Review: Josplay, Where African Music Lives

In a world where African music is often narrowly defined on global streaming platforms, Josplay emerges as an Afrocentric audio entertainment platform dedicated to showcasing the continent's rich and diverse sonic landscape. Launched in 2019, Josplay offers listeners worldwide a comprehensive experience that includes music, news, stories, and audiobooks, all curated with a distinctly African sensibility.

The platform distinguishes itself through its intentional design and AI-powered recommendations. Upon signing up, users engage with a feature called "Frames," which curates music based on daily rhythms and moods. Users select their preferred frames, such as "Flow" for concentration or "Unwind" for relaxation, which then tailor music recommendations. This personalized approach extends to genre selection, where Josplay truly shines by presenting an impressive breadth of African music that transcends the typical offerings of afrobeats, amapiano, and house music.

Josplay's commitment to diversity is further amplified by a significant partnership with Sony Music Entertainment. This collaboration brings a substantial portion of Sony's catalogue to Josplay users, including recordings distributed through The Orchard, and the complete catalogues of Lusafrica and Africa Nostra, adding over 4,000 songs. This expansion allows listeners to discover lesser-known genres like Tishoumaren (Desert Blues), a style originating from the Tuareg people, or Sungura, an energetic Zimbabwean genre. It also highlights genres such as Kizomba, an Angolan style known for its romantic rhythms.

Beyond music, Josplay celebrates the musical diversity within individual African countries. For instance, it aims to represent Nigerian music in its full scope, rather than limiting it to just afrobeats. This comprehensive approach ensures that the platform serves as a vital hub for discovering and appreciating the vast spectrum of African musical traditions, offering a more authentic and inclusive listening experience.