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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
African Fresh Picks: Ayra Starr x Wizkid, Ayox x Qing Madi, Darkoo, Olamide, Seyi Vibez & More
Does it even feel like summer if Darkoo doesn't drop? After last year's 'Favourite Girl' and 'Focus On Me (All the Sexy Girls In The Club)' earlier this year, she's giving the girls another reason to whine their waists with 'Like Dat.' And three years after their sweet '2 Sugar' collab from his More Love, Less Ego album, Ayra Starr and Wizkid join forces again on island-infused Afrobeats banger 'Gimme Dat' (which has no relationship to the aforementioned P-Square hit). Speaking of Wizkid collabs, he teams up with Nigerian hip-hop icon Olamide for a new track, 'Kai!,' while Seyi Vibez celebrates his new partnership with EMPIRE with a sonic departure in the form of new track 'Pressure.' Meanwhile, Fido follows up his breakthrough smash 'Joy Is Coming' with a new cut called 'Money Moves,' while Kizz Daniel returns with a surprise seven-song EP called Uncle K: Lemon Chase that leads with the breezy song 'Black Girl Magic.' More from Billboard Nigerian Star Seyi Vibez Partners With EMPIRE, Drops New Single 'Pressure' The Amity Affliction Cover Turnstile's 'Holiday' for 'Like a Version' Mariah Carey Celebrates 20 Years of 'The Emancipation of Mimi': Stream It Now We've highlighted 10 of our favorite new songs by African acts that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and pregame the summer season with our Spotify playlist below. Ayra Starr & Wizkid, 'Gimme Dat' Ayra Starr and Wizkid are ready to fill up the 'freakin' dancefloor' this summer with 'Gimme Dat.' The slow-burning acoustic guitar melody from Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige's 2000 Grammy-nominated hit '911' and tropical drums, courtesy of producers VybeO and Mikabeatz adds to the song's sensuality and serenity. But Wiz steals the spotlight in the middle of the song with his audacious 'Goddamn' declaration that kickstarts his verse about sticking to one shorty who has all his attention. June Freedom, 'Oh My Lady' The Cape Verdean American crooner creates a vibrant ode to intimacy with his latest single 'Oh My Lady.' Producer Abolaji Collins Kuye's glimmering Afro-fusion groove complement Freedom's blend of English and Cape Verdean Kriolu sweet nothings that roll off his tongue as he reminds us that home isn't always a place, it's your person. 'Two souls locked in, fully understanding each other on every level: mind, body and soul. I wanted to capture that rare kind of love that holds you down but still lets you fly. It's like wake up to peace and falling asleep in passion,' he said in a press release. Darkoo, 'Like Dat' The British-Nigerian star heats things up again with 'Like Dat.' The pulsating Afroswing beat will immediately send any 'naughty naughty' girl's hips swinging, but her suave voice drives the track's flirtatious energy. And Darkoo plays into her affinity for Y2K sonics and aesthetics by paying homage to the music video for Sean Paul's 2003 smash 'I'm Still in Love With You' with the same bold pop of orange and yellow in the Sam Fallover-directed 'Like Dat' visual. Ayox & Qing Madi, 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE' The self-proclaimed 'loner of Afrobeats' Ayox and Billboard's repeat 21 Under 21 honoree Qing Madi are a melodic match made in heaven on 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE' from his sophomore EP WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING. They swap sweet-sounding confessions about taking accountability and wanting to do better by their lovers over pulsating rhythms and thrilling saxophone riffs. Twitch 4EVA, Yung D3mz & Uche B, 'Temperature' Ghanaian artists Twitch 4EVA and Yung D3mz and producer Uche B team up on the scorching single 'Temperature.' The spurts of the log drums feel like trickling beads of sweat down the body, but the whistling ad-libs interspersed throughout the song add more ventilation. Olamide & Wizkid, 'Kai!' Two titans of the last two decades of African music, Olamide and Wizkid, teamed up for this slick cut, which layers a horn section over some traditional Afrobeats drum patterns and features both icons crooning, using their voices as additional instrumentation to augment the track. The video sees the two of them dressed to the nines in a nightclub setting, too, enhancing the overall vibe of the track. Seyi Vibez, 'Pressure' Fresh off his new partnership with EMPIRE, Nigerian street prince Seyi Vibez immediately diverted from his usual grittier sound to drop this love song, with warmer and more inviting themes than his usual gruffer fare. It's 'a complete shift from my usual sound,' he said in a press release about the track. 