SA: Nandi Madida named new host of Africa Now Radio

Now in its fourth season, Africa Now Radio, Apple Music’s first global African music radio show, has featured exclusive interviews with Africa’s biggest stars, including 130 cover stars. Other previous hosts of the programme are Nigerian DJ and music producer Cuppy, who helmed the show in 2020, and South African presenter LootLove, who took over in 2021.

Based on Apple Music’s Africa Now playlist, Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida will continue to showcase the latest African sounds such as amapiano, Afrobeats, highlife, house, hip hop and bongo flava.

“What a time to be alive on this beautiful continent,” Nandi said. “I am just, if anything, grateful to witness Africa getting the long overdue credit. We are not only the cradle of humankind but also the cradle of music, and I’m excited to celebrate Pan-Africanism with Apple Music 1’s global audience and see the trajectory of African artists!

“I am a cheerleader of that movement and will ensure that I support it in any way that I can and shine a light on it. Apple Music has always been at the forefront of supporting emerging African artists, so it is not necessarily doing anything different, but it is ensuring that we continue that narrative and continue to give the recognition that these rising stars deserve.

“That’s why I proudly join the Africa Now Radio team because if anything, they believe in the continent so much and have been doing it before it was popular.”

The new season of Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida airs weekly on Fridays at 3pm CAT, beginning 2 June. A repeat will be broadcast on Cool FM in Nigeria every Sunday at 6pm.