DJ Sliqe – Mercy ft. Riky Rick, Kwesta, Reason, Thaiwanda

by twoSeats

It seems that every few months Sliqe turns up with a new posse cut heater.

"When you Kobe Bryant, everybody hate ya. Ain't no science to it, that's just human nature"

This one is no different in comparison to his previous offerings in that he manages to get some of the biggest acts together on a gets them to tear the beat up; in this case, until it begs for mercy. Thaiwanda provides the glue in the form the hook and the Zimbabwean delivers in spades giving a great feel to the track that the featured rappers run all over. RikyRick, Reason & Kwesta bring the heat with impressive deliveries & bars to be found throughout the track.

GZE – Vavhurirei Mukova Featuring Sister Flame

by Phil Chard

When it comes to storytelling on songs in Shona, GZE occupies rare air. His ability to paint detailed and emotionally engaging stories while simultaneously riding the beat is truly impressive. On his new song Vavhurirei Mukova featuring the vocals of Sister Flame he tells a series of detailed about the loved ones he has lost and how he hopes that those watching over us allow them into the next life.

@resilience_gze

Marcques – Nyarara (Official Video)

by Phil Chard

Zimbabwean rapper Marcques has just dropped the video for his YoungNash produced song Nyarara. The song is set to appear on Lost In Translation – a collaborative project between Marcques and Mile.

The Chris Shoca directed video was shot on location in Mbare and a Westgate studio. Much like my opinions on the song when it first dropped I am not sure where Marcqyes is going with this offering. The video was shot in Mbare but features nothing more than tight shots of Marcques and his crew performing awkwardly in scenes that could have been captured at any location in Harare. The studio shots are equally as awkward and I struggle to see why they were even necessary.

After breaking into the scene in 2013 the last 2 years have been relatively quiet for Marcques. Nyarara is his somewhat flat footed re-entry into the scene as he slowly dips his toes back into the water and finds his footing (See what I did there?). It is also his first solo video, surprising when you consider that we never got a visual offering for Zunguza. Without a doubt Marques has a great deal of potential and talent once he zeros in on exactly what sound he and brand he wants to build.

@Marcques_

Mixed Bag Mondays XLI : The Best Of Soundcloud Mixtape

by Phil Chard

Vol 1

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.

In our first mixtape we have music from Sarkodie, Nasty C, R2Bees, Olamide, Dice Ailes, MI Abaga, Leriq and a host of other artists. The full tracklist is below, enjoy the music and be sure to share your thoughts and opinions for what we should include on Volume 2

EyeAmI – Uber

Dex Kwasi – Big Ben

Ko-Jo Cue – My BayBey Featuring Mr. Eazi

Deejay J-Masta Feauturing YCEE & ZoRo Ajaobi

Katt Daddy – 21 Years

Organik B _ Trap

R2Bees – Hi

Jabz Daniels – Adore AdeJosh

Skoolboi - Gbemi Featuring Mayorkun

Menyiak – Public Service Announcement

Street Carnivore - 5 Mins Featuring Jay Claud3 , Leparis & Truey Donatello

Riot – Ride For You Featuring Jay Claud3

Postman L – 48

Nasty C - Don't Do It

Olamide – Konkobility

Dice Ailes & MI Abaga – Controlla Refix

Sarkodie – Wola Kwame

Joey B – FOH

Leriq – Zero Level Featuring Patoranking & YCee

Vol 1

Review | EyeAmI – Y, Songs About You

by Phil Chard

I decided to title my new project Y, Songs About You after going through some extensive soul searching. I was born in the early 90’s, so I identify best with “Generation Y”. For a while, I was in a space where I was trying to figure out why my first project did not do as well as I’d hoped and what direction I was going to take as an artist. My intention was to write stories from the perspectives of other people. I believed that if I sought to first understand others, I will learn how to make them understand me. So I started with the generation I best identify with - Generation Y, the 90’s kids. The more I wrote the verses for these songs, the more I understood about my myself - why I was making music and the legacy I would like to leave behind.

