New artist of the week: Sequence

What: Irish dancehall afrobeat pop

Where: Ireland

Why: While Irish hip-hop and rap acts have been getting their kudos through introductory pieces, placements on Spotify's newly created editorial scene playlist The New Eire and slots at rap-fronted festivals such as last weekend's Longitude Festival in Dublin's Marlay Park, it's worth noting that it's more than rap acts who are are part of the new school.

The throwback R&B of Dubliner Erica Cody, the youthful pop of Kildare's Tebi Rex, the live R&B pop band Super Silly and the afrobeat of Cork's Jay Ronic are among those offering shades to the idea of an emerging new scene.

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One artist that seems to stand apart while being part of the scene, is the Athlone-based artist Sequence, whose music draws less inspiration from American counterparts than Nigerian Afrobeat and dancehall music.

Last year, Sequence racked up nearly half a million views for a cover of Fisherman from the UK rap artist’s J Hus that helped Sequence receive the requisite attention to feature on playlists and websites.

But it's his own music that is the attention-grabber. Take Stunna, Sequence's best track so far. Its minimal trap production with deep low-end, dancehall rhythms, autotuned vocals, flute melody and undeniable hook all add up to a song with earworm capabilities.

It's early days to know where this may go but on early singles like Problem, TNM and a newly-released EP Take Time, the alchemic mix of influences is creating a fresh sound in Irish music, not heard previously.

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