HOT 97 is a platform that strives for inclusivity and diversity. In this music column, some of the best international musicians that are impacting listeners here in the U.S will be highlighted each week.
Asake – “2:30“
Asake is back with another banger “2:30,” produced by BlaiseBeatz and Magicsticks. This will be the Nigerian superstar’s second project of the year, following his hit single “Yoga,” which conveys mindfulness, and meditation. In “2:30,” where he displays his luxurious lifestyle, it seems as if Asake made an effort to mix Afrobeats and Amapiano with Fuji, a popular Yoruba musical genre. For those who don’t know, Yoruba is a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria.
For the official music video, which received over 1.4 million views in less than 24 hours, he collaborated with award-winning filmmaker and director Edgar Esteves. See below.
Darkoo ft. Ayra Starr – “Disturbing U“
Nigerian-born British rapper Darkoo has released a new hit titled “Disturbing U” featuring “Sability” singer, Ayra Starr. When you listen to this song, you can just dedicate it to your haters. “All my friends say I’m loyal/ If no be money na focus/ I don’t have time for no one/ That’s not putting food on my table/ I’m unstable, I no send, I no send you/ I no fear, I no fear you/ I no pretend, no strength/ No strength, I no go fit lie/ This is the reason I just keep things to myself/ I mind my business, I don’t mind nobody else’s/ I stack my cash in silence, no one has to know/ I’m on my own,” Ayra Star sings, as she kicks off the record. “More love to my real day one/ Enemies we dey hate on us we go still show love/ All this while na God/ I fit give my life for love/ Them don chop my eye taya/ But I still no reason am/ ‘Cause I dey live my life,” Darkoo adds in the second verse.
The music video for the project features graphics inspired by video game series, “Grand Theft Auto.” Take a look below.
Victony ft. Don Toliver, Rema and Tempoe – “Soweto”
Nigerian singer Victony just released the music video to the newest version of his popular song “Soweto” featuring rapper Don Toliver, Nigerian singer Rema and Nigerian record producer Tempoe. The original version, off his 7-track debut EP, OUTLAW, is already a vibe but mixing the unique melody and different styles of each artist into the remix, made it an even bigger hit.
You can watch the music video featuring the many swags of Victony, Don Toliver, Rema, and Tempoe below.
Look out for more each week. What are your thoughts so far?