Afrocritik’s Weekly Music Spotlight: Refreshment
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Salutations, my fellow brave music adventurers.
I hope all is well with you in your various spheres of life and influence. We are approaching another religious holiday, so Happy Easter to all who celebrate. As we reflect on the spiritual renewal brought by Christ’s resurrection, perhaps it’s time for a bit of musical refreshment, courtesy of this week’s edition of the Weekly Music Spotlight.
Discovering music this week was an absolute blast. Narrowing the list down to our usual length was a welcome challenge. However, I was driven by my commitment to bring you only the best of the best—so, sacrifices had to be made for the greater good; that good being our collective enjoyment. This week’s chosen few have been tasked with refreshing your palates, taking us on exciting stylistic detours, and venturing into previously uncharted genre territory.
Before we dive in, a quick reminder to follow us on our socials @Afrocritik to stay abreast of vital updates and to catch each new Spotlight as it drops. It’s also my pleasure to remind you that the Weekly and Monthly Spotlights are now available on Audiomack! Feel free to suggest other platforms you’d like us to port the playlist to, so you can enjoy it at your highest convenience.
Also, if you or anyone you know is a recording artist who deserves to be discovered by our adventurous listeners, don’t hesitate to drop me a line at yinoluu@afrocritik.com for details on how to get the music considered.
And now, without further ado, let’s dive into today’s refreshments. For your listening pleasure this week, we have:
SOUL FOOD: Some nutrition and refreshment for the soul and emotions. South African newcomer, Xowie, breaks ground with her debut EP, Allo, represented by “Slow”, “Home”, “Change” and “Nobody’s Fool”, while Tay Iwar guides us mindfully through Reflection Station, in its titular track, “Floating”, and “Non-Stop”. Malian legend, Salif Keita’s “Cherie” represents his new album, So Kono, and the Ghanaian Highlife collective, Kwashibu Area Band, throws us back with “M’akoma Nnwom” and “Gyina yi3”, off their new album, Love Warrior’s Anthem.
For more from Ghana, we get rapper M3NSA’s new F.O.L.AH 1 EP, providing us with bops like “Korle Bu No Get Bed”, “Hold Back Nottin’”, and “Time Of Your Life”. Sewa’s “Lagos Lovin’” is another notable soul cut.
AFROFUSIONS APLENTY: The celebration of artistes putting their unique spins on the Afro-conventions is fast becoming a new Spotlight staple. Lojay and Odeal combine their sensibilities on “Mwah!”, Olivetheboy’s new project, Out of the Blue, showcase his unique style exemplified by Sarkodie-assisted “Bend”, “Design”, and “A Full”. Del B’s “Bunda” and Reekado Banks’ “Mukutu” bring a streetwise energy, while L.A.X’s star-studded Nobody Like Zaza album makes its mark with “Eje Mi” “Pain Me”, and “Let Me Know”.
Lyta’s “Kanayo” displays the approach he took on his new project, Al-Awwal, and Lil Kesh updates his sound across his Forever Getting It album exemplified by “Vex For U”, “Dan Dan”, and “Lifestyle”. Sinachi’s “So Alive” and Raytheboffin’s “What You Think This Is?” fulfil our Alte quota for the day.
SOUTH AFRICAN FLAIR: There’s a lot to enjoy from the South of the continent. Rapper Big Zulu’s “Abazazi Bafunani” provides our preview of his Icala Le Mpumelelo album. DJ Sumbody paints himself favourably across Somebody Nice with tracks like “Sumbody Nice” and “Thandi Zinto”, while Yumbs’s Yummy House Vol.1 blesses us with “Promises” and “Nondaba”.
We up the pace into AfroHouse with Snothile’s Thatha project, giving us “Nogizokulinda”, “Thatha” and “Isitha”, as well as CIZA’s “Isaka” and Busiswa’s “We Need Each Other”.
That wraps up our cross-section for this week. I’ve tucked a few surprises deep within the Spotlight, so be sure to play through the entire playlist—either straight through for the curated experience, or on shuffle for a little twist.
Let me know which of the featured songs and albums resonated with you the most. And if you’re a budding musician looking to connect with others, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn how your songs can be considered for the Spotlight.
May this playlist bring you a sense of renewal and refreshment as we enter the religious season! I encourage you to embark on your own musical adventures—and perhaps share some of your great finds with me. Enjoy the journey, and have a blessed week full of musical highs.
Warm regards,
Yinoluwa “Yinoluu” Olowofoyeku is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative who finds expression in various media. His music can be found across all platforms and he welcomes interaction on his social media @Yinoluu.