Afrobeats Head

Category: International Music

  • Eylsia Nicolas reflects on fortune, struggle and the world around us in “Ashes On the Wind”

    Eylsia Nicolas reflects on fortune, struggle and the world around us in “Ashes On the Wind”

    Singer and songwriter Eylsia Nicolas, the stage name of Lisa Pamintuan, returns to music with “Ashes On the Wind,” a folk-inspired ballad that reflects on the contrast between personal good fortune and the difficulties faced by people around the world.

    The song combines philosophical songwriting with a light Eurobeat pulse, creating a sound that places reflective lyrics against a subtle rhythmic foundation. Rather than presenting an uncomplicated view of success, “Ashes On the Wind” considers the circumstances that shape people’s lives and the distance between having much and recognising what others may be going through.

    Nicolas plans to release the song phonetically in several languages, extending its central ideas beyond a single linguistic or cultural audience.

    The new release follows an unconventional path back to music. Before working as a recording artist, Nicolas competed in tennis as a teenager, including appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open. Her tennis career ended after injuries, after which she pursued law and moved into the record business.

    Her professional life later expanded into education and entrepreneurship. She founded a higher education facility in China and subsequently became one of the youngest college presidents in the United States, according to her biography. She also launched the luxury brand Nicolas of Palm Beach while continuing to develop her music under the name Eylsia Nicolas.

    Her return to recording followed another period of personal difficulty. After a period of intense professional pressure and rehabilitation, Nicolas turned towards education and later returned to the music ambitions she had previously put aside. Her biography also describes the impact of COVID-19 on her health and her subsequent work to restore her singing voice.

    Those experiences inform the perspective behind “Ashes On the Wind.” Rather than simply recounting her own story, Nicolas uses the new release to consider the wider human experience, including the privileges people may have, the struggles others face and the need to remain conscious of both.

    “Ashes On the Wind” by Eylsia Nicolas is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Héli calls for unity, hope and humanity on “El Grito (Dance With The Flow)”

    Héli calls for unity, hope and humanity on “El Grito (Dance With The Flow)”

    Brazilian singer-songwriter Héli has released “El Grito (Dance With The Flow),” a new song centred on unity, hope and humanity.

    The track uses music as a vehicle for a message about coming together and maintaining hope in a divided world. At the heart of “El Grito” is a call for greater empathy and wisdom, particularly among those in positions of leadership.

    Héli describes the song as an appeal to a higher power to illuminate world leaders, inspire wisdom and empathy, and guide society towards a more just, compassionate and united world.

    The song also reflects Héli’s connection with audiences across different communities. The Brazilian singer-songwriter performed “El Grito (Dance With The Flow)” during a July 4 celebration in North Miami, where she appeared with her band as part of an event bringing together audiences from different nationalities living in South Florida.

    “El Grito (Dance With The Flow)” is available now on streaming platforms.

  • Shmu and Ziller Bas introduce “Mino Nawe” from collaborative album “Safari ya Bamba”

    Shmu and Ziller Bas introduce “Mino Nawe” from collaborative album “Safari ya Bamba”

    Swiss rapper and producer Shmu and Kenyan artist Ziller Bas have released “Mino Nawe,” the first single from their forthcoming collaborative album “Safari ya Bamba.”

    Meaning “Me and You” in Swahili, “Mino Nawe” centres on trust, connection and the beginning of a shared journey. The song reflects the idea that some paths into the unknown become possible when they are taken with another person.

    The track was born from an unplanned creative encounter on the Kenyan coast. While Shmu was working on the instrumental, Kenyan singer Idza spontaneously began singing what would become the chorus. The following morning, Shmu wrote his verse on the beach in Kilifi, turning the improvised moment into the starting point for the wider “Safari ya Bamba” project.

    Musically, “Mino Nawe” brings contemporary hip-hop together with influences from the East African coast. Rather than positioning the track strictly within either Swiss or Kenyan musical traditions, Shmu and Ziller Bas use the collaboration to explore what can emerge from the meeting of two cultures.

    Shmu is a rapper, producer and communication strategist from Winterthur, Switzerland. His work combines personal storytelling, social reflection and documentary-inspired songwriting. His creative exchange with Kenya developed into a long-term partnership with Ziller Bas.

    Ziller Bas is a rapper, songwriter and producer from Kilifi on Kenya’s coast. His music incorporates contemporary hip-hop alongside influences from Giriama culture and the Swahili coast.

    The two artists previously collaborated on the independent album “Mekatilili,” which reached No. 11 on the Swiss Album Charts. “Safari ya Bamba” continues their creative dialogue around friendship, identity, culture and the traces left by travel.

    “Mino Nawe” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Mr. Chichi shares EDM “Dance Floor”

    Mr. Chichi shares EDM “Dance Floor”

    Germany-based independent Pop and EDM artist Mr. Chichi has released “Dance Floor,” an upbeat track centred on music, movement and the experience of coming together.

    The song combines electronic dance production with melodic hooks and a positive lyrical message. Its central theme is the release that can come from stepping onto the dance floor, leaving everyday concerns behind and sharing a moment with others through music.

    “Dance Floor” encourages listeners to embrace movement and enjoy the present, with its lyrics focused on having a good time, dancing and finding reassurance through music. The track’s club-oriented production places it within contemporary Pop, Dance and EDM.

    Mr. Chichi’s relationship with music dates back to the late 1980s, when he began performing as a drummer and vocalist. He later performed across Europe with several bands before developing his current work as an independent recording artist.

    Now based in Germany, Mr. Chichi works as a singer, songwriter and performer, combining his experience in live music with electronic production. His music explores themes including celebration, love and togetherness.

