EMPIRE Africa has proudly released Where We Come From Vol. 2: Soundscapes, a bold, producer-led instrumental project that positions Africa’s visionary producers at the epicenter of the global music landscape. More than just an album, this compilation acts as a profound sound map of the continent, meticulously tracing the rhythms, textures, and narratives from its diverse regions while paying homage to the talented producers who shape music worldwide.
This genre-bending celebration features an illustrious lineup of creators, including Kukbeatz, Dunnie, BlaiseBeatz, and Niphkeys from Nigeria; Kooldrink from Zimbabwe; Danny Hajj from Lebanon; Xivo from South Africa; and Habibeats from Palestine. Together, they deliver a masterful fusion of roots and innovation, elevating the producer’s role to that of the primary architect of sound.
“This project was inspired by the idea that Africa is more than just Afrobeats and Amapiano,” said Ezegozie Eze, EMPIRE’s Vice President of Strategy & Market Development. “‘Soundscapes lets producers lead the story, showcasing the depth, diversity, and creativity that is defining the global sound.”
Coinciding with this release, EMPIRE has announced a significant expansion with the launch of its publishing arm, EMPIRE Publishing Africa. This new platform is dedicated exclusively to spotlighting and representing Africa’s most exceptional producers and songwriters. Munyaradzi Chanetsa, Managing Director of Publishing in Africa, elaborated on the move, stating, “‘Soundscapes’ is more than a record; it is a project to spotlight Africa’s top producers. At EMPIRE Publishing, we represent the very best, and this is our invitation to the world: if you want to engage with Africa’s finest talent, come through to EMPIRE. With phase two, we aim to spark real collaborations and unearth even more creators to stand alongside our roster.”
EMPIRE’s influential roster already includes some of the most pivotal talents in music today, such as Jazzworx of Lesotho and Thukutela of South Africa, who are driving the 3-step sound, and Nigerian hitmaker Ragee, the producer behind Davido’s Grammy-nominated Unavailable and Ayra Starr’s Hot Body. The roster also features Asake, recognized as both an artist and songwriter redefining Afrobeats; Tanzania’s Yogo Beats, who continues to shape the East African sound; and Moroccan producer Leil, who fuses Arabic, French, and English influences to push North Africa’s sound onto the global stage.
To celebrate the release, EMPIRE is launching an open verse competition, inviting emerging producers and artists to engage directly with the instrumentals from Where We Come From Vol. 2. Registration for the competition is now open, and winning entries will be amplified across EMPIRE’s channels, ensuring participants gain valuable exposure alongside some of Africa’s finest talent.
Through Where We Come From Vol. 2: Soundscapes, EMPIRE powerfully reinforces its core mission: to champion diverse sounds, foster meaningful collaboration, discover underground talent, and spotlight the visionary producers who are redefining African music for a global audience.
