AS New Musical Express, (NME) reports, Apple Music has just introduced a bi-monthly program that is to showcase African musicians on all of its platforms. Titled ‘Africa Rising,’ the program is supposed to promote emerging African artists selected by the Apple Music editorial team.
All selected artists will be showcased across the platform and will be featured on a companion Africa Rising playlist. The first featured artist is already known, and it will be Nigerian singer-songwriter Omah Lay. Lay came with a statement, saying that “I have always used Apple Music, seeing my favorite artists on playlist covers and features but here I am looking pretty as Apple Music’s first Africa Rising artist. I am overwhelmed. Dreams really do come true.”
The Africa Rising program joins a host of recent initiatives from Apple Music, including the return of Jehnny Beth’s ‘Start Making Sense’ show and the launch of Billie Eilish’s ‘Me & Dad Radio’.
As NME notes, Lay, who was previously a member of rap group Lil King, released his debut solo EP Get Layd last month. Three songs from the EP remain in the Top 10 songs on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top 100 singles chart, including his self-produced track “Bad Influence.”
Talking about “Bad Influence,” Lay says that, “it is actually a story of many things happening at the same time in my life.”
