Blossom Maduafokwa is a contributor to GRAMMY.com
In a world where Black musicians are often pigeonholed, forced to maintain legibility, Kokoroko remains unpindownable, ever-changing. In the tradition of British African ensembles like Osibisa and the West African Rhythm Brothers, the London-based seven-piece are masters of African fusion, intent on bridging the divide between young people and African popular music of old. Their unique sonic disposition paved way…
Those perusing the history of Africa's entanglement with Jamaican sound can anticipate frequent mention of Stonebwoy's name. Throughout his career, the Ghanaian Afro-dancehall artist has connected sonic and cultural dots on a scale scarcely rivaled in Ghana’s music history. Beginning with the release of his vibrant 2012 debut album Grade 1, Stonebwoy has meshed dancehall, reggae, Afropop, and hiplife with…
To say that the past year has been an eventful one in the dynamic world of Afrobeats would be, at best, a gross understatement. The genre's list of global accolades has continued to swell in size, including multiple nominations at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards, expansive cross-border collaborations, and inaugural appearances on some of the world’s most coveted stages. Simultaneously, Afrobeats…
After South African singer Tyla won the inaugural golden gramophone for Best African Music Performance at the 2024 GRAMMYs award show, many likely wondered why her international breakout single "Water" garnered such global appeal. Beyond the R&B sensibilities that made its sound approachable to Western audiences, what really drew crowds to "Water" was the vitality of South African dance and…
