The 11 Songs You Need To Hear This Week
The best music of the week featuring Diamond Platnumz, Juls, Ebo Taylor, Stonebwoy, Young Fathers and more
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.
Diamond Platnumz 'A Boy From Tandale'
Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz has dropped his latest album, A Boy From Tandale. The new 18-song record includes some high-level collaborations with the likes of Vanessa Mdee, Flavour, Rick Ross, Ne-Yo, Tiwa Savage, Davido, P-Square, and more. He's also shared this new music video for "African Beauty," a highly-addictive, Krizbeatz-produced track alongside Omarion.
Famous Bobson "Iyawo"
This 21-year-old could be the next big thing in Nigerian afro-pop. Famous Bobson has shared the stage with Davido and dropped consistent bangers. 2018 could be his year.
Juls "Oshey" feat. Moelogo, Siza & DJ Tunez
British-Ghanaian producer Juls comes through with an addictive song and colorful new video for "Oshey," a streamlined afrobeats track featuring Moelogo, Siza and DJ Tunez.
Afro-Dancehall
Ghanaian reggae-dancehall star Stonebwoy made us a new Afro-Dancehall playlist that we've had on constant repeat. He also sat down for an exclusive interview about his album, Epistles of Mama.
Young Fathers 'Cocoa Sugar'
Scottish-Nigerian-Liberian trio Young Fathers have been inching towards the UK mainstream with their jubilant, genre-defying tracks for the past few years. Leading up to their most pop-accessible album yet, Cocoa Sugar.
Ebo Taylor "Mumudey Mumudey"
Ebo Taylor is back with an energetic blend of afrobeat and highlife. We premiered the lead track from the Ghanaian veteran's new album, Yen Ara.
Sipho The Gift ‘Gal 6-17’ & 'Blessed'
South African rapper Sipho The Gift just released another music video for two songs that appear on his intensely personal debut album Kintsugi(2017). The music video is a back-to-back combo of the songs "Gal 6-17" and "Blessed." The minimalist video is shot in a desert with the rapper's performance scenes intercutting with two mysterious dancers.
Mr. P "Look Into My Eyes"
Mr. P's new music video for "Look Into My Eyes" is life. The former P-Square member gets real with fans in the final installment of his mini music video series, "Look Into My Eyes" and we are feeling it.
Maia & The Big Sky "Pawa" feat. Blinky Bill
Maia & the Big Sky's music routinely blends soul and funk influences with the coastal rhythms of Kenya and features singing in both English and Kiswahili. The Nairobi-based artist is now sharing the new music video for "Pawa," the album's leading track, which sees the band taking over the TV airwaves and minds of all of those watching.
Tinariwen "Nànnuflày"
Tuareg blues group Tinariwen come through with a captivating, animated music video for their latest single 'Nànnuflày' (Fulfilled) from the album Elwan.
Naira Marley "Issa Goal" feat. Olamide & Lil Kesh
UK Afrobeats artist Naira Marley's song "Issa Goal," featuring Olamide and Lil Kesh, is an internet hit. The song has seen fans posting videos of themselves doing the "Issa Goal" dance across social media platforms. The artist has now made a lively montage of those videos.