We Speak Music
Africa Oyé Festival returns to Sefton Park, Liverpool on 22nd & 23rd June 2024!
The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture will take place at Sefton Park in Liverpool this June with a stellar line-up of live music, DJs, workshops and more.
On 22nd and 23rd June 2024, Africa Oyé will take over one of the region’s most picturesque green spaces in what has become a Liverpool institution since its humble beginnings as a series of city centre gigs in 1992.
Headlining the live music offering this year are Julian Marley – Grammy Award-winning son of Bob – with his band The Uprising, and the creative feminine force of Les Amazones d’Afrique.
Julian Marley is the son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Lucy Pounder. Growing up as a youth in a musical atmosphere, the singer-songwriter, producer and humanitarian quickly adopted a musical lifestyle and at an early age became a skillful, self-taught musician mastering bass, drums, guitar and keyboards. In 2024 Julian won the Grammy Award for the ‘Best Reggae Album’, with his 2023 record ‘Colors of Royal’, making it the14th Grammy win for the Marley family.
Les Amazones d’Afrique is a creative force formed in Bamako, Mali, in 2014 by three Malian music stars and social change activists, Mamani Kéta, Mariam Doumbia and Oumou Sangaré [who headlined Africa Oyé in 2022]. The collective has since expanded to involve many female artists from across Africa and the diaspora, including Angélique Kidjo, Nneka and rising Malian star Rokia Koné. While their cause, campaigning for gender equality and eradicating ancestral violence, is worthy enough in itself, their musical creative expression is equally powerful.
Also featuring on the Main Stage are, Senegalese electronic duo, Def MaMa Def; Tanzanian folk-fusion pioneers, The Zawose Queens; eco-friendly punks, Fulu Miziki, Ghanaian frafra gospel star, Florence Adooni; Afro-Canadian hip hop outfit, Super Duty Tough Work; Congolese rumba royalty, Nyboma; Haitian multilingual poet and MC, Vox Sambou; and West African griot, Batch Gueye.
In addition, young artists from Liverpool will kick off the daily live entertainment as part of Oyé’s ‘Introduces’ and ‘Community’ programmes. Launched in 2015, ‘Oyé Introduces’ sees local artists open the musical programme on both days of the festival – following community performances by cultural organisations from across the city region – giving some of the area’s brightest young talent the chance to share the stage with international stars.
Angolan rapper and songwriter Yilly Ruel and his band Rax Vibes performs a unique fusion of Hip Hop/Rap and Angolan rhythms, captivating audiences with his exhilarating sound, whilst Fraya Ofoeme is an aspiring singer-songwriter who has been singing since she was 4 years old.
For full line up and full details visit- www.africaoye.com
Dmillyyy kicked off the month of love with the lead single, “Balance.” “Balance” was Dmillyyy’s first song of the year. The record served as a teaser for his new EP, Cupid Pack, which was released on Valentine’s Day. Cupid Pack is a five-track EP that dives into the intricacies of love. The EP is an eclectic body of work as it utilizes various genres of music, such as Alternative R&B, Melodic Rap, and Reggaeton.
Cupid Pack starts off with the song, “Thunderstruck.” The track is a record that features a wavy beat and Dmillyyy’s smooth flow. The sound is reminiscent of Jaden. The next track, “Balance,” is a fan favorite and for good reason. “Balance” has a bouncy beat that makes listeners want to groove. The record has a Drake feel to it. The catchy hook reels you in immediately. Dmillyyy cleverly sprinkles in some Spanish lyrics, which are a prelude to the third track on the EP. “Q.M. Interludio” follows “Balance.” The Latin Music interlude showcases the versatility that Dmillyyy possesses. The penultimate track, “WYGD,” is a downtempo, love song that is enchanting. The tune has a sample that blends well with the theme of the song. “WYGD” sets up the EP’s closer as “Madness” is another slow jam. “Madness” is the perfect finale. The sensual track embodies passion and love.
The EP’s introspective/extrospective take on love provides all listeners with songs that resonate with them. Although each song has its own flavor and unique sound, they still connect and carry a cohesive message. “Cupid Pack is an image painted to describe different emotions that may arise for particular love interests.” Dmillyyy continues: “Sometimes it isn’t that serious and just the feeling that you want to cherish. Sometimes the other’s existence makes you want to question everything and reflect back on your own life. Either way, both parties are living in the moment and letting that lead the way.” Cupid Pack is only the beginning as Dmillyyy has much in store for the year. While waiting for his next masterpiece, be sure to show love to the immaculate EP that is Cupid Pack.
Follow Dmillyyy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmxllyyy.
This review was made possible by SubmitHub.
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