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Sabelo Mkhabela
Feb. 07, 2018 05:32PM EST

Professor Proves Jesus Is a Great Kwaito Composer In His Latest Album

Professor's tales of partying and relationships were Composed by Jesus Christ.

South African kwaito star Professor, recently released his third album Composed By Jesus Christ. Don't be misled by the title, though, Composed By Jesus Christ is no gospel album.

Save for "Sthunywa," which touches a bit on religion, Professor is still as we've grown to know him throughout the album. He tells tales of partying, debauchery and relationships over typical Durban kwaito production featuring lean bass lines, skittering drums and an assortment of synths. And there are those chants from female voices who are usually not credited.

Right after declaring his affinity to Jesus Christ on the intro, Professor jumps straight into a song about partying without losing morals. "Morals," which features Speedy and Emza, sets the tone for a great kwaito album that has enough bangers to keep you on the dance floor for the rest of the year.

Read: The 10 Best Kwaito Producers

Most of Composed By Jesus is monolithic. But the song "States" has a nostalgic old school kwaito feel by way of a heavy bassline. It's definitely one of the best songs on the album—and this is an impressive album full of good tracks.

Professor is known for unorthodox features that one wouldn't expect on a kwaito album. In his last two records, The Orientation (2012) and University of Kalawa Since 1994 (2014), he has worked with the likes of Ray Phiri, Avante and Freddie Gwala among others.

On Composed By Jesus Christ, look out for appearances from OGs such as Dan Tshanda, Thebe and Joe Nina and OSKIDO alongside current stars–the likes of K.O., Cassper Nyovest, Mpumi, Uhuru, AB Crazy, Character, and more.

The album's themes revolve around merrymaking ("Morals," "Professor," "Birthday") and relationships ("Troubled Man," "Brand New," "Banamanga," "Can't Get Away"). Professor makes sure every guest featured assists in completing each song, either thematically or by lending dynamic vocal skills.

This will definitely be another big year for the Durban-born Kalawa Jazzmee signee.

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Still from NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Nigerian-American Rapper Tobe Nwigwe's Tiny Desk Concert

Joined by his wife and seven-week old daughter, the Houston-based rapper brings his Southern sounds to NPR's Tiny Desk.

Houston-raised, Nigerian-American rapper Tobe Nwigwe is the latest artist to grace NPR's TIny Desk Concert Series.

The artist performed a 5-song medley, backed by a full band and four talented backup singers. The artist was also joined at the desk by his wife Fats Nwigwe and their seven-week old daughter.

READ: Tobe Nwigwe Is the Southern Rapper Making "Purpose Popular."

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Music

Meet Ami Faku, the Rising South African ‘Modern Afro Soul’ Artist Who Is Fast Becoming a Household Name

We interview the budding singer ahead of the release of her debut album.

Ami Faku is one of South Africa's fastest rising stars. Her music, which she calls "modern Afro soul," blends soul with modern pop and traditional Afro soul sensibilities. Be it on a ballad or over a house beat, the adaptable Eastern Cape-born artist maintains all her traits and soul.

In the last year, it has been near impossible to avoid Ami Faku; her singles— "Love Drunk," "Ubuhle Bakho," "Ndikhethe Wena"—have been a permanent fixture on the country's radio charts and playlists. "Into Ingawe," a single in which she's featured by Sun-El Musician is one of the most played songs on SA radio at the moment, and reached a million streams within three weeks of its release.

Ami Faku says her lyrics are honest. "My music is based on touching you in a certain way," she says, adding, "I don't have a wall, that's my brand."

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Here Are All the Samples In Burna Boy's 'African Giant'

This video breaks down all the African Giant samples & interpolations, including songs from Fela Kuti, Magic System, Naughty By Nature, D'banj and more.

Since it dropped, Burna Boy's highly-anticipated album African Giant has been making waves and getting played on constant rotation all over the place.

The 19-track album, which includes features from Angelique Kidjo, Damian Marley, Future, M.anifest, Jorja Smith, Jeremih and more, sees the buzzing Nigerian star delivering several addictive shades of his signature afro-fusion sound as he blends in influences from afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, RnB and more.

Listeners have also been spotting some of the many samples and interpolations used across African Giant and now, Sample Chief, a platform for African music knowledge, has put them all together in video form.

Read: Sample Chief Selects 5 of Their Favorite Samples

The samples and interpolations across African Giant include the use of Fela's "Sorrow, Tears & Blood" and Angelique Kidjo's "We WE" (in "Anybody"), Naughty By Nature's "Jamboree" (in "Collatelral Damage"), Magic System's "1er Gaou" ("On The Low"), plus many more from the likes of Stereoman, Ududo Nnobi, Blak Ryno, and D'banj.

Check them all out below courtesy of Sample Chief.

Keep up with Sample Chief by following them on Twitter and Instagram.

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Arts + Culture
Photo by Stephen Tayo.

First Look: Peter Johnson of P96 Reveals His Custom Air Max 200s Co-Created with Nike

The Nigerian-born entrepreneur was one of 28 creators to design a sneaker for Nike's NYC by You project.

Peter Johnson, the mind behind the streetwear and lifestyle brand Project 96 (P96), was one of 28 creators to design a sneaker inspired by their story for Nike's NYC by You project.

"I was offered the opportunity to create my own version of the new Nike Air Max 200s," he says.

Johnson, 22, is a Lagos-born entrepreneur based in Queens, NY. Through his work with P96 and FulfillYourProject, Johnson consistently draws inspiration from his culture and his passion to uplift humanity. His design, entitled Balanced Diet, is inspired by his awareness of authenticity, as well as how he approaches his dual identity of being Nigerian and American.

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