and “Wake Up” from their last album as a group. Naturally, this trickled down to his solo projects: SR2 had the Afropop-tinged, Runtown-assisted “Call Me” and Wizkid was featured on PTY UnLTD’s closer, “Ghetto Boyz”. SR3’s lead single, “SETE” is heavily influenced by Afrobeats and is co-produced by Nigerian artist Calliemajik Beats. On the album liner notes, K.O reveals he initially wanted Afro-dancehall star Ruger on the song. After the Nigerian pop star’s hesitance to jump on the instrumental, the Skhanda Gawd then decided to get amapiano wunderkind Young Stunna and rapper/singer Blxckie on it. From the moment it was dropped “SETE” instantly became a chart-topper, both on radio and DSPs. Naturally, the song went platinum, and the music video amassed more than 6 million views within the first month of release. Of the track, K.O says, “my vision was to create this as a musical timestamp for 2022 and beyond.”
Keeping up with the times
In the last parts of the album, the skilled MC’s delivery is on par with how melodic rappers glide on the beat nowadays. He channeled his inner Zingah on “PIANO” with a slick, new school cadence and flow. From KiD X and Smashis to Loki and Roii, Skhanda Gawd is always grooming and is involved in the careers of the next generation of rappers. By virtue of that, he is always surrounded by a young rapper or two, perhaps to keep him on his toes.
Another discipline of K.O’s work within the music that is less spoken about is his A&R skills and ability to bring the best out of the artists he works with. Apart from Sarkodie, Sjava, and Msaki, the other artists featured on the album are contemporary, and out of the box. Amapiano stars Zuma and Pabi Cooper make a guest appearance on “FEZEKA,” and the latter delivers her most impressive vocal performance yet. K.O could have easily filled the LP with the mid-tempo, kwaito-inspired, and log drum-sprinkled sound which some of his songs preluding SR3 like 2021’s “K:Hova,” and 2022’s “EMOYENI” showcased, but instead, he dug deep on his versatility bag and explored a variety of sounds.
As a musician and a record label executive has had a turbulent journey in the music industry. But despite all the shortfalls and adversities, he’s had over his 16-year-plus career, K.O always rises above and still stands strong today. K.O is South African hip-hop royalty and with SR3 he cements this legacy.
The internationally-acclaimed multidisciplinary artist is the youngest participant at this year's Venice Biennale, where she is showing her latest work. But, as she tells OkayAfrica, she wants her art to be viewed beyond the parameters of age.
From the Island of Bonny to Lagos and now, the world, Idahams has a lot of stories to tell. We speak to him about his immersive and tender debut album, Truth, Love & Confessions.
