The Best Of Soundcloud Mixtape Vol. III

by Phil Chard

We are back with another edition of our Best Of Soundcloud mixtape series. As always we have collated some of the best African Hip Hop jams for your listening pleasure. This week we feature music from Cameroon’s TchopDye, Zimbabwe’s Cal_Vin, Rwanda’s Raiza Biza, Kenya’s Benady and many more.

Stonebwoy & Mugeez – We Made It

Witness The Funk – Ncika

Kid Tini – Shay’wei

DexKwasi & Sarkodie – Fine

SlapDee – 10101

Raiza Biza – Bring It On (Demo) Feat. Lukan Raisey

Solve The Problem – Once Was

IFKR – Omi Gbono Feat. Odunsi

Teeklef – Timmy Turner (African Cover)

Gigi LaMayne – Delete Your MF Number Feat. Xtatic

King Lutendo – Lost In July

TTP Presents The Now Or Never Street Remix

Blaklez – Ooh Child

Phyno – E Sure For Me

Xtatic – Jabulani Remix

Benady – Hakuna Matata

JR – 4Four

Epixode – Body Feat. Mr Eazi

Cal_Vin – Izandla Emoyeni Feat Asaph

TchopDye – Passa Passa

VOL III Track List

Submission of The Week | Yours Truly – Afforded Freedom EP

by Phil Chard

We receive a great deal of submissions here at the AHHB. The ones that are not bad enough to make your ears bleed usually make it #SubmissionSunday where we feature all the best music sent in by artists across the continent. However once in awhile we receive a submission so jaw droppingly good that it reminds us of why we love blogging about African Hip Hop. Yours Truly and his Afforded Freedom EP is one of said submissions. The Kenyan poet/rapper who now resides in the USA has released what I consider to be one the best submissions we have ever received. We did a full tweet review of the album on our twitter page.

Yours Tully AF EP - Curated tweets by AfricanHHB

Submission | Hanta The Samurai – Niko Kazini

by Phil Chard

What is a rapper's musical catalog without a "grind hard" anthem? Kenyan rapper Hanta The Samurai has just dropped his version of the "they sleep I grind adage" titled Niko Kazini which means "works hard in Swahili"

Submission | Red Button – Khanda Shisa

by Phil Chard

South African rapper Red Button has been a little in recent months (he atrorubens the hiatus to extensive studio time and mentoring younger artists). The rapper just released his new single Kanda Shisa and as the title suggests it is flames. Once again Red Button impresses, now give us a project please.

Submission | Kal-L – Beast Mode

by Phil Chard

South African rapper Letuka Dlamini aka Kal-L just dropped Beast Mode which the first single off his upcoming EP. The song which is very reminiscent of Otis features some surprisingly impressive delivery considering how new Kal is to the scene.

Submission | Teck-Zilla & Phlow – Phlowetic Justice

by Phil Chard

Now I'm crazy set, To hit my mark no sweat

A one way ticket to the tippy top I got, let's jet,With Pistol like aim, tell em I'ma hit off

That definition is- in- my name n****** I'm in my zone

A Lotta buzz I hear, but I don't see 'em standing in my way

Trafficking them chips to land, just where I want not where they may

We 'bout to make history people, you cannot clear that cache

The Nigerian duo of Teck -Zilla and Phlow have linked up on the song Phlowetic Justice. The song is play on Kendrick Lamar's Poetic Justice that incorporates the same sample from the Janet Jackson song and a sample from Kendrick's rendition off his second album. Phlow displays her lyrical prowess as she rides over the Zilla beat delivering a series of sharp tongued lyrics.

Submission | Muna – Garden Of Eden (Official Music Video)

by Phil Chard

Muna is a 22 year old artist born in ZImbabwe who currently resides in Waltham, Massachusetts. Muna just sent in his video for the sombre and reflective Garden Of Eden taken off his project Amen.

FOKN Bois & yoyo tinz Present FOKN Ode To Ghana

by Phil Chard

Ghanaian rap duo FOKN Bois have partnered with yoyo tinz on the 21 track album titled FOKN Ode To Ghana. The album features instrumentals solely produced by Hobo Truffles and are taken from an instrumental album of the same name that was released 2 years ago.

This album will edutain you and hopefully inspire positive action. “Sorry it took us so long…there was traffic and light off and pipe off in Dansoman”

The album is available for free via the FOKN Bois soundcloud and bandcamp pages but they are also accepting donations towards their work via their paypal account (foknbois@gmail.com) or you can choose to pay for it via bandcamp.

Submission | MozRoc – 1000 Degrees

by Phil Chard

Mozambique's MozRoc just released the Kream produced boom bap 1000 degreez a song where Moz pays homage to the sounds and styles that shaped early 90s Hip Hop.

MozRoc, Born 13 February 1985 in South Africa moved to Mozambique at the age of 3 where he spent most of his childhood. At the age of 14 he moved to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. MozRoc started writing and recording at the age of 16, he has been part of different groups and has worked on different projects. MozRoc is a experienced mc, technically and lyrically strong, he is currently working on his first official EP that should be dropping next year.

