The 5 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
FeaturingAdekunle Gold, Jesse Royal x Stonebwoy, L.A.X. x Ayra Starr, Fireboy DMLand more.
Adekunle Gold in "Mercy"
(Intersect PR)
Every week, we highlight the top releases 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.
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Today in Africa — December 31, 2025: Junta Leader Wins Guinea Vote, Anthony Joshua Crash Probe Deepens, South Africa Reports 41 Initiation Deaths
OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On Dec 31, coverage includes Guinea’s coup leader, Mamady Doumbouya, being declared the winner of the presidential vote, an ongoing investigation into the fatal Nigeria crash that killed two members of Anthony Joshua’s team, South Africa reporting dozens of deaths linked to traditional initiation circumcisions, and more.
Adekunle Gold 'Mercy'
Nigerian star Adekunle Gold shares the futuristic visuals for "Mercy," one of the highlights from his recent album Catch Me If You Can. The new DK-directed music video pairs sci-fi cinematography with classic Nollywood aesthetics, and features a cameo from Baba Fryo whose '90s song "Dem Go Dey Pose" is sampled on the track.
Jesse Royal x Stonebwoy 'Dirty Money'
Jamaica's Jesse Royal connects with Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy in the new music video for "Dirty Money," taken from his Grammy-nominated album Royal. The song packs a powerful political message about corruption over an upbeat track. "The inspiration... came from us questioning the system and how it operates. I remember asking myself ‘Who judges the judge?'," Royal states.
Toxicated Keys "Zaka Zaka" feat. SoulMusiQ SA x Danger De Talented x Dyy
Young South African duo Toxicated Keys—comprised of 18-year-old Phadishi Mokwele and 19-year-old Thabang Makhafola—recently shared their debut single and music video for "Zaka Zaka." The duo, who hailr from the Pretoria township of Mamelodi, like to call their sound 'Rough Amapiano,' which according to them "drops the the soulful vibe and warm synths of classic Amapiano to make room to harder, sometimes unpredictable and arhythmic drum patterns, and percussive, toxic-sounding basslines." Get into it above.
L.A.X & Ayra Starr 'Options'
Lagos' L.A.X drops the official video for his recent single “Options'' alongside the highly-buzzing Ayra Starr. The song and video sees the two Nigerian stars riffing on themes of love and heartbreak in several left-field settings. L.A.X. is set to play his first ever UK headline in May at Brixton Electric.
Madonna x Sickick 'Frozen' (Fireboy DML Remix)
Fireboy DML continues on the blazing hot streak that followed "Peru" and now jumps on Madonna and producer Sickick's "Frozen" remix. The Nigerian comes in around the 1-minute mark and proceeds to take over the track with some solid verses and melodic lines. Big time collab for Fireboy!