'It leans into melody, intimacy and raw emotion. It's smoother, softer and more intentional. I wanted to show my range, to prove that I can give you fire and tenderness in the same breath. This track is about the quiet power of love and attention. Sometimes the loudest statement is how you move when no one's watching. That's real pressure.' Fido, 'Money Moves' Fresh off his breakout smash single 'Joy Is Coming,' Fido returns with 'Money Moves,' an engaging cut with an earworm hook — quickly becoming a hallmark of his — that brings in amapiano elements to underpin his melodic vocals. If joy was coming on his last single, it's arrived in the form of stacks of cash in this one. Bhadboi OML feat. L.A.X., 'River' Bhadboi OML has been steadily building a name for himself with a string of single releases over the past year or so, and this one lands with a breezy vibe just on the cusp of summertime with a hook that implores the listener to 'cry me a river.' Teaming up with fellow Nigerian and veteran artist L.A.X. adds another dimension to this one, but Bhadboi takes the bulk of it and delivers a hit for the season. Kizz Daniel, 'Black Girl Magic' Returning out of nowhere with a new EP, the seven-song Uncle K: Lemon Chase — featuring collaborations with ODUMODUBLVCK, Angélique Kidjo, Bella Shmurda, Zlatan and more — Kizz Daniel bolsters his discography with 'Black Girl Magic,' a free-spirited, lighthearted ode to treating your girl right no matter the cost. The full project is worth checking out, but this one sets the tone. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nigerian Star Seyi Vibez Partners With EMPIRE, Drops New Single ‘Pressure'
Nigerian street star Seyi Vibez has partnered with EMPIRE on new music, and released a new single called 'Pressure' as part of the new deal. The song, more low-key than the gritty street vibe on which the artist has built his career thus far, 'is a complete shift from my usual sound,' Seyi Vibez said in a statement announcing the release. 'It leans into melody, intimacy and raw emotion. It's smoother, softer and more intentional. I wanted to show my range, to prove that I can give you fire and tenderness in the same breath. This track is about the quiet power of love and attention. Sometimes the loudest statement is how you move when no one's watching. That's real pressure.' More from Billboard From the Bay Area to Africa, How EMPIRE Became A Global Force Aaron Paul Opens Up About Tracking Down Tour Managers to Get Bands to Perform in His Living Room Ye Claims He's 'Done With Antisemitism': 'Forgive Me for the Pain I've Caused' Still just 24, Seyi Vibez burst onto the Nigerian music scene in 2022 with debut album Billion Dollar Baby, mixing a variety of genres and styles into his own sound that captured the rhythms of his neighborhood in Lagos. Since then, he has proved prolific, dropping a series of singles, albums and EPs, most recently February's Children of Africa, which saw all four of its songs reach the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, and his catalog has racked up north of 400 million on-demand streams in the U.S. alone, according to Luminate. Along the way, he's collaborated with the likes of Burna Boy, Olamide, Young Jonn, Kizz Daniel, BNXN, Russ and NLE Choppa, among others. 'We are happy to partner with Seyi Vibez, an artist whose vocal dexterity and versatility truly stand out,' said Mobolaji Kareem, EMPIRE's regional head of West Africa, in a statement. 'He is a great fit and we look forward to helping his continued growth as a global artist.' 'I'm stepping into this new chapter with the spirit of my ancestors,' added Seyi. 'I carry the energy of Orisa: the guardian, the protector, the voice of the city.' Check out the new song below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tyler, the Creator, Missy Elliott, The Weeknd, Rihanna, Nas & More R&B and Rap Artists Who've Sampled & Interpolated Old African Songs
Aminé's third studio album 13 Months of Sunshine — which dropped Friday (May 16) — pays homage to his Ethiopian roots, and one of the clearest examples can be heard in the title track that samples Aster Aweke's 2019 track 'Nafkot.' Almost a decade ago, Canadian-Ethiopian superstar The Weeknd honored their shared motherland by also sampling Aweke's 'Y'shebellu' on his 2016 Starboy single 'False Alarm.' More from Billboard Nigerian Star Seyi Vibez Partners With EMPIRE, Drops New Single 'Pressure' MOLIY & Silent Addy's 'Shake It to the Max' Hits No. 