What the OkayAfrica Staff is Loving from OK Shop Right Now

Curated by the people who live and breathe culture, the OkayAfrica Shop Staff Picks are here. We asked everyone what they’re adding to their personal collections, and their selections — ranging from iconic vinyl to essential books and cozy apparel — offer a deep dive into the items they can’t live without. This list brings together everything from the managing editor’s pick of Tyla’s eponymous vinyl and a large tote bag, to the east Africa correspondent’s historical choice of The Fight book about Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and the executive music editor’s must-have Beastie Boys hoodie. Whether you're looking for the nostalgic sound of Busta Rhymes on CD, the soulful genius of Erykah Badu and Anita Baker on vinyl, or apparel that celebrates African leaders, these are the records, books, and gear that come with a personal story and a recommendation from the OkayAfrica Staff. Check out the full list of picks and why they resonate with the team:

Paula’s Pick (East Africa Correspondent): ‘The Fight’ by Norman Mailer, Neil Leifer. Howard L. Bingham 

Growing up, my dad would always talk about the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and how he followed the play-by-play on the radio in Kenya. This book brings those stories to life, transporting us to the showdown in Kinshasa (then Zaire) and capturing the sheer madness and spectacle of a fight that made Africa the center of the world for one unforgettable day. And, of course, any commentary by Norman Mailer is worth reading.

Tobi’s Picks (Managing Editor): ‘Dance to the Music’ Tote and Tyla’s ‘Tyla’ Vinyl 

As a girl who always carries a bunch of things on her person — several keys, lipglosses, hand lotion, chargers, books (novels and journals), hand sanitizer, and sometimes a sweater — I love a good large tote bag that is roomy enough to hold all the things I need to be a fully functioning adult and member of society. It can also double as a gym bag. Finally, I quite like the copy as well, dancing to music (even the tune only you can hear) is always therapeutic. It’s great advice 😀

For my second pick, a tangible copy of Tyla’s eponymous vinyl seems like a no-brainer. She’s that girl, and I know this will eventually be a collector’s item (if it isn’t already). I want to get ahead of the curve and have this vinyl so I can listen to “PUSH 2 START” in its purest form.

Amuna’s Pick (North Africa Correspondent): Olivia Dean’s ‘The Art of Loving’ Vinyl

Olivia has been with me everywhere I’ve gone in the past year. She’s the soundtrack to my travels, showers, road trips and wedding prep. “Man I Need” is the karaoke song I wish I could impress a crowd with (I can’t). Not only would I love playing her vinyl on a lazy afternoon like a true connoisseur, but also have the gorgeous cover art somewhere on my wall. 

Yinka’s Pick (Social Media Reporter): Rihanna’s “'Music of the Sun' Vinyl

Rihanna’s track “Pon De Replay” was one of the songs that got me practicing my dance skills as a kid. Those were the good old times of music videos being “replayed” on TV (pun intended). I can also remember the times in secondary school when we’d have books that contained lyrics of songs. Those helped us either practice our vocal potential or even just enjoy knowing the lyrics of our favorite songs.

Anytime this track came up on TV or the radio, I would get my stage ready so I could run, move, and go low as Rihanna did in the music video. A busy life has distracted me from enjoying this as an adult, but I’d definitely revive my "Pon De Replay culture" as from now on! 

Kam’s Picks (Executive Music Director): Beastie Boys “So What Cha Want” Hoodie and Andy Warhol Polaroid book

I’ve always loved the distorted, almost-punk nature of the Beastie Boys’ “So What’cha Want.” Its grainy music video is one I still pull up when YouTube DJing during friend gatherings. The way the blown-out bass and drums of the track — not to say, the incredible guitar bridge — match the Beastie’s renegade ethos has always made this one of the standouts in their catalog for me. What better way to rep it than with this hoodie.

For my second pick: who doesn’t like to look at (and take) Polaroids of themselves and their friends? This Andy Warhol polaroid book would make a great coffee table piece and features an interesting mix of personas from Brazilian football legend Pelé to Basquiat, Mick Jagger and more.

Nelson’s Picks (West Africa Correspondent): Anita Baker’s ‘Rapture’ Vinyl and Erykah Badu’s ‘Mama’s Gun’ Vinyl

I first heard “Sweet Love” in 2023. The song, which is the first track on Anita Baker’s 1986 sophomore album Rapture, is dense with feeling and has a certain nostalgic sensibility that instantly drew me in. That energy remains consistent throughout the project. The songs on Rapture shift through sounds, incorporating elements of funk and soul into a project you’ll come out of feeling warm and seen.

For two years in a row after I heard “Didn’t Cha Know” off Erykah Badu’s genre-defying and brilliantly produced album Mama’s Gun, the track became my most streamed song. Many years later and I still return to it, for a sense of warm familiarity but also for a reminder of how masterful Badu is as an artist. It’s a song, like many others on the album including the hit “Bag Lady,” that speaks to the existential with inventive musicality. Mama’s Gun was my formal entry into the wonderful world of neo-soul and it continues to resonate and speak to conversations plaguing our current society.

Tšeliso’s pick (Southern Africa Correspondent): Busta Rhymes’ The Coming

I was in high school, saving part of my allowance to buy cassette tapes from a local dealer. It was mostly reggae, but every now and then there were surprises. One of them came in the form of Busta Rhymes’ epic debut album, The Coming — a masterclass in lyricism, form, flow, and production; a community effort; a cornerstone of ’90s rap. It was a sonic force that propelled Busta Rhymes from a Native Tongues affiliate to a full-blown superstar, while introducing a new league of emcees, from Spliff Starr to Lord Have Mercy to Rah Digga and, later, Roc Marciano. I was already familiar with “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check” and “It’s a Party,” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Zhané, respectively. What the album did was introduce me to world-building in audio form: an immersive intro that sounds like the apocalypse; a four-track run — from “Do My Thing” to “Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check” — where songs segue seamlessly into one another, setting a template he would refine on subsequent albums; skits, the backbone of a great ’90s rap record; and a production team that more than holds its own, including DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, and Q-Tip. I could go on, but this is essential listening for anyone studying the ’90s—or art that endures.

IK’s picks (Special Projects Editor): Every vinyl from Fireboy DML and the African leaders crewneck sweatshirt

Musically, Fireboy DML can do no wrong in my eyes (or ears, if you will). I think I first discovered his music from “Fire Down” (with Picazo), which was released around the time he was signing to Olamide’s YBNL label. I’ve not looked back since then. It always feels like he’s making the kind of music I'd make if I was a musician. I’m always tapped in. 

He’s put together a beautiful catalogue that highlights his journey. From his debut, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, that introduced us to his range, to the soulful Apollo, where we get to see why he was notable for his poetry back in the university, to the feel good and self confident vibe Playboy came with, and his latest, Adedamola, where he reflects on his journey and solidifies the successes and lessons he’s gathered along the way.

My second pick is this leaders crewneck sweatshirt because it looks nice and cozy, and I believe we all need to remind the kids about the names on it — Mandela, Nkrumah, Lumumba, Sankara, Biko, Kuti — why they matter, and the kind of Africa they envisioned.

You can shop all their picks and more via OK Shop here!