Kwach: Haiku

Racing, he surged forth.
The things we wanted to do.
And into the mist.

Is it Because I Love You ~ Lil Kesh ft. Patoranking

An earnest voice.

Youthful zest.
Singalongish.
Draws the attention...
Party Animist.

Gud.

MUSIC: Patoranking's Song, "Make Am", Has a Distinctive Eastern-Central African Tune

Seriously, I detect an Eastern-Central African 'flava' or turn of melodic phrase(ology), in Patoranking's Make Am (thanks in great part to Ebonyi State Band, which accompanies him with so much passion). If you grew up, or have grown up, in the Great Lakes region (call that Great Lakes and Rivers), more specifically, you would know. And just moments ago (that's early last night already -- I must publish this piece soonest) I happened to be watching a video of Oritsefemi's Nack Am on MTV Base (though a subsequent search has yielded only this audio version online) and I'm saying, "Wait! That, too!" Oritsefemi's unique voice-asset is still coming through -- and he's an outstanding icon of African music today -- but there's ferment in the background which, if things go on like this, won't go away but only grow.

READ: Make Am ranks number 21 in #Africa'sTop40PopSongsOfTheYear2015

I'm beginning to wonder if Nigerian music isn't turning a corner and beginning to somehow "alter" -- that is, to add spice to its huge repertoire of sounds and instrumental 'play' -- in order to maintain its emphatic continental leadership and advantage in these matters. If that's it, so be it. Perhaps this 'altering' is a passing fad, or a 'rooted' tapping of something deep inside Nigeria's complex culture that's only now seeming to outsiders like me to be percolating to the surface. If  a tapping, it'll just go to show that Nigerian artistes can still do lots of permutations with stuff that's deeply inside what's, well, Nigeria's artistic weltanschauung. If a passing fad, then too bad, for that sound is going to be welling up and heard more and more, anyway, as artistes elsewhere on the continent innovate and improvise -- and mine 'suchlike' tunes and tones of possibility -- in order to stay confounding steps ahead of "each other".

We're still on Make Am, but I'd just like to say in passing that one of the most attention-grabbing songs out of Nigeria right now (certainly to me), and which I think is distinctly Nigerian and truly accomplished in its vocal heaves and turns -- the kind we other Africans will hear, perhaps in a supermarket or on radio, and quickly say "That's Nigerian" -- is KJV's Common Sense (forget the awkwardly hilarious 'bedroom' shenanigans which we may blame on the story-line, but which might in turn be blamed entirely on a portion of the lyrics). It's such a memorable song.

Now, about Make Am. There's that wonderful strumming of guitar strings -- which awakens old (older) memories, alright, as it repeats and repeats. The chorus is such a one as, blended with the strumming, one re-collects from a sentimental past. All pasts tend to veer toward the sentimental, anyway, if one didn't have a bad childhood or conflicted youth. And, of course, if one didn't, then all pasts are seemingly wrapped only in things one wants to occasionally remember -- things it doesn't hurt to look back with jaded eyes to -- if only in daydreams. Songs do help all that along.


Click to watch the video


The tune in Make Am is my tune. That's the first thing I really wanted to say, before everything else I've said. Really! Listen, and you'll know. The voice is without a doubt Patoranking's. I think Awilo Longomba, a dominant spirit of all that's good in living African musical culture, would agree with all this, too. But, of course, I don't speak for him; and have never met him in person. One day we will, I hope, have a chat where and why the Greater Congo, his country, stopped where it seemingly did. And where we go from there.

Perhaps I was just using Make Am as an opportunity, and an excuse, to say one or two other things I've been meaning to say, and been hearing as well, about the place of Nigeria in Africa's musical future. And then I detect this: What greater Africa's largely untapped musical wealth means for the future of Nigeria's own, and already vibrant, music!

PS: NOW TAKE A LISTEN TO: Longomba's Karolina

Africa's Top 40 Pop Songs of 2015 ~ #TheYamboSelection

I. INTRODUCTION

This is the second annual edition of #TheYamboSelection, presenting the full list of Africa's Top 40 Pop Songs of 2015. The same criteria have been used this year (2015) as were used last year to select and rank the best songs out of those released or published during the year. However, the final list has grown from 25 last year to 40 in 2015. 