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart Jet-Setting With Tems As She Makes History Around the World And they're not the only artists who've paid tribute to the continent. Tyler, the Creator's Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit 'NOID' from his seventh album Chromakopia finds the Nigerian American rapper paying homage to his African roots: He samples Zambian rock band Ngozi Family's 1977 track 'Nizakupanga Ngozi.' And it's not the first time the revered MC (real name Tyler Okonma) — who's become more vocal about his heritage (see his comment underneath OkayAfrica's Instagram post about not being included in the platform's roundup of African artists who performed at Coachella this year) — has sampled an old African song. 'I THINK,' from his Grammy-winning 2019 album IGOR samples Nigerian disco artist Bibi Mascel's 'Special Lady' as well as Cameroonian funk multi-instrumentalist Nkono Teles' 'Get Down.' The late and legendary Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango's 1972 smash 'Soul Makossa' is perhaps the most sampled African record ever, as its various instrumental elements have been heard in Jay-Z's 'Face Off' (featuring Sauce Money), Beyoncé's 'Deja Vu – Homecoming Live' (which Hov was also featured on) and countless more songs. The 'Mama ko mama sa maka makossa' hook has been adapted and used on hits like Michael Jackson's 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' and Rihanna's 'Don't Stop the Music,' but there was quite a bit of legal controversy surrounding those two songs. Dibango sued both artists in 2009 for copyright infringement after Rihanna only asked Jackson for permission to borrow the hook from 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' for her 2007 track without reaching out to Dibango. He had previously reached a financial settlement with the King of Pop, but Dibango demanded €500,000 in damages and for Sony BMG, EMI and Warner Music to be barred from making money off those songs until the matter was resolved. But the judge threw the case out because Dibango had accepted publishing credit on Rihanna's song. Billboard rounded up 16 songs by R&B and rap artists that sample and interpolate vintage African songs, in order from newest to oldest. Aminé's '13MOS' from his 2025 album 13 Months of Sunshine samples fellow Ethiopian singer-songwriter Aster Aweke's 'Nafkot' from her 2019 album Ćhewa. Aweke's laidback, drawn-out runs on the first verse of 'Nafkot' are sped up and pitched up at the tail end of '13MOS.' Tyler, the Creator's 'NOID' single from his 2024 album Chromakopia samples Zambian rock band Ngozi Family's 'Nizakupanga Ngozi' from its 1977 album 45,000 Volts. 'NOID' loops the fuzzy guitar riff from 'Nizakupanga Ngozi,' while the chorus of Tyler's single samples Paul Ngozi's Chichewa vocals: 'Pobwela panyumba panga, uyenela ku nkala ndi ulemu/ Chifukwa, ine sinifuna vokamba, kamba/ Vokamba kamba vileta pa mulomo/ (Wotangozi, wotangozi).' 'NOID' reached No. 10 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Kelly Rowland's 2020 single 'Hitman' that was included in the NFL's 2020 Songs of the Season series samples Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti's 'Mr. Follow Follow' from his 1976 album Zombie. The bold, funky horn melody of 'Mr. Follow Follow' powers 'Hitman.' Beyoncé's 'Déjà Vu (Homecoming Live),' featuring Jay-Z, from the former's 2019 album Homecoming: The Live Album samples Fela Kuti's 'Zombie' from his 1976 album of the same name and Manu Dibango's 'Soul Makossa.' The groovy horn and rhythm sections of 'Zombie' and 'Soul Makossa' kick off 'Déjà Vu (Homecoming Live)' before Hov screams to the crowd, 'Coachella, if you havin' a good time tonight, make some noise!' 'Soul Makossa' reached No. 35 on the Hot 100, No. 21 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 3 on World Digital Song Sales. It also earned best R&B instrumental performance and best instrumental compilation nominations at the 1974 Grammys. Tyler, the Creator's 'I THINK' from his 2019 album Igor samples Nkono Teles' 'Get Down' from his 1982 album Afro Music Party and Bibi Mascel's 'Special Lady' from his 1982 album of the same name. 'I THINK' loops the four-on-the-floor drum beat from 'Get Down,' while Tyler and guest vocalist Solange lift Mascel's heartfelt chorus — 'I think I've fallen in love/ This time I think it's for real' — and fuzzy synth chord progression. 'I THINK' reached No. 51 on the Hot 100 and No. 22 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The Weeknd's 'False Alarm' from his 2016 album Starboy samples fellow Ethiopian singer-songwriter Aster Aweke's 'Y'shebellu' from her eponymous 1989 album Aster. Aweke's lithe runs can be faintly heard at the end of 'False Alarm,' which reached No. 55 on the Hot 100 and No. 23 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. 'Her voice is the greatest thing you'll ever hear,' The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) told Billboard for his 2016 No. 1s cover story. J. Cole's 'Let Nas Down' from his 2013 album Born Sinner samples Fela Kuti's 'Gentleman' from his 1973 album of the same title. 'Let Nas Down' loops Kuti's woozy saxophone solo from 'Gentleman.' J. Cole's 'Can't Get Enough,' featuring Trey Songz, from the former's 2011 album Cole World: The Sideline Story samples Guinean dance-music orchestra Balla et ses Balladins' 'Paulette' from its 1980 album Objectif Perfection. 'Can't Get Enough' loops the tropical guitar melodies and easygoing harmonies from 'Paulette.' Nas and Damian Marley's 'As We Enter' from their 2010 collaborative album Distant Relatives samples Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke's 'Yegelle Tezeta' from his 1969 album New York – Addis – London: The Story of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975. The blazing horn riff and shuffling organ groove of 'Yegelle Tezeta' underlines 'As We Enter,' which reached No. 16 on Bubbling Under Hot 100 and No. 23 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales. Ye's 'Lost in the World,' featuring Bon Iver, from the former's 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy interpolates Manu Dibango's 'Soul Makossa.' He sings 'Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-se, ma-ma-ku-sa' in the first verse of 'Lost in the World,' a play on Dibango's hook from 'Soul Makossa.' The Roots' 'I Will Not Apologzie,' featuring Greg Porn and Dice Raw, from the band's 2008 album Rising Down samples Fela Kuti's 'Mr. Grammarticalogylisationalism is the Boss' from his 1975 album Excuse-O. The shrill horn section and polyrhythmic groove of 'Mr. Grammarticalogylisationalism is the Boss' underscore 'I Will Not Apologize.' Rihanna's 'Don't Stop the Music' from her 2007 album Good Girl Gone Bad samples Michael Jackson's 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin',' which interpolates Manu Dibango's 'Soul Makossa' from his 1973 album of the same title. She lifts the 'Mama-say, mama-sa, ma-ma-ko-ssa' coda from Jackson's record, which Dibango had argued was an uncredited alteration of his hook from 'Soul Makossa.' Rihanna's hit peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 and Pop Airplay while topping Dance Club Songs and Dance/Mix Show Airplay. It was also nominated for best dance recording at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Nas' 'Warrior Song,' featuring Alicia Keys, from his 2002 album God's Son samples Fela Kuti and The Afrika 70's 'Na Poi' from his 1971 album of the same title. Kuti's chanting from 'Na Poi' kicks off 'Warrior Song.' Missy Elliott's 'Whatcha Gon' Do,' featuring Timbaland, from her 2001 album Miss E…So Addictive samples Fela Kuti and The Afrika 70's 'Colonial Mentality' from his 1977 album Sorrow Tears and Blood. 'Whatcha Gon' Do' loops the introductory bass and drum melody of 'Colonial Mentality.' Jay-Z's 'Face Off,' featuring Sauce Money, from the former's 1997 album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 samples Manu Dibango's 'Soul Makossa.' The jazzy horn section and funky breakbeat of 'Soul Makossa' plays during the chorus of 'Face Off.' 'Jay came in, we put up the 'Soul Makossa' record, the sample, he had Sauce Money in there, and they went in together. It was hot. It was simple, nothing major. It was a one off,' Tone, one-half of the production duo Trackmasters that helmed the record, told Complex in 2012. 'We weren't gonna be in the studio for two weeks. It was just one session, he came, he spit, and it was over.' Michael Jackson's 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' from his 1982 album Thriller interpolates Manu Dibango's 'Soul Makossa.' 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' peaked at No. 5 on the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hype Malaysia
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Movie Tea: 'John Wick 5' Plot Revealed; 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' Featurette & BTS Drops
We've all heard of the phrase 'The end of one chapter is the beginning of the next' – or at least some variation of that, and this certainly applies to movies. Here's everything you need to know about upcoming sequels for two major franchises. Grab your popcorn! Keanu Reeves Confirmed For 'John Wick 5,' But Will Move Away From High Table Following the shocking news that 'John Wick' is back for the fifth time, many were rightly confused, as we were well aware that the legendary hitman was put to rest in the previous installment. Fans, however, are still sincerely interested in delving deeper into the world of assassins. This is especially true now that there has been no announcement regarding the plot or the fact that Keanu Reeves was never officially confirmed to return to the title role until now. After weeks of silence, the director of the film, Chad Stahelski, is finally revealing what he has been cooking behind the scenes for this sudden but welcomed sequel. According to the director, the story is a continuation of the saga — everything included in the fourth movie, namely the character's hard-fought peaceful end. Of course, it is confirmed that Keanu will return for the role, which is incredibly weird. In an interview with EMPIRE, Stahelski elaborated on his vision; he acknowledged the character's death and how his story has been wrapped up with a neat little bow. But he went on to say that he wanted to make a movie that is separated from the High Table, without letting go of the key elements that made the franchise so popular. 