The songs of summer 2024 are flying by. We at Afropop Worldwide have our own takes, and here are a few to consider. This month's seven picks lean heavily into Afrobeats, the genre taking the entire planet by storm, despite ongoing worries that the genre has peaked.
Check out the full Afropop Top Videos playlist for all our recent selections. And remember, if you have suggestions of videos our fans would love, send them to info@afropop.org with the subject line "Top Videos 2024." Enjoy!
Ibrahim Maalouf: "Love Anthem"
Hot on the heels of Queen of Sheba, Maalouf's ambitious collaboration with Angelique Kidjo, the Lebanese trumpet maestro goes deep with Africa in this track. The video offers a sneak peak at his forthcoming album Trumpets of Michel-Ange (September 20), and it offers a whole new take on this maverick artist. Maalouf's pure-toned trumpet rips through the track's deft tempo changes--from zouk to reggaeton and much in between--and there's no resisting kids dancing their asses off in their mud-walled village.
Yemi Alade, feat. Ziggy Marley: "Peace and Love"
The Afrobeats diva takes on reggae, and in fine company at that! This track from her new ablum, Rebel Queen, is a beautiful fusion of styles and sensibilities, and the cast-of-hundreds video is pure joy.
Mr Eazi: "Panadol"
Still developing tracks from his landmark 2023 album, The Evil Genius, Mr Eazi taps into malaise with a song about the extra-strength pain-reliever Panadol. Poker and pressure, but oh so smooth.
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H-Money and Reekado Banks: "Tic Tik"
Harmony "H-Money" Samuels is an English record producer. Reekado Banks is a rising star in Nigeria's competitive Afrobeats scene. The video is minimalist, but the track is damn catchy.
Simi: "Borrow Me Your Baby, feat. Falz"
The Nigerian singer-songwriter-actress brings us a playful ensemble video set in a hair salon. Great hook, and love that funky rhythm guitar!
Olamide, Fireboy DML, Asake: "Uptown Disco"
A trio of top Nigerian Afrobeats stars hit the streets (and skies) of Los Angeles for a surreal romp. Olamide is, of course, the producer who launched Fireboy DML's meteoric career, as well as Asake's, on the YBNL label. Good fun and fine teamwork!
Driss El Maloumi Trio + String Quartet: "Choukr"
Setting Afrobeats aside for the moment, fans may know this Moroccan oud virtuoso from his work with 3 Ma, a trio of musicians from Mali (Ballake Sissoko), Madagascar (Razery) and Morocco. Here El Maloumi pairs his trio with a string quartet. Possibly a nice break from Afrobeats!
