1. Senth – Wayyy Saucy
Source:Senth – Topic
Less than 12 months since he burst onto the global music scene with his glorious debut EP Senth Of Her, which was championed by The Guardian Nigeria, Pulse Nigeria, and Not Just OK, among others, and birthed the massive hit track ‘Dagger’ that has amassed over three million plays online, Nigerian alté and R&B sensation SENTH is back with his highly anticipated sophomore EP titled WAYYY SAUCY. Released on November 23 in partnership with EMPIRE, this new project marks a significant milestone in his forward-thinking artistic journey, and offers a testament to Senth’s evolving musical prowess. Unfolding as a richly layered narrative from start to finish, the Wayyy Saucy EP showcases Senth’s extraordinary ability to delve into the complex tapestry of human emotions, navigating through themes of love, desire, and sensuality, with his soulfully sultry vocals and deeply resonant lyrics.
Collaborating with producers from all corners of the globe including Belgian beatsmith Nanzoo, Manchester-based OracleBeats, Wavytrbl from Italy, and Maryland’s eeryskies to highlight his penchant for international flavours, Senth himself plays a pivotal role in the production process of Wayyy Saucy, ensuring that each track reflects his unique artistic vision, and rich tapestry of soundscapes. Describing the project as his process of “blossoming into full potential,” Senth takes listeners on an immersive musical journey with this record. On Wayyy Saucy, Senth crafts a narrative that transcends mere musical expression, inviting listeners into the ‘Saucy Crib’ – a world where each track becomes a journey of passionate and heartfelt experiences, told through Senth’s soulful artistry that blends his heartfelt vocals and evocative songwriting, with the rhythmic pulse of contemporary R&B and alternative music.
Wayyy Saucy features a collection of distinct singles, each resonating with its own unique vibe and story. ‘Good Morning’ is a tender love song filled with the warmth and euphoria of waking up next to a loved one, while ‘Lucy’, Senth’s favourite track on the project, and a self-proclaimed anthem for women, is perfect for any weather or mood. ‘Bend It’ represents Senth’s experimental foray into new musical realms, co-producing the track to add an extra layer of spice to the EP. ‘On My Mind’, a song he first recorded in 2021, stands out as a timeless favourite for Senth, showcasing its enduring appeal. The deeply personal ‘Deserve Better’ delves into themes of self-love and overcoming self-doubt, inspired by the transformative impact of J Cole’s ‘Love Yours’ on Senth’s journey towards self-acceptance. This EP not only highlights Senth’s growth as an artist, but also offers listeners a rich, emotive experience through his music.
On the back of his now cult-classic debut EP Senth Of Her, and massive hit single ‘Dagger’, Nigerian alté R&B singer and producer Senth has swiftly risen as a formidable force in the global music, and is firmly establishing himself as an artist who defies conventional genre boundaries to push the limits of artistic expression, transcend musical expectations, and expand the boundaries of Alté and R&B music. With his new project Wayyy Saucy, fans, critics, and new listeners alike are invited to embark on a captivating auditory journey, where Senth’s soulful melodies and evocative storytelling promise an unforgettable listening experience. The EP is an exploratory venture that sees Senth pushing the envelope in terms of production and lyrical depth, delivering a sound that is not only unique to his artistic character, but also a beacon of innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of global music.
2. Chrystel – Snapchat
Source:Chrystel – Topic
Barely six weeks before she heads back to her home country Ivory Coast to perform at the African Cup of Nations in January 2024, Grammy Award-nominated Ivorian American artist, and songwriter CHRYSTEL is excited to unveil her exciting new afropop single titled ‘SNAPCHAT’, featuring Nigerian rap star Blaqbonez, and produced by award-winning afrobeats hitmaker Type A (Fireboy DML, Amaarae, CKay). Arriving on November 24 in partnership with The Orchard, ‘Snapchat’ is the first single from Chrystel’s long-awaited and highly anticipated sophomore EP that is due for release in February 2024. Written and recorded with Blaqbonez and Type A in Lagos, Nigeria during Chrystel’s last trip to West Africa, where she has been recording much of her upcoming project, ‘Snapchat’ is a carefree and flirtatious afropop offering with a heavy dose of confidence, independence, and self-assurance.
