Apple Music has announced South African rapper and producer Blxckie as its latest Up Next artist.
Up Next is Apple Music’s monthly artist global programme geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. The announcement coincides with the release of Blxckie’s latest single ‘Stripes’.
Blxckie will be featured on Apple Music’s South African Up Next playlist, which includes a dynamic class of new and emerging artists who are handpicked by Apple Music’s editors around the world.
“Up Next South Africa? Yo!” the 21-year-old Blxckie said. “In my short journey in this industry, I have learnt that supporters, and fans are everything. This is amazing for a young artist, and I’m so honoured to be the first Up Next South Africa artist. Masihambeni [let’s go].”
Apple Music said: “The [Up Next] playlist is genre-agnostic and represents a line-up of artists our global editors are passionate about and eager to expose to a larger audience.”
Born Sihle Sithole in Durban, Blxckie is known for using his soothing melodic voice over a variety of different beats to create fresh new sounds. His sound is described as melodic trap with an edge. He has worked with such artists as LeoDa Leo, Yuang, 808 Sallie and LucasRaps.
The vast global Up Next roster of past talent includes Rema, Mr Eazi, Burna Boy, 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid and Amy Shark, among others.
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