There is just so much really good lay music out of Africa these days that you sense you are not doing anyone justice by listing less rather than more; but there is a limit to any leeway. The listing task requires more and more meticulous attention  because of growing complexity arising from a discernible and laudable burst of creativity up and down sub-Sahara, and with easier and faster online access to artists' creations, and 'the market'. Every region seems to be catching up with the 'pioneers' and demanding attention by sheer activity and flashes of brilliance. No one can sit on their laurels.

The focus of this list is the song, not the singer, with the added requirement that only songs in video form qualify. In addition, the song must broadly fit the standard definition of popular (or pop) music

CLICK HERE For the Full Introduction and Selection Criteria
ALSO READ: Africa's Top 25 Songs of 2014



II. THE LIST AND RANKS OF AFRICA'S TOP 40 SONGS 2015
[Click on a Song's title to watch the video]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the record, the latest number of YouTube views per song is given under each of the Songs numbered 40 down to 11. The data were captured during a two-hour period (2:20 - 4:26 p.m.) on December 31, 2015. This post was published just over one hour later, at 5:35 p.m. One can use the figures as baselines for the respective songs, which can be tracked over time for a number of reasons. The Top 10 have their own respective baselines, as shown above. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

40. Baby Don't Go by Muthoni The Drummer Queen and Khuli Chana (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 3,921

39. Boss Zonke by Riky Rick (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 699,074

38. Kisses by Fifi Cooper ft AB Crazy (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 201,302

37. Love Phobic by H_ART THE BAND (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 102,643
Click here to read comment

36. Okoro by Jowana (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 9,542

35. Say You Love Me by Leriq ft. Wizkid (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 372,697
Click here to read comment

34. Amarula by Roberto (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 293,999

33. Shake Yo Bam Bam by Sauti Sol (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 721,191
Click here to read comment

32. Come Around by Staizz ft. Cheddah (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 2,080


31. Sugar Baby by Reekado Banks (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 581,760

30. Open and Close by Simi (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 60,892
Click here to read comment

29. Game by Navy Kenzo ft. Vanessa Mdee (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 592,780

28. Ihale  by Susumila (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 30,374
Click here to read comment

27. Hitsakile by Skalled ft. Ziqo and Uhuru (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 8,184
Click here to read comment

26. Ebelebe by Tee tee (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 920
Click here to read comment

25. Baby Paulina by Ketchup ft. Uhuru (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 45,741
Click here to read comment


24. Sijazoea by AT (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 191,796
Click here to read comment


23. Celebrity Girlfriend by Falz ft. Reekado Banks (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 329,410

22. Fans Mi by Davido + Meek Mill (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post:  4,387,596

21. Make Am by Patoranking (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 28,391
Click here to read comment

20. Laye by Kiss Daniel (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 2,809,191

19. Don't Stop by Olamide (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 260,863

18. Bestie by D'Prince x Don Jazzy x Baby Fresh (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 250,361
Click here to read comment

17. Take it Slow by Zikki ft. Jaguar (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 146,973
Click here to read comment


16. She Need Am by Cheezy Chi (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 1,269


15. Soweto Baby by DJ Maphorisa ft. Wizkid (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 217,054

14. Sexy Rosey By Mr. Flavour ft. P-Square (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 3,245,677

13. Igbeyawo by OritseFemi (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 213,718
Click here to read comment

12. Soke by Burnaboy (2015):
Views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 1,043,602
Click here to read comment

11. Enemy Solo by Awilo Longomba ft. P-Square (2015):
YouTube views on record just prior to the publication of of this post: 2,097,063

10. So Good by Eddy Kenzo (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

9. Melo Melo by Olamide (2015):

Click here to read comment on this song

8. Kaunyaka by Chege + Mh Temba ft. Dj Maphorisa (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

7. Chekecha Cheketua by Alikiba (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

6. Muita Areia by C4 Pedro ft. Big Nelo + Kaysha (Video ft. Rlynda) (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

