Big names like Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, E.L and M.anifest might have piqued your interest to go to music events when the lineups for major music concerts are dropped, but for music lovers there was plenty of potential fresh-blood lurking, that wouldn’t fail to satisfy this year.
Ghana is experiencing a-kind-of Afropop renaissance currently as a surge of up-and-coming songsters has emerged from the shadows.
So here, are my pick of the finest new names making waves in the music industry that you cannot afford to miss – at all costs.
1. King Promise
Nungua’s most delightfully and litty, who already boast of two-hit tracks to credit (Thank God ft. Fuse ODG and Oh Yeah) and a being featured on a song on which he aided in making a hit ( Vision DJ’s Double trouble ft Sarkodie and King Promise). King Promise hasn’t disappointed this year, he’s lit up every musical stage he has climbed, got fans jamming and moving every music of his. He is a dope act you expect to be entertained by. King Promise has been busy. In the last month, he had his first ever show that turned out to be successful, King Promise has been widely praised for its production, precocious writing, and sublime vocals and he’s even got him compared to the likes of Chris Brown, Trey Songz, e.t.c. King Promise is a sensation, sensational in part because his loving words are reflective of a soul that knows how to love, spoil a woman and has done so much more than seems possible for his young years. In fact, Ghanamusic.com are so impressed with King Promise’s music that we are hailing him an Afropop prodigy-to-be. His passion for dance, creative process, and how distinctive his style makes him a star.
Watch: King Promise – Selfish Here:
2. B4Bonah
A masterful MC who melds wavy hip-hop and Afropop sounds for mind-blowing tunes, one that captures the mood of Ghana’s youth right now. With His anthem “Dear God” which is making waves in the country with a tagline ‘make I blow’ that every youth can relate to. B4Bonah has a little of J. Cole’s way of storytelling, of which he says stuff in his heart that will get you thinking. Listen to his song streetlife and you can attest to the fact. The MIMlife Act is the new guy on the block that you should expect will blow your mind at upcoming major music concerts.
B4Bonah – Dear God Remix ft Sarkodie below:
3. Kula
Another blazing MC to watch out for is kula who’s been knocking out with Afropop banger ‘Don’t Blow it’ which was a collaboration with Xtra Large’s new act Klem.
Kula GH has much more to his name than what meets the eye.The lyricist’s cadence sounds like he is undoubtedly rooted in Accra, with a relatively laid back pidgin flow on some tracks. He is one act that will definitely give you value for your money.
Listen to the projects Kula GH:
4. Kwesi Arthur
From his most recent bouncy collaboration with Sarkodie to the first release on his official Soundcloud, street anthem “Grind Day.” Kwesi consistently cultivates a dynamic and distinctive sound. The young rapper artist defies boundaries of the genre by infusing trap music elements with dopey bass lines to create music with depth and fresh ingenuity. We’ll have our headphones in and the volume up when the next Kwesi Arthur project drops. Here’s to another big year for the artist.
5. L.J (Lyrical Joe)
One challenge that frequently arises in the hip-hop music scene in Ghana is overcoming the fleeting nature of musical trends and prolonging the lifespan of an artist’s hype. The key to breaking from the mould as an artist is to stray away from trend following tactics by imagining and delivering a personalized sound. A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to watch the performance the rap prodigy L.J a.k.a Lyrical Joe, with his first single “5th August” at the BAR 4. With his wordplay and tongue-twisting vibes tapered into innovative sound designs, L.J proves himself as an artist who does not bind to Afropop trends and shifts focus to developing a different classic sound.
Watch L.J – 5th August
6. Kuami Eugene
Kuami Eugene is the most recent of the cornucopia of new artists coming out of Lynx Entertainment. With his tuneful delivery, Eugene has all the attributes one needs to have to become successful in the saturated Afropop arena that is the music industry. The visual for his hit single “Angela” showcase these attributes brilliantly as Eugene takes the viewer on a trip in a day in the life of the what he went through with the father of the love his life as they went on a date. The young musician impresses with his melodic and high-pitched style, to put it best, are doused in pure pop swagger. Kuami Eugene will definitely blow you away with his melodies. Watch Out!!
7. KiDi
I have this theory that R&B music is called so because the sound is straight speaking from the soul. Proven by the ideology that the spirit undoubtedly wants to sing. KiDi masters this vulnerable artistry of rhythmic freedom over old school beats like no other artiste. Not because he’s dropped mind-blowing bars but because the riffs in his vocals are so raw you almost feel loved listening to them. You feel like the young lad is serenading you to fall in love but in that sort of love song where the song is too addicting. So you listen again. And again. Personally, I love KiDi’s first single “Never Again”
KiDi is a young artist who sprung from to fame after winning the MTN Hitmaker season 4. But as you listen to his craft, you realize he isn’t just any “regular person”
Looking into KiDi’s work sheds light on the tunefulness of Afropop. It holds a certain vulnerability inside of the expertise that is unmatched by other styles of song. Dude’s “Odo” is just a classic with the “Lynx effect.”
8. Darkovibes
Sometimes the way music makes us feel is inexplicable as it has the ability to bring us relief in serendipitous ways. I remember first stumbling upon DARKOVIBES’s track “Tomorrow”, a few months back. As extravagant as it sounds, upon initial listening, “Tomorrow” seemed to be aligned to where I was in life at that fleeting moment. The shimmering synths seemed to perfectly tesselate with my emotions and the nostalgic chords found comfort in mind.
What makes Darkovibes’s sound so appealing, is his consistent approach which makes his sound cohesive as he constructs an elusive identity. Darkovibes’s musical identity is difficult to encapsulate in words. His unique sound makes him standout. It dawdles through appealing melodies. In simple terms, Darko’s aesthetic is ultimately a beautiful paradox. With each track, he audibly draws out uplifting sounds while also extracting unfamiliar cheerful emotions. The La Meme Gang head honcho is one of a kind you should expect something dope.
Darkovibes – Tomorrow
9. Nana Fofie
This female rising act from Ghana but based in Rotterdam- Netherlands embodies the burning spirit of an artist that refuses to be pigeon-holed into just one music category. Singer-songwriter, Nana Fofie, is that special kind of artist that demonstrates a unique versatility of seamlessly adapting to different styles of music; whether it’s a fast-paced pop single, a down-tempo high-life mix, or even a dreamy Afropop track.
She’s the girl next door, Her pleasantly raspy voice provides warm and richly textured vocals that invoke hints of deep soul. This unique voice helps prevent any overly “poppy” sounding tracks. It also allows her to continue drawing influences from experimental sounds, without fear of musical typecasts from fans. Dubbed as the ‘Mashup Queen’, the talented Nana Fofie is paving her own way as a music artist. Testify to this facts by listening to her debut single “Bebe” and mashups from her.
10. Tsoobi
So much music is released every day and at times it can be easy for things to get overlooked. Tsoobi is a songstress we implore you to not sleep on and we recommend you follow her every move, because of the raw power and drive her music embodies is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and the only fitting space for the talented dancehall mistress is in the spotlight of a dimly light venue. Her voice has the weight and power of top Jamaican female dancehall constituents like Spice and Lady Saw. She ha a couple of shows didn’t disappoint. She has a grooving tune “Holy Water” and couple of commendable singles to her credit. 2018 will be a year full of surprises for Tsoobi if attention is paid to her style.
Listen to her “Holy Water” Here
https://soundcloud.com/user-2048637/tsoobi-holy-water-prod-by-syche-beatz-dakay
