Sounds From The East
With African music being the centre of attention nowadays, people naturally tend to focus more on West African music but I think it is about time to take a precise look at East African music. When it comes to Sounds From The East, you know The iMullar is your plug! With their diverse beat and flow, this week’s selection features artists like Marioo, Aka Keys, The C!rcle, Bey-T, Hoosh, Isma IP, Mapanch BMB, Dua Saleh, Hewan and Zuchu. Here are the 10 songs you need to hear in no particular order.
1. The C!rcle featuring. Aka Keyz – “O.T.T”
The Sudanese collective blessed us with an amazing 5-tracks EP: The C!rcle Vs. The World, if you have not checked it, you definitely have to! The diversity in their stories and productions is prodigious. In “O.T.T”, Aka Keyz reflects on his goals, his music and the importance of staying focus on our mission as well as making sure to have the right people around us. His crazy rhymes flow on the instrumental in such a smooth way, you’ll be obsessed with the song. Check it out!
2. Marioo featuring. Skales – Unanikosha (Remix)
The Tanzanian vocalist, Marioo teamed up with Skales from Nigeria for the remix of “Unanikosha”. You should definitely hear this sweet Swahili jam! Skales has also joined the sensational Sudanese duo; Seidosimba & MazMars on the remix of their afro-fusion hit “Kandaka”, it seems like Skales has been exploring the East side lately.
3. Isma IP- Somali Queen
The Somali pop artist gave us a summer hit type of track in which he is glorifying Somali women. Check this lively song and catch some vibes
4. Hewan – Keminew
If you do not understand Amharic and do not know about Eskista music at all, “Keminew” is a good start. Eskista music is not just random Ethiopians shaking their shoulders up and down, it is a beautiful genre of music with diverse styles! The up-tempo rhythm, the atypic pattern of the percussions and the sublime vocals of Hewan will make you feel like you are in Addis-Ababa for 4 minutes. Listen to it, you won’t regret it!
5. Zuchu – Tanzania Ya Sasa
Wasafi’s Zuchu gave us a reggae banger produced by the gifted Lizer Classic. The song is a very patriotic one where she congratulates the current president and its party’s (CCM) achievements.
6. Dua Saleh – Smut
“Smut” is an extract of the Rosetta EP Dua Saleh dropped this month. In “Smut” the brilliant artist mixes English and Arabic hoping to connect with Sudanese listeners. This is one of the best tracks on the EP, you must listen to it, catch some indie vibes and enjoy!
7. Mpanch BMB – Kooni
Mapanch is an emergent act from Tanzania and his sounds are superb! “Kooni” is a love song in which he is trying to convince his lady to stay with him regardless of the gossip. Enjoy this amazing afro-fusion instrumental and his nice vocals! You have to keep an eye on him!
8. Hoosh – Living inside
Hoosh from Sudan is back with a mellow track reflecting on how his lockdown was. His sounds are described as a mix of smooth underlying beats infused with hard-hitting 808s and silky rhythms. Listen to “living inside” here!
9. Bey T -Ndio
Bey T is back at it again with a cheerful trap song. Her rhymes and this uplifting instrumental have to be heard, check it out here!
10. Marioo – CCM Raha
“CCM Raha” is a patriotic song by the amazing vocalist Marioo. With the October 2020 elections that are coming in Tanzania, a few artists have been releasing songs in support of the CCM party. You might not be in full support of their government but the songs are super good, we have to give it to them!
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