Billboard Live At-Home: Platoon Africa Artist Showcase
BILLBOARD LIVE AT-HOME: PLATOON AFRICA ARTIST SHOWCASE
Live Performances Spotlighting Artists Across The Continent In Partnership With Billboard, featuring performances by: Kwesi Arthur, Msaki, Amaarae, Bongeziwe, WurID, and NissiWatch Exclusively on Billboard.Com/LiveVideos
Today, 5/21 – Saturday, 5/23
May 21, 2020 – Creative artist services company Platoon has partnered with Billboard to present a three-day showcase of live performances spotlighting some of the most exciting and vibrant talent currently making noise in Africa and beyond. The lineup includes: Kwesi Arthur (Ghana), Msaki (South Africa), Amaarae (Ghana), Bongeziwe (South Africa), WurID (Nigeria), and Nissi (Nigeria). Kicking off today with performances by Kwesi Arthur and Msaki, the performances will run through Saturday with two performances being spotlighted each day. See below for a complete schedule:
Thursday 5/211:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT – Kwesi Arthur2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT – Msaki
Friday 5/221:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT – Amaarae2:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT – Bongeziwe
Saturday 5/231:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT – WurID2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT – Nissi
Check out the performances live or anytime on-demand at billboard.com/livevideos.
About Kwesi Arthur
Every song Tema-born artist Kwesi Arthur makes speaks beyond mere ‘talent’. He’s the realisation of multiple generations’ dreams; of Nkrumah’s pronouncements-turned-infectious melodies; of an African youth breathing new life into the tried-and-tested music traditions of Hiplife and Afrobeat. The emcee and vocalist doesn’t shy away from experimentation, and as witnessed on the slew of collaborations he’s made since stepping up to the plate with his breakout song “Grind Day” in 2017, is embracing of the magic that results when two or more minds link up. “I came from nothing. I’m nowhere close to where I want to be but if I can change my situation for the better, then I won’t stop till people out there are reminded that they can too,” says Kwesi Arthur. Instagram: @KwesiArthur_
About Msaki
Msaki is a composer and singer/songwriter from East London, South Africa. Msaki creates a sound that combines soulful folk and symphonic movements. Her raw delivery disrupts your senses, leaving you moved and quietly longing for more as she weaves subtle tales of love, loss, home, revolution and hope. She plays with an ever-evolving and expanding band of incredible musicians from different musical backgrounds she calls the Golden Circle. Instagram: @Msaki_Za
About Amaarae
Africa’s alternative music sub – genre alte, is growing in size and popularity each day, and Ghanaian musician Amaarae is in the ranks leading the charge. Born Ama Serwah Genfi, Amaarae, stepped into the Alte music scene with a fire and exuberance that is not easily duplicated.Her lyrical dexterity, especial voice and exceptional style has marked Amaarae as a global artist putting her ahead of the curve and making her an artist to look forward to in the coming years. Instagram: @Amaarae
About Bongeziwe
Over the course of eight years, Bongeziwe Mabandla has developed and perfected a sound as timeless as it is enchanting. A journey of intense transformation, Mabandla’s story begins in Tsoio, a small rural town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, where he found his voice singing in church choirs. Two albums and multiple African and European tours later, Mabandla has become the enigmatic spirit of African Soul. In 2011 Mabandla was named one of 10 finalists in the Radio France Internationale Discoveries Awards, a well-befitted introduction to audiences outside of South Africa. The release of his debut album Umlilo (fire) followed, blending a gorgeous and understated mix of Xhosa lyrics with traditional African and folk stylings. Mabandla’s sophomore long-form release came six years later in 2017. 2019 saw the release of singles zange (never before) and jikeleza (go around), introducing audiences to the sound of his third studio album: iimini (days). The 2020 release has seen immense praise not just from the media, and digital store-fronts, but from the wider artists community world wide with some notable praise from Florence Pugh, Mumford and Sam Smith. Instagram: @BongewizeMabandla
About WurID
WurlD, born Sadiq Onifade, began his career writing for notable artists such as B.o.B., Treinidad James, Akon, Mario, and many more. In 2016, WurlD collaborated with Shizzi & Walshy Fire of Major Lazer to deliver the Afro pop hit “Show You Off“. In 2019, he released his Love Is Contagious EP. He also co-wrote the hit song “Blow My Mind” by Davido featuring Chris Brown and also released the critically acclaimed collaborative project ‘ILGWT’ (I Love Girls with Trobul) with award winning Nigerian producer Sarz. Praised by Vice, OKayAfrica, E!, and MTV, his unique style and eclectic sound has garnered him a dedicated global fan base. Instagram: @ThisIsWurld
About Nissi
Nissi is a London based Nigerian singer, songwriter and painter. Born Nissi Ogulu, graduate of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Warwick in the UK, developed passion for music at 6 years old. In September 2016, Nissi released her debut single “Criminal“, a catchy R&B-infused piece with a mix of Funk and Jazz music wrapped into one. Produced by Cornel Sorian, it gained her a proper intro to the Nigerian Music scene. Nissi held her first live intimate listening session in Nigeria on the third day of 2020; the experience left everyone in attendance in awe of her rare talent and at the same time convinced that Nissi’s talent is going to lead her to the limelight – becoming the next female Afro star in Nigeria. With an A-list brother, Burna Boy, and an award-winning music critic as a grandfather, Benson Idonije, Nissi is an artist to look out for. Instagram: @NissiNation