(Agence Ecofin) – The month of November was very productive for the African music scene. Started by the refreshing project of the Ivorian Suspect 95, it was also marked by the release of the highly anticipated album by the Nigerian star Wizkid. The opus did not disappoint and managed to place 2 songs in our monthly African playlist.
– Pray (Wizkid)
The final track from “Morayo”, the latest album from Nigerian star Wizkid, Pray is a perfect conclusion to the project. Dedicated to his mother Morayo, who died in August 2023, the album pays her the most marked tribute on this 16e track. To minimalist music, we see Wizkid remembering his beginnings, the difficult times, but above all the prayers of his mother which allowed him to overcome obstacles.
– Shuffle (Tshegue)
Somewhere at the crossroads of electro, rock and funk, all in Lingala, the Congolese singer Faty Sy Savanet and the French percussionist Nicolas Dacunha take us into their world. The group is called Tshegue in reference to the street children of Kinshasa. Its title Shuffle, characteristic of their particular universe, is an intoxicating wander into the world of these 2 great children of music.
– Bazarhoff (Didi B)
For those who doubted it, the Ivorian Didi B is indeed a complete rapper. The one who has accustomed us to lively and festive sounds delivers an egotrip exercise in the most classic style on Bazarhoff. Between the barbs to his detractors and those to his former friends, he nevertheless embraces his versatility, ironically sketching out a few dance steps before declaring that he had “ broke into rap during the prime of the offbeat coupe “. The result is a hit that will please fans of classic rap.
– Explanations (Suspect 95 and Roselyne Layo)
In reality, all the songs from the “L’Alchimiste” project by Ivorian Suspect 95 could have had a place in our playlist. Who could resist the immaturity of the Ivorian artist who brings back with Explanations, where he collaborates with the very talented Roselyne Layo, a formula he knows well. A very trendy theme, the hype of couple content on social networks, of the second degree, a Suspect 95 to which we don’t know how to say no.
– Lose my Mind (Fave)
Gospel when your real name is “Godsfavour”, what a surprise. “It’s just one of my many odes to God” explains the singer who succeeds in offering a refreshing song, musically at the crossroads of many genres. Lose my Mind is a true representative of Afrofusion.
– Her Husband (Juls and Nkosazana Daughter)
With the sounds of private school piano, also called soulful amapiano because of its less dry percussion, the Ghanaian Juls ventures into the jazz influences of South African music. In this musically colorful journey, he is accompanied by Nkosazana Daughter’s, a South African singer who is on the rise.
– Bad Girl (Wizkid-Asake)
Yet another song from the Morayo album, and not just any song. The first featuring of the project, Bad Girl sees Wizkid team up with Asake, another star of Nigerian music. Together, they will embark on one of their favorite games: frolicking. To a catchy rhythm, the artists try to seduce a “Bad Girl” to the sound of evenings in the red light districts of Lagos.
– Kilimanjaro (Holy Ten)
Released in mid-October, Kilimanjaro by Zimbabwean Holy Ten remained in the playlists for the month of November on many streaming platforms. Atypical, between the singer’s gravelly voice and the softness of the instruments sometimes broken by percussions typical of Zimbabwe, everything gives a song that makes you want to be listened to again.
– Beautiful Day (Akon)
No, it’s not a dream, Akon has a hit in 2024. The American-Senegalese artist returns with this simple song that launched his immense career. Between the soft melody, the catchy lyrics and the instrumental minimalism, it almost feels like the early 2000s. And it works.
– One Time (Nasty C & Lekaa Beats & Tiwa Savage)
This playlist for the month of November ends with a voice well known to fans of Nigerian music, that of Tiwa Savage. Accompanied by South Africans Nasty C and Lekaa Beats, Tiwa delivers on “One Time” a level of performance to which she has accustomed us without tiring us. We could say that the title stands out for its percussion, or the musical universe of Nasty C & Lekaa Beats, but the truth is that we don’t necessarily know why One Time does not leave one indifferent, in the good sense of the word.
Servan Ahougnon
