ORBIT: AMPLIFY Playlist—Cuppy

by: Rachel Narozniak Jul 28, 2020

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Over the past few weeks, electronic artists have celebrated the musical contributions of black artists by compiling ORBIT: AMPLIFY playlists. The playlists have succinctly spotlit productions from black artists and artists of color that have influenced these artists’ careers, and on a simpler level, kept them moving and grooving. 

Following respective ORBIT: AMPLIFY playlists from CeCe Rogers, Martin Badder, Loud Luxury, Akira Akira, Anabel Englund, Brando, and Major Lazer‘s Walshy Fire, Cuppy joins the ORBIT: AMPLIFY series for the week of July 27. Cuppy, known off-stage as Florence Otedola, described the concept-driven character of her ORBIT: AMPLIFY Playlist, telling Dancing Astronaut,

“I wanted to give an overview of Afrobeats then to Afrobeats now and emphasize the artists who have fused together sounds. I think this is a great entry into what Africa has to offer, but not exhaustive, as there’s so much more. Some of the artists here are people I’ve been lucky enough to work with and also the artists that are always thinking outside the box. There’s so much Africa has to give, and I hope you enjoy your shallow dive in.”

Spanning the Afrobeats continuum, past and present, Cuppy’s ORBIT: AMPLIFY installment canvasses original productions from DaVido, WizKid, 2 Face, Niniola, Rema, and Fireboy DML, among others. Cuppy, recently named the new host of Apple Music‘s “Africa Now” show, also issues nods to several edits and remixes, including a rework of “Lemme Know” involving LADIPOE and Teni.

The ORBIT: AMPLIFY Playlist additionally contains some of Cuppy’s own work, most notably, her new single, “Jollof On The Jet,” featuring Rema and Rayvanny. The Afro-pop production descended on digital streaming platforms on July 17, arriving ahead of Cuppy’s sought-after LP, Original Copy. The debut album is slated to release Apple Music’s Platoon. A formal landing date has been set and will soon be announced. In the interim, listeners can pique their Afrobeats tastes with Cuppy’s ORBIT: AMPLIFY Playlist.

Featured image: David M. Benett

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Make no mistake—dance music is born from black culture. Without black creators, innovators, selectors, and communities, the electronic dance music we hold so dear would simply not exist. In short, dance music is deeply indebted to the global black community and we need to be doing more. Black artists and artists of color have played a profound role in shaping the sound and culture of dance music and now more than ever, it is necessary for everyone in the music community to stand up for the people that have given us so much. Dancing Astronaut pledges to make every effort to be a better ally, a stronger resource, and a more accountable member of the global dance music community. Black Lives Matter—get involved here:  

Black Lives Matter

My Block My Hood My City

National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Program

Black Visions Collective

Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Legal Defense Initiative

The Bail Project

The Next Level Boys Academy

Color of Change

Committee to Protect Journalists