Zimbabwean born, Toronto based artist EyeAmI (formerly known as Lewis The Artist) has just release his new 5 track EP title Y, Song About You. The project is a brief glimpse into the EyeAmI’s growth as an artist and his currently mentality. When comparing it to his last release Far From Home I noticed how his sound, delivery, and even rapping voice have changed as Lewis becomes more ingratiated in the culture of his newly adopted home.

Upon first listen I struggled to find the anchor of this project and EyeAmI as the reborn artist that he is. But on second listen, once I began to notice the small touches and the fusion of “African” sounds and those of his new home, Toronto shine through. The drums on Uber and Africa. Far From Home, the Afrobeat like Saxophone on Wagadugu and the small inflections and adlibs peppered on the songs all point to this growth. Lewis also credits this melting pot of sounds to a new genre that he hopes to pioneer called AfroBounce.

I am not particularly fond the of flow and delivery adopted by Eye on the project’s first two tracks, I have always felt that he would be better served as a rapper adopting a slower and more deliberate cadence. On Wagadugu (not the capital of Burkina Faso, the word seems to be euphemism for sex) which was actually originally a song I had sent to EyeAmI two years ago for this blog’s project with Rymez. Since then Eye has reworked the song and added that distinct saxophone to the beat.

It is the LP’s third song – Uber ,that I truly feel EyeAmI hits a home run. I have never been the biggest fan of rappers with limited vocal ranges attempting to sing. Especially the type of singing spearheaded by a certain rapper who also hails from Toronto, but it is on song where Eye truly shines. From the catchy and repetitive hook filled with emotion as his voice cracks and breaks to emphasize his words, to the excellent production and the perfect backing vocals from Sydne Barnes.

Y, Songs about you COVERThe song Mary which has also been a long time in the making, (I received rough draft of this track about a year ago) tells an abstract tale that likens the experiences of a promiscuous woman to marijuana over a chopped and screwed beat meant to signify the state of being high which switches as Eye’s lyrics become more “conscious”.

The closing track Africa. Far From Home is another great piece of production that features a marriage bongo and electronic drums with chants and passionate lyrics from EyeAmI

"Whats a child without a family to go and love him, what's a soldier without an army to go and cover for him?”

With Y, Songs About You I feel that EyeAmI is still finding his musical identity. The time and effort that went into a 5 track offering is evidence of that. There is certainly a great deal of potential in him as an artist, provided he sticks to his strengths and addresses up his weaknesses ad song writer. Sonically I can see where he is going and the sound of Afrobounce looks and sounds promising,.

The 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Nominees

by Phil Chard

The Nigerian Entertainment Awards just announced their full list of nominees for the 2016 edition of their awards show. This year the 11th edition of the awards will once again take place in the USA (yes I know I asked the questions last year) on September 4, 2016 in New York City, during the Labor Day weekend.

In terms of Hip Hop related nominees YBNL frontman Olamide is leading the pack with three nominations. Wande Coal , Wizkid, YCEE and Davido all have two nominations. Surprisingly non Nigerian Sarkodie could walk away for with two possible awards on the night , thanks to an international award nomination and for his song Finally with Masterkraft and Flavour.

