Renowned record label Effyzzie Music which houses Geniuzz and Soti, has released new music which follows the current “shaku shaku” trend.
The high-octane street-hop number titled “Shakpati”, features African top diva Yemi Alade, street-hop champion Slimcase and hit producer Young D.
Check on the banger!
There are two great days in one’s life, the day you are born and the day you discover why. January 8th marks the birth of the superstar singer Michael O. and the brilliant musician has decided to celebrate with his fans in a unique way. Michael O. is making his music free on all digital platforms and available for fans to listen , down load and enjoy. From January 8th to February 8th, fans can get access Michael O.’s music without paying a dime.
According to Michael O. “My birthday is obviously a very special day for me so I decided I wanted to connect with my fans in a different way, my fans are all over the world where things are becoming harder everyday, this is my way of encouraging my fans with music and saying Thank You.” He continues further that “my fans are my backbone and I always try to give back so there is no better time to do this than at my birthday i believe”.
Michael O’s trending singles ‘Osondi Owendi’ and ‘Follow Me’ continues to enjoy massive numbers on radio and in the digital world and the Los Angeles based singer feels the need to show appreciation to his fans. This move is unprecedented in the industry and genuinely shows Michael O. is an artist who appreciates and love his fans everywhere in the world. Check out Michael O. on all social media platforms, anticipate more great music.
View Osondi Osondi Owendi and Follow Me on Youtube
![Tjan - Omo Yi [Video Screenshot]](http://africanmuzikmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tjan-Omo-Yi-Video-Screenshot.jpg)
Known for his popular hit songs “Aduke”, “Your Smile” and “Meji” featuring Ycee; praised music sensation Tjan thrills once again with his new single “Omo Yi”, an afro R&B gem produced by Mosa.
The budding smash is currently ruling the airwaves, and is set to climb to new heights with the release of the music video directed by Myth.
Watch the romantic story-telling clip for the fan favourite below!
http://wepluggoodmusic-mail.com/mqeqaoaebbssafahsyakaeeebb/click.php
Coming right on the back of their latest single ‘Brown Skin’ which is currently being supported by The Line of Best Fit, Complex, Hype Machine, Earmilk, Link Up TV, and several international tastemakers, among others, North London Afrofusion duo NewAgeMuzik – Kamo and Prince – are not resting on their laurels and have just unveiled another single ‘Serious’, along with some exciting new visuals to go with it, as premiered on MTV Base.
Linking up once again with producer Dami Bones (Wande Coal, Moelogo, 9ice), and sound engineer Tobi Notch (Bonkaz, Baseman, Mazi Chukz), ‘Serious’ sees NewAgeMuzik take on a more energetic and braggadocios approach, than they showed on ‘Brown Skin’, with ‘Serious’ offering heavy Hip-Hop sensibilities, while still being underpinned by the duo’s Afrocentric flow and lush vocals.
Directed by Tshiz Nelson, who has worked with the likes of J Hus and Maleek Berry, the visuals for ‘Serious’ definitely push forward the energetic and braggadocios tone of the record, and help to bring these elements further to life, from its gritty visual background, to the duo’s on-screen performance prowess, and the video’s ode to the classic high octane movie Mad Max: Fury Road.
Both ‘Brown Skin’ and ‘Serious’ are taken from NewAgeMuzik’s forthcoming sophomore EP CarTunes 2, which is the follow-up to their debut project CarTunes, which birthed fan favourites such as ‘Da Beat’, ‘Trending Topic’ and ‘DMs’, and lead to the over 1 million stream and views the duo have garnered recently, plus support from FACT Magazine, MTV, Beats 1 and OVO Radio, to mention a few.
Speaking about the inspiration for ‘Serious’, NewAgeMuzik say, “Musically, we wanted to bring the energy with ‘Serious’ and stake our claim as a force to be reckoned with in 2017. Most of our previous singles are quite mid-tempo, what the scene might consider as ‘vibes’, but we don’t want to be boxed in by that, so we did something totally different and outside of the box for ‘Serious’”.
The duo add that, “On another level, ‘Serious’ is a reminder that, as the song lyric ‘It’s not that deep […] you already know life ain’t so serious’ goes, we shouldn’t always take things so seriously. Nothing is ever too complicated, and this particular line, as with the rest of the track in all fairness, is a call for us, and hopefully anyone listening to this, to try and have a more positive outlook on life”.
