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What is Skiza Tunes? Skiza Tunes is a personalized ring back tone service offered by Kenyan telecom company Safaricom. This service has been available to all its users for well over a decade now, with customers able to download or record a Skiza Tune that will then be heard by their callers, or themselves when…
Adrian Dzvuke Zimbabwean-born Perth-based artist Adrian Dzvuke returns on our stereos with a blistering new track which he named "focus". The up-tempo song features Morgan Then (of Slumberjack duo). With a vibrant and innovative production combining elements of afro-house and afrobeats, "focus" is utterly dance-inducing. Adrian soulful vocals are full of desire, accentuating his sensual…
Coster Ojwang achieves new levels of songcraft on new album Not many artists of today's generation are able to capture the essence of Luo folk music like Coster Ojwang. Powered by an impressive vocal range, his singing style involves alluring traditional melodies which bring to mind those captivating presentations during secondary school music festivals. But…
https://open.spotify.com/track/2BMI8Nohlz0APkdvMQ2Qnn Regular Aipate readers probably know who Bronze Whale are; the US indie-electronic duo has featured in the platform a few times. But in a nutshell, Aaron Jaques (songwriter & producer) and Benny Alley (vocalist & producer) have entertained listeners for well over a decade now, switching to their current style in 2018, and releasing…
Fusing afrobeats and makossa music, Nigerian singer 1da Banton's new song "BABY OKU" is a collaboration with acclaimed guitarist Fiokee. The guitar-driven tune is so captivating. I'm totally in love with its infectious rhythms. "BABY OKU" finds an infatuated 1da waxing lyrical about a beautiful woman. The song's title actually means 'hot girl' on Igbo…
From Dublin, Ireland comes another gripping song from indie rock band Dakota 66. Aipate shared their music for the first time a couple of months ago. That was when they'd just dropped the poignant "Remember". This new song is called "Gimme Love", and it's just as powerful. The fascinating music video helps illustrate its thought-provoking…
Lyric Jones (Photo by Alissa Wyle) When they visited Los Angeles last year, Melbourne-based duo Close Counters got to collaborate with Lyric Jones, an artist and DJ based in the city. The result is a beautiful dance track blending funk, house, disco and soul. "Feeling Takes Over Me" is irresistibly groovy, with Close Counters saying…
https://youtu.be/7AnwyKfh-XE?list=PLjuTeCzLKGxRzFiWV5pVnJR5AdrsHgloX Last Friday, Toronto's Jon Vinyl presented listeners with a new track to add to their Christmas collection. "Nothing Like Christmas" feels so joyous and captures the festive mood in a truly magical way. The neo-soul track was produced by Chris Yonge and Jimmy Nguyen. Jon's delivery is characteristically smooth, inviting you to join him…
https://open.spotify.com/track/01A1pyqiQN7eCt25ZVClKz Over the last couple of years, JESSIA has been one of the fastest rising pop singers. The Los Angles Canadian artist continues her ascent with "I'm Not Gonna Cry", an anthemic new single which follows her successful headline tour of the US and Canada. "I'm Not Gonna Cry" speaks on resilience. Commenting on the…
Musically nostalgic and lyrically confessional, the most recent offering from the London singer is reminiscent of 2000's R&B. "Chose You" is a smooth, heartfelt slow-burner heavy on storytelling. On it, NXTHXN (who was born Nathan Palmer) delves into a situation where he had to make a difficult choice. He expounds, "It's about the difficult truth…
The songs keep coming from masked alt-folk/rock duo Bad Flamingo. Their latest offering is called "Frying Pan". With this one, the girls deliver a dark, melancholic song carrying the outlift's signature fascinating sound. Once again, the production is stupendous. "Frying Pan" is so harrowing, its lyrics evoking a gloomy, downcast feeling. Like every Bad Flamingo…
French dub band Steel Alive have a new song out. "Should Pass Thru" is a dancehall reggae tune featuring UK artist Charlie P. It arrived two weeks ago paired with a vibrant visual which matches the song's boisterous vibe. https://youtu.be/Zf9B-pce8ds "Should Pass Through" is a dancefloor anthem with hard-hitting lyricism. Charlie's delivery is charming, adding…
With the holiday season here with us, Minnesota-native singer Tristan Price has contributed a new anthem in the form of "Under the Christmas Lights". The song is smooth and heart-warming, its lyrics describing a beautiful romantic connection during Christmas season. https://open.spotify.com/track/3PIeXtUHvHtT4O257YJE2Q "Under the Christmas Lights" showcases Tristan's amazing vocals and pop-influenced R&B style. If you…
