This October, rap news in Africa was shaped by political and social events in Nigeria, Cameroon, Namibia and Ivory Coast. Following Wizkid’s decision to postpone the release of his album scheduled for October 15, many Nigerian artists refrained from releasing new material in support of the #endSARS movement. In Ivory Coast, rappers such as Chinois l’Apocalypse mobilized to call on political leaders to keep the peace in the run-up to presidential elections. In the meantime, Congolese rap was given a boost by the collaboration between Innoss’B and the Belgian-Congolese rapper Damso with the hit “Best,” In South Africa, rappers Nasty C and Costa Titch released music videos to illustrate their blockbuster albums.
But this month we will look beyond the big names. We have selected five October music videos which, though obscure, testify to new trends like the drill music boom or the vitality of certain underrated scenes.
Dr MaVibes – Umlilo (feat. Brvdley, Snymaan, Manny Yack & Blaq Diamond)
The Gauteng province in South Africa offers us its own version of drill with a first single from the Zulu rapper Dr MaVibes. With four featured artists from the Ambitiouz Entertainment label, he offers a breath of fresh air to music that has been omnipresent for the past few months.
Mr Luck – MouMaMou (feat. Mosty)
In the Ivory Coast too, rappers have fallen in love with drill by incorporating rhythmic elements of popular music and the nouchi language. The moumamou, which gives its title to a new song by Mr. Luck and Mosty, is a dance track that stems from zouglou, consisting of the swinging movement of the hips.
Lil Fyve – LIVE and COLORED from Kumerica (feat. Braa Benk & City Boy)
Rappers from Kumasi in Ghana have developed an aesthetic that they call “Kumerica” and which sees the luxurious lifestyle of American rappers as its ideal and aesthetic. Lil Fyve, Braa Benk and City Boy plunge us into “asakaa,” the rap coming out of Ashanti.
DAK – C’est Magnifique (feat. MC PISSCO)
Algerian trap is also in top form … As demonstrated by DAK’s performance in his last music video featuring MC Pissco. He pays tribute to his hometown, Kabyle, by wearing the soccer team’s jersey.
Paulelson – Novo Messi 2
In Angola, Paulelson was the rap revelation in 2019 thanks to his mixtape Novo Messi, whose sequel has just been released. Experience trap with flutes and strings, and a sharp flow on the first eponymous single “Novo Messi 2.”
Listen to some of the finest hip-hop in our Pan African Rap playlist on Spotify and Deezer.
