Nyanda picks Afrobeats

WHILE pondering her next musical move last year, singer Nyanda thought it would be cool to record a song to Afrobeats, arguably the hippest sound in music. She also wanted to collaborate with one of the hottest stars in West Africa.

All Fruits Ripe is the title of her song with Stonebwoy, the Ghanaian artiste whose music has been embraced by diverse acts such as Sean Paul, Burna Boy and Kendrick Lamar.

“I’m really excited about this record, it’s definitely a vibe. All Fruits Ripe has so much meaning behind it, as well as being fun and danceable. It represents a time that is ready to be profitable for someone, if the right moves are made,” Nyanda told the Jamaica Observer. “It also celebrates the female body for all its curvaceous and juiciness. Not to mention, the vibrancy of our personalities. It’s a metaphor for me at this stage of my career…i got the juice, meaning I have the energy needed for success.”

She made the connection with Stonebwoy through social media and he agreed to do the song. The duo recently filmed a video for All Fruits Ripe in South Florida where Nyanda is based.

A contemporary version of Afrobeat (made popular in the 1970s by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti), Afrobeats has drawn the biggest names in pop music to West Africa where the sound originated. As a member of Brick & Lace, Nyanda said she witnessed its emergence 10 years ago while touring Africa.

That group, which included her sister Nailah, had a handful of hit songs on the continent including

Love is Wicked and Cry on Me.

“Afrobeats just puts me in a good dancing mood. It’s sexy and really taps into something that grounds me on a deeper level. Must be the connection to the Motherland where I’ve been blessed to visit so often,” she said.