As expected, 2023 was a mixed year, toppled with highs and lows. From peak internet memes to unforgettable concerts and achievements, this year delivered in style. iMullar looks back at cultural moments that defined 2023.
1. Vice President of the United States visits Freedom Skatepark
Kamala Harris, The Vice President of The United States Of America was welcomed by The U.S. Embassy in Ghana. Her trip focused on increasing investments in Africa, facilitating economic growth and opportunity. Her first stop was the Vibrate Studios, a creative workspace within Ghana‘s first community-built skatepark in East Legon, Accra. She was joined by Ghanaian Joey B, Amaarae, Black Sherif, Baaba J, All My Cousins, and TMSKDJ.
“The creative work that is happening on this continent, as represented by the work that is happening here in Ghana, is extraordinary in terms of the international global impact”, said the Vice President during her visit. Her trip rounded off with a public Spotify playlist which included songs from T’neeya, Moliy, Ria Boss, Sarkodie, and M3nsa.
2. Ghanaian Drill/Asakaa recognition
Spearheaded by Kumasi rappers dubbed “Asakaa Boys,” drill has been the leading sound for Ghana’s music scene since its emergence in 2021. What started as an experimentative sub-genre has now turned into a cultural cult, with listeners across the globe. From back-to-back hits to touring all over Europe, the Asaaka boys pinned their country on the map with the genre.
Then in 2023, their latest accomplishment: was the acknowledgment of Ghanaian Drill by the Grammy’s. In June, the Recording Academy unveiled a new category, the New Best African Music Performance. Asakaa joins other genres like Afrobeats, Fuji, Alté, and Amapiano in the category. This was an important marker of how fast Asakaa music is growing – considering its breakout was just 2 years ago.
3. O’Kenneth and XlimKid Debut on Billboard
After its recognition by The Grammys, you just knew efforts were going to double up from Asakaa associates with a vengeance. O’Kenneth and XlimKid’s joint EP “Pain In Glory” initially went under the radar after its release, but things took a turn after it got recognition from one of Drill music’s biggest proponents, Lil Durk, who posted the song on his Instagram, introduced the song to over a million followers. “Lonely Road,” the lead single off the EP eventually debuted at #28 on The Billboard US Afrobeats chart, adding to the Asakaa Drill’s list of achievements so far.
4. Ghanaian Fashion Meets Music
Ghana’s fashion scene has emerged as a new frontier of the thriving West African music industry and no designer has been in the mix like Jude Dontoh, designer of Ghanaian streetwear brand Tribe Of God.
Celebrating 10 years of success and growth with his brand, Jude designed for international record label, Sony’s inaugural music camp in Accra. Hitmakers such as Tems, Ms. Banks, and Guiltybeatz were spotted wearing exclusive Sony T-shirts designed by the Ghanaian streetwear pioneer. That same year, he also designed merch for Grammy award-winning artist Ms. Lauryn Hill on the 25th anniversary of her classic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. He also designed for Wizkid, working on Made In Lagos merch earlier this year.
5. FTY became the first African brand to showcase at Complexcon
Ghanaian streetwear brand Free The Youth was the first African fashion brand to be showcased at Complexcon. Each year, the festival brings together the world’s most influential brands and artists for an immersive weekend of music and fashion. For their stand, Free The Youth reimagined The Ghana Blackstar Gate, unveiling exclusive sports collections at the Long Beach event.
The brand has enjoyed a good year, campaigning with Jordan Flight and collaborating with Places+Faces, and Jeanius Bar Atelier. Their presence at Complexcon bridged the gap between Africa’s creative scene and the world.
6. South Africa became the first country to win the Rugby World Cup four times.
The South African National Rugby Team has been a powerful force in the history of the sport, dominating it over the years. Entering the 2023 Rugby World Cup, South Africa’s Springboks were the number one ranked team in the world having won it three times (1995, 2007, and 2019). With the help of their inspirational captain Siya Kolisi, the Springboks were able to lift their fourth Webb Ellis Cup, making them the first nation to ever attain this feat.
7. African artists played sold-out concerts around the world
Some of the most exciting moments of the year were African artists’ reformed-breaking concerts and tours. Burna Boy made history by becoming the first Nigerian artist to headline and sell out New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden. The anticipated One Night In Space concert saw the African giant single-handedly entertain fans to the fullest at the over 20,000-capacity facility with a livestream that gathered over 100,000 viewers on YouTube. He joined legends like Micheal Jackson, Mariah Carey, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Justin Bieber, Adele, Rihana, and Jay Z as the only artists to sell out the arena. Meanwhile, his peer, Wizkid, also sold out the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, performing in front of 45,000 fans.
Asake followed on the heels of his legends, filling out the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom. A feat that was quickly replicated by Rema, who brought along his Mavin label mates for another epic show at the O2.
8. iMullar Sound System Levelled Up
Within just a year, iMullar Sound System has become the go-to for alternative music, with a growing community of ravers dedicated to live shows. Since its first edition in April 2022, the community has seen a surge in their numbers, with more and more people attending the parties, eager to diversify their listening range and space to let loose. IMSS went global in 2023, taking the day parties to South Africa, home of Amapiano, and Nigeria. DJs from all over Africa and beyond showcased their genre-bending skills on iMullar’s platform.
9. Tyla, the highest charting African female artist
The South African singer had a very fruitful year. Her smash hit “Water” propelled her into the big league, earning her first Grammy Nomination. With a remix that featured Travis Scott, Tyla became the youngest-ever South African and the first South African soloist in 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 10. She now boasts of over 9 million monthly Spotify listeners – the most ever for an African female artist. “Water” was a global sensation, selling 200,000 units in the United Kingdom, 35,000 units in Australia, and 15,000 units in New Zealand – all before she even dropped her debut album.
10. iMullar Sound System Anniversary
iMullar Sound System celebrated its first anniversary in April 2023 at the Freedom Skatepark. Dubbed ’007’, it was a bit different from your typical IMSS structure, this edition was more expansive. There was a masterclass powered by TuneCore, which saw some of the industry’s inspiring acts share their experience with attendees.
This was followed by an open deck and free boarding, with a class that taught attendees how to DJ. By late evening, the energy session was powered with good sets from Emily In Accra, DJ Mellis, Juls, Anna Leonie, ADDJ, Afrlektra, and more.
Follow @theimullar on Instagram and Twitter for more.
