Thaba Embraces South African Pop in an Artistic Triumph
Thaba’s mix of charming DIY beats and technical musical excellence, soulful lyrics, and wistful melodies makes for ephemeral moments of nostalgia and familiarity.
afropop
Mali’s Salif Keita Sounds Inspired on Irrestible ‘So Kono’
If Un Autre Blanc was Salif Keita’s music coming to a head, then certainly So Kono makes for a soothing and stunning denouement to his recording work
Kinshasa’s Kin’gongolo Kiniata Debuts with Bold Grooves
Kin’gongolo Kiniata translate vibrant existence into thrilling music with a modern punk edge and hope for the possibilities of better things that start from the ground up.
Florence Adooni’s Astonishing ‘A.O.E.I.U.’ Is Electrifying
Florence Adooni has effortless, down-to-earth charisma from start to finish, from her most lighthearted moments to her most earnest.
Sparks Fly on Jupiter and Okwess’ Thrilling ‘Ekoya’
Jupiter and Okwess make bold music that moves the body and mind. They are expert at making history and social commentary exciting.
Nigeria’s Yemi Alade Is Dauntless on ‘Rebel Queen’
Yemi Alade takes the nebulous concept of Afropop from cheap copout to something far more powerful and interesting: a sonic indexing of widespread community.
Flow Is Key to Ekiti Sound’s Masterfully Eclectic ‘Drum Money’
Ekiti Sound’s Drum Money highlights seamless connections between London and Lagos, vintage and contemporary, acoustic folk and electric funk.
Fatoumata Diawara Creates African Pop-Soul From the Diaspora
On her strongest album yet, London Ko, Fatoumata Diawara demonstrates how music from today’s African diaspora can be “Everything Everywhere All at Once”.
Ekiti Sound Premieres the Sensuously-Charged “aLAcarte pt. 2”
“aLAcarte pt. 2” offers another sweet slice of Ekiti Sound’s culturally-spiced pie. It’s a sensuously shuddering, percussive jam that is as minimal as deep.
Kimi Djabaté’s African Pop Moves Hearts and Hips on ‘Dindin’
Kimi Djabaté’s Dindin is an invitation to fellowship for Africans and beyond and a call to take care of unfinished business with kindness and compassion.
Pierre Kwenders Blends Rumba, Rock, and R&B on ‘José Louis and the Paradox of Love’
Pierre Kwenders’ José Louis and the Paradox of Love is inventive and heartfelt. Kwenders isn’t simply blazing a narrow trail but opening up a cosmos.
Jeremy Loops Teams with Ladysmith Black Mambazo for “This Town” (premiere)
South Africa’s Jeremy Loops and legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo combine for “This Town”, a powerful new Afropop song full of hope and a killer melody.