Black Slides & White Socks
Gee Baller
Black Slides & White Socks is a collection of 26-year-old rapper Gee Baller’s diary entries on his come-up, the struggles, the hustle and of course, ego trips. Nigerian and based in Eastern Europe, Gee Baller offers an original blend of influences: he rides a West Coast instrumental on “Paid”, tackles afrobeats on “Eyoyo Yo” and even interpoles Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.” on “Dayshift”. Even the collaborations are international. This album is worldwide, Gee Baller enlisting Naija rappers Erriga and Ridm City, Kumerica acts Jay Bahd and Kweku Smoke, Kenyan lyricist Khaligraph Jones, British-French Octavian and Kazakhstani talent Skryptonite.
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Cooperville
Pabi Cooper
Amapiano vocalist and producer Pabi Cooper takes us on a trip to Cooperville. After her exponential rise to fame with her breakthrough song “Isphithiphithi”, the 21-year-old singer finally delivers on this highly anticipated project. In good Piano fashion, she’s joined by many South African acts, including Focalistic, Lady Du and Blxckie. Khanyisa, Yumbs and Liebah are featured on the song “Mama”, a beautiful ode to mothers. The “Cooperville” EP is a display of Pabi’s vocal abilities and production skills, making for fresh, diverse and catchy tracks. It also includes her 2-times platinum hit “Banyana Ke Bafana”.
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Morfo
Charlotte Dos Santos
Dreamy, soothing and flowy, Morfo is a sweet escape, a relaxing walk around Charlotte Dos Santos’ fairy world. The 26-year-old singer’s debut album is a blend of neo-soul and jazz, of classical and bossa nova. A mix of confident lyricism and delicate vocals. A tale of romantic memories, self-reflection and transformation. On “Filha do Sol”, Dos Santos explores her Afro Brazilian roots, singing her mixed origins in Brazilian Portuguese and giving the song a MPB (música popular Brasileira) break. Morfo is a bubble, a timeless experience that leaves the listener wanting more, with a stomach full of butterflies.
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Swanology
Prince Swanny
‘Trinibad’ dancehall act Prince Swanny is teaching Swanology on his new 14-track album. Flowing seamlessly between heartfelt introspection on “No Looking Back”, menacing beats on “Kylliz” and charged lyrics on “Shake”, Prince Swanny is versatile and eclectic. On attendance for this new project: Kittitian rising talent Byron Messia, UK melodic rapper Not3s, Jamaican viral sensation Skilibeng and dancehall prince Kalash. The Martinican star and Prince Swanny linked again on “Love It”, a sensual sequel to their last steamy collaboration, the hit single “Punani Imperial”, also produced by Shaz.
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27 In Accra Town
DJ Yamz
It would be hard to describe Ghanaian creative DJ Yams’s work without forgetting something. 27 In Accra Town is 18 tracks long, and each track has many parts, many breaks and many stories. Listening to this project feels like a peak into daily life in Accra: there is stress, love, struggle and enjoyment. It’s hectic, it’s proud, it’s also vulnerable at times. The sounds too are a cocktail of Yamz influences, from Fela Kuti to Lauryn Hill, mixed with his current listenings. It goes jazzy, soul then highlife, very hip-hop and fades into spoken word. 27 In Accra Town is a puzzle that, once assembled, defines DJ Yams in his many identities and intimate experiences.
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