5. Never Ever by Vanessa Mdee (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

4. Fakosi by Sun X ft. Timaya (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song


3. Reggae Blues by Harrysong ft. Olamide + Iyanya + Kcee + Orezi 015)
Click here to read comment on this song

2. Nana by Diamond Platnumz ft. Mr. Flavour (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song
READ: Diamond Platnumz's bioinfo

1. King Kong Remix by Vector, Phyno, Reminisce, Classiq and Uzi (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

#TheYamboSelection 2015: Introduction and Selection Criteria

This is the second annual edition of #TheYamboSelection, presenting the full list of Africa's Top 40 Pop Songs of the Year, 2015. The same criteria have been used this year (January to December 2015) as were used last year to select and rank the best songs out of those released or published during the year. However, the final list has grown from 25 last year to 40 in 2015. 

There is just so much really good lay music out of Africa these days that you sense you are not doing anyone justice by listing less rather than more; but there is a limit to any leeway. The listing task requires more and more meticulous attention  because of growing complexity arising from a discernible and laudable burst of creativity up and down sub-Sahara, and with easier and faster online access to artists' creations, and 'the market'. Every region seems to be catching up with the 'pioneers' and demanding attention by sheer activity and flashes of brilliance. No one can sit on their laurels.

The focus of this list is the song, not the singer, with the added requirement that only songs in video form qualify. In addition, the song must broadly fit the standard definition of popular (or pop) music; that is, music in any of these distinct genres, or any combination of them: Benga, Blues, Bongo Flava, Hip Hop, Kwaito, RnB, Rap, Reggae, Rock or Soul. We are not dealing here with gospel, classical  or traditional music; although borderline cases or creative partial 'fusions' with them will always be considered.

Commentary is embedded in the list below on each of the Top 10 Songs, and only these. Where possible, you will find selected links to additional comments or information about individual songs, even over and above the ten. Other reviews, not necessarily restricted to songs on this year's Top 10 or Top 40, will be published on the blog or elsewhere as and when appropriate. Indeed, some titles on the present list were already previously reviewed, and you will find links to a selection of them. 

Finally, as we start browsing and clicking, let's remember that Top 10 is hallowed space. Only the best songs should populate it, in proper order, regardless of country or sex or language or ethnic identity or religion, or race; and here they do. In 'best songs' we include only those songs in which the singers have made patently creative use of those elements that characterize all music (of which pop is an integral part) in order to give them (the songs) superior appeal to the average or accomplished ear. These elements are: Tone, melody, harmony, beat, rhythm, pitch, audibility, tempo, and the visual impact. 

Pop music is 'popular' in the sense that it resonates with large publics, in their present (or day-to-day, or contemporary) circumstances. If not pop, it is traditional in orientation, and thus locked in, and into, the past. Over time, it is important to realize, day-to-day begins inexorably to provide a break with what we may call the past. This is distinctly the case in multicultural environments, or the 'melting pots' of  deep-urban localities.

As already pointed out, Yambo Selection rates only music videos. The point here is that an artist who does not release the video version of a song is simply not ready for big time with that song. Fans nowadays want to see what's going on with the artiste and his or her 'band' while the song is sung. Today's pop scene, it seems obvious, is inescapably audio-visual. Sound quality matters exceedingly, and so does the quality of the visual dimension. And let's not forget that the production of a video is a cooperative venture between the artiste(s) and the video director/producer. The latter do deserve credit too when things go really right.

Success demands that the audio-visual challenge be simultaneously attacked from two perspectives: (a) From the performance perspective, the artiste's obligation is to produce the vocals, the lyrics and the dance or 'stage' routines (the 'body language') that together signify, accentuate or enhance his or her persona in the eyes and ears of the fans. (b) From the recording perspective, both the sounds (in all their permutations and combinations) and the visuals are technically the responsibility of the cinematographer and/or the video director/producer.

