Bankz’s music exudes a communal energy that’s hard to miss. With its colorful sonic choices and youthful subject matter, it moves toward the listener, inviting them to revel in its world. “Tell Ur Girlfriend” has sharp synths that sway along to Bankz’s vocals, quite minimalist in its application but decidedly focused, as it carries that heart-in-my-hand exhilaration that was popular in the 2000s. The delivery is a cross between Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, as Bankz showcases vocal awareness that effortlessly glides across registers as she rap-sings about a cheating girlfriend. “We was just friends, but then came in Cupid,” she intones with some mischief. “The tension was buildin’, we had to pursue it.”

When Bankz was in daycare, her mother drove them outside of Philly where she worked, playing music on the car stereo. Bankz recalled to Billboard what she heard: Beyoncé, Keyshia Cole, Sevyn Streeter, “a lot of what was popping in the early 2000s,” she said. “I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do since I was a baby, and everybody around me can vouch for that. I’ve been doing this my whole life. This is nothing new. I played the violin, I played piano, I was in orchestra, I was in [vocal] lessons, I did musical theater, I took poem classes and I learned how to write poems and write raps. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

Certainly, that dedication comes across in the music. Especially through her versatility, tapping readily from hip-hop and R&B, Bankz reflects an all-or-nothing mentality. “Ick” was criticized at the time of its release, but in its online-friendly one minute-plus runtime and bouncy New Jersey-evoking production, there’s an underlying cohesion that makes the song stick. Bankz’s enunciation level is standard, and the bubbly personality that shines through reminds listeners that here, after all, is a promising woman still in her teens.

“Ick” features in Now You See Me, Bankz’s seven-track project which was released in August 2023. It also features “IDFWY” and “Na Na Na,” whose acceptance was the launchpad for the records that would come later. A note shared on the EP’s YouTube page reads like a mission statement: “I named my project Now You See Me for numerous reasons, but the most important reason is that my whole life I never felt like anyone ever saw me. This project is a statement to everyone who didn’t know, now you have no option but to see me. I’m right in your face and I will forever be authentically myself, unapologetically.”

Bankz has artistry and attitude, that much is clear, but she also has a third strength that’s been crucial to her rise from the ranks of online virality to real-time musical stardom — she has a team that understands business and how best to merge that with her peculiarities as an artist. Among her several fast-approaching accolades, the artist was named Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for May.

Like Tyla and Ayra Starr, Bankz represents the global sensibilities inherent in the new generation of African women musicians; rooted in the concept of home and bringing the world to themselves, rather than seeking it out. Bankz hasn’t reflected a lot of Africanness in her records so far, but she carries the story of Eritrea quite dutifully. In the Billboard interview, she spoke about how it’s “super important” that her family back in the East African country and others that “don’t have half the things that I have…[know] that they can do this too.”

As in that instance, and elsewhere, Bankz showcases a knack for insightful responses. Speaking with Uproxx, she was once asked which she would choose, five years into the future or five years into the past. “The past,” she replied, “just to visit moments and feelings I feel like I didn’t get to feel entirely because of how fast they happened. I experience so much every day and my life moves so fast that it’s easy to not entirely take what’s happening to me.”

“I wouldn’t want to see the future because I’m gonna always get there,” she said. “Why rush to see what’s already written?”

Source: Okay Africa | EMMANUEL ESOMNOFU

Set to go down at Coco Vanilla in Adjiringanor – East Legon, the Best African Rapper is expected to rev up the new venue with a series of performances that will see him share the stage with some artists off the star-studded line-up of his still fresh ‘’Bar 6’’ mixtape, aside a possible mystery guest.

In anticipation of the concert’s 6th iteration, E.L spoke with Elite PR, the outfit responsible for giving his aforementioned mixtape and upcoming concert much coverage via Zoom.

There the rapper shared, ‘’Like every BAR concert before this, the goal is to give like minds the opportunity to celebrate Hip-Hop music brewed in Ghana and to keep the culture alive’’.

The concert will kick off at 8pm prompt and is made possible by Live Konnect and E.L’s record label, V.O Nation and Dreamstar.

Grab your tickets upon arrival or simply dial *713*33*62# to book a spot. Table reservations are also a thing, call +233556080888 or +233500999898 to secure one.

The countdown to December 18 is on! While you wait, get familiar with ‘’Bar 6’’.

Instagram: elrepgh Twitter: @ELgh_ Facebook: E.L

THANK YOU for constantly reading our stories. Kindly like, comment and SHARE stories on all social media platforms for more entertaining updates!

Joe mettles’ “my everything” is definitely one for the choir!. The Gospel single sort of breaks even right from the intro with a highlife beat as Joe mettle belts out first verses of the song, in as much as most of mettles song follows a smooth, quiet and emotional, terrain, this one is a bit of a  renegade  against the conventional appraisal of God musically. “My everything” is an appraisal melody that  basically seeks  to thank God for all  he’s done, as well as denoting God is indeed his everything.