Submission |CON_ONE – MansaMusa

by Phil Chard

CON_ONE is a Kenyan born artist who is now based in Riverside, California. The rapper is working with producer Wade Hoggs on a full length album which should be dropping next month. The rapper and producer duo just dropped their new single Mansa Musa which speaks of the ancient Malian ruler who was the richest man to ever walk on earth. The song features song impressive lyrical showmanship as CON_ONE raps about his lofty intentions.

E.L’s 2 New Singles May Be Ushering in BAR Season

by Phil Chard

I don't I design, it's just a good habit

Best rapper every year, they know I should have it

If Kings are made I guess a fella should practice

Shook rappers act wild they just look savage

Best rapper every year, they know I should have it

Started from lines to verses to book chapters - Love God

Despite the fact that he is an artist that can play several roles (rappers, singer, producer) I feel E.L strongest facet by along margin is when he raps and does not focus on making a “radio” hit. With the release of BAR III on the horizon it seems the 5 time VGMA winner, E.L is hell bent on silencing his critics.

Earlier in the week E.L dropped Talk Don’t Bother Me (which we featured on our latest mixtape), the song is a well orchestrated track where E.L plays the dual role of himself and his mother as he has a conversation with her about the negative forces that are intent negating his success.

However it is on his latest release Love God where E.L drops a myriad of jaw dropping and impressively complex set of lines

His many talents and award wins aside, I felt that E.L’s project Hip Hop and BAR II were much more impressive offerings than his much delayed follow up album ELOM. If the rest of BAR III is on the level of his latest releases we might all be entering BAR Season.

@elrepgh

Watch MarazA’s New Video for Gwan & Stream His AM EP

by Phil Chard

Since 2008 when he appeared on the SABC show Jam Alley and won their Versus TV competition, MarazA has perennially been one or of South Africa's most promising young MCs on the cusp of blowing up. The now 27 year old who cut his teeth as a poetry slam performer and battle rapper made the transition into a fully fledged rapper and has released a series of impressive singles and his debut album Smithsonian One back in 2014.

Two years removed from that project MarazA released the 6 track AM EP earlier this year which also featured his lead single Gwan.

What I have found interesting about MarazA’s return is how it is evident that he has revamped his approach to the industry and seems to have assembled a competent machine to drive his efforts. Unlike 2014 when I remember seeing MarazA venting on Vuzu about his lack of finances and connections to buy his way onto radio and mainstream notoriety. Inexplicably, MarazA also did not release a video for Siyadlala ( his biggest hit at the time, though he did hint that a disagreement resulted in him having to nix the video due to costs).

This time around, backed by a certified banger of a song in Gwan, MarazA seems to have found a way to garner an incredible amount of radio and media push behind him. He has made recent appearances on Vuzu, MTV, Live Amp (where he also premiered the video for Gwan) and Channel O’s Turn Up.

Listen Burna Boy’s Pree Me World Premiere on Beats 1

by Phil Chard

Burna Boy has had an incredibly busy week. The Nigerian artist finally returned to the UK after an almost 7 year absence from the country under unclear circumstances. No matter what the reasons for his absence were (Burna also disputes the widely circulated story that he left the UK after an altercation that resulted in a stabbing) his UK fans were more than ecstatic after hearing the news that he would be performing within their borders once again.

At d airport now. On my way to London. I touch down in Heathrow @ 6:00pm arik air. I need to see as many fans n my people as possible.

— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) June 28, 2016

Burna also announced that he would be dropping a new 7 track EP titled Redemption that will be dropping on the 8th of July. One o fthe tracks off that EP is the reflective Pree Me that has Burna speaking on disloyal friends and those that are intent on his downfall.

Interesting Facts from Burnaboy press conference today: He has a New Ep Coming Out in July with 7 New songs.

— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) July 4, 2016

One of the perks of being back in the UK was that Burna was able premiere the song on Julie Adenuga’s Beat1 radio show. Pree Burna’s new joint below.

Burna also discusses being back in the UK and his new EP in this interview.

Uno July – 90’s Laaitie (Official Video)

by Phil Chard

Ill Skillz rapper Uno July just dropped his new video for 90s Laaitie a song that appears on his 21 track offering Uno ‘n Only. Featuring one continuous shot the video featured Uno and a group of sitting on a couch reciting the song’s lyrics while a heavily applied visual filter has us reminiscing of the days we put a magnet a little too close to our televisions.

Stream Uno ‘n July below

Beat Tape Submission | Suuth – DarkMatter

by Phil Chard

Suuth - one half of the Lesotho production duo slumREC just dropped his 10 track beat tape titled DarkMatter. The project is filled with jazz and 90s R&B influenced sounds that can easily slot into your Sunday easy listening playlist.

