Music
Raz & Afla Launch MoBlack Records – “AfroZone” with new EP Benwa Marafi
Raz & Afla reunite for forward-thinking Afro House EP ‘Benwa Marafi’ First release on MoBlack Records’ newest annex AfroZone.
Welcome to AfroZone, the newest annex to MoBlack Records’ expanding house, a creative space dedicated to the essence of Afro. For AfroZone’s debut release, Raz & Afla reunite with an inimitable two-tracker that resounds the sub-label’s vision in perfect elocution. AZ001 is the label’s genesis as they always imagined it to be. Educing from their tried, tested, and proven transcontinental chemistry, the Hackney-based producer and Ghanian musical maestro render their Benwa Marafi EP, a forward-thinking manifestation of Afro House that breathes the past in unison with the present.
Organic percussion, convictive tribal drumming, and bright, gritty strings pulsate life into the 7:12 minute journey, while Senegalese inspired vocals siphon soulfulness that ground man to earth, and earth within the body. Quixotic melodies, airy riffs tread Benwa Marafi’s sensual rhythm while elegant electronic tweaks and effervescent synths lend a subtle cosmic touch that unravels a celestial perspective from which earth is one entity. An impassioned plea out of love and despair, a deliberate chorus of hope into syncretic conviction, Benwa Marafi’s exudes rich tapestries of ethnic sounds, made by man, some, machine, echoing the universality of Afro House and the universe within Afro House.
Shake It Mama rounds off the EP, shaking loose and breaking beat in a vast acoustic space, wallowing in a kaleidoscope of Afro-infused raw materials, mechanical modulations, and funky sonic juxtapositions. This 4:03 minute track is a mental trip for locomotive desires, teeming with faded reverberations, ominous harmonies, and glossy resonance self-fulfilling on ecstatic bass lines and body-binding rhythms.
For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/raz.
Artist Spotlight
Owen Rivera turns summer romance into an irresistible experience with “LaiLuv”
Owen Rivera’s new single “LaiLuv” is one of those rare releases that makes you feel as if you are in a free-spirited evening, golden sunsets, open roads, and memories for a lifetime. This track has a tropical feel which delivers a refreshing anthem, designed for the soundtrack of summer.
“LaiLuv” is a simple but touching song with an inviting melody and polished production. It is fresh, lively, and textured with just enough heat to make each listen like returning home to a favorite space. Rivera’s vocals are sincere, and it sits easily in the arrangement and gives the narrative a real and accessible feel. The young love, warm nights, and long drives are brought to life with real emotion, painting vivid pictures that many will recognize in their own lives.
“LaiLuv” alone displays Rivera’s talent for combining accessible pop songwriting with rock textures that make for a song that feels timeless. Owen Rivera’s “LaiLuv” is a feel-good release that celebrates the beauty of fleeting moments and reminds us why some memories of summer never fade away, all wrapped up in a breezy vibe, catchy melody, and heartfelt storytelling.
Artist Spotlight
Benji Miller captures the weight of loving someone through depression on “Hey Darcey”
R&B artist Benji Miller has crafted a deeply empathetic, poignant track with “Hey Darcey,” a song about the emotional toll of watching the slow fade of someone you love. The track is the second single from his forthcoming debut EP, “Love Or Pain,” and offers a reflective look at an artist who isn’t afraid of having tough conversations with honesty and heart.
Built with warm, understated R&B production that lends the track an intimate sound where every melodic choice feels intentional. The production is free of dramatic arrangements, giving space to the emotion and putting the vocals into the spotlight. Benji Miller’s honest, understated performance has a quiet openness that gets to the uncertainty, helplessness, and hope that are at the heart of the story.
“Hey Darcey” is about those who support loved ones with depression and the confusion, concern, and emotional exhaustion that is often left unspoken. The reflective tone is an encouraging reminder that compassion, patience, and presence still matter, even when solutions seem impossible to find. “Hey Darcey” is a story for the ones who may be going through the same struggles, and reminds us that music can still be one of the most powerful ways to connect.
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