For Urban Music Flavours, Here’s an Afrocentric Epiphany 

Yinka Olatunbosun

Global music fans are increasingly drawn to African music, particularly with the steady dominance of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Afrofusion on world music streaming platforms and charts. While music critics often point to cultural history as a driving force behind this success, fans would agree that the beat is a major part of the allure. Until recently, the contributions of beatmakers, producers, and sound engineers have flown under the radar. However, as top beatmakers and DJs began producing their own collaborative projects featuring popular artists, their role in shaping the sound of new African music has become more apparent.

Jimmy Jatt exemplifies this trend, having assembled a legion of Nigeria’s hottest hip-hop and pop stars to deliver the 2016 album “The Definition.” Similarly, South African DJ and record producer DJ Maphorisa has been on a streak with his viral Amapiano music collaborative projects. 

In Nigeria, Whobaadblood, a fast-rising sound engineer, has emerged as a Nigerian equivalent to international heavyweights like DJ Khaled and Pharrell. On a mission to elevate eclectic African sounds, Whobaadblood has leveraged his ingenuity in the studio and beyond to create globally appealing music. His efforts have earned him accolades, including being named Sound Engineer of the Year at The League of Extraordinary Achievers Awards in 2024.

His latest EP, Afrocentric, made a splash immediately after its release, garnering over 3,000 streams on Spotify within the first week. The momentum continued, with the EP racking up an impressive 39,000 streams on AudioMack in barely two months. One standout track, “Jukpa,”  by A6ixx has been gaining significant airplay on radio, mesmerising listeners with its easy-flowing melody and mid-tempo beat. A6ixx’s vocals, delivered in a style reminiscent of Burna Boy, blend seamlessly with the infectious fusion of pop and Afrobeat. Sung in pidgin English, “Jukpa” is an unapologetic celebration of nightlife and lavish spending—a quintessential party banger laden with all the typical thematic trimmings.

Similarly, Whobaadblood collaborates with Yomi Boss on “Confam,” a feel-good track that embodies the spirit of street hop. By blending Fuji vocalisation with Afrobeats, “Confam” creates a captivating sound that showcases Yoruba and pidgin English lyrics. Evoking the spirit of Wizkid’s classics, albeit with a cleaner sound, the track masterfully captures the city’s vibrant atmosphere and soulful pleas to a Supreme Being. With its infectious hook and crisp rap verses, “Confam” is a street-worthy anthem that resonates deeply.

“My Girl” featuring Spokegizzy is Whobaadblood’s third track from the Afrocentric EP. A seductive, in-between-the-sheets type of song, “My Girl” is still an Afrobeats song with elements of dancehall lyricism. The EP, in its totality, is like an epiphany of urban music flavours.

Before this much anticipated EP, Whobaadblood has been clawing his way out of oblivion to give voice to new artists using the instrument of show curation. He is the Convener of SneakerFest which is arguably the first and biggest Sneaker/Urban Cultural Festival in Africa.

Having cited DJ Khaled as one of his influences, Whobaadblood serves as a lifeline for young artists yearning to be heard, amplifying fresh voices in the urban music scene. A musical powerhouse, he composes songs for artists while mixing and mastering tracks with finesse. His impact on the music industry is evident in SneakerFest, where he organises the RAP Battle Contest and DJ Battle. These competitions provide a platform for emerging talent, with the top eight contestants vying for the grand prize and coveted titles of Rap Battle Champion or DJ of the Year at SneakerFest.