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Apple Music’s Rap Life Radio, hosted by Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B Ebro Darden, spotlights Ghanaian star Joey B this month. The feature includes a conversation with Ebro and Africa Now Radio host Nandi Madida, who unpack his latest single “Exopa” featuring Odunsi (The Engine), taken from his new project Sexy Highlife.
Drawing from the zouk and kompa sounds that shaped his early years, “Exopa” sees Joey B exploring fresh sonic ground. The record blends smooth Caribbean textures with his signature contemporary African style, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-facing.
At the centre of “Exopa” is Joey B’s instinct for reinvention. Known for consistently stretching the boundaries of Afrobeats, Highlife, and alternative African music, the Ghanaian artist continues to defy expectation. His new direction reflects a creative curiosity that keeps evolving rather than repeating itself. The track also offers a window into Sexy Highlife, a project that connects cultures, generations, and genres while reinforcing his position as one of Africa’s most inventive musical voices.
Rap Life Africa this month also highlights Rush-Awa’s debut single “Lapisa” featuring Lowfeye, LaCabra, and dolphin_dx. The new duo, formed by South African producers DJ Sliqe and MashBeatz, arrive with a high-energy collaboration rooted in experimentation, cultural identity, and the fearless spirit of South Africa’s emerging soundscape. Cassper Nyovest also features with “PHUNYUKA BAMPHETHE”, a reflective record that pairs his signature lyrical confidence with themes of love, fulfilment, and personal growth.
Spotlight On
For more than a decade, Joey B has carved out a distinctive space in African music. Widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most forward-thinking artists, he has built a catalogue filled with influential records such as “Tonga”, “La Familia”, “U x Me”, and “Princess”, earning a loyal following across Africa and beyond.
His latest project, Sexy Highlife, marks the next stage in a career defined by constant evolution. Inspired partly by his time in New York and exposure to the city’s underground “Sexy Drill” movement, Joey B reinterprets Ghanaian Highlife through a modern, bass-driven lens. The result is a body of work that feels nostalgic and futuristic at once, while remaining unmistakably his own. It further strengthens his reputation as a cultural shapeshifter and one of the continent’s most original creative voices.
First To Know
“I’ve always wanted to have a zouk or kompa record in my catalogue somewhere,” Joey B tells Apple Music when reflecting on the direction of Sexy Highlife. “In the early 90s, Caribbean and French sounds were creeping into the Ghanaian music scene, which made my father play them at home. I’ve always loved that sound since I was a child, and now I am finally exploring it.”
Speaking on his Rap Life Africa feature, Joey B adds, “Being on the Rap Life Africa cover is a real honour. I’ve seen my favourite rappers on this cover, so being here myself hits different. I am grateful to my fans, my team, and everyone who has supported me. And to Apple Music, thank you for always showing up for African music.”
Press Play
Rap Life Africa serves as a companion to Apple Music’s flagship Hip-Hop playlist, Rap Life.
