Hitmaking production duo Team Salut are leaders of the pack when it comes to UK Afro-wave.
Their 2016 smash Dance For Me with Mr Eazi and Eugy has clocked up a cool 50 million plays and counting, while their astute eye for new talent has seen them work with the likes of Yxng Bane, Ray BLK, Anne-Marie, Wusu, Afro B, Eugy, Tion Wayne, Sneakbo, Not3s, Shakka and plenty more.
Self taught multi-instrumentalists, the pair –Mr Wood and GKP – met in London at church and weld their roots across Africa’s West Coast, from Ghana to Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
In the four years they've been innovating, their future-forward sound has received props from R&B legend Usher (who Snapchatted a video of himself listening to their production of Tion Wayne's Minor) while as artists in their own right, they've released bangers like Drive N Motion.
Here, they let us in on the tracks they've been catching a vibe to of late. Scroll to the bottom to tune in...
Kojo Antwi - Me Nya Ntaban
The reason I love this song is the vibe. It's the Ghanaian highlife sound that generates a feeling and warmth. So it's definitely an element we try to include in some beats. (Mr Wood)
Joey B - Tonga
This also comes from Ghana. This has that keeda bounce; it's the rhythm of the tight claps that makes that bounce. It's the basis of most of our new afro beats or at least elements of it. It's the minimalist aspect that attracted me. (Mr Wood)
Wayne Wonder - No Letting Go
This song just had such a cool vibe without trying too hard. The vocals were simple and chords were sweet on the ears. The drums made you dance but at the same time wanna chill. Good feeling. (Mr Wood)
Fabolous - Into you
Love the guitar in this song. The minimalism of melodies and where it takes you when the hook comes in. Doesn't change much at all but keeps you listening. (Mr Wood)
Ofori Amponsah - Otoolege
This is another Ghanaian hit that had everyone dancing at the time, well still does at some parties. It was an odd beat in terms of the timing and percussion rhythm but when they used the highlife guitar melodies on top of it, it made sense. What I probably love the most is the bass line. It's mad simple and we love to keep things like that: simple but balanced with the music. (Mr Wood)
Kanda Bongo Man - Muchana
This song is an African classic from the Congo. As old as it is, the vocal call and response is perfect and very catchy. Our favourite part of this song is the repetitive style guitar solo, you can often find elements of this sprinkled in our productions. (GKP)
Red Rat - Tight Up Skirt
Another classic, this time from Jamaica. We love the minimal production with the thumping bass, and the rhythmic vocals. (GKP)
Guru - Alkayida
This Ghanaian song was among the first of a new wave of songs from west Africa. In this period, afrobeats became slower in tempo and a bit more minimal. (GKP)
Donaeo - Party Hard
This song is a UK classic and still a party starter. This is among our favourite UK funky songs. (GKP)
P-Square - Bizzy Body
This song was among the first wave of songs to fuse afrobeats with dancehall. This fusion has evolved and developed into a lot of what we hear today. (GKP)
Their 2016 smash Dance For Me with Mr Eazi and Eugy has clocked up a cool 50 million plays and counting, while their astute eye for new talent has seen them work with the likes of Yxng Bane, Ray BLK, Anne-Marie, Wusu, Afro B, Eugy, Tion Wayne, Sneakbo, Not3s, Shakka and plenty more.
Self taught multi-instrumentalists, the pair –Mr Wood and GKP – met in London at church and weld their roots across Africa’s West Coast, from Ghana to Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
In the four years they've been innovating, their future-forward sound has received props from R&B legend Usher (who Snapchatted a video of himself listening to their production of Tion Wayne's Minor) while as artists in their own right, they've released bangers like Drive N Motion.
Here, they let us in on the tracks they've been catching a vibe to of late. Scroll to the bottom to tune in...
Kojo Antwi - Me Nya Ntaban
The reason I love this song is the vibe. It's the Ghanaian highlife sound that generates a feeling and warmth. So it's definitely an element we try to include in some beats. (Mr Wood)
Joey B - Tonga
This also comes from Ghana. This has that keeda bounce; it's the rhythm of the tight claps that makes that bounce. It's the basis of most of our new afro beats or at least elements of it. It's the minimalist aspect that attracted me. (Mr Wood)
Wayne Wonder - No Letting Go
This song just had such a cool vibe without trying too hard. The vocals were simple and chords were sweet on the ears. The drums made you dance but at the same time wanna chill. Good feeling. (Mr Wood)
Fabolous - Into you
Love the guitar in this song. The minimalism of melodies and where it takes you when the hook comes in. Doesn't change much at all but keeps you listening. (Mr Wood)
Ofori Amponsah - Otoolege
This is another Ghanaian hit that had everyone dancing at the time, well still does at some parties. It was an odd beat in terms of the timing and percussion rhythm but when they used the highlife guitar melodies on top of it, it made sense. What I probably love the most is the bass line. It's mad simple and we love to keep things like that: simple but balanced with the music. (Mr Wood)
Kanda Bongo Man - Muchana
This song is an African classic from the Congo. As old as it is, the vocal call and response is perfect and very catchy. Our favourite part of this song is the repetitive style guitar solo, you can often find elements of this sprinkled in our productions. (GKP)
Red Rat - Tight Up Skirt
Another classic, this time from Jamaica. We love the minimal production with the thumping bass, and the rhythmic vocals. (GKP)
Guru - Alkayida
This Ghanaian song was among the first of a new wave of songs from west Africa. In this period, afrobeats became slower in tempo and a bit more minimal. (GKP)
Donaeo - Party Hard
This song is a UK classic and still a party starter. This is among our favourite UK funky songs. (GKP)
P-Square - Bizzy Body
This song was among the first wave of songs to fuse afrobeats with dancehall. This fusion has evolved and developed into a lot of what we hear today. (GKP)
