Although this summer was different for many, music around the world hasn’t stopped. In this week’s column, we will explore some summer bops.
Nigeria
Yemi Alade – “True Love”
Yemi Alade is a famous Nigerian pop singer/songwriter. Her most recent music video “True Love” was released on Sept. 1. The lyrics celebrate how true love will bring happiness and how important happiness is. In the music video, people in traditional outfits dance to the music, with flashes of people smiling at each other occasionally cutting in. The song’s upbeat but slow tempo makes for a fun and happy song to dance to. This Afropop song is heartfelt but also highlights Nigerian culture and their perception of love.
Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/XkgMHudaKdA
Burna Boy – “Wonderful”
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy, is another Nigerian singer/songwriter. Burna Boy’s most recent single “Wonderful” was released on June 30. According to the English lyrics, “Wonderful” tells listeners that no matter where they go they must return home, so they don’t forget their African origins. The music video begins with a quote, “Somewhere in the land of warriors, kings and queens,” accompanied by an image of a gorilla. The video then shows a group of people dancing in traditional clothing. Burna Boy is also dancing and in some scenes wearing a warrior-like costume. Overall the song is very cheerful and the combination of afrobeat and video graphics gives us a glimpse of Nigeria.
Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/k33o1IgtUEM
South Korea
BTS – “Dynamite”
Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS), also known as Bangtan Boys, has taken the world by storm in recent years. “Dynamite” is their first full English song. The song was released on Aug. 20, and has since surpassed 329 million views on Youtube. The music video starts out with a clip of all the members of BTS together, before transitioning to scenes of individual members in different settings, including but not limited to a bedroom, a donut shop and a record store. The pastel color scheme is aesthetically pleasing and members of BTS are dressed in disco era-inspired clothing. They are dancing and just overall having a great time. Based on the lyrics this is a song about having fun. The song is very upbeat, it really energizes you and makes you want to dance.
Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/gdZLi9oWNZg
Wonho – “Open Mind”
Wonho is a South Korean idol, formerly part of the Korean pop band Monsta X. Since his departure from the band, Wonho has developed his own music. His most recent song “Open Mind” was released on Sept. 4. His music video has gained attention outside of K-pop fans due to Tik Tok. Many are drawn to his muscular physique in the music video. Besides Wonho, the music video shows a lot of dancing and pretty graphics. The beat of the song is also highly catchy, sounding like an electric pop song. The lyrics describe trying to seduce a girl and a one night stand. But nonetheless it is still a fun song to bop to.
Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/Ymm4GeTRIu8
France
PLK – “C’est Mort”
“C’est Mort,” a French song made by rapper PLK (Mathieu Claude Daniel Pruski), was released on July 9. Based on English translations of the song, PLK describes being a rapper as an outlet from life on the streets. He explains in his lyrics that he has made it to the top and is earning a lot of money compared to past. This song explains hardships that come with life, which PLK has overcome through music. The music video shows a slightly futuristic world with holograms and hover motorcycles. Scenes showed drug deals and depict that nothing has really changed even though society is more advanced. It shows a bit of a bitter side of life but nonetheless is a popular French song released over the summer.
Jamaica
Sevana – Mango
Sevana is a Jamaican musical artist whose recent song “Mango” was released on July 31. The song compares the sweetness of love to mangoes. The music video pictures just Sevana herself in multiple outfits that have a mango color scheme. The other visuals of the music video are very aesthetically pleasing, with mangoes in the music video and matching color schemes from the settings. The song is a catchy reggae genre that makes you feel good and want to dance.
Watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/x-yeBrtOeek