No Borders: Cuppy's Neo-Afrobeats Playlist

June is No Borders month here at OkayAfrica.

'Neo-afrobeats,' a term that Cuppy coined, takes afrobeats flavors and blends them with house and electronic influences for a cross-breeding sound that's entirely something of its own.

We asked Cuppy to select our No Borders playlist for this month, for which she picked a number of songs and collaborations that speak to the greater global conversation going on between afrobeats, dancehall, pop, and hip-hop.

Here's what Cuppy mentions about her No Borders song selections:

"Inspired by my Cactus on the Roofsummertime residency parties, this playlist represents a fusion of afrobeats and tropical house," Cuppy says. "This sound is so powerful as it picks up the harmonious tonality of house riffs complimented with the heavy rhythmic kicks that afrobeats has. For me, this is a sound that I personally love and acknowledge as a prevalent sub-genre in afrobeats."

Stream our No Borders playlist on Apple Music, selected by Cuppy, and read about her individual selections below.

Timaya "I Like the Way (Electric Bodega Remix)"

Cuppy: The perfect synergy, this uplifting record is obsessively feel-good! Timaya is such a versatile Nigerian artist and has the gift of vocal presence.

Geko "Drunk On You"

C: Wait for the drop! Take me to a tropical rain forest rave NOW! I love this song because it makes reminds me to YOLO when I’m stressing out.

Ycee "Juice" feat. Maleek Berry

C: This record grew on me; melodies are so smooth, too much sauce! I reckon it will become quite the crossover; it’s already getting popular with DJs.

Jidenna "Little Bit More"

C: Classic example of marrying afrobeats with a sprinkle of house kick! Jidenna seems to have the neo-afrobeats formula on lock.

Belly Squad "Like That"

C: This UK record feels antique but has an amazing afrobeats undertone! We’re seeing a lot of UK artists pull from afrobeats too, so exciting!

J Hus "Spirit"

C: The lyrics of this record are EVERYTHING! For me this song carries the spirit behind afrobeats, J Hus has managed to materialize a feeling: wow.

Mostack "Let It Ring"

C: Feels like azonto met UK grime, full of London swag! Everytime I play this record, I notice girls LOVE it; it’s got an old school subtle feel.

Tekno "Pana"

C: How can I not put our 2017 afrobeats anthem? For me, this record changed the game. Can we also acknowledge that Tekno wrote Davido’s “If”? Wow.

Runtown "Mad Over You"

C: This record provides us with an easy listening universal experience. Influence is no doubt from Ghana, but it’s a cross-continental HIT!

Wizkid "Come Closer" feat. Drake

C: Tropical elements are left right and center, wouldn’t expect less from two of my favorite artists! This fusion sound also pulls from the islands.

Jeremih "London" feat. Stefflon Don and Krept & Konan

C: Sultry and soulful, this is such a floor filler! The beat alone reminds me of local distorted heavy bass you get in Lagos street raves.

Yxng Bane "Fine Wine (Remix)" feat. WSTRN

C: This record is a monster hit in London, it’s catchy and has a bounce! The melody and feel-good riffs are so lifting.

French Montana "Unforgettable" feat. Swae Lee

C: This for me, is my record of the year—genius! neo-afrobeats on 100%! When I heard this song for the first time, I didn’t sleep that night. No joke.

Drake "Get It Together" feat. Black Coffee and Jorja Smith

C: Like most of the fusion tracks on his album, I find this Drake collab record fresh and exciting, takes me back to Johannesburg nights!

Young Paris "The Way I Am" (prod. by Cuppy)

C: This record is another great fusion stemmed from Afrobeats, I’m a bit biased because I produced it! I love the lyrics and depth Young Paris created within the record.

Catch Cuppy every Sunday in June at her London party series, Cactus on the Roof.