AFRICA IN YOUR EARBUDS #43: THE GTW

The GTW is a Chicago-based rapper/singer born to Nigerian immigrants crafting some of the most striking diaspora pop around. His seamless blend of South Side Chicago rawness and West African rhythms first caught our ear with his "Cravings" single with Bengfang — which ended up on our best tracks of last year list. Since then The GTW's garnered further buzz with his R&B outfit JODY.

This Africa In Your Earbuds features a mix of highly infectious dance tracks from the diaspora, all of them laced with The GTW's untouchable 'Chigerian' cool. Hear the mix below and read about its inspiration directly from the man:

A collective mix of some of my all time favourite songs from Africa & the diaspora. Some new, some old, all have sentimental relevance to me. A few of these songs I would hear at family events as a kid and never quite knew the name of, I just used to dance to these songs like the little Diaspora Pop Star I was and got showered with money (U.S. Dollars) in the process. This mix is dedicated to my late cousin Inieke Udoiwood, one of the first musicians I knew. And the very reason i'm creating audio imagery today.

special thanks to Mojek.

Stream/download AIYE #43: The GTW below! Big shout out to Underdog for the cover graphics.

TRACKLIST

Rudimental Ft. Natalie May - Sexy Sexy

Spoek Mathambo - Let Them Talk (MSHINI WAM VERSION)

Uproot Andy & Geko Jones - Etelvina Maldonado - Manuelita RMX

D'banj - Fall in Love

N/A Chief boima open session two [EXCERPT]

Dj Hen Boogie & Anbuley- Tsakemo

~ THE GTW - Sweet & Sour ~

Mandoza- Nkalakatha

~ Adele- Set Fire to the Rain (Mojek's Young Africa Remix) ~

Mish- Akwa Ibom Ayaya

Siji- Morenike

Udo Abianga- Leave me along (classic efik special 1971)

N/A- Udoka Soccer Club ( classic praise song for nigerian soccer player udoka)

Arrow- Zouk Me

Like African music? Previously on Africa In Your Earbuds:RADIO TANZANIA, JON THEODORE, DESMOND & THE TUTUS, MATHIEU SCHREYER II, YOUNG FATHERS, BBRAVE OF AKWAABA, OLD MONEY, DJ NEPTUNE, SAHEL SOUNDS, BEATENBERG, M1 [DEAD PREZ], BODDHI SATVA, L’AFRIQUE SOM SYSTEME, NOMADIC WAX, THE BROTHER MOVES ON, LV, BEN ASSITER [JAMES BLAKE'S DRUMMER], JAKOBSNAKE, CHRISTIAN TIGER SCHOOL, SAUL WILLIAMS, TUNE-YARDS, MATHIEU SCHREYER, BLK JKS, ALEC LOMAMI, DJ MOMA, AWESOME TAPES FROM AFRICA, PETITE NOIR, OLUGBENGA, RICH MEDINA,VOICES OF BLACK,LAMIN FOFANA,CHICO MANN, DJ UNDERDOG, DJ OBAH, SABINE, BROTHA ONACI, DJ AQBT, JUST A BAND, STIMULUS, QOOL DJ MARV, SINKANE, CHIEF BOIMA