Image: Bolivia Inteligente

It’s that time of year again, dear reader. Here at Afropean.com, we’re delighted to revive our newfound tradition (est. 2023) of reflecting on the songs and artists that have made our musical year and sharing these gems with our cherished readership. A different playlist from a member of the team will be posted every few days, up to and including the New Year. For this edition, Afropean.com tech maven and reigning champion of the End-of-Year Music Retrospective, Yomi Bazuaye shares his 2024 favourites.

God Gave Me Feet for Dancing by Ezra Collective ft. Yazmin Lacey

Just like last year; I start with Ezra Collective. In 2024, they get top slot on my list for:
1. Perfect timing. This high life, dollar wine, summer-ready bop was released just before summer.
2. Selflessness. The band took themselves out of the video and gave the (incredible) dancers centre stage.
3. Working miracles. Somehow, someone managed to inspire Radio 1 Xtra daytime DJs to play this (vocal jazz) song to their audience. An incredible feat when you take into account how limited most mainstream radio is.

Three Piece Suit by Kokoroko ft. Azekel

Afro-beat influenced Jazz continues to draw big audiences, and Kokoroko – with a changed line-up – continue to forge gems like this.  New EP in late 2024, new album planned for 2025.  Rejoice.

Black and British by Wretch 32 (ft. Little Simz and Benjamin AD)

Enter Little Simz (the final member of my UK-Naija triumvirate), joining forces with Wretch 32 on this emotive track about the Black British experience.
There are also a few ear-catching tunes on Little Simz Drop 7 EP.

In My Bag by Flo

Another great song from a great debut album from a great group.
Young people, singing structured songs (verse, bridge, refrain, etc ..), free from autotune, working with musicians  (not just producers + software).
If you have kids: you should make them listen to this.

Happiness by Sarz ft. Asake & Gunna

The title of this track is 100% apt.
N.B.: The name of the artist is not to be confused with SARS (acronym for the now defunct, but eternally infamous: Special Anti-Robbery Squad that caused no happiness whatsoever for the Naija population).

Let Not (Your Heart Be Troubled) by Lady Blackbird

The choral arrangement in this tune is explosive(!)
If you think that this sounds like the theme from a Bond film, you are not alone (just look at the comments).

 Soh-soh by Odeal

This is my “biggest club tune of 2024″.
I’m too old to go clubbing, but I don’t let that stop me from giving out this award.

Wanted by Willow ft. Kamasi Washington

This is far away from what I expected when I heard: “Willow Smith, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith”.
Willow’s music has been acclaimed by some of the snobbiest music critics on the planet. These type of plaudits are usually reserved for music that is difficult to relate to and/or difficult to understand, but, for my money; Willow’s music is neither of these things. Kamasi Washington‘s presence on this tune might be influencing my opinion, but he is not on Symptom of Life, and I’m into that too. Willow’s songwriting is incredible, I’m definitely expecting to see her name on my 2025 version of this list.

 Love Me Jeje by Tems

Those who criticise Tems‘ singing will surely agree that she does everything right on this tune!

 Tiny Desk concert – The Baylor Project

A 20 minute set from the Grammy nominated vocal jazz band.
5 minutes into watching this for the first time, I realised that the lead singer is Jean Baylor from Zhané (I hope you remember Zhané, dear reader? You and I are not going to stay friends for long if you don’t)!

 Black Music Month: James Poyser  (part one above, part two: here): Questlove Supreme podcast

This is not a song, or a live set; this is more like the ultimate fireside chat.  Fans of The Roots (and who isn’t, nowadays?) will immediately recognise Questlove and James Poyser, and will not struggle to believe that they have been around the block a few times (and will have some interesting stories to tell).  But who knew that James spent the first 10 years of his life in Sheffield (U.K.)?

Who knew that James saw (a very unsuccessful) Mark Morrison live set way, way (way) before Return of the Mack?  Who knew that Viktor Duplaix based his stage name on adult film actress Daphnee Dupleix?(!) Who knew that 90s RnB favourites The Whitehead Brothers are the children of John Whitehead of McFadden and Whitehead fame?

… and wait until you hear the stories they have to tell about Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Common and Boyz II Men…

Wishing all our readers much peace and joy this Christmas/End-of-Year season and beyond.