The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: September 26, 2025

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.

Sarz – ‘Protect Sarz At All Costs [LP]’

Sarz, a major architect of the modern Afrobeats sound, needs no introduction. His influence shines across the scene, both within Africa and outside, where he’s increasingly flexed his range of abilities. After an intriguing roll-out of short films, he’s now released his new album, titled after a phrase that’s often been used in referring to his impact. Protect Sarz At All Costs is a wide-ranging depiction of the producer’s interest zones, featuring new collaborators like Ndlovu Youth Choir and Qing Madi, while touching base with established ones, which include Wizkid, Lojay, and WurlD. – Emmanuel Esomnofu

Thakzin - “Hamba Nami” feat. Sykes and Suffocate SA

Thakzin is a leader in his own right, and his latest release, God’s Window, Pt. 1, proves why. He draws from a wide range of collaborators yet emerges with something unmistakably his own. “Hamba Nami” is a prime example; its percussive elements making the track feel like it evaporates into the air. Sykes is unreal with the rhymes; he dives into the music and surfaces with flow patterns so devastating, you’ll either need a break or hit rewind multiple times. Either way, the message sticks. This is what perfection sounds like. - Tšeliso Monaheng

The Cavemen. – “Chameleon”

On their latest song, talented brother duo The Cavemen. deliver one of their most thematically complex songs ever. Over a stripped soundscape, inundated just by soulful riffs and light percussion, they muse about the intricacies of destiny, how everything that’s meant to happen will unravel eventually. Sprinkled with their signature chants in Igbo, it’s a beautiful extension of their sound as they move down the road to the release of their third studio album. – EE

Voltz TJ - “Why Worry”

Voltz JT has a knack for finding the right pocket on any beat, always choosing a flow that fits the mood and heightens the emotion of the track. On “Why Worry,” he rides effortlessly over Spanish guitar riffs that intertwine with Afrobeats and dancehall drum patterns, letting the instrumental breathe while still anchoring it with his presence. His delivery is relaxed, almost soothing, as if in conversation, turning the track into a gentle but persuasive vow of love and reassurance to his chosen one. - TM

ODUMODUBLVCK – “INDUSTRY MACHINE”

Teasing this new album for about a year now, ODUMODUBLVCK is now putting the final touches on his INDUSTRY MACHINE project. A fine melodious single, the album’s title track essentially relates his come-up and how he’s made an affront on the scene. It’s a subject ODUMODU likes to reference in his music, but padded here with some of his best singing, it makes for a fine run-up to the debut album expected in October. – EE

Cool&Black (Jay Jody and Blaklez) - “Gemstones”

“Gemstones” is jazzy beats, soulful raps, and an impossible amount of swagger, delivered by some of the newest, rarest duo to emerge from South Africa. Blaklez sets the scene, his flow conversational, like he’s sitting you down to spit knowledge. “False prophet, read the passage right / can’t keep us in the dark ‘cause we emerge at night,” he raps, dropping pop culture nuggets for anyone paying attention. Jay Jody, the other half of Cool&Black, cleans up the scene with meticulous precision, dissecting life’s overlooked moments like a detective with a lie detector. He rap-sings, exposing his heart for anyone willing to peek. “It’s bad enough that you guys are ill-advised, so do not fight,” he cautions, his words landing like obedient masses on a straight line. This is grown man rap; listen and act accordingly. - TM

James BKS – “Wetin U Go Choose”

French Cameroonian artist James BKS has always offered a riveting vision of Afrobeats. Drawing from a rich vein of diaspora sounds, his music synthesizes Black life in a way that’s quite appealing. “Wetin U Go Choose” carries a dramatic flourish pronounced by BKS’ delivery and crowd vocals. With its newly released visuals echoing the sensibilities of the 1970s, there’s great potential in the entire audio-visual cycle of the record and the See Us Rise project, which it’s taken from. – EE

Lusanda - “Progress”

Lusanda is building her career meticulously, one solid release at a time, like staircases adorned with glorious detail. She marks her territory on “Progress,” her pen sharper than ever, voice growing increasingly assured. She comes into herself despite unexpected pitstops: “stumbling, fumbling / … / I can’t live life in a disguise,” she admits, amidst snares that snap, kicks like heartbeats, and melodies that heat the room and make listeners lose control. This is soul music, flowing straight from Lusanda’s heart. Playful and fearless, she switches up her style with the music, bending rules and dismantling notions of normalcy, one note at a time. Impeccable. - TM

AfroReekah – “WTF”

Vulnerability is a winning element in the music of new age musicians. No longer satisfied with the stoic front, these artists are making poetry of their bruises, crafting indelible music as we have on here. AfroReekah’s soulful tendencies are all over the record, as she sings for the mental health of young people, asking in the telling line, “so what do we don’t when we don’t know what the fuck to do?” With its mellow minimal production, her cheery voice gets the space to shine. – EE

Lloyiso – “Scary”

One of the most impressive vocalists around, every song from Lloyiso is a must-listen. “Scary” walks down the path of love and self-discovery, the South African act has made his central theme, but with even more color than ever. Breaking from its brooding early parts, the song explodes into bright beams, as he flexes his vocal range while exploring the considerate angle of not being, right now, ready to love someone. – EE

Pheelz & Fireboy DML – ‘Peace By Piece [EP]’

Ever since Fireboy DML’s entry into the scene, Pheelz has been a part of his journey. From producing the majority of his debut album to collaborating on other projects, both acts share an obvious chemistry that’s almost unrivaled across the scene. On Peace By Piece, they stretch that alliance into five songs bursting with pomp and purpose, with their distinct energies creating some very memorable moments of sound. From the fiery bops to the poetic melancholy, this short project has it all. – EE