We’re officially in the Afrobeats rush hour of the year. Many artists are releasing new music, hoping to join in the gains of the festive period, when the world slows down and sounds take over, shaping new experiences and accompanying new memories. Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the release of a slew of new songs and projects, many of them noteworthy.
This month, we’ve been treated to several interpretations of Afrobeats, now a movement and not just a genre. Within said movement, you’d find artists who evoke hip-hop in their themes, while others are more traditionally pop, with even more subtle flavors from indigenous sounds.
It is such that delightful variance makes music worth it, and there’s no doubt a listener will find many gems on this list. Without further ado, these are the best Afrobeats songs of the month.
Bella Shmurda – “Sanity” feat. Kunmie
Bella Shmurda’s album Sanity turned out pretty well, its kaleidoscope of forms placing it among the year’s best. One hears enough evidence of a sonic upliftment everywhere on the tape, but more so on this titular track, a therapy session disguised as a song. The warm production, punctuated by drums and notes, provides a soft landing for his musings on self and consciousness, supported by a similarly incisive verse from rising star, Kunmie. It’s one of those songs that manages a larger-than-life perspective without being haughty about its aspirations, which is quite encapsulating of what Bella has done with his soaring, succinct sound.
AratheJay – “Put Am On God”
The first thing one notices about AratheJay is his voice: a lilting bounce, edgy in parts and soulful in some, a razor-sharp instrument that cuts into the heart with precise force. On “Put Am On God,” a constellation of effects, including run-on drums and trumpets, creates an atmosphere of a triumphant entry, and the artist makes the most of this sonic terrain, laying down his vision for music to last forever. It’s not a new sentiment, but the Ghanaian artist makes it stick like gum, applying the intense coloring of his voice as well as charged lyrics and flows that sink it deeper. A cornerstone of his newly released The Odyssey album, it’s undoubtedly one of his most striking moments on wax.
Patoranking – “No Jonze”
If you had to point out an artist who has embodied the pristine elements of Nigerian pop, it’d be Patoranking. He’s the quintessential close-to-home creator, readily placing his unique skills in the service of those ideals. Although tapping often from dancehall, he flavors the pomp with the quaint melodies of his hometown areas, as we hear on “No Jonze,” which adapts the Ajegunle subgenre konto. The rolling rhythms of that sound on display, Patoranking weaves in a moralistic tale, donning the admirable hat of the child who made it out of the ghetto, now becoming an elder.
MOLIY & Tyla – “Body Go”
When two artists of such caliber as these collaborate, the potential is enormous. “Body Go,” as the title infers, is an invitation to throw the physical self into groove and joy, a theme Afropop has often spread in sunny tunes. Both MOLIY and Tyla have reflected that sensibility in various ways across their respective discographies, and translating here impressively, they bridge their lucent tones in favor of the record whose bright and understated percussion gives them the space to shine.
Adekunle Gold – “Many People”
Throughout his career, Adekunle Gold has fancied himself a showman of varying perceptions. He’s been the folksy bard and the unwelcome presence at scenes of opulence, the jilted lover and the glossy pop star. Fuji, his latest album, sees him incorporating the sound and sensibilities of the genre it’s named after, one well-known for its influence on contemporary Nigerian pop. “Many People” embodies that ambition quite well; a jiggy, rootsy interpretation of Fuji that sees AG flex his lexicon of modern societal affairs. Quite the groovy affair, it’s the kind to light up parties in the deepest corners of Lagos Island as well as Parisian spaces.
Ayra Starr & Rema – “Who’s Dat Girl”
The 2000s were a beautiful time for music, and dancehall was a major reason why. In its flagrant expression, musicians found the perfect energy to get people moving, and over the years, that auditory influence hasn’t waned. If you think it has, then you need to listen to this song. Respected hitmakers in their own right, both artists bring a measured energy to the nostalgic lilt of this record, with Ayra Starr playing conductor to Rema’s showman. In the end, the listener gets a dazzling showcase, but more importantly, a great song to unwind to and feel sexy.
Yemi Alade & FAVE – “Worry”
Often due to the charismatic, vivacious energy she embodies on records, some tend to underrate the vocal power of Yemi Alade. But the reality strikes closer to the realization that she’s truly one of the more technically proficient vocalists around, and few songs will prove this better than “Worry.” A soulful salvo which draws from the warm, buttery soundscape of feature FAVE, both she and Ms Alade create an enchanting record about longing and waiting, impressing all the necessary emotional intensity into its midtempo production.
Nasty C, Lekaa Beats, Tiwa Savage – “One Time”
On this high-sounding three-way record, producer Lekaa Beats curates a charged atmosphere for Nasty C and Tiwa Savage. Although a love song, the strict, chiseled flow of Nasty C finds the bright overtones of Ms Savage’s along the line, providing the hook. The depiction of lust is something both artists do well, and it’s no surprise how efficiently they tease out this narrative, smoothly coasting on the production even with its dramatic undertones. With all indications pointing towards a Nasty C project, this collaboration oils the South Africa-Nigeria path he’s often journeyed through.
Celeste Ojatula – “Traveler” feat. Anabel Rose
On this string-led song, Nigerian artist Celeste Ojatula reflects a soulful energy that craves the fulfillment of new experiences. Joined by Filipino Ghanaian artist Anabel Rose, it’s a tender affair that, quite fittingly, began with conversation. “I remember daydreaming about the story [Brazilian musician] Luedji Luna told about Bahia: how time slows, a sharp contrast from the chaos of Lagos. This story shaped what ‘Traveler’ would become,” Celeste revealed in a chat with OkayAfrica. “I took all of these experiences with me … I needed it to have all the elements of wonder that I had imagined, like dancing and feeling light with nothing to worry about, a good time.”
Joshua Baraka & Jae5 – “Dive In”
We’ve seen Joshua Baraka and Jae5 come together to create beautiful music in the recent past. Obviously attuned to the other’s frequency, their collaborations tend to highlight the cherry groove of Baraka’s voice through the producer’s upbeat but spacey work. “Dive In” is another such song; bouncy, but not to the point of obscuring the singer’s tone, it’s an emotionally rooted affair that attests to the traumas that can make love difficult, showing understanding and patience. Affairs of the heart and mind are a recurring feature in Baraka’s music, and it’s beautiful how that manifests in this track.
For more curated music lists on OkayAfrica, check out the Best Afrobeats Songs of 2025 so Far – Mid-Year Music Roundup or the September edition of The Top Afrobeats Songs to Stream Right Now.
