Apple Music’s Global Editorial Head of Hip Hop and R&B, Ebro Darden, a longtime champion of music and artists emerging from across Africa, recently visited South Africa as part of his ongoing exploration of the continent. During his visit, he spent time with some of the nation’s most gifted young artists in Johannesburg and Cape Town, experiencing the origins of their sound and the landscape that shaped who they are as artists, documented in “Rap Life: Ebro in South Africa”, a 9-minute special which launches on Apple Music today.
Reflecting on his time, Ebro said: “I was blown away by my experience in South Africa. As it continues to define its future as a nation, Hip-Hop music which is being released from every community and cultural group in South Africa is helping shape this future. For me it was enlightening to be able to learn more about today’s hottest South African Hip-Hop artists and where they have come from. I’m excited to help tell their stories and those of other great artists from across the continent to the world.”
Ebro walked through Johannesburg’s Kwa Mai Mai Food Market with Sjava, who mused about his love for the streets saying, “You still have your own family, but the people who will look out for you and support you most of the time – it's guys that you'll find on the street. I'm where I am because of them,” and the two discussed his contribution to the Black Panther soundtrack with the remarkable track “Seasons.”
Ebro has featured the likes of AKA, Nasty C, DJ Tira, Elaine, Tshego, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, and Burna Boy, amongst others, on his daily Beats 1 show on Apple Music, which broadcasts Monday-Thursday at 12pm LA/3pm NY/8pm LDN, and as the host of Rap Life on Fridays at 10am LA/1pm NY/6pm LDN. Listen live for free or on-demand at: apple.co/B1_Ebro and apple.co/B1_RapLife.
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