Kenyan  music sensation, Xenia Manasseh has been unveiled as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa ambassador for February.

The R&B singer-songwriter released her debut EP Fallin’ Apart in 2019, and has also racked up an impressive CV of writing credits and features with other artists, including work on projects by Tenyana Taylor, Sauti Sol, Mr Eazi, Tay Iwar and Burna Boy.

The Spotify EQUAL Africa programme seeks to provide female artists with the support and resources to grow their craft and reach worldwide audiences through multiple playlists. The beneficiaries also receive off-platform guidance and tools to help take their music careers to even greater heights.

“Being a part of the EQUAL programme is an honor. I’m honored to be recognized for my input and for my voice ESPECIALLY in a male-dominated industry. I’m honored to be a part of any programme that is built on inclusivity. Navigating this industry would be more difficult without platforms like these that seek to highlight that great art is great art no matter the source,” Manesseh says of her inclusion in the programme and on the EQUAL Africa playlist.

“Xenia is a rising star – and not just in her home country. The EQUAL programme looks to support talent just like hers and give women the tools and the platforms to grow their audiences and advance their careers in the music industry,” says Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu.

Check out Xenia Manasseh’s track with Hook titled A Little Thing Called Love on the EQUAL Africa playlist and get to know her with our artist Q&A:

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1. What is that one surprising thing your fans might not know about you?

If I didn’t do music I knew I was going to pursue being a professional football player.

2. When did you realise that making music was in your destiny and what is your WHY for pursuing this craft?

I didn’t realise making music was a part of my purpose until around 2019. After spending six months in Atlanta writing music almost every day, it became clearer and clearer. My why is because it is my purest form of self expression. Our gifts are given to us for free and I believe the most important thing we can do is to lean into that wholeheartedly.

I remember hearing phrases like, “If you don’t use your gifts they will be taken away,” and “Your gift will make room for you,” and over the years I’ve experienced and really started to understand how much weight those statements carry. Stepping into your purpose is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. I don’t do it because of the possible rewards or recognition that I may receive but simply because of how connected I feel to who I really am, and it only gets clearer the more I pursue it. I’m grateful and honestly blessed to receive anything after that.

3. Which African songs or artists did you grow up listening to?

Growing up I listened to African artists from all over thanks to my family’s love for music. The list is endless but to name a few we have the likes of Nameless, Nazizi, Khadja Nin, Brenda Fassie, Lady Jaydee, Youssou N’dour, Mzee Ngala, Oliver Mtukudzi… writing it down makes me realise how I’ve been exposed to all kinds of music my entire life.

4. To someone who has never heard your music, how would you describe the sound, tone, and style?

I always described myself as an R&B/Neo-Soul artist but now I would say there’s something for everyone with my Kenyan roots as the source of my inspiration. Songwriting made me curious about what “Xe” can bring to any genre so I’ll always try something new. Experimenting with different genres has allowed me to play with my sound and my tone. I can be grungy, I can be soft, I can be clear cut, I can be moody- it just depends on the song and how I’m feeling in the moment.

5. Any advice for someone dreading following their dreams?

Choosing to pursue all the things I am passionate about and living and learning through these experiences has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done and am still doing. I can’t be anything but grateful!! Take a chance on you, bet on you. Try it out, see how it makes you feel – be relentless and be grateful for every part of it.

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Sauti Sol premieres the Rhumba Japani video feat. Bensoul, Nviiri the Storyteller, Xenia Manasseh, Okello Max, NHP.

Off Sauti Sol’s fifth studio project, “Midnight Train“, comes this great record.

Days before the release of the video, the group revealed that the song was an ode to a Congolese band called Rhumba Japan they used to go and listen in the city before they become famous.

This is a Congolese band called Rhumba Japan. We used to go watch them play at Simmers after our band practice till late to avoid rush hour bus fare, because that’s when it was affordable to go home. Rhumba Japani is an ode to them & the significance of those times in our journey.

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Quotable lyrics

Kuna Rhumba for all you niggas ila
Rhumba Japani ndio Rhumba
Kuna Rhumba ya state house iko chini ya maji
Kuna Rhumba ya bunge
Ya majambazi Ukileta ujinga Utalala ndani ‘
Kuna Rhumba for all you niggas lakini
Rhumba Japani ndio Rhumba Hapa ni wapi, tume zungukwa na shisha na shashamani, mapochopocho na vinywaji mbali mbali, wengine wanatapika wakizirai…

Watch and enjoy

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‘Something Else’ is a sonically directed EP that is pleasing to the ear, and notwithstanding it showed more maturity, confidence, and control. It is somewhat sonorous and bangs at first listen with good production quality.