    “Dance Floor” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • 24H of SOL introduces debut EP with “The Pressure”

    24H of SOL introduces debut EP with “The Pressure”

    Paris-based DJ and producer 24H of SOL introduces “The Pressure,” a forthcoming EP that marks what the artist describes as part of their debut project.

    The project follows 24H of SOL’s exploration of a sexy Italo-inspired sound, with the artist producing the material while developing a distinct direction for the release.

    The EP represents an early stage in 24H of SOL’s catalogue, bringing together the sounds and ideas developed during the artist’s recent production work.

    “The Pressure” is the artist’s debut EP project, with further details on the release to follow.

  • Santino explores love and emotion on new single “Afrolove”

    Santino explores love and emotion on new single “Afrolove”

    French independent artist Santino introduces his latest release, “Afrolove,” a new single shaped by his interest in emotion, contemporary sounds, and personal storytelling.

    The track sits within Santino’s broader approach to music, which draws on themes of life, love, and dreams while allowing him to explore different sounds. “Afrolove” brings that perspective into a song centred on love, connecting Santino’s personal songwriting approach with African-inspired musical influences.

    For Santino, music is a way to explore emotion and create freely. His independent approach allows him to move between sounds while developing an identity rooted in the stories and feelings behind his songs.

    “Afrolove” marks another step in Santino’s developing catalogue as he continues to explore the relationship between emotion, love, and contemporary music.

    “Afrolove” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Ed-Ward announces “Rhythm of the Night” featuring Deena G. from forthcoming album “Dreamer”

    Ed-Ward announces “Rhythm of the Night” featuring Deena G. from forthcoming album “Dreamer”

    Following “After Losing My Mind,” Ed-Ward returns with “Rhythm of the Night,” the second single from his forthcoming album “Dreamer,” released under Kaphonic Records.

    The new track brings Ed-Ward together with Deena G., marking a collaboration between the two artists as they explore another chapter of the “Dreamer” project. Their meeting on the record combines their respective musical approaches while keeping the focus on the atmosphere and rhythm at the centre of the song.

    “Rhythm of the Night” follows Ed-Ward’s earlier single “After Losing My Mind” and continues the rollout toward “Dreamer.” The forthcoming album is expected to feature additional collaborations as Ed-Ward develops the project’s broader musical world.

    The collaboration with Deena G. adds another voice to the album’s narrative, with “Rhythm of the Night” serving as the latest introduction to the sound and direction of “Dreamer.”

    “Rhythm of the Night” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Lexy Pondis explores love, loyalty and gossip on new single “YAWA”

    Lexy Pondis explores love, loyalty and gossip on new single “YAWA”

    UK-based independent artist Lexy Pondis has released “YAWA,” an Afrobeats and Afro-fusion single centred on vulnerability, romantic devotion, and the pressure that outside opinions can place on a relationship.

    Built around pulsing percussion and melodic hooks, the track tells the story of a love that faces interference from people attempting to tear the couple apart. Rather than focusing solely on the romance, “YAWA” also explores the tension between staying vulnerable and remaining committed when gossip begins to surround a relationship.

    For Lexy, the song brings together three ideas: vulnerability, defiance against gossip, and romantic celebration. Its high-energy chorus gives those themes a rhythmic centre, expressing the narrator’s determination to remain devoted despite the noise around them.

    “YAWA” forms part of Lexy’s developing Afrofusion sound, combining contemporary Afrobeats rhythms with relatable relationship-focused storytelling. The track balances the emotional subject matter with an upbeat production designed for both personal listening and social settings.

    Lexy Pondis is a UK-based independent artist working within contemporary Afrofusion, with a sound that combines African-influenced rhythms and personal storytelling.

    “YAWA” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Nasty Guerrero introduces virtual Afro-Latina project with new single “VICTORY”

    Nasty Guerrero introduces virtual Afro-Latina project with new single “VICTORY”

    Nasty Guerrero, a virtual Afro-Latina artist created entirely in the digital realm, has released her new single “VICTORY,” introducing a project that brings together digital identity, 1980s Vogue ballroom culture, and club music.

    Rather than relying solely on generative AI imagery, Nasty Guerrero is presented as a custom-built transmedia avatar with an artistic identity rooted in ballroom culture and contemporary digital storytelling. The project explores the space between virtual representation and human expression, built around the idea that an artist does not have to exist physically to create an emotional or cultural connection.

    “VICTORY” draws from the sound and energy of 1980s ballroom, combining club-focused production with the visual world surrounding Nasty Guerrero’s digital persona. The release forms part of a broader transmedia project in which music and hyper-visual storytelling work together to develop the character and her world.

    At the centre of Nasty Guerrero’s concept is the contrast between her virtual form and the human creativity behind the music and culture that shape her identity. “VICTORY” marks the beginning of the project’s musical releases.

    “VICTORY” is available now on streaming platforms.

  • Massca brings Afro Latin rhythms to the dancefloor on new single “Baila Na Na”

    Massca brings Afro Latin rhythms to the dancefloor on new single “Baila Na Na”

    Massca has released “Baila Na Na,” a dance-pop single that blends Afrobeats and Latin-inspired rhythms into a vibrant summer-ready anthem.

    Driven by warm percussion, infectious grooves, and a memorable female vocal hook, the track is built around feel-good energy from the very first beat. Its upbeat production combines contemporary dance-pop with Afro Latin influences, creating a sound designed for beach parties, clubs, and warm-weather playlists.

    With “Baila Na Na,” Massca embraces an international approach to dance music, fusing rhythmic African influences with Latin flair while keeping the focus on irresistible melodies and movement. The result is a bright, energetic record that captures the carefree spirit of summer.

    “Baila Na Na” is available now on major streaming platforms.