The Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Featuring new African music from Fireboy DML, Tiwa Savage, Nomfundo Moh, Qing Madi, Darkoo, and more.
Every week, we highlight the top Afrobeats and African music releases through our best music column, Songs You Need to Hear This Week.
Read ahead for our round-up of the best new African music tracks and music videos that came across our desks this week.
Fireboy DML "Everyday"
An instant earworm, “Everyday” sees Fireboy DML returning to his breezy pair of Afropop and R&B sensibilities. Most successfully realized on his classic debut album Laughter, Tears & Goosebumps, the alchemy of that sound is audible here, although with even more bounce and refreshed maturity in DML’s vocals. It’s a quintessential love song, but stay long enough and the vibe will make you dance, an achievement of mood and movement.
Tiwa Savage "Lost Time"
Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage has released a record from the soundtrack of her debut movie production Water & Garri, coming out on Prime Video later this month. “Lost Time,” by virtue of its placement, should give a hint of the sonic fabric of the film, and if so one expects an introspective yet sunny vibe. Tiwa weans her classic R&B form into a folkloric Yoruba style, and the song explodes into fullness as it progresses, charting a journey that is recognizably cinematic.
Qing Madi & Chlöe Bailey "Vision (Remix)"
A sensuous blend of classic R&B and distinct Nigerian sensibilities have been the spur for Qing Madi’s takeover on the scene. Her voice and songwriting, both assured, belies a maturity that makes a joke of her teenager status. Simply put, Madi is special, and she again proves this on the remix of “Vision,” alongside the American superstar and Beyonce protege Chloe Bailey. The song accounts for the intensity of love while attempting to retain one’s individuality, a theme that’s beautifully realized through the palpable vocal chemistry between Madi and her guest.
Darkoo “Favourite Girl” feat. Dess Dior
Summery, and intensely sexy, “Favourite Girl” showcases a fine side to Darkoo’s multifaceted artistry. It’s a song about many things, but focuses centrally on relationships and lust, and the brazen imagery evoked by Darkoo and Dess Dior thrills until the last second. The cherry on the cake is the sample of Brick and Lace’s classic “Love is Wicked,” creating a long-due reimagination that carries the song’s appeal with the edge of contemporary hip-hop.
Ajebo Hustlers 'Bad Boy Etiquette 102: Continuous Assessment' EP
The duo of Knowledge and Piego—which make up the pop-rap group Ajebo Hustlers—have risen from the backyards of Port Harcourt dominance to become legitimate sensations in Nigeria’s Afropop scene. Their street-focused narratives have evolved into a slick depiction of popular stories. On their newest project Bad Boy Etiquette 102, those aspirations beautifully meet with the distinct styles of featured artists, which includes Sarkodie, Jeriq, ODUMODUBLVCK, Zlatan, and Raebel.
Nomfundo Moh "Umusa" feat. Msaki & Cassper Nyovest
Soft drums and a jazzy inflection gives this record its feel of transcendent reflection. Moh’s realism achieves a certain lightness through the application of her vocals and her Msaki—-another sterling vocalist—joins her to amplify the mood. Cassper’s vulnerable entreat to God infuses a refreshing finality, as his verse utilizes his ear for melody. A three-way collaboration whose thrilling depth embodies the virtues of a longer work.
oSHAMO "Life of the Party"
The newest artist to emerge from the emPawa pipeline, oShamo comes with a lot of promise. The UK-based Nigerian act seems to recognize this on “Life of the Party,” fronting a confident persona that thrives off the heroic-sounding production. Oscillating between singing and rapping, the ‘Piano-flecked record truly describes the rapturous feeling of rocking a party.
Vibez Inc, Seyi Vibez & Tion Wayne "Ogo"
The mercurial Nigerian artist Seyi Vibez has shared a new project to go with his new record label Vibez Inc. This collaboration with Nigerian British act Tion Wayne ranks amongst its standout, a cool blend of Seyi’s code-switching and Wayne’s ebullient flows. Over laid-back production and sweet backing vocals, both artists showcase their chemistry and mastery.
Duo Landry+ “Mɛn lǒnu”
Since coming together in 2016, the Beninese duo have reflected the pristine ideals of love and society encoded into their local culture. Writing and singing in the Fongbe language, Duo Landry + have brought a live-centric edge to their songs, and that’s audible on “Mɛn lǒnu”. A stirring record, it thrills with layered instrumentation and affectionate singing.
SGaWD 'Side A' EP
A couple of minutes into “Money Prayer,” one hears the fluency between SGaWD’s ideas and the sound of their expression. The opening record in her new EP, Side A, embodies the project’s colorful flair. Collaborations with Moliy and producer GMK sharpen its edges, but for the most parts it’s the assured, Nicki Minaj-reminiscent raps of the Lagos-based act which moves into the sonic center of the seven-track offering.
Michael O. & Egar Boi “Japa Remix”
In contemporary Nigerian society, Japa gives language to the zeal to escape the country’s inefficiencies by relocating abroad. In this searing record, Michael O. and Egar Boi are realistic in their evocation of the theme, fusing their voices in service of that. As the topical matter demands, there’s an exasperation to their tones but ultimately couched within hope, it touches several emotional points.
TBaze “Believe”
Aspirational messages have long found their way into popular music, and that's the path TBaze moves towards on “Believe.” The Nigerian-born UK-based artist charts a positive story, from the much-vaunted genre of grass to grace, but beyond what he says it’s how he says it that makes the difference. A gruff voice flecked with local sensibilities, it mirrors the song’s experience of struggle.
Kcee "Big Fish"
For a while now KCee has been refashioning classic Igbo sounds into a contemporary edge. Through this he scored one of last year’s biggest hits, “Ojapiano,” and he’s again tapped into that source in his latest single. “Big Fish” carries the bold colorful ogene sound of the Igbo people, most popularized by the producer Masterkraft, and merges that with the praise-singing of highlife. The result is a vibey, earthy record that calls one to surrender to the motions of dance.