The Best Afrobeats Songs of 2025 2025 was full of unforgettable Afrobeats moments. From viral hits to hidden gems, these are OkayAfrica’s critics' picks for the year’s most exciting African music. music December 4, 2025
5 Essential Afrobeat Songs to Check Out in OkayAfrica's New Fela Kuti Vinyl Boxset The OkayAfrica Shop is stocking up a four-LP compilation made up of some of the Afrobeat pioneer’s greatest recordings. music December 3, 2025
When Your Older Sibling Is the Spark for Your Music Career Egyptian songstress Felukah, Sudanese rapper Montiyago, and Palestinian pop diva Amira Jazeera have one common superpower: their older sibling. In interviews with OkayAfrica, they discuss their siblings’ influence on their art and the difficulties that come with having a creative family business. music December 1, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: November 28, 2025 Stream the top trending African songs this week and listen to new releases from Young Jonn, Dlala Thukzin, Babalwa M, Joshua Baraka, and more must-hear tracks. music November 28, 2025
The 35 Best Flavour Songs OkayAfrica combs through the iconic Nigerian artist’s catalog for 35 songs that embody his genius and longevity. music November 28, 2025
From Producer to Star: Young Jonn Defines the Sound of Modern Afrobeats With ‘Blue Disco,’ the Nigerian singer and songwriter cements his transition from hit-making producer to global-facing Afrobeats star. music November 28, 2025
How Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba Are Carrying The Guitar Lineage Forward With 'kwaNTU' Through ten meditations recorded in a single sitting, the two South African artists show that learning is a lifelong, collective undertaking. music November 27, 2025
The 30 Best Olamide Songs From His Iconic Discography OkayAfrica dives into the Nigerian star's extensive discography to bring you 30 essential songs from the Olamide catalog. music November 25, 2025
What It's Like To... Run an Indie Record Company and Keep Vinyl Alive Yinka Bernie’s Egwu Records has filled a distinct space as a vinyl collective. The Lagos-based creator tells OkayAfrica about how he’s “extending the sound experience.” arts culture November 24, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: November 21, 2025 The best new African music tracks released this week, featuring artists like Victony, Aya Nakamura, Stogie T, Odeal, and more. music November 21, 2025
Tems Navigates Love and Self-Truth on Her New EP, ‘Love Is a Kingdom’ The Nigerian superstar often sings about the subject of love. On her surprise EP, ‘Love Is A Kingdom,’ she goes deeper into the emotion with help from familiar hands. music November 21, 2025
Manal Opens Up on Motherhood, Music & Her New Song, ‘Carta Rouge’ The Moroccan singer talks about her love for raï music, the women who inspire her creative journey, and how motherhood has influenced her artistic practice. music November 21, 2025
Ghanaian Music Pioneer Ata Kak Returns with Batakari, His First Album in 30 Years The singer and rapper builds on a body of work that continues to connect with young listeners, blending rap, hiplife, hip-hop, and house with traditional instruments in his most inventive sound yet. music November 17, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: November 14, 2025 The best new African music tracks released this week, featuring artists like DJ Lag, Santigold, Yemi Alade, Kah-Lo and more. music November 14, 2025
With Mavin Records Behind Him, CupidSZN Is Poised to Make an Impact on Afrobeats The influential Nigerian label is putting forward another newly minted star. In this spotlight interview, OkayAfrica talks to CupidSZN about his music and how it all came to be. music November 14, 2025
What Lekompo Is, and Why It Matters Now A guide to the sound rising out of Limpopo’s worker compounds and taverns, reshaping stages, identity, and youth culture across Southern Africa. music November 11, 2025
Ayra Starr, Tyla, Burna Boy & More Are Nominated for 2026 Grammy Awards The 2026 GRAMMY nominations place African artists like Burna Boy, Tyla, and Ayra Starr firmly on the global stage. Discover which of the continent’s stars earned nods and how they are influencing musical culture ahead of the February ceremony. music November 7, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: November 7, 2025 The best new African music tracks released this week, featuring artists like Shane Eagle, Lasmid, J’Dess, Xenia Manasseh, and more. music November 7, 2025
The Best Alte Songs of 2025 So Far Alte musicians, like OGs Cruel Santino and Lady Donli, to newcomers Mavo and Zaylevelten, embody the unconstrained nature of African music with unconventional sounds and aesthetics. music November 6, 2025
A New Wave of Sound Emerges from Lagos via Tems' Leading Vibe Initiative 72 Hours in Lagos follows female producers Saszy Afroshii, TinyBraz, and Gbots as they navigate the city’s chaos and craft music on their own terms. music November 6, 2025
How Independent Jazz Festivals Are Surviving South Africa’s Economy With major events collapsing and budgets tightening, Johannesburg-based festivals like Kids Love Jazz and uManyano Lwe Jazz are proving that community trust is the most valuable currency in the live music ecosystem. music November 5, 2025
