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Apple Music spotlights Africa’s foremost creators with their Songbook & Behind The Boards playlists

With the eyes and ears of the world currently upon Africa and the musical forces emerging from all over the continent, Apple Music is spotlighting the creators who work behind the scenes, the continent’s finest songwriters and the producers who play a vital role in taking genres like Afrobeats, Amapiano, House and Afro-Pop to the world.

Apple Music’s Songbook & Behind The Board playlists take a peak behind the curtain at the musical inspirations of the men and women who pour their blood, sweat and tears into crafting some of Africa’s biggest hits.

The Songbook playlists include: Afro-folk singer-songwriter Msaki (who features on some of SA’s biggest house music tracks), Nigerian multi-platinum award-winning producer Kiddominant (who has written and produced for Davido, Wizkid, Cardi B, Beyoncé amongst others) and Nigerian producer Krizbeatz (who produced Tekno’s smash hit first single “Pana”).

Similarly, Behind The Boards is a smorgasbord of talent across all genres – from Afrobeats to hip-hop to neo-soul, and features the likes of Del B, Don Jazzy, Ruff and Tweezy.

“As a kid, I started making beats in my room in Nigeria,” Kiddominant tells Apple Music. “I was constantly daydreaming about touring the world and making music for a mass audience, watching Timbaland, Kanye, Dr. Dre, and many others. Moving to The States, I’ve worked day and night doing what I can to make Afrobeats a global sound, as the first Nigerian producer to be certified Gold in the U.S., thus opening more doors.”

Behind The Board’s full selection includes playlists from Kiddominant, Kel P, TMXO, JR, Ganja Beatz, Gemini Major, Killbeatz M.O.G Beatz, Del B, Peruzzi, Tweezy, Nduduzo Makhathini, Wasafi Records, Eternal Africa, Lunatik, Alie Kyez, Simba Tagz, Noble, Mr. Kamera, Select Play, Ruff and Juls.

“Even though I make music from Lagos, my sound is global. I want a kid in Tokyo or Paris to be able to bump to my music and enjoy it.” – Kel P

“Making music is a freeing experience for me. If my listeners can feel that and enjoy the music, then my work is done.” – TMXO

“Throughout my career, writing music has always been my way of connecting the world to Africa, and not the other way around. This hopefully carries on beyond when the music stops.” – JR

“Our work basically speaks for itself in terms of diversity and showing our range as producers but we hate being boxed as just hip hop producers and we want the world to know we make a bit of everything.” – Ganja Beatz

“I’ve been blessed and fortunate to work with some of the most talented and amazing artists in South Africa. To be part of movements, moments and history through music is priceless. One of my strengths in production is my drums. Whether it’s Afrobeats or Afrosoul, trap or trap-soul, my drums hit hard.” – Gemini Major

You already know the faces and voices that have popularised your favourite tracks, now discover the gifted producers and songwriters behind the music.

Listen to the Songbook & Behind The Boards playlists

Kiddominant –  http://apple.co/Kiddominant

Killbeatz –  http://apple.co/Killbeatz

Krizbeatz –  http://apple.co/Krizbeatz

Del B – http://apple.co/DelB

Ganja Beatz – http://apple.co/GanjaBeatz

Tweezy – http://apple.co/Tweezy

Gemini Major – http://apple.co/geminimajor

Alie-Keyz – http://apple.co/Alie-Keyz

Sarz – http://apple.co/Sarz

Don Jazzy – http://apple.co/DonJazzy

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