Afrobeats Head

Category: International Music

  • LODIC explores obsession and identity on “reflection”

    LODIC explores obsession and identity on “reflection”

    LODIC has released “reflection”, his 10th release, moving into darker electronic territory while exploring themes of obsession, identity and attachment.

    Released on August 12, the track centres on a narrator who becomes increasingly unable to separate himself from the object of his fixation. The idea of a reflection functions as both a literal image and a metaphor for an internal presence that becomes difficult to escape.

    “I followed my reflection / until I couldn’t walk away / I followed my reflection / knowing I shouldn’t have stayed,” LODIC sings.

    The production takes a darker and more atmospheric approach than the artist’s earlier electronic material, while melodic hooks remain central to the arrangement. The track moves between contrasting emotional states, including melancholy and euphoria, as the narrator confronts the relationship between attraction, identity and self-destruction.

    “reflection” forms part of LODIC’s ongoing exploration of identity, vulnerability and transformation, with the song leaving its central metaphor open to interpretation.

    “reflection” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Alex Alidor brings Gwo Ka into South African Afro-Jazz on “AUREL-LEE”

    Alex Alidor brings Gwo Ka into South African Afro-Jazz on “AUREL-LEE”

    Guadeloupean singer-songwriter Alex Alidor has released “AUREL-LEE”, a track that places traditional Gwo Ka alongside elements of South African Afro-Jazz and electronic production.

    The song uses Ka percussion as a central part of its rhythmic foundation, set against deep bass, shakers and electronic textures associated with contemporary African club music. The result connects a traditional Guadeloupean sound with a more modern production framework.

    “AUREL-LEE” is part of Alidor’s broader work across Afro-Caribbean and African-rooted sounds. His catalogue also draws from Reggae, slow-tempo music and Bolero, alongside Gwo Ka.

    Alidor is an independent singer-songwriter based in Guadeloupe who releases his music independently. He is also working on a debut book exploring themes of love, resilience and personal experience.

    “AUREL-LEE” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Hugh Peeple releases second album, “Room 2 Dance”

    Hugh Peeple releases second album, “Room 2 Dance”

    Hugh Peeple has released “Room 2 Dance”, the second album from the underground music project following a two-album run over two years.

    The project has involved several established musicians and producers, including Danny Saber, whose production credits include work with the Rolling Stones, Madonna and David Bowie, and guitarist Levi Seacer Jr., who previously played with Prince.

    “Room 2 Dance” follows Hugh Peeple’s earlier release as the project continues to operate largely outside the mainstream music landscape.

    The album’s production brings together the contributions of musicians with backgrounds across rock, pop and funk, placing Hugh Peeple’s work in a broader lineage of genre-crossing collaborations.

    “Room 2 Dance” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Stephen Crawford introduces “Resonant Sounds” alongside his book on resonance

    Stephen Crawford introduces “Resonant Sounds” alongside his book on resonance

    Author and speaker Stephen Crawford has released “Resonant Sounds”, a ten-song record created alongside his book, The Five Stages of Resonance.

    The project is built around the idea of a person as an instrument, using music as another way to explore the themes of resonance that run through Crawford’s writing.

    Crawford describes the record as a companion to the book, with “I Speak for Two”, “STRIKE ME I RING” and “Show Me the Dust!” identified as part of its central set. The record is also dedicated to Breeanna Smith, whom Crawford credits with seeing through him during a crowded-room encounter.

    Crawford is the author of The Five Stages of Resonance and has spoken in 33 countries. “Resonant Sounds” marks his move into recorded music, extending the ideas explored in his writing into a ten-song project.

    “Resonant Sounds” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Bodo Bifroest takes a late-night journey through Paris on “À Travers Paris”

    Bodo Bifroest takes a late-night journey through Paris on “À Travers Paris”

    a-night journey through Paris on “À Travers Paris”

    Bodo Bifroest blends Amapiano, Organic House, Afro and World Music influences on “À Travers Paris,” an instrumental track inspired by the French capital after sunset.

    The track draws from late-night walks and drives through Paris, using organic rhythms, melodic textures and African-inspired elements to create an atmospheric interpretation of the city.

    Rather than following a conventional club structure or functioning as a traditional travel soundtrack, “À Travers Paris” sits between the two. Its instrumental arrangement focuses on movement and atmosphere, reflecting the experience of passing through the city at night.

    The track is part of Bifroest’s broader approach to genre-blending electronic music, which spans Electronic, World, Hip-Hop and Lo-fi and Chill. His work also includes instrumental pieces alongside more lyrical material dealing with personal, social and global themes.

    Bifroest says his return to music followed an extended period shaped by illness, personal challenges and reflection, during which music became an outlet for his experiences.

    “À Travers Paris” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Eylsia Nicolas returns to music with contemporary pop single “If You Were Here”

    Eylsia Nicolas returns to music with contemporary pop single “If You Were Here”

    Eylsia Nicolas explores contemporary pop on her latest single, “If You Were Here,” following an unusual path into music that has included professional tennis, technology and a period away from singing.