The artiste must therefore choose very carefully, and it costs a tidy sum to commit the people who can produce a video of high technical and artistic quality. Indeed, as directors such as Clarence Peters, Justin Campos, MattMax, C.A.R.D.O.S.O and Moe Musa know -- and as those who know their work do too -- the task of directing/producing a winning music video is not merely a technical challenge but a demanding creative-artistic one as well. This does of course rope in the actors, the artistes, as everything visual converges on the set. Certainly, the dancing and other forms of acting must be well choreographed for the camera and synchronized with the song, even if the sound of a particular single or track comes to the set pre-recorded.

The naming of more than one hit inevitably prompts the question as to which hit comes first, and which next or last. Sometimes, all too often perhaps, there are ties which must be broken and songs which must thus, regrettably, be excluded. The more valued the list, the greater the regret all around.

In selecting and ranking Africa's Top 40 hits -- limited to Sub-Sahara as already indicated -- the following six criteria (each on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest score) have served as a guide (and thus an otherwise altogether qualitative proposition is tempered with a known procedure):

1. The creative appeal and musicality of the voice asset.
2. The choice and mastery of the musical instruments in play.
3. The poetic form and content of the lyrics.
4. The artistic and aesthetic depth of the video component.
5. The synchronic or choreographic quality of the audio-visual product, in terms of: harmony, tone, melody, rhythm, beat and color (dis)play.
6. Based on the foregoing, how the entire single/track, from beginning to end, impresses me -- or makes me feel about my encounter with it. This criterion also serves as a qualitative tie-breaker; that is, a virtual 'casting vote' whenever any other criteria yield a quantitative tie.

In addition to the six criteria, the maximum number of listed titles under which an artist may be indicated as the lead singer in a given year is firmly restricted to three; but there is no limit to the number of times an artist may feature or make cameo appearances in listed songs or videos.

GO TO: List of Africa's Top 40 Pop Songs Of The Year, 2015


Updated: January 19, 2016

MUSIC: Unforgettable 'Kaunyaka' by Chege + Mh Temba ft. DJ Maphorisa

For the record, Chege, the lead singer, is a Tanzanian; not a Kenyan as many Kenyans who see the name for the first time might, in all 'fairness', suppose. Let me make another supposition: There are more Kenyans, from the wider Mt. Kenya region, called Chege (or Cege) than Tanzanians any day. But the singer we're looking at here isn't for this reason 'probably' Kenyan, but Tanzanian [Chege Chigunda is his full stage-name, but wait till you see his real name]. Mh Temba is also a Tanzanian. DJ Maphorisa, on the other hand, is a South African who, at the publication of this song, was still a member of the Uhuru music group. 

Click to watch the video

Kaunyaka is sung mostly in Swahili, which the average Tanzanian speaks (sings, even) with more finesse than the Kenyan, as we Kenyans are the first to acknowledge. We, who are more torn than they "between" English, (Ki)Swahili and whatever ethnic language we variously "belong to". 

Click Here For The: Kaunyaka Lyrics

DJ Maphorisa's presence adds distinct flavor to the lyrics and the tempo of the dance, not to speak of the vocal energy. But Chege's voice is the dominant voice, and it clearly gives this wonderful song its 'lean-forward' character, its twen-zetu (let's go gal) appeal. The picture quality is HD, the acoustics are superb, the girls are pretty as a picture, and the sun's super shiny.

Kaunyaka has a rousing dance-hall beat, but would do just as well inside a supermarket, shopping mall or fast-food joint. It is, indeed, a sun-wrapped offering, by these scarcely appreciated but undeterred performers, to all of us.

NOTE: Kaunyaka was published on February 18th, 2015, and had 387,243 YouTube views at 5:30 p.m. on December 29, 2015 (GMT+3).  

Alikiba's 'Chekecha Cheketua' is Great Music, But Why is He Still Underrated Across Africa?

