2020 DIvision
Jyellowl
A lyrical work that’s both personal and collective, the Irish rapper reflects on the ideals of being oneself before attempting to please others. The question of identity is also an important theme for the rapper whose music is the fruit of multiple backgrounds: born in Jamaica of Nigerian parents, he grew up in Dublin where rap took a central place in his life.
Listen here.
Sélection naturelle
Kalash Criminel
Its cover is in itself a strong political message: an albino child defending a black woman and her child from the police.A symbolic image that proves once again that Kalash has placed his album on hot coals and keeps his incisive verb, reinforced by the appearances of Niska, Damso, Jul, Nekfeu, Bigflo & Oli and 26keuss.
Listen here.
Aulos
Jimi Tenor
Jimi Tenor once again summons Africa in his new album Aulos, teleporting to Ghana from his native Finland. For more than 15 years, he has surrounded himself with African and Cuban musicians, deliberately catalyzing his desire to crossbreed his music. Here the multi-instrumentalist takes out his flute in a new opus partly shaped by Ghanaian musicians.
Listen here.
Baile & Drip
VHOOR
With Baile & Drip Brazilian producer VHOOR continues its exploration between baile funk, hip-hop, R&B, drill and other world rhythms that have already proven themselves. The album also presents a new way of using baile funk vocals, re-imagining the use of repetition, not only to enhance the lyrics but also to use vocals as a percussion instrument.
Listen here.
Jungle Fever
Octopizzo
A true ambassador for Kibera, Octopizzo offers a more positive image, without losing his critical eye. It’s hard to imagine Octopizzo’s youth: coming from the biggest slum in Kenya, Henry Ohanga didn’t expect much from life. Forced to steal to eat, this orphan became famous at the age of 29. Today he is one of the most popular hip-hop artists in East Africa. With his fame, he is trying to ‘de-demonize’ the image of the Kibera slum in Nairobi by supporting abandoned young people who, like him as a child, feel like the odds are stacked against them.
Listen here.
In Blue
The Bug Ft Dis Fig
The duo composed of The Bug aka Kevin Richard Martin, and the Berlin-based American producer and singer Dis Fig, aka Felicia Chen, transposes us into a misty and melancholic mix of narco-dancehall, soul atmosphere and electronic dub. An emotional exorcism accentuated by Dis Fig’s bittersweet voice.
Listen here.
My Side of the Story
Busiswa
With this new album, Busiswa begins her fight against the “body shaming” she has been subjected to on social networks as well as violence against women. After appearing on the track “My power” in Beyoncé’s film Black is King, she intends to silence those who criticize her body. The South African star said it firmly in a video posted on her Instagram account: “If you’re an abuser, you will feel uncomfortable listening to my album, if you’re a rapist, you will feel uncomfortable listening to my album.”
Listen here.
Empress
Yemi Alade
The self-proclaimed queen of afropop “Iron Lady” unveils a fifth album between afrobeats, pop, dancehall and RnB. Vegedream, Dadju, Patoranking, Rudeboy are on the guest list. Sung in English, French and Lingala, the title “I choose you” is a real linguistic exchange between the Federal Republic of Nigeria, France and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Listen here.
What Have We Done (EP)
Omah Lay
The 23-year-old Nigerian singer Omah Lay, took Nigerians by surprise with the success of his song “Bad Influence”, which propelled him to fame. At the beginning of the year, the young man was just another Port Harcourt boy trying to break into music, but he quickly climbed the ladder and months later became one of the favorites.
Listen here.
A Little Story
Gystere
With an Afro-futurist theme that evokes the voodoo jazz-funk of the 70’s as much as the anti-racist and anti-sexist activism of our time, Gystere (aka Adrien Peskine) composes a subtle groove containing a whole world of references: Z series, SF pastiche, denunciation of police harassment, hand-made ships and spaceships, etc. All this in 10 psych-funk episodes carrying anti-racist and anti-sexist messages.
Listen here.