The first EP will be released on Saturday, the 8th of September 2018, with the second EP to come out on Thursday 20th September, 2018. In between, Adomaa will also officially outdoor the project in a headline concert at Alliance Francaise on Saturday the 15th of September at 7pm.

Prepare for an unforgettable experience and travel into the mind of Adomaa, as she plays out the story between her two music personalities in a music project that will be one of its kind, and a series of what promises to be mind-blowing performances that will live long in the memory for years to come.

Adomaa season is here!

Pre-Order the EP here – https://efie.co/mkHSF

The rapper/singer/songwriter has announced that, his EP titled “Headstrong” will be released on the 15th of September, 2018. The release of the nine track EP is highly anticipated and expected to receive a lot of positive reviews.

A.I. courted huge clout on the music scene following his standout features on songs like ‘Making Tasha Proud’ with Jayso, ‘Grind’ with Vision DJ and ‘Motromodwo’ with Trigmatic. In-between these collaborations, A.I. also released singles off the EP titled ‘Burn Fat’, ‘Paper’ and ‘Moving On’ to critical acclaim.

‘Headstrong’, according to A.I. is ‘about daring to be different’ and also ‘fits his theme of being persistent with his creative direction in relation to the times in which songs on the EP were recorded’.

Production work on the EP was handled by seasoned producers such as Kuvie, Jayso, Willis Beats, PSBeats and Dreamlife beats.

When asked why it took so long for the release of this EP, A.I. explained by saying “somethings take time to manifest into the physical. It was always ready, though there were quite a number of changes to the selection of the songs. You plan but God’s purpose prevails’’.

Headstrong will be officially released on September 15th but is available for pre-order beginning August 29th. Kindly visit 2Ligit Records official website (www.2LigitRecords.com) for the pre-order links across all online music streaming services: iTunes, Google Play and Aftown.

According to the songstress, her debut EP is the first in a trilogy of extended play projects of stories inspired by her own life – the hurt, the happiness, the uncertainty, the simple and complex sides to loving someone and herself. The honest and vulnerable English and Twi lyrics of the project are crooned in patient, soulful drawls, Maayaa’s voice sailing masterfully through the notes.

With mainly soulful and RnB sounds on ‘More’ and ‘Hers’, as well as light reggae grooves on the uplifting ‘Perfect’, the music is comforting and familiar with simple piano and guitar chord progressions which allow the emotions and impacts of the themes to soak through. ‘Ride’ the fifth song on the EP, featuring the indelible Worlasi, was released earlier during the week with an accompanying music video directed by Akwadaa Nyame.

Following the warm reception given to her earlier singles ‘Limbo’ and ‘You’, the talented singer says, “‘CHAPTER RED’ is a proper introduction to Maayaa, the artist. I don’t expect this to be a walk in the park but I believe there’s space for me and the kind of music I make”.

‘CHAPTER RED’ will reintroduce you to the relatable themes of love, desire and self so sit back and let the music do its work. Enjoy!

For further updates and information kindly visit Maayaa’s pages: @delmiyaa (Twitter), @_delmiyaa (Instagram).

Happy Boy”, Mr. Eazi, returns with “Property”, a trumpet-laced Afrobeats/ dancehall tangle which sees him offer generously, everything he owns to a lover.

The horn section is rendered by Mo-T, of South African band, Mi Casa, and visuals for the record are directed by Meji Alabi.

“Property” is released ahead of the singer’s ‘Life is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos To London’ LP.

Watch below:

Produced by JaySo, the record is described as the “official 2018 anthem for the teen generation”, preaching the need to be “bold, confident and true”.

SKY is a movement by teen girls, for teen girls. It seeks to inspire teen girls to stay true to themselves and what they believe in —to be who they are, not who someone else thinks they should be, to support each other in being themselves, staying true to what they care about and saying no to things that they don’t want in their lives, like gossiping and smoking tobacco.

The movement has a serious purpose and that is empowering girls and building a resilient generation of young women. But it is fun in flavor and built around things they love to do and to talk about.

Submitted

Just last night she graced the stage of aftown music’s acoustic concert series, performing covers from Adele, Asa and her very popular rendition of Runtown’s ‘Mad Over You’. The audience loved it, but when it came to her own singles, what was supposed to be an acoustic concert turned into karaoke session! She had her fans singing word – for – word!

Nana Yaa topped it all with an exclusive listening session of 3 of the songs on her upcoming EP. Nope! She didn’t give a name for the project. Just the assurance that it would come out in August. She did however drop the names of a few of the features on the album. So far, we know of Edem, Kuame Eugene, Shaker, Gasmilla & FlowkingStone. From what we’ve heard, we can guarantee it’s going to be worth the wait. In the mean time, you can stream or download her music on aftownmusic.com. Download the app for android and iOS by clicking here www.efie.co/aft

Check out photos from the event below: