The 12 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
The best music of the week featuring Davido, Ciara x Tekno, Major League, Yemi Alade 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.
Davido 'Nwa Baby'
Following singles "Assurances" and "Flora my Flowa" from earlier this year, afrobeats star Davido is backwith the music video for his third single "Nwa Baby." In the music video Davido, and his partner in crime, go on an adventure that sees them getting into some light trouble as they rob gas stations and dodge police.
Ciara & Tekno 'Freak Me'
Ciarareleased her new single "Freak Me," featuring Nigeria's Tekno. In a new clip, the artist gyrates alongside South African dancers in a street in Soweto. She even does the gwara gwara. The dance video was choreographed by the renowned Sinovuyo Dunywa, and styled by Rich Mnisi and Trevor Stuurman. Ciara also mentioned how Tiwa Savage inspired the track after fans pointed out similarities.
Major League '19 Tobetsa'
South African DJ and producer duo Major League DJzreleased a tribute to Pretoria house music legend DJ Mujava. The song's title, "19 Tobetsa," is a nod to a Mujava song of the same name, just without the "19." Major League's "Tobetsa" features Pretoria-based artist Focalistic. In the video, the three artists treat themselves to some Chinese food in a Chinese restaurant, while Chinese character subtitles tell a story that you and I are highly likely to not understand.
Yemi Alade 'Oh My Gosh'
Following a stellar set at Okayafrica's Lincoln Center show, afrobeats queen Yemi Alade is back with an infectious new track made for summer listening. "Oh My Gosh" is a sweet ballad, that sees Yemi singing about a lover that makes her feel overwhelmingly good. It sees Yemi departing from her usual dance-inducing afrobeat sound, and delivering a more sensual one that highlights her honeyed vocals.
Burna Boy 'Ye'
Burna Boy's "Ye" is already a classic in its own right. The song has been a fan favorite ever since it appeared on his latest album Outside—folks even argued that it should become the new Nigerian national anthem. And the song gained the afro-dancehall a new group of fans, when listeners discovered it when searching for Kanye West's album by the same name. Needless to say, we've all been anticipating the music video for the standout track, and it's finally here.
Guampara Music 'Cubaneatelo'
Guámpara Music shares their music video for their new single, "Cubanéatelo." Produced by JD Asere, Cuba's first independent urban music label stacked the track with voices you should know: the beastly flow of Niño Fony, the versatile rhythm of El Individuo, the reggae of Cuba Lions with the vocals of DJ Lapiz, the sultry voice of Sigrid and the poetry of Luz De Cuba.
James BKS 'Kwele' feat. Allan Kingdom & Manu Dibango
French Cameroonian producer James BKS is the first artist signed to Idris Elba's new record label 7 Wallace. Our first reaction to "Kwele," his first single, is that it's a nice addition to that genre of placelessglobal pop associated with international sporting events. So it makes perfect sense that James BKS, with his father the legendary artist behind Soul Makossa, Manu Dibango, previously collaborated on a song for the Rio Olympics.
Yung Swiss 'Don't Go There' feat. Frank Casino
South African rapper Yung Swiss teamed up with fellow rapper Frank Casino for his latest video single. Titled "Don't Go There," the song is a key-laden bass-heavy trap slow burner that's dark sonically. In the video, the two rappers kick it in a mansion with a bunch of their boys and girls.
Burna Boy, D'Banj, 2Baba and Larry Gaaga 'Baba Nla'
Afrobeats titans unite on this massive new track from Nigerian artist Larry Gaaga.After dropping bangers featuring the likes of Davido and Wande Cole, the musician returns with "Baba Nla" a chilled out track featuring heavyweights 2Baba, D'Banj and afrofusion star Burna Boy. It's a huge collaboration which sees the trio flexing over the keyboard-heavy beat.
Santi 'Freaky' feat. Nonso Amadi & Bridge
"Freaky," the new single from Santi's forthcoming project, has a sinister edge to it. For the song, Santi enlists his Lagos-based emcee BRIDGE on the hook while Nonso Amadi's heartbreak-laden vocals smoothen up the rugged feel of track.
Fully Focus x Sauti Sol 'Melanin' (Remix)
DJ Fully Focus comes through with a head-nodding remix of Kenyan afropop band Sati Sol's hit single "Melanin," alongside Patoranking.
Olamide 'Motigbana'
YBNL chief Olamide continues his hot streak with "Motigbana," a new Killertunes-produced single that builds from an acoustic guitar riff into a highly-infectious beat. You should be familiar with the producer's top tier work in hits like "Manya" and "Nowo."