Still very much in the 2019 euphoria! We bring to the spotlight #TBS 2019 Best African artists whose music may be getting more airwaves in 2020. As a matter of facts their music have been dominating airwaves before and after clinching the AFRIMA awards in November 2019. Are they going to be taking us on more fantastic music rides in 2020? Every year ushers in better:ideas, strategies, strategic planning as well as new sound. The world I suppose is ready to jive to new African sound talking Nigeria/Ghana’s Afrobeats, South Africa’s gqom, Kenyan Afro-fusion (a mixture of traditional and urban Kenyan music) from Central, East, North, Southern and West Africa at large.
Of course! Y’all know #TBS is quite big when it comes to African contents. So we are paying attention, once the sound drop, we are hooking y’all up with them either as #TrndingHitz or as a whole segment on the #AOTW just as we are doing now. I mean, the world cannot talk music this twenty-first century and not mention successful African acts whose music are on the global streams.
That’s right African music has been crossing borders even when our hiphop among musical styles like R&B, country music, alte (alternative), reggae have been shaped by foreign influences. I love the African acts blendingforeign musical style with our own musical traditions and boom it becomes instant listening to the world! Now, going back to #TBS Best African Artists of 2019, let’s remind you that on November 23, the sixth annual All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) took place at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, and about 40 (i.e 37) African acts including Nigerian renowned actswere among the big winners;
Yup! Burna Boy won the Artist of the Year in Africa, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa categories, Tiwa Savage winning Best Female Artist in Western Africa, Wizkid’s Fever winning Song of the Year in Africa, 2Baba winning Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Contemporary, Joeboy winning Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Pop category, and Kel P winning Producer of the Year in Africa. However, the show today does not include any Nigerian acts. We are having full vibe of some other African sound from countries that rarely make the #AOTW segment on the show today: Chad, Gabon, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Absolutely! It’s strictly more music, less talk on the show today. We are jamming to music by: Manno Beats from Chad,, Owen &Tiana from Gabon, Nikita Kering from Kenya and Hillzyfrom Zimbabwe. We start off with Manno Beats on #4
- Manno Beats from Chad(won Best African Act in the Diaspora at the AFRIMA award in 2019).
The Haitian-Chadian singer, songwriter, beatmaker and drummer won the highest distinction for African music for his song “Akouna” which was released in August 7th 2019. He was born Emmanuel Pierre on October 1st, 1991. He was nominated in the “Best African Act in the diaspora” and “Best Artist in African Electro” categories. He was competing with talented artists like Mister Izi, David Ghetta and Black coffee among others. Manno Beats has got singles and EP out. You may want to find out more about him. Go read up on him
No 4 Manno Beats, Akounaft. Afrotronix &VoxSambou,
- Nikita Keringfrom Kenya (won Best Female in Eastern Africa and Revelation of the African Continent).
The fast rising East African teenage singer Nikita Kerind was one of the biggest winners of the night bagging two awards at the AFRIMA. Nikita 17 is a Kenyan singer happened to be the youngest ever Best Female in Eastern Africa nominee and winner. Nikita became popular in the music scene during Kenya gospel powerhouse Emmy Kosgei’s album launch back in December 2011. In 2018, Nikita released soulful single ‘Happy With You‘. According to reports, she was once among the two Kenyan finalists or top 10 of the Mr. Eazi’s artist mentorship program emPawa 100 which saw her record a song dubbed ‘Tragedy. She performed alongside main acts at the last AFRIMA. She performed her song “Tragedy”. It is captivating story of a young lady trying to find her footing in a world full of challenges as she struggles with a false impression of what love is.
Earlier in January 2019, bbc.com reported that the teenage singer “is a rising star in her home country, Kenya,” and has “toured the world.” Now she is on the list with top Kenyan celebrities who have earned International recognition for their passion and hardwork. She actually beat the likes of Vanessa Mdee, Nandy, Rosa Ree, Queen Darleen to their game at the award. Before 2019, she has been recognized for her contribution to the entertainment industry bagging awards.
No 3 Tragedy by Nikita (produced by SoFresh and visuals credited to Enos Olik and presented by emPawa Africa Initiative).
- Owen &Tiana from Gabon (won Best Artist, Duo in Group in African Jazz)
The Gwen ]and Tiana group soul music band is a powerful vocal duo between Afro-jazz and Soul music comprising beautiful lady Tiana Ewane and dread head Gwen Thomas.Their kind of music has been tagged party-style with lyrics reflecting on life. According to their Twitter timelime updated April states “1st EP ‘African Time’: available ! In September 2016, the released an EP titled African Time as well as album produced by the Nigerian-British jazz singer and guitarist Femi Temowo.
According to them, the “album was recorded between France, Switzerland, England, Poland and Slovenia” The passionate artists and entrepreneurs who desire to develop their career between Africa and Europe appear to me as couple. Their energy together is a complete vibe
According to their website gwentiana.com: they “met between France and Switzerland” and blend energetic African rhythmics and African Jazz sounds. They would like to go beyond soul been an important part of their artistic expression exploring their African culture which enables them “create connections” and “build bridges between Africa and Europe” and their “goal is to create a music that is entertaining, simple, warm and most importantly, heart-warming”.
No 2 Be Alright by Owen &Tiana (released in March 2019)
- Hillzy from Zimbabwe(won Best Artist, Duo or Group in African R&B & Soul)
The Zimbabwean R&B, trapsoul, hip-hop star and producer Hillzy born Hillary Chipunza sits on our #1 this week after winning the 6th annual award at the AFRIMA in November 2019 in the category of Best Artist, Duo or Group in African R&B & Soul for his collaboration with Garry Mapanzure on TV Room. “Hillzy was facing stiff competition from Davido, Tellaman, Sarz in a star studded contest which one would not have expected to win”
The computer scientist born and raised in Zimbabwe but based in South Africa grew up listening to gospel and who only started listening to R&B and hip-hop in 2008 has released covers of popular songs including covers of “XXXTentacion, Lil Uzi Vert and Drake’s “Sad,” “XO Tour Lif3” and “Hotline Bling”” (okayafrica.com) with massive reception.
Sometime in 2018, his song “You Are Enough” caught Mr Eazi’s attention and offered to fund a music video for the song. There is a gist to that actually. Although he was initially reluectant to meet Mr Eazi. According to him, he didn’t want to do it because people still feel like he’s up-and-coming… He’s got a latest “Who Sent You”. He’s was reportedly working on his EP to be released in the first quarter of this year. Hillzy has had a good year so far, his latest single
No 1 Hillzy, You Are Enough (video, which was directed by Motion Billy)
Over the years, TBS has jamming the African sound with pride; even when we travel the world on the show, we always have it boxed somewhere in our head that Nigeria is the home. So let’s not stop vibing to the homegrown contents as well.
