In celebration of her new album, Features, Apple Music announced vocalist, poet and storyteller, Sio, as the next Isgubhu cover star.
“Being chosen to share the music I make, regardless of the genre, and love, on such a massive platform is deeply humbling and an incredible honour. I am a massive fan of all the artists on this playlist and Apple Music for sharing it with the world. Thank you, Apple Music, for the honour”. - Sio
On her new album Features, Sio examines all of the ways that her unique characteristics - her gender, physical attributes, background and class - have put her in unwillingly uncomfortable situations. It is these situations that have inspired her art and informed the stories she tells on the album.
“I am a storyteller, my songs say so… And I always find the story in everything I do. Africans are master storytellers and this playlist celebrates the unique richness of African sound in the new world. Coloured with rhythms, poetry and song it will give you something for the head, something for the heart, and most definitely something to move your feet”.
Launched in February, Isgubhu is the definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music on Apple Music and spotlights and elevates the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.
This month’s Isugbhu By… is curated by Coco Em: a DJ based in Nairobi. She has performed on numerous stages such as Boiler Room Nairobi, Beat Hotel Marrakech, Terra Negra Tunisia, Nyege Nyege fest Uganda among others. Her sound ranges from Afro House, Kuduro, Lingala, Hip Hop and EDM.
"Here is a list of some of my favourite albums. Some of these are a decade old and some, very recent releases such as Kabza De Small’s ‘I am the King of amapiano’, a 27 song album which helped push through the days during the onset of the pandemic. It was also difficult to narrow down my favourites to a set of 13 because there is a lot more amazing music I like to play, especially Kuduro from small independent musicians who I hope to see on Apple Music Someday. Hope you all enjoy this!” - Coco Em
Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On - a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds and Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes and Isgubhu Voices - a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.
Listen to Isgubhu only on Apple Music http://apple.co/Isgubhu
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