zion
Video
OkayAfrica
Aug. 15, 2018 02:59PM EST

This 19-Year-Old Singer Has Your New R&B Meets Afrobeats Jam

Stream our premiere of Zion's debut single "No Wahala."

Zion is a young name in the R&B scene coming out of South London.

The 19-year-old British-Nigerian artist is now premiering his debut single, "No Wahala," an infectious R&B-meets-afrobeats excursion in which he samples Ivorian group Magic System's classic tune "1er Gaou."

Zion, who recently singed to Virgin EMI, is also sharing the new Sesan-directed music video for "No Wahala," which follows him, as a photographer, trying to find his leading lady.

"When I would go to African parties and weddings with my family and Premier Gaou by Magic System came on, I'd see everyone go crazy and move to the dance floor immediately including me," Zion tells OkayAfrica.

"Something about the drums and melodies used in that song was just magical to me, so I really wanted to incorporate it in what I was doing musically. I was scared when doing it because of how massive Premier Gaou is but after i had written and recorded it and started playing it to close friends and family everyone seemed to like it. I am very proud of my Nigerian heritage, so it is amazing that i got to put my spin on a record I've always loved."

Watch our premiere of the music video for Zion's "No Wahala" below. The track is available now.




nigeria no wahala zion
Style
Image courtesy of Daily Paper

Wekafore Releases Fela Kuti Inspired Collab With Daily Paper

The one-of-a-kind 'The Spirit Don't Die' capsule collection celebrates African heritage and a hope for a brighter future.

Amsterdam-based African streetwear brand Daily Paper has joined Nigerian fashion brand Wekafore in creating a unique capsule collection of note. The 'The Spirit Don't Die' collection is inspired by fashion and Nigerian activism icon Fela Kuti, but celebrates the bountiful beauty, potential, and heritage of Africans.

Nigerian designer Wekaforé Maniu Jibril, owner, and designer of the Wekafore brand has been hot since his 2013 debut. The brand has gone on to become a great success within the realm of West African fashion. Wekaforé represents a newer, more fearless generation of African designers and their latest collaborative collection tells the tale.

Daily Paper x Wekaforé 'The Spirit Don't Die' collectionImage courtesy of Daily Paper


The two popular brands share a rich history and intention to further African fashion's reputation in the world, as well as as a shared desire for raw necessity, organic growth, and authentic community engagement, development and, support. The fashion brands are making it known that street and casual wear are more than we once thought - fashion can be inclusive and fun. The stars truly aligned to bring us this partnership guided by similar core values and the hunger to celebrate Africa and her diasporas through fashion.

The Fela Kuti-inspired collection is filled with distinctive and bold pieces, honoring Africa's past while paving the way towards the future. Wekafore is known for their clear integration of West Africa's 1970's cultural golden age, and this limited collection speaks to those themes, making it a no-brainer to dedicate the line to the legendary King of Afrobeat, whose style never disappointed. It's clear to see how Kuti's influence inspired the exciting and vibrant creative renaissance seen in the collection. On using Kuti as his muse, Wekaforé says, "Like Fela, the pieces are very punk, very psychedelic, and very African at the same time. And that represents me 100%. And I think being able to speak that way through a platform like Daily Paper is a testament to contemporary African consciousness."


Image courtesy of Daily Paper

Daily Paper x Wekafore 'The Spirit Don't Die' Collection

Check out more of Daily Paper x Wekafore's collection 'The Spirit Don't Die' collection here.

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