Driven by the infectious bounce of Type A’s bass and guitar-led production, held together by the inescapable chemistry between Chrystel and Blaqbonez, and underpinned by their witty songwriting, the track is an instant dancefloor filler that was crafted to make you move. Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Snapchat’, Chrystel says, “It’s about feeling sexy and having fun. I want people to feel like they know their powers when they hear it. I’ve always had an inspiring sense of self assurance, and confidence, and I feel inspired seeing other people walk their own conviction. To me, this song is like a form of self-care – knowing what you like, and liking yourself, without needing validation from others is key. Loving yourself for who you are, and who you’re becoming is so important to me”.
Revered as a Grammy Award-nominated and multi-platinum selling songwriter, having written on the acclaimed Dreamville compilation album Revenge Of The Dreamers III, as well as on Baby Tate’s viral hit ‘I Am’ featuring Flo Milli, and Ari Lennox fan favourites ‘Bussit’ and ‘Outside’, CHRYSTEL is also now emerging as a fast-rising artist in her own right. On the back of her fan-favourite debut EP Prey, and her scene stealing collaboration with Ivorian producer Jeune Lio, the Atlanta-based Ivorian American native comes with over six million global streams, and critical acclaim from international tastemakers across BBC 1Xtra, Apple Music, The NATIVE, Culture Custodian, and ONE37pm, among others. Her highly anticipated next project will see Chrystel lean more into fusing her contemporary pop songwriting with afropop soundscapes from her homeland, as is evident on new single ‘Snapchat’.
Sharing what to expect from her new musical era, and upcoming new project, Chrystel says, “While I am a first generation American, I was raised in an Ivorian household, where West African traditions, influence, and culture ran rampant. Growing up, I was introduced to a wide range of music, and I quickly began to pick up on intricate sounds and melodies of the music coming from the continent. I believe that multi-cultural background is what sets me apart. My main goal for this project was to create the best music I could possibly make with the best producers coming from the continent right now. Taking elements from different sounds, cultures, and collaborators who have helped refine my sound, and making it make sense. It’s like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. except this isn’t your first puzzle and you’ve gotten really good at it. The end result is even better than what I envisioned”.
3. Ryder & Skepta – 48 Hours
Source:SKEPTA
Bathed in solemn melodies and mystifying ambience, 19-year-old producer Ryder releases 48 Hours, his soundscape redefining, 5-track debut EP with Skepta, out now via Epic UK/RCA Records.
Unequivocal in its execution, the EP allows the listener to experience Skepta’s well-known lyricism with an entirely new vividness and perspective. This is especially prevalent in the tracks “All Alone” and “For You,”which feature exclusive new bars from Skepta alongside protégé Dré Six. Accompanying the EP release is the music video for “All Alone,” featuring Ryder, Skepta, and Dré Six. Watch it HERE.
The remaining tracks on the EP are aptly dubbed ‘Skeptacore,’a phenomenon coined by Ryder whereby producers carve out refixes inspired by Skepta’s work, of whom Ryder is a huge fan. His pioneering discography caught Skepta’s attention, who wasted no time getting in contact, inviting Ryder to his studio and recording together within 48 hours and thus, the EP was born.
Ryder, a Hull native, is leading the way in #skeptacore, showcasing his distinct ability to engineer resonant ambient interpretations. The result is a new Gen Z audience discovering Skepta’s catalogue through the young prodigy’s work. With over 15 million views across the hashtag, many are moved by Ryder’s work, sitting in anticipation of his heartfelt production.
“My focus is on the emotion, how it makes the listener feel,” Ryder says when asked about the project.
The 48 Hours EP projects a sense of intimacy, working beautifully in tandem with the carefully extricated bars of Skepta, who is unashamedly raw in his honesty. Collaborating with Skepta came naturally, and after producing since his early teens, Ryder is now firmly en route to formulating his distinct musical climate, cemented as one of the hottest up-and-coming artists in the music industry.
4. OMB Peezy – Le’Paris
Source:OMB Peezy
Gold-selling artist OMB Peezy releases his sophomore studio album Le’Paris – available now via Overkill Entertainment / 300 Entertainment. On the revealing album, the 26-year-old lyricist opts to open up more than ever before, using his government name as the title. The album uncovers the complex layers of his personal journey as a man and father. Written by OMB Peezy, the 16-track project was created alongside an elite group of collaborators including Kevin Gates, Tee…