Like is the case with previous years, 2019’s offerings so far have remained in the borders of dance and body contours. But Accra’s not complaining–because Accra is primed for dance.
Here’s our compilation of 10 of the city’s favourite anthems so far this year.
Poverty – J. Derobie
A shiny aspirational debut, “Poverty” (produced by UglyBeatz) instantly shot J. Derobie, its author, to international notice.
For Derobie, 24, the joint arrives as a bold first step in his quest to etch his name in Reggae/ Dancehall circles, seeing as he has already earned cosigns from top names like Popcaan, Kranium, and Shatta Wale.
Born Derrick Obuobi Jnr., the singer is beneficiary of Mr. Eazi’s emPAWA Africa project—an initiative which looks to drive the careers of 100 emerging acts across the continent.
On a recently-released remix of the song, Derobie is joined by Jamaican star, Popcaan.
Kpoo Keke – Stonebwoy ft. MEDiKAL, Kwesi Arthur, Kelvyn Boy, and Darkovibes
Stonebwoy is not unfamiliar with the hit process. Over a career spanning a decade or so, the Ashaiman native has demonstrated his competence; mainly with Dancehall, but also across Afropop, Reggae, and even Hip-hop. Kpoo Keke—an up-tempo party-tailored jam adds to his ever-growing plethora, ensuring that he maintains uninterrupted presence in elite playlists.
Kpoo Keke, programmed by Mixmasta Garzy, sees him harvest from a thrilling young crop of fellow practitioners: MEDiKAL, Kwesi Arthur, Kelvyn Boy, and Darkovibes.
Omo Ada – Medikal
For several months, AMG rapper, MEDiKAL has been a fixture in Ghanaian tabloids as much for his relationship scandals as his consistent supply of viral songs and jargons.
In fact, In fact, due to his ethic all through last year, and MEDiKAL is perhaps the strongest contender for VGMA 2019 Rapper of the Year. Omo Ada, starring actor girlfriend, Fella Makafui, is the theme song for Accra’s streets at night, and party ignition. Like work by Zlatan, his Nigerian counterpart, Omo Ada is primary background music for leg work.
Don’t Be Late – Kofi Mole
Don’t Be Late is off-brand for Kofi Mole—the rebellious young rapper, who typically projects a curiously charismatic black sheep hip-hop persona. The song arrives in the classic sentimental weakness of R&B.
Mole is widely deemed the “next –rated act”; he even received a 3Music plaque for it months ago. Don’t Be Late is published under No Gentlemen Allowed, his independent imprint.
Jama –DJ Mic Smith ft. Patroranking, Shaker
Ghana—Naija collaborations involving Patroranking have rarely ever gone wrong. DJ Mic Smith’s Jama, which also features rapper Shaker, is one more piece of evidence. Homage to folk music typical to peoples on Accra’s coastlines, Jama is fun, and funny—also proving a common sub-regional creative font.
Proud Fvck Boys—Tulenkey ft. Eddie Khae
Proud Fvck Boy is rapper Tulenkey’s self-deprecating song penned in solidarity with “good-for-nothing” youth who suddenly feel comforted (if not celebrated) by an anthem.
Surprise hit or not, the Fimfim-made joint (spiked with highlife guitar) is popular both for the comedic lyrical genius it supplies and the raw relatable honesty it allows.
Proud Fvck Boys is one of several highlights of Tulenkey’s 1/1 mixtape.
African Girl—Kwesi Arthur ft. Shatta Wale
Heralding Arthur’s hugely anticipated Live From Nkrumah Krom II LP, African Girl melds a multiplicity of influences; melodious hip-hop, evocative R& B, dancehall, and bits of Afrobeats—which constitute Arthur’s identity anyway.
The primary subject matter of all Pop, African Girl celebrates the contours and desirability of women from the land—complete with Nicki Minaj comparisons and wedding promises which convey lustful passions rather than anything long-term
Ayekoo –MEDiKAL ft. King Promise
The toothsome King Promise –assisted love song is how MEDiKAL confirmed his relationship with actress Fella Makafui, following his very public breakup with Deborah Vanessa.
Ayekoo translates as “well-done” and caters specifically to the happy aspects of love.
Not unexpectedly, the song (produced by The Gentleman), leans toward highlife, is riddled with fantastic promises of chivalry and sacrifice; “…for your loving I go die,” is how King promise, who was on hook duty for the song, caps the chorus.
Pilolo – Guilty Beatz, Mr. Eazi & Kwesi Arthur
The new Banku Music anthem feels like a continuation of Eazi’s wildly popular dance song, Akwaaba. It consists the same primary ingredients: a Guilty Beatz production, a Mr. Eazi hook founded on a popular Ghanaian term (in this case, a childhood game of hide-and-seek), an overall gyration intention; and viral potential.
Kwesi Arthur is the only change to the blueprint, but in viral dance culture, who cares about originality when the rhythm aims for one’s feet?
Daavi–Kawuola Biov ft. Patapaa
Guesting on Kawuola Biov’s Daavi, Patapaa (famed for the One Corner craze) inspires another vocal obsession simply by spewing, well, gibberish.
In the #SkopatumanaChallenge, participants aspire to replicate the rapper’s verses on the song. What lyrics constitute Patapaa’s verses? “Skopatumana” for sure –followed by similar vocabulary unintelligible anywhere on this planet.
The success of Daavi, like many other “stupid songs” corroborates the fact that there is a place—and market for songs that don’t make sense.
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