The Songs You Need to Hear This Week
The best African music of the week featuring Kizz Daniel, Seun Kuti, Zuukou Mayzie x Baaba Maal, Ugaboys, Mereba, and more.
Jaykatana and Blxckie in the visuals for “Sizokhuthola.”
Every week, OkayAfrica highlights the top Afrobeats and African music releases through our best music column, Songs You Need to Hear This Week.
Read ahead for our round-up of the best new African music tracks and music videos that came across our desks this week.
Kizz Daniel – ‘Uncle K: Lemon Chase’ [EP]
Kizz Daniel, one of the most enduring hitmakers of his generation, has the uncanny ability to turn simple phrases into powerful emotions. His latest EP, Uncle K: Lemon Chase, features all those elements, but this time, Daniel opens up his creative space as never before, collaborating with stars that includeRuntown,ODUMODUBLVCK,Bella Shmurda, and FOLA, with whom he has worked previously. A pristine demonstration of classical Afrobeats, this is already shaping up to be one of the better projects of the year. – Emmanuel Esomnofu
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – "T.O.P (Over The Top Version)" feat. Alborosie
Ever since releasing the sonically gorgeous"Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head)" album, Afrobeat starSeun Kuti has been intent on reinterpreting its sound. So far, "T.O.P" has been the most adaptable of the songs, with several versions that have introduced some beautiful new elements to the record. This time, a quaint reggae flavor is introduced by Italian reggae star Alborosie, whose brief but effective feature sets up the forthcoming deluxe release of the project in an interesting way. – EE
Jaykatana - “Sizokuthola” feat. Blxckie
Jaykatana is the prince of Johannesburg's streets, delivering off-beat, on-time rhymes over rickety beats steeped in nostalgia. On "Sizokthola," he nods to TKZee's "Sikelela," reviving it with a flow that leans more toward jazz than trap. Never one to miss, Blxckie swoops in to seal the track with effortless flair, dropping lines like "I'm really poppin', I'm on every telly." South African hip-hop is in a good place. - Tseliso Monaheng
Elestee - "Space" (feat. Ajebo Hustlers)
Port Harcourt's own Elestee is refreshing and unapologetically original. On "Space," a laid-back jam that drifts to the far end of the Afrobeats spectrum, where hip-hop meets introspection, her raps unfold like she's in no rush. And that's the beauty of it. We get measured breathwork, raw and resonant lyrics, and a standout cameo fromAjebo Hustlers that anchors this melodic slow-burn at the center of attention. - TM
Zuukou Mayzie – “La japonaise bleue” feat. Baaba Maal
French Senegalese rapper Zuukou Mayzie creates a meditative record on "La japonaise bleue," utilizing his brooding vocals to chilling effect. With low drums and sensual notes woven around his R&B-esque flow, it's a different kind of song that the iconicBaaba Maal would typically feature on, but it helps when the icon's your uncle. Both acts fuse their distinct sensibilities to create a song that's far-reaching in its influence yet still does the essential task of returning home. It's a beautiful collaboration. – EE
Ugaboys - "Africana Party"
Coins and Zee, known as the Ugaboys, are Uganda's answer to the continent's ever-evolving sonic landscape. Their track "Africana Party" blends the log drum-driven pulse of amapiano with East Africa's bongo flava, resulting in a cross-regional sound that's both fresh and infectious. If Asake were East African and teamed up with some of South Africa's top amapiano producers, the result might sound a lot like this. - TM
Jnr Spragga - "BAD"
Zimbabwe's dancehall scene has long been a hub of innovation. From pioneers like Winky D to the new wave led by artists such as Killer T, a distinct vocabulary and mode of expression have evolved, developing independently yet in parallel with Jamaica's dancehall movement. Jnr Spragga is the latest voice in this lineage, bringing a fresh burst of energy with complex bars, high-octane beats, and an infectious vibe. - TM
Boyberry – "Since 20's"
Blending the dusty brilliance of Afrobeats with a hip-hop bounce, there's an interesting fusion at the base of "Since 20s'." That sonic experimentation is amplified by Boyberry, whose delivery floats between singing and rhythmic rapping, unfurling stories of a simpler time. "One day, I go tell my story," he promises. – EE
Mereba - "Ever Needed"
On her latest album, The Breeze Grew A Fire,Mereba pays homage to the forces that carried her through life's storms. At its heart lies the complexity of relationships – with friends, with her son – and she navigates their highs and lows across 13 masterfully crafted tracks. The result is both tender and cathartic. "It's been a bumpy ride, should I have made a right," she wonders on "Ever Needed," capturing the quiet uncertainty that runs beneath the album's soulful surface. - TM
Nowlee & Meerharmix – "Crime"
Producer Meerharmix and artist Nowlee are from the same part of Nigeria, so there's evident chemistry in the way their styles complement each other. Meerharmix's production evokes the upbeat swoon of club-ready songs. At the same time, the lyrical direction is propelled by Nowlee, whose delivery chases the sun, promising to live with an eye on the future rather than looking back. – EE
Africa Express - "Otim Hop" feat. Otim Alpha, Bootie Brown, K.O.G., and Tom Excel
Damon Albarn'sAfrica Expresshas long been a launchpad for genre-benders and scene leaders. Since 2005, it has fostered a transnational dialogue, spotlighting radical voices likeMoonchild Sanelly,M.anifest, Ghetts, and Morena Leraba. The latest chapter comes in the form of "Otim Hop," a vibrant single from Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá, the collective's forthcoming album, is set for release in July. Check out the new single "Otim Hop" above, which was shared alongside "Soledad." - TM
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