BFM Records has arrived with the launch of a brand-new Amapiano-inspired EP, Mix It Up, featuring UK and SA-based artists
Out on the 12th of August, Mix It Up features the likes of Miraa May, M1llionz, Berwyn and Bru-C alongside BL Zero, MDU aka TRP, TO Starquality and Tumza, featuring songwriting and vocal support from Aymos and Basetsana.
Bridges for Music is a non-profit organisation, who has partnered with Nando’s UK to produce and develop Mix It Up supported by Amapiano powerhouse duo, Major League DJz as executive producers.
This new 4-track release marks the first release on BFM Records, an imprint built by Bridges for Music to help bring the new sounds of Africa to the World and become a platform for cross cultural collaboration. The debut brings together the sounds of popular UK music artists with South African Amapiano hitmakers to create chart-topping tracks from unexpected collaborators across different cultures.
The EP – which has been produced between South Africa’s Flame Studios inside Constitution Hill and Nando’s Soho recording studio in London – developed in partnership with non-profit, SA-based organisation, Bridges for Music – who focuses on empowering young talent from under-served communities in South Africa. Bridges for Music helped to find the right SA producers and artists to feature on the tape and deliver Amapiano credibility, whilst facilitating the release and distribution through their brand new BFM Records.
Acclaimed Amapiano DJs, Major League DJz, were brought in to exec produce and help the artists pair up and inspire co-collaboration across continents whilst driving the broader initiative to change lives through the connection and influence of music.
In celebration of the release of Mix It Up, Nando’s hosted a listening party at its Greenwich restaurant in London last month, with Major League Djz performing tracks off the EP. To listen please head to https://va.lnk.to/MixItUp.
Mix It Up track-list
1 More – Miraa May feat Basetsana, Tumza
Written and Produced by Miraa May, Tumza, Basetsana
P&C 2022 BFM Records / Recorded at Nando’s Soho studio, London
https://www.instagram.com/miraa_may
https://www.instagram.com/mfanawakota
https://www.instagram.com/the_real_basetsana
2 Macala – Bru-C feat Aymos, BL Zero
Written and Produced by Bru-C, Aymos, BL Zero
P&C 2022 BFM Records / Recorded at Flame studios, Johannesburg
https://www.instagram.com/m1llionz
https://www.instagram.com/mduakatrp_official
https://www.instagram.com/aymos_shili
3 Lose Control Berwyn feat Basetsana, TO Starquality
Written and Produced by Berwyn, Basetsana, TO Starquality
P&C 2022 BFM Records / Recorded at Nando’s Soho studio, London
https://www.instagram.com/berwynberwynberwyn/
https://www.instagram.com/to__starquality
https://www.instagram.com/the_real_basetsana
4 Ziya Khala M1llionz feat Aymos, MDUakaTRP
Written and Produced by M1llionz, Aymos, MDUakaTRP
P&C 2022 BFM Records / Recorded at Flame studios, Johannesburg
https://www.instagram.com/iambru_uk
https://www.instagram.com/bl_zero
https://www.instagram.com/aymos_shili
Album Cover Art Ludumo ‘Toto’ Maqabuka (Spier Arts Artist) – @dubltot
About Amapiano
Amapiano is (arguably) the biggest cultural movement to come out of South Africa since Nando’s. This relatively new genre of music evolved from Kwaito’s sounds of freedom via Bacardi House, a fun, mid-tempo, bassline driven sound with hip hop sounding lyricism. The growth is rapid as the sound gets attention from Drake, Burna Boy and Jorja Smith.
About BFM Records
BFM Records is the label launched by NPO Bridges for Music to create a bridge between African talent and the world. A place for cross-cultural collaboration forging a global music community.
BFM Records operates independently with all proceeds going to the NPO, helping to grow its education projects and the construction of new creative schools in under-served communities.
About Bridges for Music
Bridges for Music is a non-profit organization empowering communities and individuals through creative education and the power of music.
In 2019, they opened The Bridges Academy, a creative learning space in the heart of Langa township, offering young talent an inspiring and safe environment with world-class technology, mentorship and programs designed to help them thrive in the creative industries equipping them with the necessary technical skills and mindset to obtain employment or become creative entrepreneurs.
Their program has already been endorsed by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Zolani Mahola and Sho Madjozi. They have already supported hundreds of aspiring artists, connecting them with life changing opportunities.
About Flame Studios
Flame Studios is a world-class recording studio hub built within The Old Fort ramparts at Constitution Hill and inspired by the Flame of Democracy that perpetually burns outside The Constitutional Court. It lives as an expression of the new creative spirit and direction of South Africa.
A registered NPC, Flame Studios is available for commercial hire, whilst remaining focused on developing South African creative talent through accessible recording facilities and mentorship programs. It is a communal space where our nation can heal through the power of music and song. A shared space designed to amplify the voices of our musicians, artists and storytellers.
