The 13 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
The best music of the week featuring Skepta, Wizkid, AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Shekhinah, Mr Eazi, Brian Simba 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.
Skepta x Wizkid x Dizzee Rasal
Skepta shared the new music video for his first official Wizkidcollaboration, "Energy (Stay Far Away)." The low tempo, slow-burning jam, which was produced by Nigerian hitmaker Sarz, now has an appropriately low key beachside video shot in Lagos, Nigeria. He also links up with Dizzee Rascal for the new head-nodder "Money Right," the lead single off Rascal's upcoming Don't Gas Me EP.
Estelle 'Lovers Rock'
Estelle's fifth album, named after the sensual reggae subgenre, tells her parents' untold love story with collaborations from the likes of Maleek Berry, Kranium and more. The West London-raised artist who originally hails from Senegal and Grenada tapped into sankofa (looking to the past to inform the future) and returned to her roots with her concept album, Lovers Rock.
AKA 'Fela In Versace' feat Kiddominant
AKA drops the new video for "Fela In Versace," one of the clear standouts from his latest album Touch My Blood. The track features Kiddominant on the hook. Read about how AKA's sampling is preserving and reimagining South African classics for a younger audience here.
Serious Klein 'Voodoo Money'
Serious Klein is a Ghanaian-born self-described "art rapper" coming out of the German underground who's been making waves with his infectious blend of hip-hop, jazz and soul. The artist has now released the epic and stunning visual for his single, "Voodoo Money," a dark, hard-hitting track built on an ominous piano line and an inventive flip of Rich Boy's "Throw Some D's." The song was produced by Rascal, who's worked with Chance the Rapper.
Cassper Nyovest 'Gets Getsa 2.0'
Cassper Nyovestrecently announced his new album with the drop of its lead single, "Gets Getsa 2.0" The Gemini Major-produced banger, which has been blasting on repeat over here, sees the South African megastar paying homage to kwaito legend Doc Shebeleza through a sample on the track. Cassper has now shared a new music video for his new age kwaito single, which oozes with all the 90s throwback vibes and party scenes to get South African ready for the warmer months to come.
Lil Kesh & Duncan Mighty 'Flenjo'
Lil Keshcomes through with his newest music video and single, "Flenjo." The new track, which was produced by Rexxiepondabeat, sees Lil Kesh connecting with none-other-than Duncan Mighty for an uplifting tune about living your life. It's paired with this new party clip directed by Stanz Visuals.
Muzi 'Questions' feat. Tiro_Other Draft
South African electronic music producer and artist Muzi just released a new scorcher titled "Questions (feat. Tiro_Other Draft)". The song is another version of "Questions" from his debut album Afrovision. When we spoke to the artist earlier this year, he said, "I'm gonna drop another version of "Questions." It was actually the first version, it just didn't flow well with the album."
Shekhinah & Mr Eazi 'Suited (SynX Remix)
South African singer Shekihnah, has teamed up with Nigerian afrobeats mainstay Mr Eazi, for the dreamy remix to her popular single "Suited." The song is one of the standouts from Shekihnah's debut album Rose Gold. Today she shares the song's remix, produced by afrobeats producer Synx, and a breezy new music video featuring a catchy opening verse from Mr Eazi. The Durban-shot video sees the artists on luxurious ships—where Eazi can be seen getting his make up did—before attending a colorful, chilled-out party and linking up towards the end of the video.
Yung L 'Bam Bam'
Nigerian Afro-dancehall act Yung L return with the new tune titled "Bam Bam," a nod to Sister Nancy. The Chopstix-produced joint is tailor made for the dance floor with its blend of dancehall and touches of UK garage. Get into it above and purchase here.
Brian Simba 'Silence' feat. Vanessa Mdee & Michael Love
Rising Tanzanian rap sensation Brian Simba drops the highly-anticipated single "Silence" and it features the East African diva herself, Vanessa Mdee, and newcomer Michael Love. Jamaa Flani will surely get you out of your seat with this upbeat dancehall-flavored tune.
"Silence" is available across all platforms now
Stogie T "Pretty Flowers" feat. Maggz, Kwesta & J Molley
On his latest single, titled "Pretty Flowers," South African rap legend Stogie T ropes in Kwesta, Maggz and J Molley. The latter delivers the vocal hook that gives the song a modern feel, while the three MCs spar with polished verses like the veterans they are.
Toya Delazy "London Town"
South African musician Toya Delazy just highlighted her song "London Town" as a single for her 2017 albumUncommodified by shooting a video for it. The music video shows Toya in London, frolicking under the sun. A gang of dancers join her as she makes the streets hers.