Every week, OkayAfrica highlights the top African music releases — including the latest Afrobeats and amapiano hits — through our best music column, African 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.
Msaki, Jesse Clegg, Sjava - “Wayside Lover”
“Wayside Lover” is a sonic balm from some of South Africa’s most gifted songwriters. It unfolds over percussive piano chords, with flashes of power metal pushing the music toward the brink of chaos without ever tipping over. The drive, though, comes from the voices – and the words. “Before we break the light of day / I’m not in the place where I can see the truth / I’m not in the space where I can even move an inch for you,” Msaki sings, bearing her heart and offering honesty as if it were a sacrament. It’s a song about timing: knowing that love can’t take root in this moment, and finding the courage to admit it. “I wish you well,” the lyric goes, a quiet surrender to the reality of being in too many places at once, yet in none that feel right. Jesse Clegg and Sjava’s contributions complete the circle, their voices layering like puzzle pieces of a divine yet unfulfilled love. - Tšeliso Monaheng.
Maya Amolo – ‘The Sweetest Time [LP]’
On her sophomore album, The Sweetest Time, Kenyan R&B star Maya Amolo flexes her credentials as a singer. She creates rich emotional textures from stories of her lives and those of others, often bringing in soft sounds that propel the message. Over the 12 songs of this LP, Amolo maintains a cohesive core, sparingly incorporating features who often elevate the records with even more conversational heft. – Emmanuel Esomnofu.
King Promise & Mr Eazi "See What We've Done"
"See What We've Done" is a new big time collaboration from two Afropop heavyweights—Ghana's King Promise and Nigeria's Mr Eazi. The pair unite over a celebratory Afro-fusion beat to toast the good life and success. The single's black-and-white music video was shot at Mr Eazi's recent weddings in Iceland and is directed by Andre Ladon. "‘See What We’ve Done’ is us toasting to the journey, the struggles, the prayers, and now the blessings,” says Mr Eazi in a press release. “It’s about living well, staying focused, and celebrating wins with the people who matter most.”
Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD, GL_Ceejay - “iNgoma Yomthandazo”
Thukuthela has had a breakout year unlike anything in recent memory. The voice behind several mainstream hits, his collaborations with Jazzworx have been nothing short of phenomenal, setting a precedent for anyone daring to walk the same path. “iNgoma Yomthandazo” is a plea to the Most High—for guidance, for protection, for strength in union. When GL_Ceejay enters, he shifts the energy entirely, ushering in space for deeper reflection over layered beats and soaring harmonies. The groove is infectious, with JAZZWRLD’s production teetering at the edge before erupting in amber flames and majestic release. They’ve got another classic in the bag, no doubt. - TM.
KNUCKS – “GOLDTOOTH” feat. Blaqbonez
British Nigerian rapper KNUCKS shares the new single “GOLDTOOTH” ahead of his forthcoming album, A Fine African Man. Rich in style, the rapper’s relaxed and braggadocious flow paints a riveting picture of a life spent on the road, with a storytelling base that elevates it beyond a mere good time. Blaqbonez’s hook is purposefully minimalist, blending well with the fruity sonic base. – EE.
Ata Kak – “Batakari”
A pioneering electronic highlife artist, Ata Kak has released a new single from his forthcoming album, his first in 30 years. “Batakari” is a merry-go-round song, inundated by a scattershot flow that’s timed to splash against the uptempo production. Playing with half-words and sounds, the energy comes across as the song’s point, a congested soundscape leading onto its eventual catharsis. - EE.
Honeymoan - “If I’m Honest”
As Trillion Petals, Alison Rachel makes music that is odd, dark, and quietly powerful, charged in ways that resist easy description. With Honeymoan, her unparalleled voice is carried by the resolve of equally capable bandmates Skye MacInnes (guitar) and Josh Berry (bass, production). Together, the Cape Town ensemble moves with the indie/shoegaze tide, arms open, ready to let go. “Wreck me in the best way / a surprise when you stayed over on Thursday,” she sings over sparse guitar notes, the words lingering until fuzzy chords swell and lift the song into a sacred haze. But something shifts after the crescendo, right towards the end at the point where release should settle. Instead, it dissolves in wondrous, weightless fashion, leaving the listener suspended, as if floating in the sky while time slips quietly by. - TM.
Mahvel & Tempoe – “Baptism”
In recent years, few producers have worked with rising talents as robustly as Tempoe. A spotter of great talent, he shows incredible ability on this record with “Baptism.” As the title infers, it’s a song that makes a religious affair of intimacy, as both worlds are bridged through Mahvel’s svelte vocals and his ear for the unusual metaphor. Paired with the mellow production from Tempoe, it’s a sweet tease that effortlessly captures the fleeting motions of young love. – EE.
Anendlessocean – “Blind”
One of the most consistent artists around, Anendlessocean’s new single takes after his usual fun perspective, with a vibrant sonic base that sounds like a collection of fast-paced claps. Emotive and tautly structured, the artist reveres the glory of God as he’s done for most of his career, showcasing the assured writing and vocalism that his listeners are most familiar with. Another stellar showing. - EE.
Baba Kushi feat. Angelo Superstara - “Skhaftien”
Skhaftien, to mean lunchbox, is everyday slang among the working class, often hinting at our casual disregard for eating its contents at the ‘proper’ time (read: lunchtime). In Baba Kushi’s hands, it morphs into license for wild rap detours: gambling confessions, sharp-eyed portraits of inner-city Johannesburg gripped by decay, a cesspool where Black life endures on the margins despite its majority.
Then comes Angelo Superstara, her entrance nothing short of seismic, the sonic equivalent of mountain ranges colliding with active volcanoes. Holding it all together is Oro Wa Afrika, whose production sets the table and serves the heat that carries the project. - TM.
Mr Bady - “Up To Something”
Mr Bady’s music often evokes both the intimate and the conversational, but he’s competent elsewhere as well. “Up To Something” is one of the most affecting songs the Nigerian act has released so far; a reflective number that stakes his name on his efforts, it’s that chest-thumper of a record that shows how much dreams can mean to a person. Well-curated through its string-led production, it’s a fine demonstration of his range. – EE.