Countdown to the biggest African music award ceremony in Diaspora, African Muzik Magazine Awards (Afrimma) that has also become a music festival.
House of Blues , Dallas Texas on Oct 8th is where the stars would gather with the fans for the biggest African music awards that has gotten bigger as Afrimma 2017 Awards & Music Festival.
With his latest single ‘Ose’ surpassing the million streams mark across Spotify, YouTube and Soundcloud in just three months, along with support from the likes of Spotify, BBC 1Xtra, Rinse FM and Beats 1/Apple Music, among others, exciting 20-year old Afrobeats artist SK is back with a brand new single titled ‘Dat Way’, as well as its accompanying music video.
Directed by Chas Appeti, who has previously worked with Ghetts, Maverick Sabre, Lethal Bizzle, Fekky and Kojo Funds, the visuals for ‘Dat Way’ were shot against the breath-taking scenery and landscapes of Margate in Kent, and it captures SK serenading his leading lady, with lines that are sure to be fan favourites, such as “baby let’s fly away […] let’s do this thing our way, girl ‘dat way’ yeah”.
With every new offering from SK, the fast-rising London-based artist continues to highlight his growing musicianship and craftmanship, and showcase his glorious vocals, infectious songwriting skills, star power, and performance prowess. On the Saucy-produced ‘Dat Way’ and its visuals, he shifts gears yet again, and takes things up another notch, as he carves his own lane within the Afrobeats landscape.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Day Way’, SK says, “The song is about flying away with the person you love. ‘Dat Way’ is the life story of young African love – growing up together, having plans of setting a foundation and building a home with each other. The instrumentation made me, think about escaping with a special someone, and growing in love with them. I hope lovers can relate to this one”.
Congolese singer Zaena is one of the fabulously talented artists from the Central African region, the petite vocalist’s love for music transcends just the recording studio, for her music is a lifestyle. The Los Angeles based star was born in DR Congo and spent the early part of her childhood in Houston, Texas.
Zaena sings in English, Swahili, Lingala, Nyaja, Shona, and some French and this marks her unique selling point as an artist. The multi-lingual lady released her debut Pop-Afro Pop album “Break the Surface” in 2012 and followed that up, towards the end of 2014, with the 6-track Ep, “You Don’t Know”. Her hit song “Ur Love”, has received over 1 million views on Youtube.
African music is currently popping (as the cool kids would say) all over the world and Zaena has that twisted little edge that creates a bit of mystery about her craft compared to other female artists. This is widely encapsulated in her song ‘Gimme All Your Love’. She adds a layer of complexity to it. Right from singing in church as an 8 year old, Zaena always feels alive when she holds the mic.
Her earliest musical influence was ‘Michael Jackson’, who she calls the best. Her kind of music is Afropop and her various influences come to play on her songs. “To me music is therapy, is the language of healing” , she says. She has played around with diverse sounds including electronic pop with a bit of African vibe.
Zaena is proud of the strides in African music today and the fact that lots of female artists are breaking through in the African music industry.
Her latest projects are the songs “Kotika Ngaite” Prd by Giggz, she explains “it’s congolese vibe mixed with pop, something you can dance to but with a sexy zouk vibe. Diva” Prd by Giggz is an dance pop – afro pop music, when you listen to it, all it makes you feel like is dancing.
“Music called, music chose me, I am music and feel music and I pretty much live music”, she declares emphatically as she sees herself becoming established internationally in the next few years and inspiring others. Zaena is currently working on her album , which she says is going to be different from the norm. She is looking forward to attending the Afrimma 2017 Awards & Music Festival as part of the promotion of her current singles as well as networking with other African stars.
Zaena is thankful to anyone who has ever listened or played her songs as she says without you, she would not be here.
Liberian Music Jon bricks has been quietly making waves with his brand of music all the way from China and creating much buzz with it. The Beijing based star shares his music thoughts and plans on upcoming album with AMM.
AMM:Can we meet you?
ZAMA: I’m Jon Bricks, Liberian international Musician based in (Asia-China). Born October 13, 1984 in Monrovia, Liberia. A Family man and a father of two beautiful girls. I’m a Musician, social reformer, philanthropist and a business man.
I currently run a Charity foundation that helps give back to the less privileged kids in Africa (Liberia precisely) called Zama Plus Foundation international based in Liberia, I’m also the owner and founder of Zama record international.