Mr Eazi understands what a body of work means, which in factual cases some don’t and it still not bad because some artistes are built on album-making mode while some dwell powerfully on singles delivery.

In 2013, Mr Eazi released his debut mixtape project ‘About to Blow‘, four years later he released ‘Life is Eazi, Vol. 1 (Accra to Lagos)’, and released Life is Eazi Vol.2 (Lagos to London) in 2018, he released ‘One Day You’ Will Understand’ just last year and yet we’re talking about another project unlocked.

Now, I’m thrill to highlight the project with singly observations as regards collective rundown.

Something Else EP Tracks Overview:

Track 1: The Don (Intro) Pre-Released

E-Kelly created an inviting space and both connected on a deeper level, the baby-like sound effect sampled at the beginning of the beat highlighted the atmosphere, introducing the feel in the mood kind of vibe.

Chorus:
“Man’a the don and I paid my price
I’m living like I’m in paradise
All of the girls say me sweet and nice
Oya sun gbalaja make I throw tonight”

It introduced a pompously dominated approach which gives the listener confidence and egomania, still a very noticeable character.

Catchy hook:
“Oya whine am low kole gbowo o (baby o)
To ba wa o ma gbowo o
So fun wo for igboro o
Umm moti gboro o”

The hook created another melodious and slightly ambient tone, tint nimble backup vocal that floats over multiplex beats.

Track 2: Love for You

The Spells-produced track expresses a great declaration of affection with an addictive tune, an infused afro high life sound, the chord reminds me of Runtown’s “Mad Over you” very suiting with mixed Ghana “twi” pidgin language.

Funnily enough but true is that Mr Eazi invented twi lines like ‘E be you‘ ‘Odeyewu‘ ‘Ohemaa‘ and the likes of it in today’s Nigeria afrobeats song

Chorus:
“You know say I gat love for you, I gat love for you
I gat love for you and I no go fuck up, o
You know say I gat love for you, I gat love for you
I gat love for you and I no go fuck up, o”

Track 3: Cherry Feat. Xenia Manasseh

This is an amazingly created piece with assistance from a 23-year-old Kenyan singer Xenia Manasseh.

The Blaq Jerzee‘s produced track got Mr Eazi diversified to express from his soul, fusing it with the Igbo language “Gwa m ịfe ị na-achọ (hmm) Ife gị na-ato m ụtọ” that makes it remarkably good.

Chorus:
Baby girl I want that Cherry Cherry Cherry
I need that Cherry Cherry Cherry
Can I bite that Cherry Cherry Cherry
Squeeze that Cherry Cherry

Track 4: Saudi Arabia

This song is a total vibe, produced by Blaq Jerzee, very danceable, make one want to start dancing, a vibe from start to finish, the pre-chorus sampled Solid Star 2014 hit “My body” featuring Timaya.

Chorus:
I go cherish you, I go treasure you
Everyday I go pamper you
Likey gold and silver wey I find
Likey gold and silver wey I find, oh
For Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, oh-oh
For Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, oh-oh (Chai)

Track 5: E Be Mad

This track is produced by  Kel P & Jaylon, it has that Sir Victor Uwaifo‘s guitar strings and high-life chords, one of the best-chilled songs on the project.

Chorus:
“E be mad o E be mad
E be mad o E be mad
For the night o For the night
Make you dey my side o for the night
Nne for my life o for my life
I no see your type o for my life
E be mad o E be mad
E be mad o E be mad”

Ratings:

Mid = 0.01
Average = 0.02
Good = 2.5
Excellent = 2.5> 

Conclusion:
Mp3bullet gives the project a 95.1% (Excellent) general rating.

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After much anticipation, Mr Eazi comes through with yet another EP tagged Something Else EP.

Banku Music Boss, MR EAZI shares his new EP, Something Else, available now on all DSPs. Something Else represents a “calm before the storm” as he continues his journey from the artist on breakthrough projects Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra To Lagos (2017) and Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos To London (2018) project to a globe-spanning entrepreneur and thought leader.

• RELATED: Mr Eazi – The Don [Music]
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Produced by Killertunes and E Kelly, the operatic first track “The Don” offers listeners the first taste of Something Else, and a window into MR EAZI’s ever-expanding world. While the next track “Love For You” is vintage Mr Eazi, a tender afrobeats track…

Listen up!

STREAM HERE

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