INTRODUCTION
This is the third annual edition of #TheYamboSelection, presenting the list of Africa's Top 5 Happiest Songs of 2016. The same criteria are used this year (January to December 2016) as were used last year to select and rank, out of the songs released or published during the year, those that project and/or elicit the highest quotient of happiness in the listener/audience.
With all the talent that keeps popping up all across Africa, it has been no less daunting a task this year to put together this list. Having more to pick from does not necessarily mean a greater leeway in doing so, one finds, as there's even more, regrettably, to let go that should be in. But all lists of quality do have a 'genetic' limit of sorts, one hazards to add, in the sense of how long, how elongated, they can possibly be -- and still remain optimal and (common)sensible. So, as we look ahead, one senses that this list is fast approaching a certain limit one cannot breach.
As before, the focus in this series of lists 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: Hip Hop, RnB, rap, reggae or rock. We are not dealing here with gospel, classical or traditional music; although borderline cases or creative partial 'fusions' with them will always be considered.
CLICK HERE to read the whole Introduction to the criteria used to make the list below.
HERE, THEN, THE LISTING AND RANKING OF AFRICA's TOP 5 HAPPIEST SONGS OF 2016:
[Click on a Song's title to watch the video]
5. Salome by Diamond Platnumz ft. Rayvanny (2016):
Click here to read a review of the song
4. Elengi by Innoss'B ft. Koffi Olomide (2016):
Click here to read a review of the song
3. Jinja by Fuse ODG (2016):
Click here to read a review of the song
2. Tere Tere by Toofan (2016):
Click here to read a review of the song
1. Count Ur Blessings by Mixzy (2016):
Click here to read a review of the song
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
READ: Africa's 40 Happiest Songs of The Year, 2015
READ: Africa's 25 Happiest Songs of The Year, 2014
READ: World Happiness Report 2015
DO ALSO READ: "The Happiness Contagion", which I posted on December 9, 2008
With the sun fixing to set in the West as it does, as if rendered thus just for now by the knowing hand of a master artist, this whole music video, directed by C.A.R.D.O.S.O, presents as a super-inspired jollity. As vignettes, hints only perhaps, of the good life in a hidden ecosystem.
The song's all-enveloping tone, vocal and instrumental, lifts and uplifts, rendering the brief moment in life it fills with itself a monumental experience; a festivity that'll linger and linger in the hearts of all who are blessed to hear it.
It's a ritual of happiness. Of joy. Happiness and Champagne. Naughty dare-devilry. Some sort of cool fertility dance, too -- in the light of whatever it is that's celebrated, and in anticipation of its own aftermath.
Listen to the guitar's perfectly timed punctuating! "Sikia namuna gitaa iko naliya," as a famous Congolese once upon a time sang, caught up in a sort of aural selfie.
No one can take your blessings away in this charmed set-up, this microcosm of engagement and mirth, this subtle detour; this enchanting tribute to life as it ought to be spiced, now and then, when all is done for the moment and all is well. Down with all those who try!
It's a wonderful song. Look how happiness spreads across them faces, one by one! And, yes, no one can stop it.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO
