Cover Star Interview Nigerian comedian, actor and musician Basketmouth joins LootLove via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest collab track with The Cavemen., Falz & Flavour, “Assembly of Gods (feat. Magnito, Illbliss & Dremo).” He also discusses his new album, Horoscopes and the creative themes it helped him explore; how he balances his passions for music and comedy; and building relationships with other artists. The Big 5 LootLove shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Dai Verse & Buju; Rema; Nasty C; DJ Obza feat. Drip Gogo; and DarkoVibes. Africa Rising South African amapiano producer Dj Karri is the latest artist featured from the Africa Rising playlist, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars, and this week’s show features his two singles,”Trigger (feat. Lebzito, BL Zero & Prime De 1st),” and “012 lifestyle (feat. Prime de 1st, BL Zero & Kamo the Vocalist).” Listen HERE. Loot Loves Each week, LootLove chooses her favourite track, taken from one of Apple Music’s African playlists. This week she features South African amapiano producers Reece Madlisa & Zuma and their single “Iy’ntsimbi Zase Envy (feat. Busta 929, Beast Rsa & Dladla Mshunqisi)” from Apple Music’s Amapiano Lifestyle playlist. Listen HERE—and find a roundup of all LootLove’s selections on Apple Music’s LootLoves playlist, HERE. Tune in and listen to the full episode this Sunday, February 13th at 2p London / 3p Lagos/Paris / 4p Johannesburg / 6a LA / 9a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow.
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Basketmouth on his increased attention in music
I wish the last project got as much attention as this one is getting right now, but it’s fine. It was my introduction to the [music] industry, it was my discovery point, so at least people are aware that I’m back into music because music is how I started. Music was my first love, and the [Scorpio] movie gave me the right opportunity - it was there, it was organic, it was just meant to happen - so I feel very good. People [in music] have started having conversations with me and to be honest, it’s one thing I’ve always wanted to have with them, because I’ve got a different method to my madness and the way I apply myself to music creation. I would like to work with a few artists and I’m happy that they’ve started feeling the vibe! Basketmouth talks the change of energy on his new album ‘Horoscopes’
The first album was a bit of a highlife and hip-hop kind of vibe, but [the film] ‘Scorpio’ is different so I’m like “This is an opportunity for you to show your range that you’ve got.” The movie itself, there’s a lot of deceit, jealousy and revenge. Besides having a good script, I wanted to tell this thing through music as well, so the sound can actually tell you what’s going to happen, put you in the mood and that. Basketmouth on staying patient for his collaborations
There were some artists that were very difficult [to get on the album] because I was busy myself, they had their own projects and it just didn’t work, but for some people it was easy. It was hard for me to get 2Face, it was very difficult for me to get Wande [Coal]. I wanted Simi on the ‘Yabasi’ album - I chased her, I couldn’t get her then I was like “You know what, don’t do it again, she has a better sound [for] the ‘Horoscopes’ album so don’t waste it.” Every artist I reached out to, I heard their voice on the song before I reached out to them. Some of them I was like “Whether you like it or not, I will wait for you,” so I gave this album a year, and we worked on this album practically for one full year.