    Before pursuing music, Eylsia competed in tennis, winning the Irish Open and appearing at Wimbledon and the US Open after entering the Orange Bowl at 10.

    An injury eventually ended her tennis career, after which she moved into music and technology. She later worked in Hollywood on a patented CD format and held executive and academic positions.

    Music remained part of her life, but a subsequent health setback made singing impossible. Eylsia says she lost part of her lung capacity and sustained damage to her vocal cords, leading to a long recovery.

    She eventually returned to creating music through work involving 3D spatial audio and restoration technology developed by her R&D team, which she says helped her rebuild enough of her voice to sing again.

    “If You Were Here” marks a return to music after that period. While Eylsia has explored different languages and orchestral approaches in her work, she describes the new song as contemporary pop at its core.

    The release follows a period in which her music has found an audience in parts of Asia.

    “If You Were Here” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • LODIC explores the silence after a relationship ends on “HEY”

    LODIC explores the silence after a relationship ends on “HEY”

    LODIC explores the moment of reaching out to someone who has already left on “HEY,” a melodic electronic track built around the uncertainty of whether they will respond.

    The song focuses on the impulse to call after someone who is walking away, even when there may be little reason to expect an answer. Its lyrics centre on the words left unsaid and the distance that follows the end of a relationship.

    “HEY” pairs cinematic electronic production with synth-led melodies, while its chorus arrives early in the track and becomes a central part of the arrangement.

    The song is part of LODIC’s broader series of interconnected releases, which explores themes including identity, belonging and the search for home. The artist has previously released “DROWN” and “SCARED” as part of the project.

    Rather than focusing on the breakup itself, “HEY” turns its attention to what comes after—the silence, lingering attachment and instinct to make one final attempt at being heard.

    “HEY” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Cyril Thys explores Paris and love on “Paris Ezali Bolingo”

    Cyril Thys explores Paris and love on “Paris Ezali Bolingo”

    Cyril Thys turns his attention to Paris on his latest release, “Paris Ezali Bolingo.”

    The song’s title combines French and Lingala, translating to “Paris is love,” and places the French capital at the centre of the track’s concept.

    Thys works across reggae, pop, electronic music and rap, and describes his music as an attempt to move between genres rather than remain within a single sound.

    “Paris Ezali Bolingo” follows other releases that have drawn from his connection to Paris. His catalogue includes “Un bain sur les quais parisiens,” a song inspired by moments spent along the Seine, as well as “Salam Alikoum,” which takes a roots reggae approach.

    “Paris Ezali Bolingo” is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Nasty Guerrero challenges the music industry’s approach to AI-assisted music

    Nasty Guerrero challenges the music industry’s approach to AI-assisted music

    Latin digital artist Nasty Guerrero has criticised the music industry’s growing efforts to regulate and restrict AI-assisted music, arguing that the debate is increasingly centred on control, ownership and revenue.

    In a statement, the project acknowledged platforms such as Suno for making AI music tools more accessible, but said its own music involves human producers, musicians and songwriters. Nasty Guerrero said technology is used as a tool within its creative process rather than as a replacement for the people involved.

    The project also disputed the idea that the use of AI or other digital tools should determine whether music is considered authentic. It argued that commercially released music lacking originality existed long before generative AI became part of the music-making process.

    Nasty Guerrero further raised concerns about the economics of independent music, arguing that independent creators are not receiving fair royalties while established industry structures continue to take a share of music revenue. The statement did not provide specific figures or evidence to support those claims.

    The project said its music remains rooted in culture and storytelling and that it does not intend to continue defending its creative process in response to criticism of its use of technology.

    Nasty Guerrero’s comments come amid an ongoing industry debate over how AI-generated and AI-assisted music should be identified, distributed and compensated. The statement represents the project’s position on that debate.

  • OHNomad blends Middle Eastern, classical and jazz influences on “Universal Connection: Rosenwald”

    OHNomad blends Middle Eastern, classical and jazz influences on “Universal Connection: Rosenwald”

    OHNomad has released “Universal Connection: Rosenwald,” a composition that brings together Middle Eastern musical influences with elements of classical and jazz.

    The piece is part of OHNomad’s broader “Universal Connection” series, which explores different cultural and musical references through individual compositions. The series has previously included works inspired by Japan and other places and figures.

    OHNomad began developing his music during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, drawing on experiences from earlier backpacking trips through countries including India and Tibet. Those travels influenced his approach to combining Eastern musical ideas with classical, jazz and metal.

    The artist, whose name is Owens Huang, premiered his first sonata, “Place of Origins,” at Taiwan’s National Recital Hall in 2023. In 2024, he presented “The Silicon Island” in Taiwan and “Universal Connection: Rosenwald” in Mountain View, California.

    “Universal Connection: Rosenwald” follows his later work, including “Universal Connection: Junko,” which was presented in Tokyo in 2025, and “The Awakening,” a composition centred on movement between conscious and unconscious states.

    The track is now available on streaming platforms.