black-sherif

Burna Boy, J Hus, And Black Sherif Are Headliners For Afro Nation’s 2023 Festival In Nigeria

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The world’s biggest Afrobeats festival, Afro Nation, is heading home. Throughout the year, the multi-day event has had stops in Detroit, Miami, and Portugal. But come this December, the live performance movement will make its highly-awaked return to the continent of Africa. The dates for Afro Nation Nigeria 2023 have been revealed, and Burna Boy will be one of the featured headliners.

In a posting on Instagram, the organization revealed that the festival will take place on December 19 and 20 in Lagos at the Tafawa Balewa Square. J Hus, as well as Black Sherif, are also slated to perform at the festival.

Afro Nation became an international hit due to its incorporation of music genres across the diaspora, including Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, Amapiano, R&B, hip-hop, and more. Although the full lineup hasn’t been shared, judging by the melting pot of entertainers that appeared at the festival’s other installment earlier this year, Afro Nation Nigeria 2023 should be equally as diverse.

On the event’s website, organizers did reveal a tidbit about what ticketholders should expect. According to a note on the main webpage, due to the predicted influx of attendees, there will be a bevy of viewing areas to ensure everyone can glance at the main stage performances.

Afro Nation Nigeria 2023 has begun VIP pre-sales for users subscribed to their email newsletter. General sales will begin soon. Find more information here.

Bas, Black Sherif & Kel-P Drop “Blood, Sweat & Tears” For “Creed III”

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In late November, Michael B. Jordan announced that J. Cole’s label Dreamville would be producing the soundtrack for Creed III. Jordan, the star actor for the Creed series, is directing the third film this time around. Set to release of March 3, Creed III‘s soundtrack will drop simultaneously with the movie. Earlier in February, Dreamville delivered the first single for the soundtrack. “Ma Boy” by JID and Lute (Feb. 3) was the perfect introduction to the type of tracks we can expect for the entire soundtrack.

Now, it is Bas’ turn. Bas is perhaps one of the most overlooked yet polished artists Dreamville has to offer. Coming off of a solo single of his own in January, Bas offered Creed III‘s second promotional single on this week. “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” released on Feb. 22, contrasts majorly with Bas’ track “Diamonds” from last month. Here, he swaps the chill guitar-based instrumental for an Afrobeat-influenced bop.

Bas Meets Afrobeat

“Blood, sweat & Tears” includes two features that both bring unique styles from two different African nations. Ghanian Black Sherif and Nigerian Kel-P pack just the right punch for the groovy, percussion-driven beat. Full of “oh-way-oh” harmonies, the fresh song brings out a new side of Bas. His sung opening verse and “I will not surrender” hook mix elegance with determination.

While it is unclear which portion of the film “Blood, Sweat & Tears” will appear in, it sure seems like a fitting cut for the boxing movie. Dreamville has not released the full track list for the Creed III soundtrack, so it remains to be seen if boss-man J. Cole will make an appearance. Even if he doesn’t, though, Dreamville acts like Lute, JID and now, Bas, will absolutely do enough to captivate both listeners and viewers. Stream Bas, Black Sherif and Kel-P’s “Blood, Sweat & Tears” single on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, tell us if you have plans to check out CREED III in theaters in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

Blood sweat and my tears, no, I will not surrender
If you take my lead then we can fly together
Heaven never seem to reach, it’s now or never
We got what we need, but we don’t got forever

Bas, Black Sherif, And Kel-P Put Their ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’ Into The ‘Creed III’ Soundtrack’s Second Single

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Michael B. Jordan may have let it slip that Dreamville boss J. Cole was executive producing the soundtrack to his directorial debut film, Creed III, but ever since, he has remained tight-lipped. The project’s first single, “Ma Boy,” featuring JID and Lute, was shared earlier this month, and now as the movie’s opening week approaches, another track from the soundtrack has hit the internet.

The latest track, “Blood, Sweat, & Tears,” by Dreamville’s own Bas and Ghanaian recording artist Black Sherif featuring Nigerian producer Kel-P, is the epitome of the film’s plot, in which Adonis Creed’s (played by Jordan) legacy is being threatened by his former childhood friend Damian (played by Jonathan Majors). The pair will, as the trailer outlines, “reconnect in the ring, setting up a delicious dichotomy between loyalty and betrayal.”

Bas opens the track with a declaration of faith as he raps, “I’ve been waitin’ all my life, I’ve been spendin’ all my nights / Contemplatin’ all my trails, oh my God, this not overnight / I’ve been givin’ all my soul, I’ve been chasin’ all my goals / Dedication all I know, that’s how hard I go,” which could be a first-hand account from the fictional and namesake character.

On the chorus, Black Sherif joins in for a combined chanting of, “Blood sweat and my tears, no, I will not surrender/ If you take my lead then we can fly together / Heaven never seem to reach, it’s now or never / We got what we need, but we don’t got forever,” which will send chills down your spine if you’re a big fan of climatic cinema as it creates suspense for what’s to come in the film.

Listen to the full track above.

Creed III hits theaters on 3/3.