Why is Alikiba so underrated, by seemingly everyone, when his singing is so good? He simply "don't get no respect". Let's hope that this ranking, fully justified by the musical quality of Chekecha Cheketua, will help. Let us hope, too, that the kind of exposure he has recently gained in Coke Studio Africa, and on Kenya's NTV, will begin to turn the tide and expand his fan base. He is in fact in Kenya right now for new year festivities in Machakos County. I'm sure he'll be doing the rounds in Nairobi.

I am not so sure, though, that the format adopted in Coke Studio really enhances the stature, or self-image, of artistes already at or near the top of their game. Instead, it seems to level both, and the artiste's differentiating edge, downwards -- toward the LCD. Perhaps the attendance fee that they receive is too attractive for critical thinking, or simply saying no. 

Another thing: the stage format does not avail the versatility that shooting on location does, and so it remains constricted and constricting training 'ground'. Nor do the organizers of Coke Studio appear to understand that providing for large live-audiences (costly as this may be) is crucial to having the performers really fired up and tightening the loose ends. No artiste has excelled in any of the video-clips (including the vaunted "mash ups") that I have looked at; but enough of that.

Chekecha Cheketua, directed by Meji Alabi, was shot on location in South Africa, as is evident in the video scenes themselves. It is a really good song, as the video availed below shows. Melodious guitar tunes thread through its entire spread, taking the listener's attention away from all potential distractions, and so focusing one's sentiments to the merriment at hand. 

Alikiba's own voice is a fine-tuned musical instrument in itself, which he uses to captivating effect. Fine lyrics please the ear unceasingly, even if one does not understand a word of Swahili -- but I do. The dance elements are sensuous, and the dancers themselves are in unflagging high spirits from beginning to end. The costumes are colorfully and creatively selected for the various roles, and provide their own community of visual ebbs and flows. The Director's controlling hand appears effortless, but clearly controls with a knowing eye and ear. And there is, thus, a near-perfect harmony of strings, percussion, voice, light, colors, movement, dance and shifting micro-locations.


NOTE: This song was published on June 29, 2015. It recorded 2,071,728 YouTube views on December 29th, 2015, at 9:55 p.m. (GMT + 3).

Here, be your own witness to this song's superior quality:

Africa's Top 10 Pop Songs of 2015 ~ #TheYamboSelection

INTRODUCTION:

This is an excerpt of the second annual edition of Yambo Selection, presenting only Africa's Top 10 Pop Songs of The Year, 2015. The excerpt includes some commentary on each of the Top 10 Songs, or links to related comments and information. 

Other reviews, not necessarily restricted to songs on this year's Top 5, Top 10, Top 20, Top 25 or Top 40, will continue to be published on the blog or elsewhere as and when appropriate. Indeed, some titles on this list were already previously reviewed. 

Finally, as we start looking at, and using, the list, let us remember that Top 10 is hallowed space. Only the best songs should populate that space, in proper order, regardless of country or sex or language or ethnic identity or religion, or race; and here they do.


HERE IS THE LIST OF AFRICA'S TOP 10 POP SONGS OF 2015
[Click on a Song's title to watch the video]

10. So Good by Eddy Kenzo (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

9. Melo Melo by Olamide (2015):

Click here to read comment on this song

8. Kaunyaka by Chege + Mh Temba ft. Dj Maphorisa (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

7. Chekecha Cheketua by Alikiba (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

6. Muita Areia by C4 Pedro ft. Big Nelo + Kaysha (Video ft. Rlynda) (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

5. Never Ever by Vanessa Mdee (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

4. Fakosi by Sun X ft. Timaya (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

3. Reggae Blues by Harrysong ft. Olamide + Iyanya + Kcee + Orezi 015)
Click here to read comment on this song

2. Nana by Diamond Platnumz ft. Mr. Flavour (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song
READ: Diamond Platnumz's bioinfo

1. King Kong Remix by Vector, Phyno, Reminisce, Classiq and Uzi (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
READ: Africa's Top 40 Pop Songs of the Year, 2015
READ: Introduction and Criteria Used to Select and Rank the TOP 40 Songs

Fakosi by Sun X and Timaya Ranks 4th in Africa's Top 40 Songs of 2015 ~ #TheYamboSelection

The beat in the Fakosi video, plus the dance that goes with it, projects tremendous youthful energy; and, beyond the sweat that must surely pour, even self-generated electricity. Fakosi, even as pure audio, is great music, and is likely to spark off spontaneous and animated dance at any party; or where ever people are predisposed to let it, let it all hang out. It is, so to speak, a dance-starter.

