The 8 Songs You Need To Hear This Week
The best music of the week featuring L.A.X, Ebo Taylor, Sudan Archives, Mr Eazi 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.
L.A.X "Gbefun"
Nigeria's L.A.X is readying the release of his upcoming album, King Rasaki. He now comes through with the addictive "Gbefun," his lead single of the year and L.A.X's first on his new imprint Rasaki Music, since leaving Starboy Records.
Check out the Houston-shot music video for "Gbefun," directed by Emmanuel Otinwa, and grab the track here. This one's straight fire.
Sudan Archives "Nont For Sale"
Sudan Archives first caught our attention through the electro-folk experimentations heard in her excellent debut EP last year. The 24-year-old vocalist and self-taught violinist is now announcing the release of her follow-up EP, Sink, which will be coming out May 25 on Stones Throw.
Her songs are a supremely captivating and unique blend of violin, hazy R&B; vocals and hip-hop beats, as heard in lead single "Nont For Sale."
Ebo Taylor's Afrobeat & Highlife Mixtape
Ghanaian music legendEbo Taylorhas just released his latest record, Yen Ara—an album that he's calling his finest to date. Now, to pair with the release of Yen Araon Mr Bongo, UK producer and DJ Chris Readhas put together an incredible mix of Ebo Taylor classics.
Tunde Olaniran "Vulnerable"
Flint, Michigan-based, Nigerian-rooted artist Tunde Olaniran is a kind of multiple threat as he typically sings, writes, raps, and even choreographs his releases.
Tunde is now announcing his second album, Stranger, with the lead single "Vulnerable, which he calls a "soft, femme trap anthem." It's a truly beautiful track.
Jah9 "Love Has Found I"
For years, Jah9has been refining her intoxicating 'Jazz on Dub' style. The Jamaican singer is now releasing her latest song, "Love Has Found I," which exemplifies her blend of dub, reggae, and jazz vocal delivery. The song was released on the anniversary of the birthday of Haile Selassie's wife, Empress Menen Asfaw.
Read: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Rastafari According to Jah9
Arsenic "Hidden Formulas 5: Project Indigo"
Arsenic's new boom-bap EP features Chris Gaudy, Andy Mkosi, YoungstaCPT,Mvula Drae and more. Sadly it's only 15 minutes long. Just as you are gearing for more heat, it's done. Hidden Formulas 5: Project Indigo, the latest in the series of mixtapes by Cape Town veteran producer Arsenic, packs some serious heat.
Aida Sock "Kiding Kiding" feat. Admow
Senegalese singer Aida Sock first made her name as a contestant on The Voice Afrique Francophone's first edition. She connects with the Zambian-born, Senegalese-Congolese act Admowfor this clean and crisp new love song, "Kiding Kiding," that's ripe for your weekend playlist.
Da Beatfreakz "Take Over" feat. Mr Eazi, Seyi Shay & Shakka
UK-based Nigerian production duo Da Beatfreakzcome through with the new single "Take Over," which boasts an impressive cast that includes the always-buzzing Mr Eazi (who reportedly recently signed to Diplo's label Mad Decent), Nigerian singer Seyi Shay and London's Shakka, who arguably steals the track here with his verse.