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com The global music industry receives a bulk of its money from streaming services. At the same time, artists everywhere continue to complain about the little to no payments they receive from streaming platforms. This is not surprising though. On YouTube, musicians do face competition from the new wave of…
https://youtu.be/mgf0n3454RA At last, Wanderings EP, the highly anticipated debut project from twins brothers MC4D is here. I was eagerly waiting for it, especially after being wowed by the EP's final single, "Be Here With Me Now" (with Łaszewo and gavn!). With it, the duo provides us a full serving of their mesmerizing sound. "About a…
From rising Tanzanian producer TONY DRIZZY BEATS comes this catchy amapiano tune, "Bado Sijalewa". The vibrant track features Tido Master and DJ Ibz255. https://open.spotify.com/track/4bGcao42IbiHyjkQs8A7P9 "Bado Sijalewa" is vibrant and lyrical, with the singer delivering relatable lyrics over infectious beats. I'm especially captivated by the songwriting, and simply can't get enough of this song. "Bado Sijalewa"…
The third and final single off of G.L.A.M. and Black Caviar's upcoming joint EP, Supersonic, is out. Released last Friday, the song is called "PEPPER". It follows the singles “LESSGO” and “BACK WITH THE BUMP”, and provides fans with a proper taste of what to expect on the EP, which drops on February 7th. With laser-sharp…
Have you seen Tyra Chantey's stunning visuals for her latest song, "Confidence"? The Ugandan-Swedish singer filmed the video in Kampala (where the song was recorded), imbuing it with colour and vibrance. Musically, "Confidence" fuses Afro-pop, amapiano and R&B. The song's infectious rhythms are crafted in such a way that you will find yourself dancing along.…
Emerging Nigerian singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer TyStringz should be on your radar, if he isn't already. The artist's vibrant new song, "Dawa", exemplifies his style. Listeners are always treated to an eclectic fusion of African sounds. "Dawa" starts with a euphony of percussion before incorporating engaging amapiano beats. The song is thoroughly invigorating. I love…
It's a gloomy affair as Love Spells tries to move on. Produced by Alex Craig, the most recent single from Houston native Love Spells (a.k.a. Sir Taegen C'aion Harris) follows that familiar narrative of someone struggling to move on from a past relationship. Yet, "With Only Your Mouth" is no ordinary song. It is so…
https://open.spotify.com/track/5Tf6wKv6FG2Hpnx78ihjvS Born in the Caribbean island of Martinique, and having started out making dancehall tunes, Gaëtan N’ZALA has evolved over the years. Now going under the moniker Gate La Luz, he writes, performs and produces fresh tunes that incorporate various musical influences. He has dropped two singles so far. Recently, he teamed up with DJ/producer…
"Quite Simple" by NYC indie-pop artist Olivia Reid is the latest addition to our Folk Pop and Chill playlist. The song feels quite soothing and heart-warming. Making use of a conversation with an older person, the singer-songwriter reassures us that fulfilment will come so long as we don't try to rush through life. I just…
UK singer-songwriter Lenn makes music which straddles the line between R&B and pop. Her 2023 debut EP, waist deep, provided a refreshing listening experience, captivating listeners one track after another. More than a year later, Lenn follows up that project with a new single, "older sister". The dance-inducing alt-pop song carries the artist's signature soft…
Damien's affectionate ode to his younger self is as moving as they come. With age come moments of reflection and, sometimes, new perspectives. For Italian singer-songwriter Damien McFly who has been making music for over a decade, there's surely a lot to look back on. And that's just is his music career alone. The Padova…
Polygamy arrived on December 6 via CMP Records. The latest album from Amsterdam-based artist Joshua J arrived last Friday. Polygamy is a 10-song project combining intoxicating Afro-Caribbean rhythms with soulful guitar elements. The album was inspired by Joshua’s journey of self-discovery in Ghana. Polygamy explores issues around the artist's identity and his diverse cultural influences,…
Its release may have escaped my attention but "Riders" by Swiss artist Dave Curl is a song worth sharing. On it, the musician celebrates his love for surfing, having been a 'holiday surfer' for about 2 decades now. The track has a chill, laidback and nostalgic vibe that I can't get enough of. "Riders" is…
https://youtu.be/smkdsD1YC5s "High Above" is the newest release from Australian producer ZUSO, who is no stranger to Aipate. The producer was introduced to us in 2022 when he dropped the track, "Melt Like Gold" (with KillWill). With this new effort, ZUSO was joined with Melbourne artist Cleopold. "High Above" is a tropical-flavoured melodic house tune filled…
