Category Archives: Music

TikTok x SAMA28

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I recently attended a launch event where TikTok announced that it has partnered with the 28th South African Music Awards (SAMA28), to introduce the inaugural public-voted “TikTok Viral Song of the Year” category. This award recognises and celebrates local songs and artists that have dominated the entertainment platform in South Africa in the past year.

A number of the most popular songs of the past year made their debut on the entertainment platform before shooting to the top of the music charts globally – earning the platform its well-deserved spot in the music industry.

The TikTok Viral Song of the Year nominations can be voted for exclusively on TikTok from Thursday, 11 August at midday until 24 August, and the winner will be announced at the live SAMA event taking place on 28 August 2022 in Sun City, North West.

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5 Questions with 5FM’s Nick Hamman

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Nick Hamman

5FM’s Afternoon drive show host Nick Hamman is off to Antarctica! The 5Drive presenter (Weekdays, 15:00 – 18:00) is thrilled to be heading off to the Southern-most tip of the world as part of the Matrics in Antarctica campaign with explorer Riaan Manser. The campaign was open to all Matric students, offering 5 lucky entrants the grand opportunity to head on an educational trip. The students had to write essays as an entry mechanism and the winners were selected earlier this month. Nick will be joining youngsters Anika le Roux (Paarl Girls High School), Keaton Stansfeld (Jeppe High School), Kgosatsana Mabalane (St Michael’s School for Girls), Mattheus Hendrikus (Kol) Wessels (Grey College) and Tsoaledi Mosa Hlakudi (Brainline) on the epic journey. He’s what Nick had to say about taking the trip of a lifetime.

So, on a scale of 1 to un-freakin-believable, how do you feel about your trip?

“Haha! It truly is un-freakin-believable! This is a once in a life-time opportunity that I get to share with young South Africans, where we travel to the edge of the earth at such a pivotal moment in their lives, leaving high school and entering into the world that lies beyond. It’s quite possibly the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.”

Tell us a little bit about how 5FM became involved in the project?

“Over the years I’ve always been passionate about the power of travel. Journeying to different parts of the world has been an exceptional way of sharing stories that can inspire and excite people. 5FM has given me that platform because as a station, they also believe in cutting edge content that can’t be found anywhere else.  Riaan Manser is someone who shares this passion and we have come to know each other well over the years. When the idea to take young South Africans to Antarctica to share stories about this exceptional continent came about, it was a no-brainer that we would be the station to do it.”

What are you most looking forward to?

“Meeting the Matrics who were chosen to come on this trip. They were carefully picked by a rigorous months-long process of trying to find the students who most displayed qualities that meant they would be able to return to their families and communities and share stories that would make a positive impact. I get really excited by people like this and I can’t wait to be inspired by incredible young minds.”

When do you leave and what are you doing to prepare?

“I leave for Antarctica on 10 February and fly over the ocean in a 6-hour flight in a cargo plane. I am preparing to be freezing cold and to have my life changed by experiences that couldn’t be further removed from the sunny South Africa I am leaving behind.”

What can listeners expect from 5Drive while you’re on the trip?

“Expect to tune into the radio and find out first-hand what it is like to be in Antarctica. Just like I have brought shows live from across the country and continent I am going to be using theatre of the mind to transport anyone listening on a journey to the edge of the earth.”

Be sure to tune into 5FM’s 5Drive and keep an eye on the station’s social media platforms for content on Nick’s journey.

Visit 5FM online at http://www.5fm.co.za or on the following social media platforms:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThePowerof5FM

Twitter: https://twitter.com/5FM

Instagram: https://instagram.com/5fm

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2NrMnw60a-Z-E77FfMKqkA

SnapChat: Thepowerof5fm

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@5fm

Apple Music announce AWEN as the latest Isgubhu cover star

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Apple Music has announced French-Senegalese dance music singer-songwriter and producer, AWEN (real name Lucille Kante) as its latest Isgubhu cover star. Her debut album Redemption (2021), moves between soulful Afro House and deep spiritual trip hop and features Umlazi-born, self-taught Afro House producer and DJ, Enoo Napa on the title-track “Redemption”. As a frequent collaborator with various Afro House artists from all over Africa, AWEN’s incorporation of multiple genres and sonic elements into her music is testament to her constant growth and ongoing journey. 

AWEN has also created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist that features tracks that fuel her musical fire and that showcase Africa’s rich dance music talent through the years. 

“I had great fun curating the Isgubhu playlist for Apple Music. I included some timeless classics, such as Tony Allen’s ‘African Man’ just because those tunes paved the way for African dance music as we know it today. I also included some new gems from artists I love and admire such as Black Coffee, Sun El-Musician, Msaki and Black Motion; you will also find a few tunes from my album Redemption. What do all these tracks have in common? They all take from various influences to create a unique form of soulfulness that makes us feel more alive,” she tells Apple Music.