NEA Hip Hop Related Nominees

Artist Nominations

Olamide 3

Wande Coal 2

WizKid 2

YCEE 2

Davido 2

Sarkodie 2

Runtown 1

Falz 1

Vector 1

MI 1

Phyno 1

Reminisce 1

CDQ 1

Best Album

Y.A.G.I - Lil Kesh

Applaudise - Iyanya

Eyan Mayweather - Olamide

Ghetto University - Runtown

R.E.D. - Tiwa Savage

Stories that Touch - Falz

Seyi or Shay - Seyi Shay

Mama Africa - Yemi Alade

Wanted - Wande Coal

Hottest Single

Oshinachi - Humblesmith

Duro - Tekno

Baba Nla - Wiz Kid

Lagos Boys - Olamide

Mama - Kiss Daniel

Jagaban - Ycee

Best Song

Pick Up - Adekunle Gold

Oluwa Ni - Reekado Banks

Vow - Timi Dakolo

You Suppose Know - Bez

Type of Woman - Iyanya

Go On - Niyola

Afropop Artist

Tekno

Wiz Kid

Tiwa Savage

Kiss Daniel

Chidinma

Davido

R&B Artist

Waje

Niyola

Praiz

Seyi Shay

Dare

Iyanya

Rap Act

Vector

MI

Phyno

Olamide

Reminisce

CDQ

Gospel Artist

Uche Agu

Frank Edward

Nikki Laoye

Sammy Okposo

Obiora Obiwon

Onos Brisibi

Dancehall Artist

Patoranking

Timaya

Cynthia Morgan

Ceeza

Burna Boy

Ketchup

Indigenous Artist

9ice

Flavour

Tillaman

Jaywon

Olu Maintain

Kcee

Alternative Artist

Temidollface

Bez

Mystro

Brymo

Aramide

Timi Dakolo

Best New Act

Niniola

Ycee

Adekunle Gold

Humblesmith

Mz Kiss

Toby Grey

Most Promising Act to Watch

Shobzy

Mr. Eazi

Teeblaq

Spyz

Terry Apala

Coco Benson

Diaspora Artist

Shiikane

Ayojay

Mr. Eazi

Lioness

Duncan Daniels

Stylezz

Best Collabo

Moniegram - Mr. 2Kay ft. Timaya

Romantic - Korede Bello ft. Tiwa

My Woman, My Everything - Patoranking ft Wande Coal

Yaya Oyoyo - Lil Kesh ft. DaVido

Reggae Blues - Harry Song ft Others

Your Number - Ayojay ft. Fetty Wap

Sekem - MC Galaxy ft Swizz Beats

Finally - Masterkraft ft. Sarkodie, Flavour

Best Live Performer

Omawumi

Tuface

Solidstar

Yemi Alade

Dbanj

MC Galaxy

Best Music Video

Emergency - Dbanj Dir. Unlimited LA

Right Now - Seyi Shay Dir. Meji Alabi

Condo - Kuammy Dir. Moe Musa

Karishika - Falz Dir. Aje Films

Duro - Tekno Dir. Patrick Elis

If I Start to Talk - Tiwa Dir. CP

Quality - Pasuma Dir. HG2

Sisi - Sexy Steel Dir. Chad Tennies

African Male Artist Non Nigerian / Africa

Stonebwoy (Ghana)

FA (Liberia)

Sarkodie (Ghana)

Sauti Sol Kenya

Deng (Liberia)

Papa Denis Kenya

Bisa Kdei (GHANA)

Eric Geso LIB

Shattawale (GHANA)

African Female Artist Non Nigerian / Africa

Vannessa Mdee (TANZANIA)

Efya (GHANA)

Lira (SOUTH AFRICA)

MZ Vee (GHANA)

Sheebah Ndiwanjawulo (UGANDA)

Adiouza (SENEGAL)

Victoria Kimani (KENYA)

Knowless Butera (RWANDA)

Music Producer

DJ Coublon

Masterkraft

Young John

Cobhams

Mystro

Jay Pizzle

Submission | Cagey – Don’t Forget The Dash

by Phil Chard

New submission from 23 year old Mafikeng transplant now in Cape Town going by the name of Cagey. The song Don't Forget The Dash is yet another trap joint that gives us a glimpse into what a night out with Cagey is like.

Franko – Téléphone (Official Video)

by Phil Chard

With the advent of cellphones and instant messaging the dynamics of social and romantic interactions have become infinitely more complex and muddied. Cameroonian artist Franko has thrust himself smack dab into the heart of the debate to help provide some much needed commentary on the a myriad of topics included but not limited to “who is he texting?”

Téléphone is a light hearted and entertaining song with an equally entertaining video on the topic of cellular communication. I also found it particularly hilarious that Judge Franko presides over his court with a rubber mallet instead of a gavel.

