Music
(Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Coachella)

Black Coffee & Tresor’s Work On Drake’s New Album Speaks to the Rise of South African Music

Unlike the Kendrick Lamar-curated Black Panther: The Album or Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift album which had hints of South African flavours on them, Honestly, Nevermind is imbued with them.

On the 16th of June, news that rap superstar Drakewas dropping a surprise album first hit the internet. As with any of his releases, the announcement sent people into a frenzy. Leading up to the drop, the OVO camp, as part of a subtle and timely album rollout, put out a track list. Included in it as one of the album’s executive producers was South African super producer, DJ and artist Black Coffee. His name was listed amongst Drake’s regular collaborators and business partners, Noah 40 Shebib, Oliver El-Khatib and Noel Cadastre.

The two artists have previously collaborated on the remake of Black Coffee’s seminal 2009 hit “Superman.” Drake’s take on the instrumental and composition, “Get It Together,” was released almost a decade later on his 2017 playlist More Life. When the song dropped, the reviews and public reactions were split because of the original vocalist Bucie being replaced by then-burgeoning British singer Jorja Smith.

Fast forward to 2022, Black Coffee has a ‘Best Dance/Electronic’ Grammy award for his 2021 album Subconsciously, and has played at the biggest stages across the globe. It then shouldn’t come as a surprise that when putting together his experimental dance album, Drake tapped the South African producer to oversee and shape the sonic and creative direction of the album.

Keep reading...Show less
Music
Supplied

Gigi Lamayne Shares New Single Featuring Blxckie and Mi Casa

Gigi Lamayne shares Blxckie and Mi Casa-assisted single "Feelin U" from her upcoming album 'Mermaids and Stuff'.

Gigi Lamayne enlists the unlikely combination of rapper Blxckie and house trio Mi Casa in her new single. In under four minutes, the song takes you from South Africa to Spain as Blxckie interpolates The Gang of Instrumentals' "Number One" in the first few minutes over an explosive Spanish samba music beat decorated by high-time hi hats. The song is a remake of Mi Casa's 2017 hit "Feeling You".

Keep reading...Show less

get okayafrica in your inbox

news.

​DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small Enlist Tresor on Their New Amapiano Album

"Rumble In The Jungle", the latest project from dynamic duo DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, in collaboration with singer TRESOR, offers a refreshingly mature and pan-African amapiano sound.

Interview: Prince Kaybee Breaks Down 'The 4th Republic'

We talk to the South African DJ and producer about his fourth studio album, addressing social issues through music and more.

Watch DJ Zinhle's Music Video F​or 'Indlovu'

South African award-winning DJ Zinhle has shared stunning visuals for her uplifting house single 'Indlovu' featuring Loyiso.

Listen to DBN Gogo's New Amapiano Single 'Khuza Gogo'

DBN Gogo, together with Blaqnick and MasterBlaq, has started off the weekend with the release of her new single 'Khuza Gogo' featuring Mpura, Ama Avenger & M.J.

popular.

Interview: Black Coffee Remains at the Top of His Game

We talk to the South Africa star DJ about his latest album Subconsciously, growth and everything in between.