Fakosi is infectious -- that's what it is. The video even packs in some serious humor. The lyrics are an exercise in fine, sung poetry. The melody is sensuous and, and, and...sexy. And the beat, as already suggested, is superb.

I'm mighty proud of Sun X and Timaya for what they have accomplished here. Timaya, who's been around and who's cultivated fine artistic gifts. Sun X, for whom the future is just beginning. The two are truly a winning team.

NOTE: Fakosi was published on November 10, 2015. It had gained 8,366 YouTube views by 3:50 p.m. on December 26, 2015. It will gain many more, and much more.


Click here to watch the video

Harrysong's 'Reggae Blues' Ranks Third in Africa's Top 40 Songs of 2015 ~ #TheYamboSelection

Harrysong has a reputation for releasing catchy, catchy tunes, and he doesn't disappoint here. Reggae Blues, his latest song, is an oxymoron, and a playful one at that, which adds spice to a song whose name it is; and intrigues those yet to hear it. The presence of five Master Artists in this music video is a brave statement of purpose, which is ultimately well-justified by a very high quality of vocal and instrumental delivery, as well as the high spirits that they thereby infuse into the video and the club atmosphere. Both of these are surely noticed and appreciated by all who have the chance to watch and the time to contemplate, and so savor, Reggae Blues.

READ: (1) Olamide Baddoo's bioinfo, (2) Harrysong's bioinfo, (3) Kcee's bioinfo, (4) Orezi's bio info, (5) Iyanya's bioinfo.

The video's dance-acts are easy-going and self-assured, performed by known impresarios, here blended by team spirit into one but many-sided and swinging and swaying and vibrant thing -- a tour d'force kind of thing inside the virtual live-entertainment spot.

Everyone's just having a good time in the kanightclub, and not minding all that raw slang -- whose meaning everyone knows anyway (which is what I gathered from a recent Harry Song interview with that lovely hostess on HipTV). Not at all. Thought I heard: "Idhi i pop champagne", but I'm sure that's not what Harry said.

The song's tune is very easy to follow, and easy to appropriate -- with body and soul. But its simplicity is deceptive. The thinking behind its use is accomplished thinking and, given the effect it has on one, admirable. One beat, and the one tune, subtly run and loop through the whole song, which is just four seconds short of five minutes long. The sum total of all this creative endeavor is a song, Five Star Music, that will be liked by almost all who hear it, and who watch the video -- or feel moved by it to dance.

Reggae is a word that sounds very familiar in my household. So, let me conclude by saying: "Hi Rege, they're singing your song!"

NOTE: Reggae Blues was published on August 7, 2015. It was directed by Adasa Cookey of Squareball Media. It had a total of 1,600,346 YouTube views as at 3:45 p.m. on December 26, 2015.


Click here to watch the Reggae Blues video

MUSIC: 'Never Ever' is Sublime Singing by Vanessa Mdee, Africa's Leading Diva

Vanessa Mdee is, right now and without a doubt, the leading Diva in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (where Skalled is someone to really watch). It hasn't always been the case, but it is now. There have been better known singers in her country, Tanzania, but she is The One now. Her stiffest competition in the Diva world should come from Nigeria, but this year her song, Never Ever, has outshone everyone's. Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage have slipped some. Seyi Shay is still trying and obviously finding her form. D'ija is really rising, but not there at the top quite yet. But Vanessa Mdee fully deserves this year's continental Diva Crown -- and more.

Click to Watch the Never Ever Video

She has worked very hard to reach where she is now, and the work she's done validates her fame. This year alone she (VM) has been involved in the publication of at least five music videos that I know of: (1) Hawajui (VM) -- an earlier version came out in 2014, (2) Siri (Barnaba ft. VM), (2) Nobody But Me (VM ft. K.O.), (4) Game (Navy Kenzo ft. VM), (5) Never Ever (VM). In doing so, VM has more than succeeded in carrying her fair share of the load called for in what I have previously alluded to as the 50/4 Rule (or the Rule of 200). More on this rule on another occasion.

