Afika NX

South African-American rapper Afika NX comes through with his latest foot-stomping single “C’est La Vie,” a track that propels the MC’s bold bars with the use of Caribbean-infused melodies and a highly-addictive beat. “The song is for anyone who’s ever been broke in New York City,” Afika NX tells Okayafrica via e-mail. “We wanted to make something fun, and communicate to people that money should never define you or limit your enjoyment of life. I’m a huge Missy fan, and a huge Busta fan, and there’s definitely some Afro-Caribbean influences in there.”

The single’s Gabriel Garcia Rosa-directed music video follows Afika NX and crew of dancers as they bust some pretty impressive moves across the streets of Brooklyn. “We made that video in one day — just got together a bunch of creative people in Brooklyn to see what we could come up with in an afternoon. It’s got hip-hop dance, West African dance, Afro-Caribbean rhythm, absolutely sick choreography. It’s low budget and fun — just like the message of the song and just like it should be. We love it.”

Stream our premiere of Afika NX’s “C’est La Vie,” from the NYC-based rapper’s forthcoming EP, below. - OkayAfrica

Where He’s From: South Africa by way of Greensboro, North Carolina

When He Started: 2010

Genre: Alternative, Hip-Hop

For Fans Of: Selasi, Chronixx, Lauryn Hill

Sounds Like: A musical renaissance on the rise.

Every now and then, we come across gifted musicians who effortlessly possess the abilities to boldly experiment with new sounds and styles, while finding inspirations in what’s popular. Such skills can be found in newcomer Afika Nx‘s work (pronounced Ah-Feek-Ah Niks). He’s claims strong influences by the legendary reggae Bob Marley and the incomparable pop icon Elton John; the alternative rock band Coldplay isn’t exempt. In songs, he references Nelson Mandela, and evokes the King of Calypso, Harry Belafonte.

On his newest single “Rat Tat Tat,” co-produced by himself, James Adam Shelley (guitarist of American Authors) and Christian Medice, Nx confidently sings “how life keeps beating on your bones,” conveying a sense of optimism to his listeners.He also describes the story behind the track: ”At the time, I was going through something really emotional. This summer, I had the love of my life. We thought we were going to be forever. On one hand, all of my biggest dreams were coming true and skyrocketing, but at the same time, I was losing the things that are so important to me,” he confesses during our phone interview.

Not bad for a single that seemingly “came out of nowhere,” like Afika Nx describes. James Adam Shelley was in the studio one day, who is friends with Christian Medice, and Shelley was really excited about Afika’s new music. Somewhere down the line he started playing the riff now known as “Rat Tat Tat,” and, boom!

Afika Nx promises that his untitled EP will draw influences from the blood of his musical heroes. Check out Afika Nx’s introduction to the world called “Rat Tat Tat” below. - MTV Iggy