Drake surprises with ‘Honestly, Nevermind’: Short Review
It’s highly recommended road trip music.
One of the week’s highlights was Drake releasing a ‘surprise’ album dubbed ‘Honestly, Nevermind’. I wish I could use the same line to dead this commentary, but my hands are tired. I have been a fan of the singing Drake since his emergence on the mainstream scene with his celebrated ‘So Far Gone’ record. Couple that with spending half my life in Eastern Europe, where Dance music is the staple sound in all night-life scenes. ‘Honestly, Nevermind’ might be the perfect project for mates like me. Collaborating with African music heads, namely Black Coffee, who is credited as one of the fourteen-track album’s executive producers, Congolese Afrobeats genius Tresor, and Esona Tyolo, who happens to be Black Coffee’s son, is the cherry on top.
Drake continues to work with African creators, understanding that it is the cradle of the most sought sounds—Amapiano, Afrotech & Afrobeats.
How is the record sounding? Put ‘Passionfruit’ and ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ in a playlist and task Artificial Intelligence to fill it up with similar-sounding songs. There you have it—honesty, never mind. Unlike the usual colourful Dance tracks we hear on the radio, Drake serves us a sombre, laid-back bounce, with most of the tracks softly thumbing on four-on-the-floor. It’s highly recommended road trip music.
Jennifer Hudson enters exclusive EGOT club after winning first Tony Award
Celebrate Juneteenth, the longest-running African-American holiday in Leimert Park this weekend
On Saturday, Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival celebrates its fourth annual festival. The free event will again honour South Los Angeles’ Black community through art, music, food, and education—some things we need to be the best versions of ourselves.
Rotation, the Hip-Hop/R&B brand from Amazon Music, is excited to support the mission of Still Rising Corporation by curating ‘Live on Leimert’, the festival’s main stage. Coinciding with the third anniversary of the launch of Rotation, the lineup for the stage honours the next generation of Hip-Hop/R&B artists, including Buddy, Masego, and Smino. This collaboration is just the latest effort of “Credit The Culture”, the ongoing celebration of Black Music Month from Rotation and Amazon Music. Throughout June, Amazon Music will release new Amazon Originals from artists like Coco Jones, BLEU, and more; debut new playlists serving up music across Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and R&B; and livestream some of the most important events happening during Black Music Month.
DJ Qwesscoast, one of the event organisers, added, The Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival is the largest event in the history of the area, celebrating all things that elevate Black culture.
Leimert Park Rising is special. Every Juneteenth, the festival has been an essential celebration of Black freedom and the culture that has grown from it, said Tim Hinshaw, Head of Hip-Hop and R&B for Amazon Music. In the spirit of Black Music Month, Rotation is honored and humbled to be a part of this annual celebration, and we hope that the stage we’ve curated with the festival helps bring together the Leimert Park community.
I’m proud to support this year’s festival, said Herb Wesson, Councilman for City District 10 and the 2nd African American to ever serve as Speaker of the California State Assembly. Juneteenth is not only a day of celebration for freedom and emancipation but a day of pride for so many communities. It’s time to reflect and re-dedicate ourselves to action.
Every year since June 19, 1865, the Black community has come together in the spirit of freedom—a freedom that still prevails despite systemic threats to existence. Forty years ago, Robert Leonard began the tradition of Juneteenth in Leimert Park Village, which has been celebrated in varying ways in the years since. In 2018, a few dedicated creatives came together to put on the first-ever Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival. True to the essence of Leimert Park, this event continues to celebrate Black freedom by honouring the ancestors and our community through art, music, food, and education and has continued to be a cornerstone of the community.
Suppose you aren’t familiar with Juneteenth, no fret. We’ve got you covered. Here’s News 12 Brooklyn’s latest article with an in-depth explanation. It reads well.
Stream Ghanaian Afropop star Gyakie’s latest record ‘Something’
A week ago, Gyakie, the singer-songwriter with one of the unique voices on the planet, returned with her new song ‘Something’. It is about loyalty, showing up for others, and going through the motions of being in love. To celebrate the release, Gyakie, with dancers, performed a choreographed number that left her male fans drooling and wishing for an official music video.
Listen to the tiny and talented artist’s new track until we get a visual component.
Afrobeats legend Davido sits with Trevor Noah to discuss his North American Summer tour and raising $600,000 for orphans
Last night, Nigerian-American Afrobeats legend Davido visited his fellow African, Trevor Noah. During their conversation on the Comedy Central show, the pair talked about what’s important. You know, things like his next tour—We Rise by Lifting Others—in the United States, his new single ‘Stand Strong‘ with the Sunday Service Choir and last but not least, how he raised $600,000 from his fans on Venmo after tweeting for birthday donations. His birthday is November 21. Check out the full interview below to hear how temptations almost got him.
We’ve got you covered if you haven’t watched the official music video for ‘Stand Strong’ yet.