@FrankoOfficiel

Submission | Lil Trix – LIFE

by Phil Chard

South African rapper Lil Trix just dropped his new single title Life, which he also produced. The song contains vocal samples of Daft Punk's "The Prime Time of Your Life" and the Mortal Kombat theme by The Immortals. The song and beat have had a long and interesting journey which Lil Trix delves into in his teaser video which you can view below. There are also uncredited vocals from Versa-Tyle, Erin Botes, and DJ, BASMNT.

District XIII – In The Midst Of It All

by Phil Chard

South Africa's District XIII remade Tom Mish's In the Midst of It All to produce a truly beautiful song about love and intimacy . I am just so happy we received submission that wasn't trap and had a men exploring emotions beyond basic sexual attraction.

Psyc’ – 5AM Feat. CAMO, J1TheGod, Simmysimmynya

by Phil Chard

Sudanese born producer Psyc' who now based in Cape Town has just dropped his debut single as an artist titled 5AM . The song features Camo (5th floor), Uno July (ill Skillz), j1TheGod and Simmysimmynya

Short Bio: Psyc' also known as 'A.K' was born in Khartoum,Sudan. Grew up in midrand,johannesburg then after he moved to cape town .He works predominantly in the medium of music production and music engineering ,he is a qualified Mix & Master engineer .Psyc' has studied a degree in sound engineering .He has worked with notable south african artists from all over the country And has Also shared stages with some of South Africa's biggest hip hop acts such as Cassper Nyovest - Patty Monroe - Tumi Molekane - Black Motion - Reason ,ect... Social Media Details : Twitter : @Psychedelic_AK instagram : Psychedelic_AK

Submission | VituXArcade – This Time Time Next Week (Prod By. ThatStonerNext2You)

by Phil Chard

1/3 of the Arcade Music group - Vitu has released the song This Time Next Week produced by TheStonerNext2You. According to Vitu "This Time Next Week is a jazz influenced Hip Hop experimental project that samples Jazz musicians who have had an influence in my life, in my music and in shaping the way I think as an artist. This song samples South African Jazz Musician Hotep Idris Galeta."

Submission | Jovislash – Jikeleza

by Phil Chard

South Africa's Jovislash just dropped his follow up to the very catchy release Mamcane which we covered here. His new single single Jikeleza translates to "turn around" and has Jovi merging 808 bass lines with traditional beat patterns and instrumentation.

Submission | ClassMatesMusic Featuring KeiM, Bucci, Skid, & Charley – Ka Dance

by Phil Chard

New Submission via Malawian collective ClassMatesMusic and their song featuring KeiM, Bucci, Skid, & Charley titled Ka Dance.

Bio: ClassMatesMusic is an urban music group from Malawi. Established in 2014, The group collective comprises of rappers, producers, singers, djs and promoters. The collective comprises of: (1) KeiM (Producer/Rapper) (2) Charley (Rapper) (3) Flo Dee (Rapper) (4) Royce (Music Promoter/Publisher) (5) Skid (Rapper) (6) Bucci (Singer/Producer) (7) Nathan Tunes (DJ) (8) Tall Bouy (Rapper) (9) Teddy (Singer) (10) Sam_Sparkling Sam (Photographer) Often regarded as a super group, the Classmates describe their artistry and sound as ‘being of the same class’ as the group’s name implies. Talented, diverse, and extraordinary are some of the words that have been used by their already fast growing fan base to describe Classmates. The Malawian music industry has regarded the group as an outfit ‘to watch'. The Classmates have once shared the stage with both international and local acts such as Cassper Nyovest, Toya Delazy, Uhuru, Chimzy Kay, Theo Thomson, Tay Grin and the list goes on. With the passion to make a different type of sound the Classmates have recorded songs like "We The Classmates", Goods Tender "Greedy Me", "Ka Dance", "Woop'd", and "Mystery", just to mention a few. With their creative minds the Classmates are able to do any type of genre. OTHER VENTURES Clothing Line The Classmates Music clothing line was established in 2015, When the members wanted to expand their production and give out more to the people and not only music.

