Best Music of the Week: Burna Boy, AKA, Femi Kuti, Tiwa Savage & More
The songs you need to hear this week.
Every week, we highlight the cream of the crop in music through our Best Music of the Week column.
Here's our round up of the best tracks and music videos that came across our desks, which you can also check out in our Songs You Need to Hear This Week playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
Follow OkayAfrica on Spotify and Apple Music to get immediate updates every week and read about some of our selections ahead.
Burna Boy "Heaven's Gate" feat. Lily Allen
It's Burna season. The buzzing Nigerian returned this week with not one, but two, brand new singles. Our favorite is "Heaven's Gate," featuring chorus vocals from Lily Allen. The other is a (surprisingly decent) collaboration with Fall Out Boy. Burna's new album, Outside, is out this Friday, January 26.
Read More - Burna Boy, Lilly Allen and Fall Out Boy
AKA "StarSigns" feat. Stogie T
South African star AKA returns to his rap roots and packs some serious heat. He takes a look at where he started, traces his journey, rubs his longevity on your face, and sneers at his competition. Stogie T's verse impresses, too.
Read More - AKA And Stogie T’s Collaboration ‘StarSigns’
Femi Kuti "One People One World"
"'One People One World' is a plea towards global harmony and solidarity. When you look at what's going on in Africa, Europe and America, it's important to keep the dream of unity alive," Femi Kuti told OkayAfricaabout the title track from his forthcoming 10th album.
Read More - Femi Kuti Spreads - 'One People One World'
Ladipoe "Are You Down" feat. Tiwa Savage (prod. by Don Jazzy)
It's an all Mavin Records affair as Nigerian rapper Ladipoe links up with superstar Tiwa Savage for "Are You Down," an addictive, horn-flanked single produced by none-other-than Don Jazzy.
Read More - Ladipoe, Tiwa Savage & Don Jazzy's 'Are You Down'
Preto Show "Banger (Mamawe)" feat. Davido
Here's a cross continental banger from Angola's Preto Show and Nigerian superstar Davido. This one's got an infectious beat that'll heat up any dance floor.
Sarkodie "Light It Up" feat Big Narstie & Jayso
Ghanaian heavyweight rapper Sarkodie has shared the visual for "Light It Up," an ominous and booming track from his Highest album which sees him join forces with the UK's Big Narstie and fellow Ghanaian Jayso.
Read More - Sarkodie's New Album, 'Highest,'
Baloji "Soleil De Volt"
Congolese musician Baloji, a longtime favorite here at OkayAfrica, goes full 1970s Soul Train in this new music video for "Soleil De Volt." Get into the funk.
Stonebwoy "Bawasaaba"
Ghanaian dancehall and reggae big name Stonebwoy drops the visual for "Bawasaaba," a highly-addictive tune from his recent album, Epistles of Mama.
Julius Begger "Morale"
At only 19-years-old, Nigerian newcomer Julius Begger cements his spot our "ones to watch" list with "Morale," an impressive and percussion-heavy single from the young talent. Having worked with the likes of Killertunes, Tekno, So-Plain, Jay Pizzle, we'll be sure to keep Julius on our radar—and you should to.
Wande Coal "Tur-Key Nla"
Wande Coal followed up the massive success of "Iskaba" with the equally potent single "Tur-Key Nla" last year. That single now gets the colorful music video treatment.
Sona "Feeling You"
UK afrobeats act Sona is on to something with "Feeling You," a head nodder song about "the early stages of a long-term relationship," he mentions.