Show Dem Camp Pays Homage to Old Nollywood on Their Latest LP, 'Afrika Magik' In conversation with OkayAfrica, the great Nigerian rap duo shares the process behind their newest album, ‘Afrika Magik,’ and how they’ve kept their creative antenna sharp for over a decade. music November 5, 2025
Get to Know 'Way-Way,' a New Sub-Genre of Algeria's Rai Music The Moroccan producer-artist Zouj tells OkayAfrica about the Algerian raï genre he studied with Moroccan elders, fell in love with, and turned into an experimental mixtape. music November 4, 2025
Mandisi Dyantyis and the Art of Cleansing Through Song The South African jazz vocalist, trumpeter, and composer bares his soul once again on his third studio album, “Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula.” music November 4, 2025
Tim Godfrey Wants You to Enjoy Gospel Music Without Labels The Nigerian musician speaks to OkayAfrica about his ambitious new album, No Label, a project that breaks man-made labels on gospel music and shares a much-needed message of joy. music November 3, 2025
Knucks Flips Pre-Teen Trauma Into Confident Identity on ‘A Fine African Man’ The British Nigerian rap artist talks about his Nigerian boarding school experience, embracing his African heritage, and intentionally bridging the gap between Nigeria and its UK diaspora. music October 31, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: October 31, 2025 The best new African music tracks released this week, featuring artists like Phyno, Oseikrom Sikanii, and Amaarae, amongst others. music October 31, 2025
The Best Music From East Africa in October 2025 OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Rwanda, featuring Sheebah, Toxic Lyrikali, Phil Emon, Diamond Platnumz, and more. music October 30, 2025
The Best Music From West Africa in October 2025 OkayAfrica’s list of the best West African songs and tracks highlights top music and artists, including Lali x Lola, Oumou Sangaré, The Cavemen, and more. music October 30, 2025
Listen to the North African Songs Making Waves This October 2025 This October, North African musicians are conveying introspective lyrics and nostalgia over danceable rhythms. This list features a bunch of unexpected club bangers. music October 29, 2025
Mr Eazi’s ‘Maison Rouge:’ The Afrobeats Superstar Is No Longer Scared of Boredom The Nigerian singer talks to OkayAfrica about his new project ‘Maison Rouge,’ shedding his love-hate relationship with the past and learning to enjoy the present. music October 29, 2025
Must-Hear Southern African Songs Right Now: October 2025 Edition For the music highlights from Southern Africa in October, OkayAfrica digs into alternative genres from Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, and beyond. music October 29, 2025
The Top Amapiano Songs to Stream Right Now: October 2025 Edition This month, we have top amapiano hits from Sfarzo Rtee, LeeMcKrazy, Stixx, MDU aka TRP, and more rising stars redefining the sound across South Africa. music October 28, 2025
The Top Afrobeats Songs to Stream Right Now: October 2025 Edition The standout records from October include songs from MOLIY, Adekunle Gold, Joshua Baraka, Ayra Starr, and more. music October 28, 2025
The New Amapiano Artists You Need to Know in 2025 Meet the rising talents shaping the next chapter of South Africa’s most dynamic sound. music October 27, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: October 24, 2025 The best new African music tracks that came out this week, featuring Mandisi Dyantyis, Celeste Ojatula, BOJ, Internet Girl, and more. music October 24, 2025
Southern African Alt & Indie Playlist 2025 A spotlight on the artists shaping Southern Africa’s alternative and indie frontier, from experimental jazz to electronic beats redefining the region’s sound. music October 24, 2025
Sounds From the Diaspora: Must-Listen African Music From the US, France, and UK African music is now embraced as a piece of global culture. These cross-cultural records are sourced from the three largest diasporan centers and are distinctly creative due to artists' personal investment in the music. music October 23, 2025
The Moroccan Rappers Proving Darija Is a Global Language of Hip-Hop Moroccan music was slept on for too long because of its unique Arabic dialect Darija, but once it crossed borders, it became an international force to be reckoned with. music October 22, 2025
Mariam Doumbia on Love, Loss, and the Enduring Legacy of Amadou & Mariam The Malian singer speaks to OkayAfrica about her late husband, their 45-year marriage, and enduring love as she releases their last body of work together, 'L’amour à la folie,' and a collaborative single featuring Fally Ipupa. music October 22, 2025
‘It’s in the Right Place and Growing at a Substantial Rate:’ Sheniece Charway’s Optimistic Outlook on Afrobeats’ Global Growth The music executive and Martell cultural ambassador sees opportunity for growth that makes Afrobeats a lasting force beyond its recent successes. music October 22, 2025
Patoranking Celebrates His Lagos Roots with Street Anthem “No Jonze” On his new single, the award-winning Nigerian musician blends Ajegunle’s Galala sound with that of global Afrobeats. music October 21, 2025