Album Submission |KrossWord – Memoirs Of A K-ster

by Phil Chard

New album submission from Kimberley based Krossword. Memoirs of A K-Ster is Krossword's seventh full length release. The 14 track album features some of the best and most cohesive production on a project that I have heard in awhile - featuring deep 808s and big room instrumentation this project was meant to be played at full volume as you drive around the block with the windows out. The album boasts a couple of features from artists like Keodireleng, Louis M Songz, Rythmik, Noni and Kabomo (yes that Kabomo)

Standout tracks: Hulana, Relentless, Cold World and Changes

KrossWord, christened Tsepo Mtwana, is an independent hip-hop artist signed to his own company Blkbuoy Entertainment and is managed by his business partner Thabiso B. Mathibedi. Born in King Williams Town, his family moved to Kimberley when he was 8 years old and has called the diamond city Home ever since. He has been recording and releasing music since the age of 16 in 2006, he has since released 7 bodies of work including this one, In 2015 he recorded and released this album, sold physical copies out the boot and digital copies on iTunes. The album is now available for streaming on Soundcloud. "This album was made with the sole purpose of telling stories from my city, for my city. For the first time I decided to step out of my comfort zone and just made music without trying to sound "dope", I just wrote what was real to me and the people around me. This is my 7th body of work, originally released on iTunes on 1 August 2015, I have decided to let my fans and people around the world stream it for free

Submission | Swagg City – Africa nae

by Phil Chard

Ivory Coast's 5 man rap ensemble going by the name of Swagg City just dropped the video for the Hip Hop/Zouk/Dance/Rock fusion titled Africa Nae

MX – Since The Come Up Featuring ByLwansta

by Phil Chard

We featured MX's debut project IAMX a few weeks ago and now the Durban rapper is back with a video for one of the most popular songs on the project - Since The Come Up featuring ByLwansta Nasty C (on the original version). According to MX, Nasty C was out the country so they decided to shoot a video based off a version of the track without Nasty C. Despite whatever led to not having Nasty C involved on the song I feel that completely removing one of South Africa's most promising and popular young rappers from your song is a massive strategic misstep. Even if it meant MX had to mouth Nasty's verse to the camera.

Aside from the cutting room floor changes the video was directed Media Beyond Vision and is a simple visual which I would have appreciated if more time was spent on the storyboard and development of the concept.

Review| Revivolution – Kotas N’ Caviar

by Phil Chard

Johannesburg's 6 man rap crew Revivolution dropped their debut mixtape Kotas N' Caviar last week. A Major and VezFullstop handle the production duty as FuSion, Tommy ills, Illy Amin, Tony Dangler, Impropoe and Inferno Williams trade the responsibilities of dropping these bars on the project, while Horus Tha God (fka Jonny Joburg) and Youngsta hop on as the mixtape's only guests. We reviewed the full project on twitter and these are our thoughts.

Kotas & Caviar - Curated tweets by AfricanHHB

E.L – Kaa Bu Ame (Official Video)

by Phil Chard

5 time 2016 Ghana Music Awards winner E.L just dropped the video to Kaa Bu Ame. The song’s title is roughly translated to " Don't Mind Them" and as he proclaims on the song "next time you say my name make sure you put some respect on it " . The song is a follow up to his sophomore album ELOM as we all await the release his BAR III.

@elrepgh

DJ Milkshake – Bank Roll Featuring. Da L.E.S & Kid X (Official Music Video)

by Phil Chard

DJ Milkshake just dropped the video for Bank Roll, a song that was first released as his song then appeared on Da L.E.S' North God Album which seems to back to being DJ Milkshake's song once again.

The trap party anthem produced by V.A.M also feature a verse from Cashtime artist Kid X. The video which was directed by Studio Space Pictures borrows heavily from the concept of their video for the Amantombazane Remix. Featuring three beautiful women and the three artists in a set accentuated by coloured lighting and a smoke machine the whole video is one continuous shot as the artists perform their lines while Milkshake randomly sprays the set with R100 bills.

@DJMilkshake @2freshLES @KidXSA