We’re here to present this week’s A-List with not one, but eight African artists: ONE8. Pegged as a must-watch act by Billboard magazine, this group of gifted singers has come together in hopes of sharing Africa’s music with the world.
ONE8 recently came out with their first single, “Hands Across the World,” which was produced by US hip hop artist R. Kelly. As ONE8 member Navio tells CNN, “We’re not pushing a brand, we’re pushing a movement, which is African music.”
And certainly, their single incorporates each of the member’s distinct talents. With Nigerian R&B singer 2Face, Tanzanian crooner Ali Kiba, DR Congo singer Fally Ipupa, hip-hop trio 4×4 from Ghana, rapper Movazhaleine of Gabon, Zabian singer JK, Ugandan rapper Navio and R&B singer Amani from Kenya, ONE8 brings a unique and modern sound that is distinctly African.
ONE8’s Amani explains how their music is reflective of the change seen in Africa: “It’s new urban Africa, it’s fresh it’s liberating, and most importantly it’s positive. There is a more optimistic and positive generation in Africa and you can feel that in the music, you can feel that in the culture.”