READ: Vanessa Mdee's Bioinfo

Never Ever is Vanessa Mdee's latest release, and it is the song that places her fifth overall in Africa's pantheon of Top 40 Pop Artist of 2015. She is the only female in that Top 5. It is a well-deserved ranking, as the video below amply demonstrates.

Never Ever, directed by Justin Campos, is a sophisticated music video that's polished in all the ways that matter, and every thinkable way as well. What matters the most is the music, of course, and here Vanessa excels with her silky voice and charming lines. Her band, it seems to me, does her proud -- happily. The visuals matter too, and here Justin Campos offers the eyes a feast of colors and angles and designs which lustily blend diverse materials -- soft, hard and liquid -- into one flowing series of scenes, all revolving around Vanessa's feline mien, with which she in turn goes with the flow. Sound and picture quality are superb. The entire 'set' is polished, in the broadest sense -- and a delight.

NOTE: Never Ever was published on October 11, 2015. It had gained 405,780 YouTube views by December 28th, 2015 at 12:50 a.m. (GMT+3).

Africa's Top 5 Pop Songs of 2015 ~ #TheYamboSelection

INTRODUCTION:

This is an excerpt of the second annual edition of Yambo Selection, presenting only Africa's Top 5 Pop Songs of  2015. 

It includes links to commentary on each of the Top 5 Songs, or links to related comments and information. 

Other reviews, not necessarily restricted to songs on this year's Top 5, Top 10, Top 20, Top 25 or Top 40, will continue to be published on the blog or elsewhere as and when appropriate. Indeed, some titles on the larger Top 40 List were already previously reviewed. 

Finally, as we start looking at, and using, the list, let us remember that Top 10 is hallowed space. Only the best songs should populate that space, in proper order, regardless of country or sex or language or ethnic identity or religion, or race; and here they do:

HERE IS THE LIST OF AFRICA'S TOP 5 POP SONGS OF 2015
[Click on a Song's title to watch the video]

5. Never Ever by Vanessa Mdee (2015):
Click here to read comment on this song

4. Fakosi by Sun X ft. Timaya (2015):
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3. Reggae Blues by Harrysong ft. Olamide + Iyanya + Kcee + Orezi 015)
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2. Nana by Diamond Platnumz ft. Mr. Flavour (2015):
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READ: Diamond Platnumz's bioinfo

1. King Kong Remix by Vector, Phyno, Reminisce, Classiq and Uzi (2015):
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READ: Africa's Top 40 Pop Songs of the Year, 2015
READ: Introduction and Criteria Used to Select and Rank the TOP 40 Songs

#TheYamboSelection: King Kong Remix Tops The List of Africa's Top 40 Hit Songs of 2015

King Kong is Africa's best pop video of 2015. This is probably no surprise to connoisseurs of African pop music, as there have been certain indications of it over the last five months or so. Lots of credit go to the five high-profile Nigerian artistes (Vector, Phyno, Reminisce, Classiq and Uzi) and their enigmatic Director, Matt Max. Shot in Lagos, the video is a brave and adventurous proposition, with a profuse montage of high-voltage images and memes. It's avant-garde in a wonderfully creative, world-beating way. The fusion of audio and visual dimensions of this song takes it beyond compartmentalization into any simplistically defined genre, rap, hip hop or otherwise.

READ HERE: My more detailed appreciation of King Kong
READ: Nairaland Forum: Opinion ~ King Kong Remix is the Best Nigerian Rap Song
ALSO READ: Adesola Ade-Unuigbe "5 Rappers, 1 Remix..."

Note: King Kong was published on July 10, 2015. It had 255,920 YouTube views at 3:45 p.m. on December 26, 2015.

The full list of Africa's Top 40 Hits of 2015 will be released in the next few days.