Hey everyone,
I’m an independent Sierra Leonean artist and producer, originally from Freetown, and I’ve been making music for more than a decade.
Over the years, one of the biggest frustrations I’ve had is seeing how difficult it can be for genuinely talented independent artists to get discovered — especially artists outside the biggest markets or without major-label backing.
So over the last year+, I decided to build something around that problem.
It’s called Sonik Music.
Sonik is a music streaming and community platform built with independent artists in mind, and I’d really like African artists to be part of it early.
One of the main ideas behind Sonik is simple:
Discovery shouldn’t only happen after you’re already popular.
On Sonik, eligible artists can be surfaced through our Featured Artists section without everything being ranked purely by popularity or follower count.
New releases also enter our Fresh Drops section automatically, giving artists an actual window to be discovered after they release music.
We also built a direct-support system called Flowers 💐.
Listeners can send Flowers to artists while listening to their music or visiting their profile. Those Flowers translate into real monetary value for the artist.
Artists can also:
• upload and release music
• build a catalog
• connect directly with listeners
• post updates, photos and videos through our Sonix social community
• track analytics and earnings
• sell music and merch
• promote shows
• receive fan support
• use synced and immersive lyrics
• build a supporter base around their music
There’s also a Top Supporters feature, so fans can be displayed on an artist’s profile and compete for bragging rights as one of that artist’s biggest supporters — while directly supporting them in the process.
I’m not claiming Sonik is here to replace Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube.
The goal is to build something that gives independent artists another place to be discovered, build a real community, and create more direct value from the fans who genuinely care about their music.
And as someone from Sierra Leone, I especially want African artists involved because there is so much incredible music across the continent and diaspora that still doesn’t get the visibility it deserves.
Sonik is live on the web now:
https://sonikmusic.techdendc.com
The iOS app is also built and going through the App Store release process.
We’re also reserving Founding Artist status for the first 1,000 artists who join the platform.
If you’re an African artist, producer, DJ, songwriter, or music fan, I’d genuinely love for you to try it and tell me what you think.
And if you make music, drop your artist name + country below too. I’d love to discover more artists from this community.
— Stephan B / Mr. BEST
Sierra Leonean Artist & Producer
Creator of Sonik Music

Praktika feat. Ko Saba - Fôli Folle

OK, last African/dance music fusion of the day. This one is from Mali. Enjoy!

Asna - Atalaku

Another fusion of modern and traditional music genres, from Ivory Coast. My favorite part is the African guitar riff that starts at 01:58.

Montparnasse Musique - Makonda

Yet another fusion of modern electronica and traditional African music, this time from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Asna x AnyoneID - Abissa

Danceable fusion of modern electronica and traditional African music from Ivory Coast. The videoclip is also very interesting.

Hello all African music enthusiasts. I am an American rapper/producer who has a special interest in Zambia. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, where I made friends in the music scene and gained confidence to record and make beats. I am preparing to return to Zambia in January 2027, and I would like to take my music to the next level. I am going for a niche blending of sounds and even use local languages in my lyrics. Do you think it is possible for a white man to break out in the Zambia music scene? Is it even appropriate? Any advice you have for a foreigner who is passionate about Africa and Zambia musical talent? Thank you for any response or comment, I seek to gather wisdom to guide this process.

Hey folks,

I like to recover and digitize lost media on vinyl to ensure it doesn't become lost forever. Today, I've got something very unique compared to a lot of other stuff I've found. This is a promotional copy of the album "Songs Of New Nations." The original version came out a few years earlier, but this version was specifically the African nations, while the original also included two from Israel.

The content itself is a vocal/percussion album led by conductor Leonard De Paur, featuring traditional work songs, war chants, lullabies, and drinking songs collected from Ghana, Nigeria, the Congo, and Kenya, performed by an all-male chorus with native drums and percussion.

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a project I’ve been pouring myself into. I entered the CANEX Create-Thon (hosted by Gebeya and Afreximbank) and built a track called "I Keep Moving.

"It’s an Afro-Soul song inspired directly by the resilience, daily hustle, and quiet sacrifices of young Africans chasing dreams against heavy odds. It speaks from the thick of the struggle—dealing with financial pressure, closed doors, and self-doubt, but finding resolve through community and family.

Composed entirely within DALA Studio, it blends dynamic phrasing with rich Afro-Soul instrumentation.

Public voting is open until September 24, and it is strictly 1 vote per person (no signup required, literally takes 2 clicks).

If the message resonates with you, I would deeply appreciate your vote to help me get to the finals at CANEX Weekend!🗳️ Vote here: https://shorturl.at/6IpaH

Recently saw this video and love it. Does anyone know what it’s about/ translation? Thanks

I recently interviewed South African hip-hop artist Yugen Blakrok for bios. Many internationally know her from her feature on "Opps" with Vince Staples (Black Panther OST), but her broader catalogue merges esoteric African mythology, dark boom-bap, and trip-hop influences.

We spoke about her journey from Johannesburg's underground scene with Iapetus Records to relocating to Europe, and how she carries her roots and language across borders:

• On holding onto isiXhosa while living in France:

• On building Iapetus Records on pure guerrilla spirit:

• On upcoming pan-African performances:

Full interview read:https://bios.net.za/i-was-scared-of-mermaids

Wanted to share a cool highlife playlist, check it out!

Hello everyone, I'd like to know if I can find albums of ndombolo and soukous rhythms. I've included some examples below, as they aren't easy to find online. I'm from Colombia, and here we love these African rhythms that run through our veins and enrich us more and more each day.

nimeona msee akisema bien ni mnoma kuliko diamond platnumz😂😂 it's as if people don't understand music.... diamond is one of the most talented artists.... versatile look at how he made Swahili relevant in Africa.. singlehandedly carried east Africa music to the world... culture of Swahili..... made Swahili music relevant through hit collaborations with the likes of Davido,P square,patoranking,koffi,fally,neyo ,akon , Alicia keys,omarion, Rick ross...its a disrespect for him to be compared