The Best Afro-House Songs Right Now

October left us with plenty of gems to choose from, and the global sounds shaping Afro-house keep expanding, bringing new surprises into the fold. This month’s bag includes South Africa’s Dlala Thukzin, whose new album Ember we’re just beginning to dig into; Kenya’s Mura, who offers an exercise in lightwork on “Chance,” featuring Elsy Wameyo; and Brazil’s BAKKA (BR).

These are the best Afro-house songs right now.

Darque - “Ke Mang” (feat. Zee Nxumalo)

Zee Nxumalo’s artistic precision is a gift from the gods. There’s no tune she leaves unscathed; her innate sense of cool is what allows her to thrive. On “Ke Mang,” from Open Your Eyes More, the deluxe edition of producer Darque’s Open Your Eyes EP, she unleashes it once again, tapping into a nursery rhyme to show just how cultured she is. On the boards, Darque is relentless, synthesizing a minimalist Afro-tech soundscape that gives Zee Nxumalo all the room she needs to flourish. And as she accurately states, “iparty ayiqale Zee Nxumalo engekho (the party doesn't start if Zee Nxumalo’s not around).”

Thakzin, Mpho.Wav & Atmos Blaq - “Maphorisa” (feat. Tete, Ozana, Kisto, Moonchild Sanelly, Baby S.O.N, Suffocate SA & Citizen Deep)

Following his genre-spanning 2025 debut, Gods Window Pt. 1, innovative producer Thakzin makes his next move with “Maphorisa,” a link-up with Mpho.Wav and Atmos Blaq that pulls in Moonchild Sanelly, Tete, Baby S.O.N and more. It’s an outstanding exhibit of collective effort, almost a rallying cry against the prevailing, AI-assisted trend of artists wanting to claim all the credit. It’s the first single from his forthcoming album, Common Ground, out on Sondela Recordings on November 13.

Lovince Mckenzie - “Locked In” (feat. Joshua Baraka, Ayo Maff)

“Locked In” brings together three artists from Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria. Lovince Mckenzie kicks things off, setting the mood as he rides a 3-Step beat with the effortless swagger of a hitmaker enamored with great melodies. He passes the baton to Joshua Baraka, who swings and dribbles his way through the verse before Ayo Maff sweeps in to bring the song home.

Mura - “Chance” (feat. Elsy Wameyo)

Mura composes soundscapes that feel like floating. On “Chance,” he lays down the perfect bed for Elsy Wameyo to find her footing, dig into the music, and fully inhabit its atmosphere. Elements of amapiano add another dimension to an already tight-knit production, while Elsy’s voice ensures that we stay for the entire ride.

Argento Dust - No Foot Print [LP]

On his new album, No Foot Print, Durban producer Argento Dust refines his minimalist touch. There’s not an element wasted. The songs sound as though they’ve had a meeting, decided which one should follow the other, and then allowed his masterful touch to guide everything else. The album features heavyweights including Funky Qla (“Nuz”), Dlala Thukzin (“Congo Dust”), and Drega and Musa Keys (“Uthuli”).

BAKKA (BR) - “Bem-te-vi” (feat. Jéssica Gaspar, Nezello)

Bolivia-born and based in Brazil, BAKKA (BR) composes the kind of beats that relax your nervous system, unlocking parts of yourself you didn't know were there. “Bem-te-vi” is a taste of this approach, a tune so attuned to subterranean frequencies that it needs no noise to hype it up. Jéssica Gaspar provides the playful, evocative vocals, while regular BAKKA (BR) collaborator Nezello brings his own solid touch, accentuating the funk.

Dlala Thukzin - Ember [LP]

A Dlala Thukzin release is cause for pause and celebration. His sound is so influential, his palette so expansive, and his vision so deeply entrenched in the scene that he continues to innovate without losing the qualities that make his music unmistakably his, signature producer tag and all. Ember follows 2025's MAYVIS, meeting the producer at a critical and transformative phase in his career. Across ten tracks, beginning with a spoken-word introduction that traces his come-up, we get a sense of what makes him one of the most acclaimed producers and sought-after collaborators in electronic music today.