100 Best Albums Radio

New forms of African popular music fuse traditional and contemporary sensibilities, morphing into new sonic fusions that connect Joburg to Nairobi via Lagos and Accra—and reflect the global diaspora. On Africa Now Radio, South African actor, singer, media personality, and entrepreneur Nandi Madida presents the latest African sounds in their lush entirety, be it amapiano, Afrobeats, highlife, alté, house, hip-hop, Afrobongo, or kuduro—along with interviews with the continent’s biggest stars and most exciting emerging acts. Kicking off her television career at just 15 years old, Nandi Madida has hosted some of South Africa’s most popular lifestyle shows, including All Access Mzansi and Coke Studio, and hosted and executive-produced BET Africa’s Made in Africa. Nandi starred in The Road, which won the South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best TV Soap in 2017, and 2020’s Black Is King, the Disney+ visual album and film experience written and directed by Beyoncé. “From the day I was born, I loved entertaining people, I loved the arts,” Nandi tells Apple Music 1. “I think because I got to choose my trajectory—my life, my goals, my plans, where I'm going—that's why I believe I still love it. There's a purpose, rather than the rewards that come with it. I absolutely love entertainment and I've never stopped since.” Through her own music, including her 2012 debut album NANDI and singles like 2020’s “Organic,” Nandi celebrates the natural beauty of African people, while her journey as a fashion entrepreneur led her to co-found the label Colour alongside Project Runway South Africa winner Kentse Masilo; together they’ve showcased vibrant, regal collections at New York Fashion Week. In addition to her creative projects, Nandi currently serves as a Global Citizen advocate and helps to promote gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights. Inspired by her desire to share the beauty of the continent and its people around the world, Nandi sees herself as a true ambassador for African creativity. “I have never been this riveted by the African music scene,” she explains. “What we've been trying to do for so many years is finally happening. Africans are getting the recognition, but from an equal level, where we are not being compromised; we are not being undermined in any way. We’re being appreciated but also respected—and so many people fought for that. I think that's paramount, that people understand that we are so capable, with or without any assistance. We really are. And I think people are seeing that. I think our leaders [need] to understand that as well. Our artists are showing us that whether or not we have the support, we're doing it ourselves.” “I’m big on uniting African people across the continent and across the diaspora,” Nandi continues. “I hope to lift the voices of our African artists even higher, to really be a representative of how incredible this continent is and has been.” Tune in to a new episode of Africa Now Radio every Friday at 1 am LA, 4 am NY, 9 am Lagos/London, and 10 am Johannesburg/Paris on Apple Music 1.

“Some of the best conversations I’ve ever had have been around a fire,” Nashville star HARDY tells Apple Music. The singer-songwriter brings those conversations to Apple Music Country on his new radio show, The Fire With HARDY. Over the course of several episodes, he invites guests to share stories and musical influences, all while revealing his own personal journey. “I’ve always been intrigued at how people develop their musical tastes,” he says. “Do they credit it to fond memories of their childhood? Did they discover it on their own? I wanna dig into some of my favorite musicians’, songwriters’, and producers’ brains to see what and how music influenced them to become the successful people they are today.”

Go back to where it all began with Origin Stories. In each episode, an Apple Music 1 host accompanies stars as they make a revealing return to home turf. “This is intrinsic to our history,” Blossoms singer Tom Ogden tells Apple Music’s Matt Wilkinson during a visit to the Alma Lodge Hotel in the band’s hometown of Stockport. “Three of us worked here till 2014. I’d be showing the demos in the cutlery room. I’m feeling waves of nostalgia running through my veins.” Hear formative stories from friends, family and our featured artists that draw on the unique charm, character and inspiration of places they’ve called home—from buzzing cultural hotspots to the quiet charm of the English countryside. Stops in Season 1 include a trip to Stockport with local lads Blossoms (named after a pub on the corner of Bramhall Lane and Buxton Road), plus breaks in Birmingham (with MIST), Manchester (with Pip Millett), Nottingham (with Young T & Bugsey) and more.

Apple Music Country host Tiera has been singing since she was in elementary school in Birmingham, Alabama, when she auditioned for the part of Ariel in a school production of The Little Mermaid. Since making the move to Nashville, the singer-songwriter has been crowned by CMT as part of 2020’s Next Women of Country and Listen Up class, and dropped a critically acclaimed self-titled EP in 2021. On her namesake Apple Music Country show, Tiera brings her up-close perspective to what’s new in country—but also incorporates other sounds. “My heart is in country music, but I draw inspiration from all different genres,” she says. “So you’re going to hear everything from country to R&B, the classics to the new, and all the feel-good songs that set fire to your soul.” Tune in to The Tiera Show every Monday through Friday on Apple Music Country at 9 am LA/12 pm NYC/5 pm LDN.

There are few better ways to get to know someone than rifling through their record bins. On his new Apple Music Country show The Broken Jukebox Society, veteran musician and television personality Nick Hoffman does just that, digging through the eclectic, often surprising musical influences of some of today’s most popular artists. “I'm into what makes artists tick,” Hoffman tells Apple Music. “‘Why'd you write that song, you know? How'd you get to where you're at? The style that you have as an artist, how did you get there?’ I'm fascinated by the journey. So this show is all about nostalgia. It's less about the songs you have on the radio right now and it's more about how you got to them, how you got here.” As Hoffman puts it, The Broken Jukebox Society shines a spotlight on the “soundtracks of artists’ lives, taking the artist down the path of reliving the songs that made them who they are.” Country music is the show’s focus, but Hoffman’s far-reaching conversations with artists like Jordan Davis and Dustin Lynch often reach unexpected territory, too, like the influence of ’90s pop stars or early family memories of listening to classic rock artists like Tom Petty. “It’s super lighthearted, super fun, and there’s no rules,” Hoffman says. “Yeah, we focus on ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s country, for the most part, but there's no rules. It reveals a side of the artist that you wouldn't normally see.” Hoffman is a true multi-hyphenate, playing fiddle for artists like Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban, releasing music as a singer-songwriter and with country band The Farm, hosting the Outdoor Channel television series Nick’s Wild Ride, and so much more. His kaleidoscopic perspective on music and pop culture makes him the perfect tour guide for a meandering trip down musical memory lane. “Everybody has a soundtrack to their lives,” Hoffman says. “What’s yours?”

With his Apple Music radio show, producer Ikky is ushering in a new era of Punjabi music. On Punjabi Takeover Radio, the Toronto-based artist (and Apple Music Up Next Local alum) takes listeners on a journey into the genre—where it’s been, where it is now, and where it’s going. Ikky shares his story while narrating the history of Punjabi music and connecting collaborators, influences, and inspirations. From India to the UK to Canada to US and across the world, the Punjabi Takeover is officially here.