Taking over Isgubhu By… for this month is eSwatini-hailing electronic producer and deep house DJ, !Sooks (real name Sukoluhle Dlamini). Having been enthralled by African music and synth sound creation, !Sooks’ first milestone came when he released his debut EP, 7 Years of Colour (2016) under Antidote Music, quickly following this up with his second release, A Different Place (2016) under international label Deepstitched Records. Since then he’s blazed a unique trail while honing his ambient, moody groove.

“Growing up, my dad exposed me to a lot of amazing music, especially jazz, which inspired my love for music as a whole. This particular selection showcases my love for a variety of sounds within African dance music and it is this plethora of sounds that inspires my music production today. My selection for Apple Music features music from South Africa, Namibia and Eswatini, which to me shows the growth of African dance and electronic music. We have come of age and the sound has moved from the underground scene and has stepped into the mainstream through the advancement of Amapiano, Afro House and other emerging African dance music subgenres,” he explains.

Launched in early 2021, Isgubhu is the definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music on Apple Music and spotlights and elevates the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.

Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On – a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds, Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes, Kenya’s Gondwana KE, and eSwatini’s Antidote Music, as well as Isgubhu Voices – a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.

Listen to Isgubhu only on Apple Music http://apple.co/Isgubhu 

Kickin It With Kim Jayde – Season 2

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After a year of eager anticipation, the season premiere of “Kickin it with Kim Jayde” has officially dropped on YouTube.

Directed, produced and hosted by the multi-award winning TV host and business entertainment entrepreneur, Kim Jayde, the proudly local show is back for another exciting season for sneaker fanatics around the continent.

‘Kickin it with Kim Jayde’ brings together some of the top sneaker lovers in the industry, while shining a new light on some of your favourite celebrities and taste makers.

The season premiere stars special guest BLXCKIE Somnyama. With a debut album on every playlist, and the recently awarded 2021 Best Freshman of the Year at the SA Hip Hop Awards, there’s no denying his talent. We learn more about the Durban born artist’s career and hear him answer fun questions about his first kiss, first sneakers and how he won his first rap battle.

The rest of the season is just as star-studded, with internationally renown DJ Doowap, ‘Big Flexa’ Costa Titch, marketing guru King Aya and platinum selling artist Shekhinah.

 Every guest is invited to bring sneakers from their personal collection which they share more about in the show.

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Filah Lah Lah announced as Apple Music Up Next artist in South Africa

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Apple Music has announced South African R&B singer and songwriter Filah Lah Lah (real name Reabetswe Fila Ranamane) as the latest artist in its South Africa Up Next program, a local version of their global emerging artist platform which they launched early in 2021.

“Being selected as Apple Music’s Up Next South Africa artist for November is truly an honor and a dream come true. It’s so important for someone like me, with their own look and their own style, to be given a voice and spotlight, because it inspires others to do the same,” she tells Apple Music. 

It was Filah Lah Lah’s father who made sure that she was exposed to the excellence of black musicians from an early age, introducing her to everything from jazz to funk to soul.

Inspired by jazz greats like Nina Simone, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane, masters of R&B like Marvin Gaye, Betty Wright and Smokey Robinson, and the energy of ‘90s hip hop, Filah Lah Lah poured her unique artistry into her debut EP Filahsofy (2020).

Her second EP We’re Gonna Be Just Fine (2021), available to stream on Apple Music, shows her immense growth both through restrained vocals and sensual soundscapes, taking on a more ambient and harmonic tone.

As the newest Up Next artist to be spotlighted in South Africa, Filah Lah Lah will be featured across Apple Music’s South African Up Next playlist. The curated playlist features a dynamic class of new and emerging artists, thoughtfully hand-picked by Apple Music editors from around the world. The playlist is genre agnostic and represents a line-up of artists their global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience. 

The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Grammy-nominated and critically lauded talent like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Fousheé and Tems.

About Apple Music

Apple loves music. Apple revolutionized the music experience with iPod and iTunes. Today, Apple Music celebrates musicians, songwriters, producers, and fans with a catalog of over 90 million songs, expertly curated playlists, and the best artist interviews, conversations, and global premieres with the award-winning Apple Music Radio. With original content from the most respected and beloved people in music, autoplay, time-sync lyrics, Lossless Audio, and immersive sound powered by Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, Apple Music offers the world’s best listening experience, helping listeners discover new music and enjoy their favorites while empowering the global artist community. Apple Music is available in over 165 countries and regions on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod mini, CarPlay, and online at music.apple.com, plus popular smart speakers, smart TVs, and Android and Windows devices. Apple Music is ad-free and never shares consumer data with third parties. More information is available at apple.com/apple-music.