Rihanna Hails African Music, Highlights International Appeal of Afrobeats and Amapiano
Global music icon Rihanna has hailed ‘Unavailable’, a track by Nigerian artist Davido and South African producer Musa Keys, as the best song of 2023. The song, a fusion of Afrobeats and amapiano, has been greatly enjoyed by Rihanna, as she confirmed during an interview with Complex magazine. Alongside ‘Unavailable’, the pop star also expressed her fondness for a track by South African artist Mnike, listing it as one of her favorite songs of the year.
Rihanna Commends African Music
The endorsement from Rihanna, a titan in the global music industry, underscores the growing international recognition and appeal of African music genres such as Afrobeats and amapiano. Her commendation was warmly received by Davido, who took to social media to express his delight. This event further emphasizes the power of celebrity endorsements in the music industry, and the potential ripple effect it can have on an artist’s career and exposure.
African Music on a Global Stage
Another testament to the increasing global acclaim of African music is the success of South African singer Tyla’s song ‘Water’. The track, which serves as the lead single from her debut studio album, achieved international recognition by topping the charts in New Zealand and ranking in the top ten in several other countries. The song was also nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
‘Water’: A Melting Pot of Genres
‘Water’ is a unique blend of amapiano, pop, R&B, and Afrobeats, and has sparked a viral dance challenge on TikTok. Tyla’s vocal range on the track spans from the low note of G3 to the high note of C5, a breadth of one octave and five tones. The official music video for ‘Water’ premiered on YouTube on 6 October 2023 and was filmed in the bustling city of New York.
