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Tag: afropolitan model

  • The Sounds of Nigerian Pop

    The Sounds of Nigerian Pop

    While West African pop has come to be dominated by the sounds of Afrobeat, it is more of a catch-all term for the variety of West African pop sounds that are emerging from the region. Arguably, it is Fela Kuti who laid the foundation by fusing Western sounds taken from jazz and funk with West African sounds to create Afrobeat in the 70s. A similar sonic melting pot is present today, with their EDM, house, pop, dancehall, R&B, hip hop and trap coming across as a combination of contemporary Western sounds infused with West African rhythms and melodies.

    West African pop has now crossed borders, transported by the internet and the diaspora to places such as the UK and USA. The growing popularity of the sound in these places has led to an explosion in popularity of the practitioners and sees them increasingly crossing-over and collaborating with other pop stars such as Drake, Snoop Dogg, Wyclef Jean, Skepta and Rae Sremmurd.

    Below are four Nigerian artists who are fusing West African and Western sounds to create their own brand of Nigerian pop.

    Small Doctor – This Year 

    Featuring an infectious rhythm and the ever popular autotuned vocals, ‘This Year’ is Small Doctor’s latest single. Shot in the desert, the colourful, dance-heavy music video is reminiscent of scenes from Mad Max, although with a much more upbeat soundtrack. Hailing from Ondo State in Nigeria, Temitope Adekunle aka Small Doctor broke onto the scene in 2012, releasing mixtapes and freestyles. Singing primarily in the Nigerian language Yoruba, he rose to prominence in 2015 with the release of the singles ‘Gbagaun’, ‘Anobi’ & ‘Mosquito Killer’, produced by Dre Sean. His music is a combination of pop with Fuji music, a popular Nigerian genre which arose from the improvisational Ajisari/Were music tradition, which is a kind of music performed to wake Muslim people before dawn during the Ramadan fasting season.

    Kiss Daniel – No Do

    Sensuous and simple, ‘No Do’ is a ballad and Kiss Daniel’s first single of 2018. Shot in Lagos the video follows Kiss Daniel as he strolls through the streets and encounters everyday life in the area he calls home. Kiss Daniel was born in Ogun State. He is best known for his single ‘Woyu’ released in 2014 which was nominated for Best Pop Single at the 2015 Headies, as well as Hottest Single of The Year at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The single also received a remix featuring Tiwa Savage and Davido. Kiss Daniel showed interested in music from an early age, receiving support from his father and was signed to G-Worldwide Entertainment in 2014. His debut album ‘New Era’ was released in 2016 which saw him winning Album Of The Year and Best R&B/Pop album at the Headies in 2017.

    Reekado Banks – Like Ft. Tiwa Savage and Fiokee

    Featuring label-mate and multi-talent Tiwa Savage as well as Fiokee, ‘Like’ is the latest single from Reekado Banks. Dedicated to the ladies, like so many pop songs, the video takes on a cinematic quality with scenes straight form Noire films and flourishes of 80s neon. Lagos born Ayoleyi Solomon aka Reekado Banks fka as Spicy, has been active as an artist since 2008, although he gained notoriety in 2014 with his Rookie of the Year win at The Headies. Released in 2016, his debut album, Spotlight, was released in 2016 and debuted at number 10 on the Billboard World Album Music Chart. Signed to Mavin Records, he has worked with the likes of  Don Jazzy, Korede Bello, Di’Ja, Dr SID and D’Prince.

    Glenn Mena – Sound it (Freestyle)

    Shot on Lagos Island, ‘Sound it’ showcases Glenn’s skill as a rapper. With a strong dancehall feel, the  track is all about the rhythm and witty verses. Afropolitan model, pianist and recording artist, Glenn Mena had been making music since 2010, however it was with the release of his single ‘Movement’ in 2012 that he his career really took off. Releasing a number of singles between then and 2017, his debut EP ‘Mask&Music’ was released on his own imprint of the same name. Not tying himself to a specific genre, his sound evolves as he grows and learns as an artists.

  • Nigerian recording artist Glenn Mena isn’t bound to one genre

    Nigerian recording artist Glenn Mena isn’t bound to one genre

    Listening to Glenn Mena’s  releases, it becomes clear that he doesn’t want to tie himself to a specific sound. This kaleidoscope of musical influences is in part thanks to his childhood which he spent in Warri State, Nigeria, where he was exposed to music from a number of different sources. “I pick up music from different places that I go to. People that I go to school with, folks in church.” His home too was filled with music, with his father a very capable singer, and his mother a fond follower of music.

    Although the recording artist, pianist and afropolitan model began his musical education on the piano at around 14, and composed songs for the church choir, it was only when studying at University towards the end of 2009 that a friend approached him and told him about the possibility of recording on campus.This was an opportunity that led to his first release ‘Shawty’. “We went to the producer’s house. He had this little studio he had put together. And I recorded my first song. It sounded good. We put it out in school and people liked it.”

    Officially Glenn Mena’s career really took off in 2012 with the release of ‘Movement’ while signed to Phoenix Records. “They put the song out and it made a lot of impact, so that’s when I started to take it professionally.” Since then Glenn has released a number of singles and in 2017 released his debut EP ‘Mask&Music’ on the label of the same name, which he co-founded. “The label is owned by me and my partner. We started it together because I got tired of reading contracts from other labels offering to sign with clauses that I’m not comfortable with.”From his first ever single ‘Shawty’, to 2012’s hit ‘Movement‘, the 7-track EP showcases his versatility as a musician. “It’s basically a compilation of the songs I have done. People were asking how they can get my songs all boxed up in one place so they can listen to all of it. So I thought I’d compile my old songs and the ones I have done recently and put them together as an EP.”

    Most recently Glenn has dropped the single ‘Take over’. “[It’s] basically dedicated to a typical African lady. How beautiful she is, just appreciating who she is and declaring that she has taken over my life or the life of the guy who is in love with her.” He has also released a video for his trap-inspired track ‘Swerve’ featuring Problem.When it comes to defining his sound Glenn says that it is a reflection of where he is at in his own personal journey. “I feel like my life’s a journey. I’m evolving every day. The music kinda changes with whatever situation and circumstance I am in at that process of evolvement or self-discovery.”

    Having added an Afro-twist to r&b, soul, hip-hop, pop and trap amongst other genre’s, Glenn is currently looking at creating music outside of what would be expected of him. “I’ve been trying to get a folk and country sound and put Afro music in there. Hopefully I pull it off and put it out.”Regarding future releases, Glenn is unsure at this stage if he’ll put out another EP or an album next, but he does know there will be cross-border collaborations. “I’m looking at featuring South African artists, I have a few on my list, I’m trying to work on that.”

    With his music, Glenn aims to leave a legacy behind, an idea of who he was. “It’s basically my life and my journey so far and how I can release and put it out in music. I just hope it has a lot of me written all over it.”