Submission | Infamous LS & Mendez Fly – Take Flight (Prod. By GHXST)

by Phil Chard

The Angolan teenage duo of Infamous LS And Mendez Fly also Known as Flying Soul just dropped the first single off their upcoming Weekend EP project titled Take Flight. The laid back and melodic song features some well crafted percussion pads and 808s from producer GHXST as the two rappers compliment the best perfectly.

Submission | Janea Pol’anrhy – La Danse du Chien Mechant

by Phil Chard

Cameron's Janéa Pol’Anrhy just submitted his new track La Danse du Chien Menchant (The dance of the vicious dog). All I want to see now is a music video for this song with a viscous american pitbull dancing passionately ot this. The song s great combination of traditional sounds with EDM and rock elements.

Mixed Bag Mondays XLII | The Best Of Soundcloud Vol II

by Phil Chard

Vol II Front

The AHHB is always looking for new ways to ensure we are providing with our fans with the most exhaustive and comprehensive coverage of the music from the continent . With that in mind we have created a new mixtape series that will feature some of the best music on Soundcloud that we have come across that has not featured on the blog.

The Best Of Soundcloud mixtape series shares some of our favourite African Hip Hop songs from Soundcloud and is precursor to a lot of exciting things that we have planned.

In our second mixtape we have music from the budding musical back and forth between Sarkodie and M.anfest, as well music from Modenine, Wizkid, E.L, Holstar, Xtatic, Cassper Nyovest and many more. The full track list is below, enjoy the music and be sure to share your thoughts and opinions for what we should include on Volume 3

Sarkodie – Kanta

Xtatic – Composure Featuring Lazr Beam

GZE - Vavhurirei Mukova Featuring Sister Flame

Cass – Soudy Soudy

Shane Eagle – Cutting Corners

Tshego – Tell Em Say Featuring. Cassper Nyovest, Gemini Major & Nasty C

Tay Grin – Kanda Featuring Sonye & Orezi

Karizma – Shisha Pipe

Xtatic – BIGH Featuring Devour Ke Lenyora

E.L – Talk Don’t Bother Me

WizKid – Shabba Featuring Chris Brown, Trey Songz & French Montana

Shakes – All Night Featuring Kick

Holstar – Nipempako Featuring Jane Jonanzi

M,anifest – god MC

FOKN Bois Talking Drum

Nathi Mankayi - Nomvula Saga Featuring Naakmusiq, ShoutOutSA & Kwesta

DJ Azuhl – Gimme That Gem Featuring. EJ Von Lyrik, Ben Caesar, Teba

Cassper Nyovest – Same Chair As Kanye

Frank Casino – Whole Thing

Boybreed – Slowly (Remix) Feauring Patoranking

Modenine – No Matter What Featuring Maka

Medikal – Connect Featuring Sarkodie, E.L, Joey B, Kofi Kinaata, Criss Waddle, Omar Sterling & Yaa Pono

VOL II Tracklist

M.anifest goes on a lyrcical onslaught on god MC

by Phil Chard

M.anifest is in rare form on his new release god MC. The Dram Jay produced song is a hybrid of highlife and trap music as Mdot lays into his mortal competition. When it dropped the Ghanaian lyricist got the internet buzzing as people tried to decipher his lyrics to try and who the veiled jabs were directed at. The major consensus seems to be that the song as was response to Sarkodie’s song Bossy where he dropped this set of lines at the end of the third verse.

Fake niggas, snake niggas , I don’t like

Me I don’t believe shit, is all hype

Friends turn into enemies, it’s called life

…..

M.anifest . Mesrɛ wo [I beg you] lemme just

Use your dot dot dot to dot to end this verse

On god MC Manifest literally returns the favour to Sark by reciting

God mc never been a faker

I dey go see shatta for mahama paper

My guy obidi, let me return the favour

You know what time it is, later is greater

But the cryptic shots and shout outs out to artist are not limited to Ghanaian artists alone. On the first few bars of the song M.anifest raps

I pull up on the feature, screaming hallelujah

In a barracuda smoking buddha in Fallujah

Clash of the titans I had dinner with medusa

Don't turn me into stone, boy I'm a ruler

They sipping amarula me I kick it with a cougar

Tonight will be lit, super

While adopting the flow used by the self-proclaimed Super Mega AKA on Composure. On the song M.anifest also throws shots at artists who are trying too hard to emulate Western artist instead of carving out their own style, while also laying into “yes men muppets” and those that are overly covered with titles, diplomas and the bible while abandoning critical thinking.

Read “God MC” by M.anifest on Genius

@manifestive

Takura – MaObama

by Phil Chard

It's Peak times for Zimbabwean rappers right now. In the space of two months a pop act has invaded the Hip Hop scene and is doing a pretty damn good job at this rappity rap thing.

On his second rap single as a solo artist Takura hops on a C.O.G. Beatz trap instrumental to wax motivational about his hunt for MaObama (colloquial slang for US Dollars). Takura keeps his delivery pretty simplistic yet effective. I'll be very interested to see the trap sound that Takura and fellow Zim trappers are pushing shift the direction of Zim Hip Hop to something more commercially appealing with the masses.