When you’re balling out like Jacques Laine, you find yourself reaping the rewards of getting “Sponsored” because you’re poppin’. Leverage becomes currency, and that’s exactly what the NY-bred rapper understands as he gains traction with his latest single. For a rising artist, Jacques carries a delivery that’s too powerful to overlook. From beginning to end, Jacques commands attention as he delivers a strong verse that matches the adrenaline created from the horn-powered instrumental. His bars boosting his own ambitious manifestations epitomize the success he seeks and matches the song’s tone perfectly. The “Piano Riff” spitter also collaborates with Kai Ca$h for the closing verse.
The triumphant track is a result of his recent contributions to a Nike and Foot Locker campaign he’s working on. “It was my first official brand campaign as an artist and it gave me a lot of energy and enthusiasm which you can feel throughout the song”. It’s a personal accomplishment for Jacques Laine, who remembers the two sneaker giants playing a role in his childhood. “As kids, Nike has always been a brand that we all sported in New York. Being part of a campaign with such a beloved brand makes me feel like I just signed an endorsement/sponsorship deal. Hence the end of the hook: ‘feelin all sponsored and shit’”.
The song is also a moment for Jacques because of him being able to display his versatility. As he natural as he sounds on the record, it’s a step away from his usual sound. Most of her prior offerings have favored more introspective lyrics. I tend to dive into pretty deep topics in my music but this was a chance to break away from that and have more fun with the music.” Whether in or out his comfort zone, his flow and song presence always enables him to stand out on tracks.
With the explosion of Afrobeats globally and notably, The States, it’s time to dip our feet a little deeper into the puddle of the motherland Africa’s sounds. Despite Afrobeats being a pre-dominantly Nigerian sound, Africa is a continent gleeful with sounds and vibes you’d want to check out. From the romping Amapiano sounds of South Africa, the plush highlife of Ghana, Shrap & Gengetone in the East of Kenya, Bongo in Tanzania, or smoother Jazz up north in the Arabic ends of the continent, there’s a lot to delve into.
Here is Remixd Mag’s first ever weekly Afro-centric playlist.
Rema – Rave & Roses
The Prince of Afro-rave has dropped his full-length maiden record. After a flurry of successful EP’s and singles that have kept him top of the game since his emergence with 2019’s smash hit “Dumebi”, Rema returns with this ruminant work of art. Boasting of features from Chris Brown, 6lack, AJ Tracey, Yseult, the record encompasses Afrobeats, R&B, Highlife, Zanku and Fuji in one effort. From flirtatious cuts, waist-busters, Rema lines us up on the dance floor with hypnotic rhythms and drum-driven tracks that will keep us up all night.
Kay J Wong – Mapaga
On her first EP, Kay J Wong entices listeners with her honey-soaked voice. “Mapaga” is Swahili slang that combines “mapaja” and “mahaga” – euphemism for “thighs” and “ass”. Wong teases us and thrives in her curvaceous and physical attributes singing about how much men are only interested in her physical appearance, rather than empowering her financially. The Le Mario-produced track is as engrossing as it is sensually appealing. Try it out for size.
Wizkid featuring. Tay Iwar & Projexx – True Love
Even a year and some change after releasing his hit-stacked album Made In Lagos, Wizkid is proving that his music stands the test of time as he continues to release singles off the 2020 opus. He taps his Nigerian contemporaries Tay Iwar (who shines on the chorus), and Projexx who layers the track with catchy adlibs, for this particular sleeper anthem. The video is directed by renown British-Nigerian visual director, DAPS, whilst the “Essence” star also enlists supermodel Winey Harlow as his muse as the two share candid chemistry on screen making for glossy eye candy on an already imperious track glistened in jazzy horns, Congo drums, and tasty vocal performances.
Pheelz & BNXN fka Buju – Finesse
The money-manifesting track devours and chronicles our times perfectly. Going through choir-like vocals in the chorus and swiftly attended to verses by 2021 break-out star BNXN, the track is a feel-good cut virally blowing up on TikTok. Underlyingly, it has blemishes of financial wellness, but on the surface a tailored party track.
Asake – Sungba feat. Burna Boy
The Lord answered our prayers and that was Burna Boy hopping on an Amapiano beat. The African Giant joins newcomer Asake on this dangerously infectious Summer starter pack. With climaxing and riveting beats and basslines, Asake’s sparse and spacey vocal detail, Burna Boy’s showmanship, this is a mind-easer of a track that can take all the stress away.
Fireboy DML – Playboy
The effortless hit-making, soprano-voiced adroit from Nigeria has been trail-blazing all 2021 with his elevating cut “Peru” breaking out in the States. On “Playboy” he’s back to what we loved him for, and that is raw, hedonist, colorful music that is sticky, stress-free, and absorbing. His honest lyricism and vulnerable penmanship continues to star on this number.
1da Banton – No Wahala Feat. Kizz Daniel, Tiwa Savage
As if 1 da Banton’s original record was not already as captivating and permeable, he calls on to the sultry cum angelic Tiwa Savage and Afro & B voyeur Kizz Daniel to escalate the track into a whole other stratosphere. The sunny track with limb-loosening delight is a drifting anthem that will see it place well in glorious occasions like weddings, parties, graduations, and even road-trips. If you’re looking for happy music, 1 da Banton’s got you covered.
Uncle Waffles – Tanzania feat. Sina Msolo & BoiBizza
The log drums of Amapiano are on the lose again, and this time it’s one of Drake’s favorite DJ’s & entertainers from the past year, Uncle Waffles, who seizes this occasion. Her bowing track “Tanzania”, Waffles exports her experience behind the decks into her debut track with a soulful, spiritual and moving record. Featuring nasal melodies, chants, log drums, and more cacophonies, the track is an encapsulating track that extends Amapiano’s reign in the contemporary music scene.
