From Afrobeats to Amapaiano to Hip-Hop and even Highlife, these are the songs I have had on replay, from incredible Ghanaian artistes.
+ – Copta
You can read the track title as “positive” or “positivity” as the rapper says in the song, It’s a jaunty bop and it’s hard to ignore how Copta dances over the production with his verse before throwing in a hook delivered in the Ghanaian Twi language. The song is rife with quotables and has the right energy to keep you… positive. PS: If you need a new addition to your gym playlist, this is it.
Stream on all platforms here: +
Accra Nights – Plugn6ix
This has to be one of the most relatable ptojects you’d hear in awhile. At least if you are Ghanaian, of course. If you’re not, this project will give you an insight into the everyday Ghanaian’s life through the songs and skit interludes. The producers, Plvgwill and Sixtrees, who make up the duo Plugn6ix, featured rapper, BlaQad on every song and for me, the best most representative and relatable song is ‘Accra Nights’. PS: I absolutely love how the production on all songs reflect our Ghanaian music… the core cultural stuff.
Stream the EP here: These Days Accra Nights Are Cold
Mansa – K.Junior
Amapiano is currently the new wave and not only is the South African genre enjoying airplay here in Ghana but artistes are putting their own spin to it. This song has to be one of my favourite creations. The new artiste fuses Amapiano with Ghanaian Highlife giving the song a modern yet old school feel. The title of the song ‘Mansa’ is a name given to third born girls of the Akan tribe in Ghana.
Stream on all platforms here: Mansa
Money Man Remix – Malcolm Nuna
Currently my favourite afrobeats jam, ‘Money Man (Remix)’ features one of Ghana’s biggest hitmakers, Kuami Eugene. The song is a remix of Malcolm’s ‘Money Man’ off his debut, ‘Hasta Lavista’ project. One noticeable thing is that, the song has all the right ingredients: catchy lyrics and an unforgettable rhythm. This remix is the perfect Afrobeats jam about how the respect that comes with being successful is the driving motivation to put in effort in your hustle.
Stream here: Money Man (Remix)
Emuva – Okese1
The interesting thing about this song is, I believe no one expected to get an Amapiano frack from Okese1. His range is unexpected and his choice of producer, Moor Sound, reflects this too. The producer is known more for his Hip-Hop production and just recently began to show off his range in Afrobeats and Afro Fusion. Amapiano adds some colour to their discographies and the result is a smooth jam anyone would immediately move to.
Headache – Lord Paper
Lord Paper is known for his unique style and he proves that again on this new single. The song, “Headache” is a melodic fusion of Ghana’s Highlife music and RnB. My favourite thing about this song is how the Gomezbeatz production complements Lord Paper’s vocals and adds to the storyline of heartbreak, frustration and despair.
Stream here: “Headache”
Fever – Yung D3mz
Yung D3mz has been having a great run as a music producer and even though he’s dropped his vocals on a few songs as features, I like to think this year is his official transition into an artiste. The song, “Fever” is a part of his 5-track debut EP as an artiste titled “Yung”. “Fever” is just one of the really good songs on the project with great lyrics, an amazing melody and dope production. There’s something about it that makes it feel…complete.
Stream the EP here: “Yung”
Perfect – Barphul featuring Yaw Tog
My favourite thing about this song is the artiste, Barphul. I’m keen on her progress in the industry and really can’t wait to see what she has in store for us. Her music and style is different from what most female artistes offer and the potential in her is just glaring. Perfect is a Hip-Hop song and over the Drill beat, Barphul sings and raps about her ‘gang’ and how perfect and untouchable they are.
Stream here: “Perfect”
Children Of The Sun – Juma Mufasa
I discovered his music this year and all I have to say is, the future of music in Ghana is safe if this is what emerging artistes are churning out. I’m yet to hear something from him that I don’t like and he’s been consistently dropping this year. His 5-track EP, “Children Of The Sun” is my current favourite. The well produced project features a lot of well written summery Afrobeats fused songs.
Listen to the project here: “Children Of The Sun”
Praise – Fameye
If you’re a religious person, you’d love this song. The production and storytelling is beautiful and the choir vocals just adds up to make this one of my go to songs to play before I start my day. If you aren’t religious, you’d still appreciate the beauty that exists in the delivery of it all. The song basically talks about everything the artiste had to go through to finally get to this moment in his life, full of blessings.
