Volume (UP): #34
“Much Ado about AfroAdura”
Skip the yarns and add this episode’s playlist (Spotify, Apple, Deezer, Youtube Music). Alternatively add the biweekly updated list (Spotify, Apple, Deezer, Youtube Music).
Disclaimer: The idea for this was conceived awhile ago somewhere in Lagos.
I was doing a lot of travelling and work was stressing me. Imagine my surprise seeing this tweet during my daily mindless scrolling.
For context, November had been a tough month and I had found some song “Bullion Van” by Seyi Vibes (who I desperately hated before this song for obvious reasons) rather therapeutic. What is Afro Adura one might ask; it is a subgenre of Afrobeats that is characterized by aspirational lyrics preferably in Yoruba layered on melancholic beats that could very well be referred to as “chants”. While this genre has existed for the longest and produced significant tangential hits like Burna boy’s Dangote, the genre saw a renewed interest probably because of TI Blaze’s efforts with Try, Sometimes, and Asake’s Nzaza.
All indicators point out that 2023 will be great for Seyi Vibes, thus a great year for Afro Adura.
I saw Libianca’s People on Twitter. While I haven’t formed a thorough opinion, I think it’s worth tossing in the playlist.
I am super impressed with Lojay’s lyrics nowadays whether he is hiring a songwriter or not. FFS his opening line was “Shey you don see Moto with a suicide door and electric charge” and it worked. This is only second to “Abi kin pe Rexxie”. Big man things on g. I love that Nigerian music has matured to this point where everyone has to hold a fancy pen if they want to be taken seriously. This a welcome development.
Speaking of fancy pens, Dami Oniru released an EP sometime late last year. Probably Q4, I would say, because that’s when I heard it. I like the strong and confident push towards OG RnB. I think she is one more EP (or 2 singles) away from finding her unique sound and perfect audience and I am here for it.
On Amapiano, I have been listening to stuff I ‘shazamed’ at parties and I would like to say 2022 was the year for Toss. I really like his voice and how he uses it. It’s rather flirty and commanding (chuckles in “southy” BDSM). I think we would see a lot more from him as the genre evolves. I think Amapiano as a genre is grasping and morphing violently to hold its place in the world. I don’t know that it has much time to make itself the de facto African dance music.
Last year was an interesting year for me with the music, my favorite album was Apostolos. Surprised right? I was blown away by the quality of the music. I listen to it when I want to remind myself that life is for doing great things really well. The close runner-up would be MMWTV. What’s that thing they say about oil and water?
Anywho, this episode is for all the lovers and bullies that wouldn’t let me enjoy my hiatus (writer’s block) in peace. I would be really pissed off if the readership and listens aren’t a lot. Until some time next month before we decide our fate for the next 8 years, have a great life and happy listening.
By the way, please vote with sense, I do not see eating maize in my future.