'The saga of John Wick was pretty wrapped up. So the only way to do a 5 is to have a new story that involves John Wick,' said Stahelski. 'It's not a continuation with the High Table. John dealt with his grief. It will be really different, and everybody [will] see the trailer and go, 'Holy fuck… I gotta see that.'' Of course, to say that the plot and idea are weird is putting it mildly — we did see John die from his wounds in his quest for freedom. This inadvertently raises more questions than it answers, namely, how does he come back from the dead, and what will he do now? This move also raises some greater concerns for the franchise, as many are worried that this will ruin the gut-wrenching conclusion we witnessed in favour of more cash. Thus, many are hoping that this coming film will not only do the character justice but also all those who have worked on the previous entries as well. Stahelski did address this in his latest response, essentially stating that the death was more metaphorical rather than literal, symbolising more of a rebirth for Wick. What you make of that explanation is up to you. What we are sure isn't metaphorical is the continuation of the 'John Wick' franchise in terms of stories. Focusing more on fan-favourite characters and even new ones such as Donnie Yen's Caine (which is also in the works) and the soon-to-be-released 'From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina', respectively. Stahelski is out there reassuring skeptical fans, but we can only be certain that is the right path for the legendary assassin when we see Wick in action once again on the big screen. 'The Conjuring: The Last Rites' Sets The Franchise's Phase Two After 10 long and terrifying years, Ed and Lorraine Warren are finally closing their doors with the upcoming film 'The Conjuring: Last Rites'. And what better way to get us amped up for the 'darkest chapter' yet than with this newly posted featurette? However, don't be disheartened, horror fans. This movie isn't marking the end of the franchise as a whole; rather, it is simply letting go of the familiar faces that have stuck with us through all the scares in the last decade. If this was the Avengers saga, think of it as the end of Phase One. Of course, saying that each chapter is far worse than the last can only get you so far, a fact that director Michael Chaves is painfully aware of when discussing the film with Entertainment Weekly. As they were developing the storyline for the film, they even landed an 'Avengers: Endgame'-level reunion to cement the fact that this is the end of the line and that they have to go all out. However, thankfully, the filmmaker decided to pivot the story, attacking something far more personal as they delve into the infamous Smurl Haunting. For those who are not familiar with the case, the Smurl haunting is the term used to describe the allegations made by Jack and Janet Smurl of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, in the United States, that a demon lived in their home from 1974 to 1989; the notoriety of the case gained both the family and house nationwide media attention. It was alleged that the paranormal activities ranged from loud noises and foul stenches to pushing one of the Smurl daughters down the stairs to even physically and sexually assaulting members of the family. Being their last time together, Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren) and Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren) couldn't help but feel emotional about their final installment together, reflecting on how they've grown with the franchise over the previous decade and how it has been a gift to be a part of the film. Patrick himself can't believe that the franchise is over, saying that the franchise 'meant the world' to him. Starring alongside the dynamic duo will be Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, Tilly Walker, Molly Cartwright, Peter Wight, and Kate Fahy. This franchise will be the 9th instalment in the franchise and is the penultimate chapter of the series' phase one, setting the stage up for phase two. Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Screen Rant, EMPIRE
