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Nandi Madida’s marked recently marked a significant milestone as she celebrates 100 episodes of Africa Now Radio on Apple Music 1. The star was surprised at a private dinner recently hosted by Apple Music with the likes of husband Zakes Batwini showing up to mark the moment. Since 2023, Nandi has led a sonic tour across Africa, interviewing the biggest and best acts, and shining a spotlight on the superstars making waves both on the continent and around the world. On this special episode, Nandi takes us through some of the most special highlights from season four, including artist interviews and some of the most notable chart-toppers.
“I’ve been bringing you the finest sounds coming out of Africa for a whopping 100 shows! It has flown by!” Nandi shares. “I’m so proud of what we have achieved, and when I say ‘we’, I truly mean that. This show is not just my home – it’s the home for all of our African artists and also the listener. So this week, we are celebrating African Now Radio together!
Make sure you check out all of my cover star interviews. It’s your chance to learn about the artists we play, and trust me, you’ll be inspired by many of their stories. Thank you so much for joining and being a part of this journey. The sounds from the motherland never, ever stops. So I look forward to you joining me for episode 101!”
Some of the continent’s biggest stars also join the celebration with messages and toasts to Nandi and all things Africa Now Radio.
“Africa Now Radio is very important in celebrating African music because Africa needs more, Africa deserves more and we make beautiful and amazing music in Africa,” Nigerian Afrobeats star Oxlade explains. “With platforms like this, the world gets to see and understand where we at musically. It also gives new emerging talents opportunity to showcase their talent. I remember when I put out my album, Nandi was so supportive, so receptive, positive; she paid attention to the body of work itself, and it spoke volumes on how much she loves what she does.”
“Congratulations on your 100th episode of Africa Now Radio on Apple Music 1”, South African amapiano DJ and producer DBN Gogo shares. “Thank you for championing us, championing African music and showing us to the world. I think it’s such an important platform because people can go straight to the source—they can see what’s happening now on the continent, and it’s African stories told by Africans themselves.”
Tanzanian Afro-fusion star HEVI shares: “Being part of the Apple Music family, and having my music featured on the platform is a huge blessing. Nandi’s energy and the way she carries our sound to the world inspires us to keep pushing forward, and it gives a voice to African artists.”
“Congratulations Nandi on your hundred episodes of African Now Radio,” says Kenyan Afropop star and Sauti Sol veteran, Savara. “Thank you so much for putting Africa on the map—this is so good for new artists.”
“Congratulations Nandi—you deserve all the accolades,” says Ghanaian Afro-fusion star KOJO BLAK. “Our last conversation really enlightened people about my journey, who I am in person and also my music. Africa Now Radio is a very positive initiative to push artists like myself. So I love you for that.”
“I remember when my album came out; our interview really amplified my sense of belief in what I was doing,” Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK explains. Big up to the whole Apple Music team for trusting you with this project.”
Nigerian Afrobeats star BNXN offers, “Nandi, you’ve supported my entire career, and I want to say a big thank you because from the bottom of my heart. You’ve been so lovely and so kind to me, and I hope and I wish you more success in your career and in this radio life. Congratulations.”
And South African house DJ and producer Zakes Bantwini agrees: “The Apple Music 1 team couldn’t have chosen a better person to carry our music, to carry our voice, to carry our sound and tell the world about us. You do this with ease, because we’re not ashamed to be African, and you’re not ashamed to be original. I’m so inspired by you.”
Interview Highlights
Nandi Madida shares her best interview moments with this week’s cover stars: on episode 29, Rema talks about evolving his sound and creating a legacy; Tyla discusses the highs and pressures of winning a Grammy award early in her career (episode 39); Ayra Starr talks about subverting expectations and developing her distinctive voice (episode 47); Black Sherif explains why it’s vital to be surrounded by a strong team (episode 89); and HEVI unpacks her mission to represent Tanzania on global stages (episode 94).
Nandi’s Big 5
Nandi Madida shares her five favourite songs from the last 100 episodes, including tracks from Rema & Selena Gomez, Tyla, Zakes Bantwini, Skye Wanda & Thakzin feat. SUFFOCATE SA, Kabza De Small & Mthunzi feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush, and Khalil Harrison & Tyler ICU feat. Leemckrazy & Ceeka RSA. “To celebrate the hundredth episode of Africa Now Radio, I’m looking back at the five biggest songs I’ve been most proud of championing in the show from day one.”
Rema & Selena Gomez – Calm Down
“The song literally dominated the charts around the world, including a number one on the USA Afrobeats charts as well as 27 weeks in the UK Top 10. Rema had truly arrived. And this song means a lot to me because man, just to see Rema grow as an artist and his trajectory is so beautiful. He’s really a testament to this ‘Africa to the world’ movement.”
Zakes Bantwini, Skye Wanda & Thakzin – Mama Thula (feat. SUFFOCATE SA)
“An exceptional song from an artist is very close to my heart and for very good reason. That was the incredible South African musician and Grammy award winner Zakes Bantwini with ‘Mama Tula’ released in 2023, taken from his album ‘A Star is Reborn’. Zakes created the song to beautifully pay homage to motherhood. I had to put the song in my 100th show because the Big 5 is all about songs that have moved us and also sounds that have changed the landscape in this beautiful continent we call Africa.”
Kabza De Small & Mthunzi – Imithandazo (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush)
“In 2023 Kabza De Small released a piece of magic featuring an all star lineup of Mthunzi, Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine, and Umthakathi Kush – and they all added their own signature touches. Kabza De Small remains a key pioneer in the development of the Amapionao scene. I was so happy to see this achieve the success it deserves because what a spiritual, beautiful moving song it was. And man, it really rocked the whole nation and continent.”
Khalil Harrison & Tyler ICU – Jealousy (feat. Leemckrazy & Ceeka RSA)
“We just took it back to 2023, with an award winning South African producer & DJ, born and raised in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa! His name is Tyler ICU. And he quickly gained the title as King of Amapiano. The track is called ‘Jealousy’ and features the talents of Khalil Harriosn, Leemckrazy and Ceeka RSA.. I was proud to champion this record, and just to see it really move the whole world. And still even now, I mean it’s gone viral everywhere with people doing different dance challenges. It just shows how incredible it is when you have good music.”
Tyla – Water
“This next artist needs no introduction, someone who I’ve been supporting since day one and their success and journey has just been nothing short of remarkable. The Artist is the multi-platinum Grammy award-winning Tyler with ‘Water’! It was lead single to Tyla’s debut album and it introduced the world to a superstar. This song was especially important to me, but also just the world over, because it truly showed the talents coming out of South Africa from a global perspective – and also it was from a queen!”
Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, June 20th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.