AMM: How did music start for you ?
ZAMA: Music started at an early age for me, around the 9- 12years at age 12 ,I started rapping to famous hiphop songs at the time. Back in high school I always use to sit at the back of the class and freestyle when it’s free time and all of my classmates will put their lunch money in the trash basket to hear me rap more for them. It was my true beginning, later I started performing at high schools Olympics, back to school jams and installation balls, from there i became a house whole name in school the , it’s where I got my name Bricks because Bricks are solid and stronger and are used to build beautiful houses n mansions in the world, it’s a popular block use to develop, every brick wants to be something great until it reaches its completions. So the name I choose as rapper given to me by fans was worth it because I’m always pushing for greatness.
AMM: What does music mean to you ?
ZAMA:Music means a lot to me most especially when I’m lonely or sad music heals me immediately. Without music I wonder if I would have come this far. I also listen to music and get inspired because I love hearing the message and sounds together so for me music is everything.
AMM: Who were your earliest music influence ?
ZAMA: Wow! My earliest music influences were; RUN DMC , Snow from the song Informer, LL cool J, Coolio, and then later came Pac and Biggie.
AMM: How would you describe your kind of music ?
ZAMA: Well for me music is universal so I actually don’t differentiate once it’s good music but for genres I will see my kind of music as Hipco, which is Liberian local vernacular mix with Hiphop that’s hip for hiphop and Co for Coloqua. But I mostly do dance music but I’m a versatile artist I love doing different things n sounds. So over all I’m a Afro rap artist.
AMM:What was the first song you ever made ?
ZAMA :My first recorded song was with my boy Beware on his album Use da side, i collaborated with him on many songs on his album then but officially my first Hit song that brought the Name Jon Bricks into lamb light in the Liberian music industry was called ” Just be there” alongside with my crew New dynasty on the Tom Holder Hipco Vol.2 mix tape, that was 2006. This is was a major hit in and out of Liberia with in the diaspora and it serves as a Slogan on the Lips on many up till present.
AMM:How has it been working your record label , what further plans are in store ?
ZAMA : My record label is doing great, it has been launched over a year plus and it’s an independent label that reaching for higher goals and has plans on signing talented artist as it expends.
AMM: What is the inspiration behind the forthcoming album ?
ZAMA:There’s a lot, it’s gonna be inspirational, entertaining and emotional because I had a bad start this year of which I just lost one of closest friend 1-Kilo who died few weeks ago, he has been with me on tours n in some of my studio sections so thinking about that makes it emotionally working on my new album but it’s gonna be Great with GOD’s help.
AMM: What is the weirdest thing fans can find out about you?
ZAMA: Well weirdest thing is that I love people but most time I love my personal space, being alone at home or studio or just being in my zone once I’m not performing or out, I don’t like too many unnecessary friendship that’s not my thing , my family, fans and few friends are just ok for me, anything else is just too much, not because I’m proud but I was raised to the mindset of minding my business and focusing on my growth and weaknesses.
AMM:What goes on your mind when you go on stage ?
ZAMA: When I’m on stage the first thing that runs through my mind is to deliver the best performance ever at that moment for my fans . I want them to get their time and money’s worth of every minute , seconds. And hour.
AMM: What’s the song currently on repeat on your playlist ?
ZAMA: Well I have my own song ” Conqueror” on repeat on my playlist, I love this song because it also inspire me n motivates me. When I recorded it last year it was right after I did my diva dream alive concert in Liberia along with my Chinese artist Zheng which was a huge Success with over 20,000 people at the event. It inspired me a lot n I bless GOD , I normally rap in all my songs but this one I choose to be different n try something new which I did, I also did the video in Italy- Milan during my 6 countries European tour n it was Awesome, I’m Grateful. Thanks to my wife who has been my background supporter in this project.
AMM: Where do you see yourself in the five years musically?
ZAMA: I see myself on a Bigger picture 5 years from now both as a musician and CEO. I see success and goals accomplishments.
AMM: Which African Artist would you like to work with ?
ZAMA :I listen to a lot of african artists n I quite like a few but for collaboration I would love to work with Phyno because I love his style and music delivery.
AMM:What words do you have for your fans ?
