RADR Essentials Vol. 81: Koffee, Lous and the Yakuza, Melvitto, and others.

This week, the team at RADR is drawing inspiration from artists including Koffee, Lous and the Yakuza from all around Africa. We’re listening to music from Jamaica to South Africa and taking in the beautiful culture and languages with it.

Toast- Koffee

Toast was produced by (izybeats) and (Walshy Fire) of Major Lazer and released as Koffee’s debut single for her then-upcoming EP Rapture which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2020.

On Toast, Mikayla “Koffee” Simpson who is known as a DJ in Jamaica sings about her musical journey from being in high school to breaking into the music industry. In the music video, she takes her viewers on a tour of her Spanish Town, Jamaica, where she was born.

Koffee and her music have since garnered massive critical acclaim over the past couple of years.

Handle Me – Lous and the Yakuza, Adekunle Gold

Marie-Pierra Kakoma known professionally as Lous and the Yakuza, is a Congolese–Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter, model, and artist. On Handle me, her third single of 2020, she teams up with our own Tio Tequila and they bring an interesting mix of French, Spanish, and Yoruba. They describe how their partner brings them to their knees. 

Run My Way – melvitto, WANI

The intro of Run My Way is a well-crafted layer of sounds that leads up to a smooth Amapiano tune. Amapiano never gets old and melvitto shows that he is a master of his craft while producing this song. Wani is one of the 5 artists melvitto teamed up with on the newly released ovrdose EP which Run My Way  is a part of.

Mrs Me – Nasty C

Mrs Me is one of the biggest songs off South African Rap Legend- Nasty C’s 3x platinum 2018 studio project “Strings and Bling.” It’s an intense serenade filled with promises to his lover. This song was produced by Canis Major and Nasty C.

Molo – Aubrey Qwana

This song by South African Rapper and Record Producer Aubrey Qwana is sung in Zulu language. “Molo mhlobo wam” is a Zulu greeting which means “Hello world”. It’s off Aubrey’s album Imvula Mlomo released in 2020.