Three weeks following his return, Charles Costa is back again with yet another sterling single, "Thief". The new offering brings us closer to the unveiling of the UK musician's first album under his real name, having previously used the moniker King Charles. That upcoming album is self-titled and expected to drop on January 24. Back…
The collaboration delivers progressive house magic. Dance music duo HotLap have just unveiled a marvellous new single, "Blue Moon". Out via Interstellar, the melodic progressive house track features Sophie Saint on vocals. It has a hypnotising atmospheric feel, thanks to the beautifully layered synths. The whole project is impressive. "Blue Moon" is a song I'll…
Did we all 'butcher' adan diaz's first name so much so that he made the correct pronunciation be the title of his new EP, ah-dawn? Probably not. But, at least for the light-hearted first three tracks, that theory is explorable. As the EP progresses though, the lyrics get more heartfelt and vulnerable, introducing us to…
"Cold" underscores Matilde G's versatility and continued growth. Featuring a beautiful piano-guided arrangement, the most recent release from Italian singer Matilde G is just wonderful. "Cold" is another testament of her versatility and continued growth. The Singapore-based artist co-wrote this emotionally gripping ballad with Isak Alvedahl, Josefin Glenmark and producer Martin Hansen. From the polished…
For new listeners, "Not Sorry" is a perfect introduction to the Atlanta outfit. https://youtu.be/qE1f3xthTwo Pistols At Dawn are an American hard rock band whose music is characterized by lots of energy and high intensity. The Atlanta-based outfit's song "Not Sorry" is a great place to start for new listeners -- it's a great representation of…
In "Dior", Janiq serves up a playful bop https://youtu.be/za7aLabaW-I Janiq's transition from the theatre stage to the recording studio has been interesting to watch. The UK artist has a new song that I believe you'll find captivating. "Dior" is a dance-pop banger whose lyrics flirt with materialistic love. The accompanying music video is so colourful,…
https://youtu.be/-Q1w2GpAhh8 In his signature heartfelt style, New Zealand singer Connor Mac presents us with a new song and a powerful video to accompany it. "Stay With Me" is a soaring piano-guided ballad about finding the strength, hope and unity to deal with a misfortune as a family. The video helps deliver the message home. "Stay…
https://open.spotify.com/track/4Ax1t1UXIQmqxnpVP9hfcy As an American Idol contestant, many saw Cam Amen on television. But I think it is through his first solo releases that we're getting up-close and personal with him, thanks to his passionate croons. The Indianapolis native's latest single "I Feel Love", for example, finds him basking in the warmth of love. It's delightfully…
Abbie Stair shines as hitmaker Scott Storch shares new material https://open.spotify.com/track/244s9CWGmyKjAKmKK3cRu3 For his newest single, "On My Own", which dropped the other week, acclaimed producer Scott Storch tapped burgeoning singer Abbie Stair. A song about resilience and the power to overcome adversity, it opens a floodgate of emotions thanks to its stirring melodies and motivational…
Kendrick Lamar's rumoured stadium tour is really happening. Titled Grand National Tour, it will be headlined by both Dot and SZA, with the two having collaborated on a couple of songs on GNX, the Billboard 200-topping new album. The North American stadium tour is scheduled for April, May and June of next year, 2025. Worth…
"Looking Away" is a portal into Monotronic's world. https://youtu.be/mMRGM_rbvOA Founded in 2016 by guitarist/producer Ramsey Elkholy, Monotronic is a New York City band known for their tasteful fusion of genres. Monotronic released their debut album in 2019, rendering fans completely in love with their eclectic sound. With the second LP already announced, I feel it's…
"Rising" is an anthem for anyone with a goal. https://open.spotify.com/track/6zf4zgE42Df8Z7kFEbgMze Often, we get bogged down by life's numerous challenges that could end up hindering our progress. In such situations, it's important to remain resilient, focusing not on the obstacles, but the ultimate prize. UK songwriter Joseph Morris emphasizes this message on his galvanising new pop-rock…
"Aphrodite" is as provocative as it is soothing. https://open.spotify.com/track/4SJcnSTonIkghW0OTmhu2J Inspired by the Greek goddess of love, beauty and pleasure, the newest song by soulful Dutch singer Romy Dya is about expressing one's desires and allowing passion to take charge. The track is actually titled "Aphrodite". It was recorded in Los Angeles, where the artist did…