Senegal: Apple Music features AWEN as latest Isgubhu cover star

Isgubhu, a Zulu word for ‘beat’, is a hub of African dance and electronic music on Apple Music. The initiative seeks to spotlight and elevate the work of African electronic DJs, producers and creatives. It 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 around the world.

The announcement follows the release of AWEN’s 11-track debut album Redemption in November. The project moves between soulful Afro-house and deep spiritual trip hop. Her incorporation of multiple genres and sonic elements into her music is testament to her constant growth and ongoing journey.

To celebrate the announcement, AWEN has created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist featuring tracks that fuel her musical fire and showcasing Africa’s rich dance music talent through the years.

“I had great fun curating the Isgubhu playlist for Apple Music,” AWEN told Apple Music. “I included some timeless classics, such as Tony Allen’s ‘African Man’, just because those tunes paved the way for African dance music as we know it today. I also included some new gems from artists I love and admire such as Black Coffee, Sun-El Musician, Msaki and Black Motion; you will also find a few tunes from my album Redemption. What do all these tracks have in common? They all take from various influences to create a unique form of soulfulness that makes us feel more alive.”

Isgubhu also includes Isgubhu By… where top hitmakers are invited to curate their own personal hall of fame each month, featuring a selection of their favourite dance and electronic albums and EPs created exclusively by African artists. “These are the projects that not only inspire our curators’ own work, but shape the trajectory of dance and electronic music across the continent,” Apple Music said.

Taking over Isgubhu By… for this month is eSwatini electronic producer and deep house artist !Sooks (real name Sukoluhle Dlamini). Having been enthralled by African music and synth sound creation, !Sooks’ first milestone came when he released his debut 2016 EP 7 Years of Colour (2016) on Antidote Music, followed by his second release A Different Place that same year.

“Growing up, my dad exposed me to a lot of amazing music, especially jazz, which inspired my love for music as a whole,” !Sooks’ said. “This particular selection showcases my love for a variety of sounds within African dance music and it is this plethora of sounds that inspires my music production today.

“My selection for Apple Music features music from South Africa, Namibia and eSwatini, which to me shows the growth of African dance and electronic music. We have come of age and the sound has moved from the underground scene and has stepped into the mainstream through the advancement of amapiano, Afro-house and other emerging African dance music subgenres.”