The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, has announced the release of the much anticipated Extended Play (EP), One Drum.
One Drum is a collaborative masterpiece that bridges cultures and genres, celebrating the rich musical heritage of Africa and its diaspora.
This was made known in a statement by legendary producer Oscar Mdlongwa, popularly known as Oskido, who produced the EP in collaboration with Commissioner Gordon Williams.
According to Mdlongwa, collaborations in the EP makes it a masterpiece, noting that ‘it brings together a diverse array of artistes, celebrating Africa’s rich musical heritage and its deep-rooted connections across the diaspora in an effort to support the commercialisation of IP assets’.
He added: “As the rave scene in West Africa continues to grow, Afro Wave emerges as the perfect anthem for this vibrant movement.
“The single, a collaboration between South Africa’s Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa) and the legendary Oskido, features powerful vocals from Tman Xpress and Phila Dloz, along with the iconic Brazilian Bloc-Afro band Olodum.
“Together, they blend Afro house with Amapiano beats and isiZulu lyrics, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in African traditions.
“Afro Wave is the first single of the forthcoming One Drum EP, which includes features by Chinedu Okoli (Flavour) from Nigeria, Olodum from Brazil and Oskido from South Africa.
“Other artistes on the EP are Sofiya Nzau from Kenya, Gordon Williams, Stephen Marley, YG Marley, and Jo Mersa Marley from Jamaica. “
Mdlongwa added that the One Music EP is more than ordinary music. “It is more than just music; it’s a celebration of the cultural bonds that unite Africa and its diaspora, shaped by our shared history and the enduring legacy of the trans-atlantic slave trade.
“The EP resonates with rhythms that have traveled across continents from the global sounds of Afrobeats and Amapiano, to the vibrant drums of Brazil to the soul-stirring Reggae of the Caribbean,” he said.