SA: Filah Lah Lah added to Apple Music Africa Rising programme

The accomplishment, which comes after Apple Music named Filah Lah Lah as an Up Next artists in 2021, coincides with the release of her debut album On Air. On the album, Filah Lah Lah explores the deep-rooted idea of identity, belonging and self-discovery across 18 songs. The fashioning of this R&B-rooted album also serves as a sounding board for Filah Lah Lah, exemplary of who and what she wants to be as a consummate artist.

“Being chosen as the Africa Rising artist feels absolutely incredible,” Filah Lah Lah told Apple Music. “Thank you so much to Apple Music for supporting local R&B talent like myself. Thank you to my fans for riding as hard as you have been since day one. Peace.”

Inspired by jazz icons like Nina Simone, Miles Davis and John Coltrane, R&B masters like Marvin Gaye, Betty Wright and Smokey Robinson, and the energy of 1990s hip hop, Filah Lah Lah poured her unique artistry into her debut EP Filahsofy (2020). While her debut EP was an intimate snapshot of her life, her second EP, We’re Gonna Be Just Fine (2021), showed her growth both through restrained vocals and sensual soundscapes, taking on a more ambient and harmonic tone.

Apple Music’s Africa Rising is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars.

Africa Rising alumni to date include Omah Lay, Manu WorldStar, Tems, Amaarae, Ayra Starr, Yaw Tog, Blxckie and Nikita Kering'. Africa Rising selects six artists every year who each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform including a launch interview with US TV personality Nadeska Alexis on Apple Music 1.