The Best West African Songs Right Now

This month’s West African music list culls music from Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. From a song hitting at naysayers to an endearing love song, this month’s list packs a diverse and tasteful punch.

Mavo - “Aura Salad” feat. SSSoundGawd (Nigeria)

Is it amapiano? Is it Afropop? Is it bewildering sing-talk? There’s no simple or singular way to describe Mavo’s sound. It is propulsive yet languorous, intelligent in its lyrical compositions yet unserious in actual lyrical delivery. His latest release, “Aura Salad,” released in collaboration with SSSoundGawd, leans into that trope of delightful unseriousness. Playing on the concept of aura-farming, Mavo offers a self-assured, better version of trying to come off as cool versus actually being cool. It’s a sleek nightlife-ready banger, complete with quips and phrases that will certainly integrate easily into Nigerian internet lingo. Mavo continues a streak of reinvention, using invented vocabulary, mangled mainstream sounds, and a cool, effortless style to craft a sound fitting for the times.

Strongman - “Makoma” feat. King Paluta (Ghana)

There is a curious coincidence here. King Paluta blew up on the Ghanaian music scene for his groovy “Makoma” in 2024. Two years later, he was tapped by rapper Strongman to record a song with a similar title, which, by all accounts, is likely to be a hit. Apart from sharing similar titles, though, Strongman’s “Makoma” is a moving blend of sharp rap lines from Strongman and Paluta’s predisposition for making yearning an art. “Makoma” is held together by the sleekness of this complementary collaboration and hooks that stay with you long after the song has ended. There's no doubt that these are artists who shouldn’t hesitate to make more songs together.

Lali x Lola - “Kamakazi Come for Me” (Ghana)

Music duo Lali x Lola are always shifting their sound, extending their prowess into unpredictable territories. On any other band, it may come off as unstable, but this ability to move through forms is what makes Lali x Lola particularly interesting. In their latest “Kamakazi”, the duo leans into a bouncy, Afropop sound. Throughout the song, they keep the vibe light and easygoing, but the vibrant, playful energy of the song above all else. “Kamakazi” has all the markings of a song that kicks off a perfect night out.

Nonso Amadi - “Greedy” (Nigeria)

For Nigerian alt artist Nonso Amadi, the ask in his latest single, “Greedy,” is simple: he needs more than he is being offered. Gentle on the ears and simmering with energy, “Greedy” is held together by Amadi’s imagery-driven storytelling, unhurried lyrical delivery, and a lingering sense of wonder. While Amadi’s sound has maintained its soul/R&B leanings, “Greedy” sees him stretching into Afropop terrains, one where the beat is a tad faster, and the energy is bouncy yet reflective.

Lyrical Joe - “Ogya” (Ghana)

Lyrical Joe raps with bottled intensity. The ferocity of his feelings is delivered menacingly, stripped of the dizzying vim and heart-racing showmanship typical of rappers. “Ogya” follows in that tradition. In it, Joe glides through the beat, dishing out thoughts and reflections as though he is having a late-night conversation with a long-lost friend. 

Wande Coal - “Dearly” feat. Qing Madi (Nigeria)

Even though Wande Coal’s career spans decades, he has managed to maintain a keen eye on the ebbs and flows of contemporary love and the language needed to articulate it. In “Dearly”, his latest collaboration with new-gen Afropop star Qing Madi, two vastly different generations of artists find common ground in their interpretations of affection. Despite their differences, both artists are gripped by the uncertainties of affection; they are swept up by the dizzying feeling of yearning for someone. “Dearly” proves yet again that when it comes to matters of the heart, the language and perceptions might vary across generations, but the need to be loved and seen by someone else will always endure, no matter the circumstances. Ultimately, these two artists have crafted a tender, sticky-sweet love song that slides straight into the heart and lodges itself there.

Josey - “Rien du Tout” (Côte d’Ivoire)

Josey has a fantastic knack for turning her listeners into her biggest confidants. She lays her innermost concerns bare to them. They know when she’s swimming in love and when she’s ruminating on matters of the world. She maintains that pattern in “Rien du Tout,” a song in which Josey boldly declares her refusal to engage with topics beneath her station. Josey, like most celebrities, is no stranger to naysayers, rumors, and harmful speculations. “Rien du Tout” is her boldest and definitive response to all that. The song, as always, is danceable, but carries a strong, conversational tone. Josey calls out people who are always seeking her opinions on everything, letting them know that she is intentionally checking out mentally and refusing to feed into matters that hold little weight. In her own words, “je ferme mon cerveau,” which loosely translates to “I switch off my brain.”

Di’Ja - “Mama Bear” (Nigeria)

For her latest, former Mavins member Di’Ja offers a Fela-esque reflection on self-realization, dealing with negative energy and moving on. It feels apt for an artist who seems to be chasing new inspirations and returning to a music scene that is so much different from the one she arrived in. The music scene Di’Ja began in was full of optimism and healthy competition. The one she is now foraying into is charts-obsessed, linear in taste, and hyper-commercialized. Still, this song and its refusal to succumb to populist sounds are a welcome reminder of why music remains an important avenue for self-expression and finding mental clarity.

Ayo Maff - “God Is Working” (Nigeria)

Ayo Maff knows how to make inspirational music delightful. His latest “God is Working” is a work that revels in being a strong arm of reassurance. In turbulent times like these, songs of hope can sometimes feel ineffectual, but Maff's relatability makes his motivational edge feel believable. Maybe because it is wrapped up in a catchy beat and witty lyrics, or maybe when considered thoroughly, one gets a sense that they are listening to someone who is just like them, echoing their own innermost desires.