The 9 Best West African Songs Right Now
This month’s list features heavy metal from Togo, Afro-Latin jazz from Mali, and Ivorian drill.
This month’s list of songs out of West Africa features an impressive mix of experimental as well as classic sounds. From Mali to Togo, genres defy expectations and sometimes establish new sonic frontiers. The artists in this list work in a variety of genres from jazz to heavy metal, Ivorian rap to Ghanaian drill. It’s a feast of sounds and a staggering display of talent.
Find out which artists made the best new music from West Africa list below.
Arka’n Asrafokor “The Truth” (Togo)
Arka’n Asrafokor is the only heavy metal band in Togo. The five-person band comprised vocalist and guitarist Rock, keyboardist and vocalist Rico, percussionist and vocalist Mass, bassist Francis and drummer Richard are carving out a unique space for themselves in a musical landscape where metal music is completely alien. In "The Truth," taken from their latest EP of the same name, the band bring the local sensibilities of Togolese musical culture to the forefront. From combining local dialects with English in their lyrics to utilizing local instruments, Arka’n Asrafokor continues to subvert the expectations of adopting a Western sound.
Rail Band “Marabayasa” (Mali)
The Rail Band was a famous Malian band that went by many names. It was first known as The Rail Band, later as Super Rail Band, then as Bamako Rail Band, and finally officially recognised as the Super Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel de la Gare. The band, formed in 1970, was known for its compelling works in Cuban jazz. Their Afro-Latin musicality was inventively complemented by homegrown musical elements such as Bambara as well as the Mande Groit praise singer music style. "Marabayasa" was first released in their 1973 self-titled album and has now recently been reissued by Mississippi Records. The song has a strong funk tilt, flourished with lilting trumpeting and warm, sun-drenched vocals.
Yaw Tog “Obaa” (Ghana)
"Obaa" has a fresh, drill bounce that reinforces why Yaw Tog is one of the best voices in Ghanaian drill music. In "Obaa," Tog is yearning, switching between Twi and English as he convinces his love attraction to stay. The music, however, is where the magic happens, the beat is catchy, mixing local Ghanaian musicality with the specificity of drill to create a fun, danceable track.
Mosty “God Bless Africa” (Côte d’Ivoire)
In "God Bless Africa," Ivorian singer and rapper Mosty considers the state of the continent in its resilience, courage and pitfalls over a bouncy Afropop beat. Combined with Mosty’s clever writing and razor-sharp vocals, the result is a danceable track that also gets you thinking.
Ashs The Beat “Xalam” (Senegal)
Dakar-born artist Ashs The Beat is a master of deceptive simplicity. His songs often appear predictable before they almost always veer off into wild territories, sometimes with his vocals and other times with the beat. In the tender and reflective track, “Xalam,” the past member of Niominka (a Senegalese reggae group) shows that the quality of assumed simplicity makes for a rich, experimental listen.
Ks Bloom “Satan Dehors (Acoustique)” (Côte d’Ivoire)
Gospel artist KS Bloom released the acoustic version of his latest single, "Satan Dehors," loosely translated to “Satan Out.” The Côte d'Ivoire-based artist has created a tender song that speaks to the universal turmoils of identity, self-realization, and faith. Here, his voice is rich and searching, the spare instrumentals carrying the unmistakable urgency in his tone.
SGaWD & Moily “Juicebox” (Nigeria/Ghana)
In “Juicebox,” Nigerian rapper SGaWD plays an irresistible enchantress who is laser-focused on getting exactly what she wants. The sleek Afropop number gets an assist from Ghanaian singer Moily, who seamlessly amplifies the dangerously lush quality of the feature. SGaWD’s rap flows here are relaxed, a few steps slower than what she has come to be known for, which not only captures the tenderly laid-back energy of the song but illustrates her incredible range.
AKILLA, Jr la Melo & Lamine lyon “Djegue Boda” (Côte d’Ivoire)
New kids on the Ivorian rap block AKILLA and Lamine Lyon team up with seasoned rapper Jr la Melo on the groovy track "Djegue Boda." The song is furnished with a strong drill element as well as instrumentation indigenous to local Ivorian music.
Kofi Kinaata “Effiakuma Broken Heart” (Ghana)
"Effiakuma Broken Heart" is a groovy, neo-highlife track in which the details of a past relationship take center stage. In it, Ghanaian singer Kofi Kinaata plays around with Twi and English as his soft vocals provide a look into the mind of a lover pining for what was while trying to make sense of what could have been.
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