Tanzania: Diamond Platnumz – IYO (feat Focalistic, Mapara A Jazz & Ntosh Gazi)
July 29th, 2021
The boss of the Tanzanian scene turns his ear towards South Africa by inviting the rapper Focalistic, the band Mapara A Jazz and artist Ntosh Gazi on his track “IYO”. Tailored for the clubs, the track and its ultra-energetic video must have pleased many partygoers. One more proof that this summer has been deeply marked by amapiano far beyond South Africa…
United Kingdom: Stefflon Don – Dip (feat. Ms Banks)
August 13th, 2021
The two English artists offer us here a fierce track that only reinforces their ultimate badass aura. On this ultra-percussive instrumental and its middle-eastern accents, Ms Banks’ verse is a real rap lesson, while Stefflon Don’s brings a powerful dancehall imprint.
Nigeria: Rexxie – Frenemies (feat. Oxlade)
August 15th, 2021
In this track taken from the album A True Champion, Oxlade’s clear voice tells us how some friends can change once we reach success. These somber lyrics do not prevent the song from being a real hit, and from making the two artists show their best dance moves throughout the entire video.
South Africa: Kamo Mphela – Thula Thula
August 6th, 2021
The amapiano princess continues her hit streak with “Thula Thula”, a type of song she clearly holds the secret of. The badass attitude the singer gives off in her verses is also felt in this half-gangster, half-comic video where, accompanied by her gang of dancers, she organizes a robbery. “Thula Thula” is taken from the compilation Amapiano Now.
France: Leto – Mozart Capitaine Jackson (Episode 1)
August 11th, 2021
The Parisian rapper flew to Abidjan, capital of francophone African rap, to shoot the video of this undeniable banger. It seems that drill music has become as popular there as elsewhere, given the scenes of thrilled audiences and wild concerts that we see in the visuals. We also distinguish the rappers Cheu-B and Kepler at his side, who are enjoying themselves as much as him.
United Kingdom: NSG – Petite
August 12th, 2021
London’s grooviest boy band blesses us here with a little summer gem. In the visuals of this pretty love song that mixes hip-hop with afrobeats, the six members are staged in a party full of ego and antagonism. Their rivals are jealous of them and the boys enjoy this attention: “To make an entrance we come late to the party“.
Jamaica: Spice – Send It Up
August 14th, 2021
In these wacky visuals, Spice is sent on a space mission to find the chosen one who will help her repopulate a planet. However, behind this funny video, the music is no joke and sends us a fierce and terribly catchy flow in the ears. We are looking forward to the next singles from the Spice planet!
Nigeria: Blaqbonez – Fendi (feat. Joeboy)
August 13th, 2021
Blaqbonez, as usual, delivers here a video as irresistible as provocative. Under his false airs of gentleman, accompanied by the other Nigerian crooner Joeboy, the young rapper remains a dirty kid whose message is simple: “I love the way you bend it, Let me buy you Fendi“. Not surprising coming from the one who called his last album Sex Over Love…
United Kingdom: Mahalia – Whenever You’re Ready
July 15th, 2021
Inspired by Montell Jordan’s classic “Get It On Tonight”, this new Mahalia video has a retro atmosphere, placing the singer in the midst of a romantic breakup as the lyrics oscillate between resentment and despair. This does not prevent the song from being a real hit, which can be danced to with some 2000s RnB in mind. The video was shot entirely by phone!
Ghana/United Kingdom: Juls – Wicked
July 23rd, 2021
In this video, Juls brings us to a vibrant neon party, urging us to celebrate the advent of summer. The track should be the first extract of his album Sounds Of My World which already promises to be a very diverse set considering the influences of this track, “a mixture of carioca funk, azonto and baile funk” according to its creator.
South Africa: Kwesta – Kubo (feat. K.O, Focalistic & Bassie)
July 30th, 2021
In the process of a comeback five years after his classic DaKAR II (2016), Kwesta decided to hit hard with “Kubo”, the undeniable hit from his g.o.d guluva album. The track is meant to be deeply unifying, with a video full of references to South African pop culture. Amidst the pantsula dancers and kwaito sounds, we find the singer Bassie, the rapper K.O and the inevitable prince of amapiano Focalistic.
France: Lala &ce – Holy (feat. Lancey Foux)
July 8th, 2021
“Holy” is a perfect example of Lala &ce’s recipe. The atmosphere is both festive and intimate, while the percussive instrumental is the ideal soundtrack for the mumbled and smooth flows of the French rapper and her London sidekick. The track is taken from Everything Tasteful (2021), the singer’s debut album.
Zimbabwe: Roki – Patati Patata (feat. Koffi Olomide & Rayvanny)
August 4th, 2021
“Patati Patata” is a collaboration that nobody expected. Zimbabwean singer Roki made a big move by inviting Congolese legend Koffi Olomide and Tanzanian young superstar Rayvanny, making the track international and intergenerational. However, it is the two youngest artists who have made the effort to adapt to Koffi’s universe, delivering an irresistible rumba vibe with these visuals.
France: Kalash – Tu le sais (feat. Gazo)
July 23rd, 2021
While this collaboration between the two French artists had everything to be a dark banger, Gazo and Kalash decided to deliver a light track, exploring the themes of relationships and disappointments in love. The result is a clear alchemy between Gazo’s raw bars and Kalash’s unique sense of melody.
United States of America: Chinese Kitty – LIT BITCH (feat. Fivio Foreign & French Montana)
June 25th, 2021
It would be impossible to make this list without a big rap banger, and that is precisely what Chinese Kitty gave us with “LIT BITCH”. Joined by the big names of Fivio Foreign and French Montana, her lyrics are raw and resonate perfectly with this hard-hitting beat. The chorus is a reference to “My Neck, My Back (Lick It)” by rapper Khia, a less gangster classic but just as explicit.