ZAMA: All I can say to my fans is keep doing what U have always been doing by supporting me and continue being there , I won’t disappoint U guys as always I will deliver exactly as U have known me over the years n even more, keep tuned because the best are yet to come, I love all of my fans , U are the Real MVP’s . Keep shinning
AMM: What should we expect from the album ? producers, collaborations?
ZAMA:This album is going to be legendary from the songs to the productions and everything , I don’t want to say much because I want to work to speak for itself but it’s gonna be the dopest album ever, that I can guarantee. Thanks
Legendary music legend King Sunny Ade will be one of the performers at the Coachella music festival, a popular music and arts festival that holds in California, USA.
The festival, which has been holding since 1999, will this year, hold between April 14-16 and April 21-23, 2017.
Other performers at the festival include Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Beyonce, Bon Iver, DJ Snake, DJ Khaled, Tory Lanes, Hans Zimmer, Radiohead and more.
King Sunny Ade will perform on the Sundays of April 16 and 23, 2017
The legendary juju singer recently celebrated his 70th birthday with a grand concert on Sunday, December 11, 2016, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Source: Thenetng
Apple earlier announced its decision to localize pricing on its online stores in these 9 additional countries: Malaysia, Qatar, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Egypt, Tanzania and of course, Nigeria.
Simply put, users from these countries can now make all payments for app and in-app purchases in their various local currencies as opposed to standard U.S dollar charging system.
With all the great benefits that this tweak brings, the development particularly comes as an early Christmas present to Apple’s Nigerian customers who are currently in the abyss of a gritty economic recession.
Posing a win-win situation, users can now pay for their purchases, subscriptions etc in Nigerian Naira without the trauma of the epileptic forex. Restrictions and bans placed by financial institutions to troubleshoot the recession will cease to apply as these transactions will no longer be tagged “international”.
Apple on the other hand gets to retain their robust Nigerian market without the fear of losing consumers who have intentions to boycott due to economic strains.
As leaders of the most popular online music technology and monetization platforms, Apple’s new pricing policy brings one question to mind.
How will the Nigerian music industry be affected by this change?
Apple Music; an IOS music streaming service which was strategically made available to Android platforms, now costs only 900 Naira for individual subscription and an even cheaper NGN1,400 for a 6-user family package.
This comes at a crucial time where the mystery of music business is being unshrouded in the country. Stakeholders and players are awakening to the realities and endless possibilities of music streaming: a service unanimously believed to be the ultimate future of the global music industry.
The Apple Music platform brims with the most potentials, especially because of its wide reach, availability and now; affordability. If properly tapped, here are the reasons why it could give the Nigerian Music industry a financial facelift.
1. Increment in Profitable Music Consumption
Historically, when Apple changes a store to local pricing currency, it indirectly spells that there is a massive uplift in local sales. This means that amongst other Apple online store patronage, more Nigerians are beginning to stream music; a one-time rare phenomenon made easier by the recent drop in mobile data rates. The increase in the numbers of Nigerian users will increase the consumption of local music content resulting to more revenue for the content owners.
2. Discovery
It is without doubt that music streaming plays a major role in the latest trend of Nigerian acts getting signed to international labels. By virtue of having quality content on a global platform such as Apple Music, artistes have increased chances at getting discovered by investors; whether local or otherwise.
3. Artiste Independence
The simplicity which the new pricing policy brings, will further demystify the vagueness of music streaming services to indie artistes. Never again will musical success be measured solely or dictated by record labels as musical acts can earn decent returns independently, without cut throat percentage ratios and unnecessary bureaucracy.
4. Wider Audience Reach, Bigger Fan Base
With millions of talented artistes roaming the streets of Nigeria, it is almost a myth that the tiniest fraction will get their music past the ears of family and friends let alone have a successful musical career. The ones who eventually find their feet hardly ever get the local and intercontinental love that their music deserves.
The ease of access and the various services that Apple Music provides (Beats 1 radio, Apple Music Connect, curated playlists, etc) results in a “Music Beyond Borders” effect. These outlets see to it that as long as an artiste makes good music, there are no limits to how far their content can travel. This inadvertently equals wider audience reach, bigger fan base and can spin into sales and revenue generation off the online radar.
In such desperate times where solutions to resuscitate the country from financial doom are being wildly sought for, it is ironic that the one time overlooked music industry is a strong contender. With gems like Apple Music and other viable platforms which have the resources to provide artistes with revenue for a lifetime, it is safe to say that music is the future pillar of the Nigerian Economy