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As the year winds down to a close, the hits keep coming, as big singles from Victony, Oxlade and P Prime, Minz and Young Jonn have kept the worlds of Afrobeats, Afropop, Afrofusion and genres beyond moving through November. And that’s before even mentioning the new album from Teni, Tears of the Sun, which might just be one of the best albums of the entire year, from any genre.
In short, the month of November has produced some of the best songs yet. (And yes, we know, it’s the first of December — but hey, things get busy at the end of the year.) Here, we’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and catch a vibe with our latest Spotify playlist below.
Teni feat. ODUMODUBLVCK, “Devil Dance”
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Teni’s sophomore album Tears of the Sun is stuffed full of great songs, and as a whole is a confident statement from a performer, artist and person who knows exactly who she is and isn’t going to apologize for it. On “Devil Dance” she delivers one of the best tracks on the project, with a catchy guitar line, sassy melody and confident, swaggering hook, complete with a trademark ODUMODUBLVCK verse, which demands repeat plays, and is a thesis statement that stands out on an album that’s overflowing with them. A landmark song for the year for sure.
Teni, “Jalingo”
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Following reports that she had been kidnapped during a performance gone wrong last year, the Nigerian singer-songwriter set the record straight and recorded “Jalingo” from her sophomore album, Tears of the Sun. “I was actually at a show where a fight broke out. A lot was happening and everybody was fighting,” she told Apple Music. “It was deep inside one place in Port Harcourt and, for us to leave there, our security officers were shooting. It was chaos in the middle of the night….” Teni touches on a heavy subject but gets right back on her feet (and gets everyone on theirs, too) for a lighthearted club banger.
Boj & Ajebutter22, “42”
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The feel-good duo dropped the third installment of their Make E No Cause Fight EP series – off Boj’s own label Action Boyz under Moves Recordings – and the sumptuous blend of jazz, R&B, highlife, palm wine and alté is filled with tropical vibes and laid-back flows. The first track, “42,” isn’t a typical party anthem about getting f–ked up on Don Julio, but a reflective, toast-worthy ode to how far the two have come (and how much money they now have), which instantly draws in listeners with its cascading guitar licks.
Oxlade & P.Priime, “PIANO”
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The “KU LO SA” star teams up with fellow Nigerian hitmaker P.Priime on the scintillating “PIANO” track from Oxlade’s KATIGORI/PIANO two-pack, which he said in a statement is meant to show off his two sides: “the cautious Oxlade and the party Oxlade.” The pitter-patter of the log drums mimics his heartbeat when he’s with that special someone, but his falsettos scattered throughout the love song could woo just about anyone. “‘PIANO’ is the strongest song I’ve dropped this year MUSICALLY,” Oxlade added.
Minz, “BLESSING$”
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The “WO WO” artist soulfully reflects on his “BLESSING$” and encourages others to count theirs in his latest uplifting track. The soothing piano melodies and introspective percussion strike a chord with listeners, but his “I’m out of your league so you can’t touch, MC Hammer” lyric adds a nice sprinkle of braggadocio.
Ratii Rsa, Tyler ICU & Catzico feat. Katarina, “Mnandini”
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At 17 years old, Ratii Rsa is demanding the world’s attention with her ultra-bubbly amapiano single “Mnandini.” She taps fellow South African DJ/producers Tyler ICU and Catzico to transport listeners on a tranquil eight-minute journey, where they can easily lose themselves in the sweet-sounding arpeggios, while Katarina’s breathy vocals build tension for the song’s most exhilarating moments.
Victony feat. Crayon & Bella Shmurda, “Ohema”
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The song may be credited to these three artists, but more than a dozen appear on the track — OkayAfrica called the all-star cast “The Avengers of Afrobeats” — including Rema, Ayra Starr, ODUMODUBLVCK, Blaqbonez, Lojay, Oxlade, YKB, Bloody Civilian and more. All together the crew create a layered tapestry that pulses with energy, an anthem for this generation of established and budding stars of the genre.
Young Jonn, “Disconnect”
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Young Jonn hasn’t missed this year with a string of excellent singles, from “Currency” with Olamide, “Stamina” with Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr, to “Aquafina” and “Sharpally.” “Disconnect” is the next entry into that lineage, as the superproducer continues to establish himself as one of the best hitmaking artists out there right now. And, as he promises on this track, this string of singles portends plenty of “better days ahead.”
YKB & King Promise, “This Must Be Love”
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Both YKB and King Promise have enjoyed breakout years in 2023, with the former’s “komplete riddim” a standout hit and the latter’s “Terminator” making waves around the world. So their collaboration on this sweetly catchy single is a welcome joining of forces, as the two go back and forth in both English and Yoruba opining about a girl changing their minds about love and affection, with production that absolutely pops.
Qing Madi, “Vision”
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Young Alté singer Qing Madi may be relatively new to the scene, but she’s burst out with a string of singles that clearly articulate her artistry and showcase her arresting, effortless vocals. “Vision” is just the latest, with an understated R&B groove over which she sings about the distraction of someone she can’t get out of her mind. Still just 17, her range is impressive.
As we get closer and closer to warmer weather, the song of the summer debate heats up. One of Billboard‘s front runners is Rema‘s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez, but it’s not the only Afrobeats track that’s bound to bring people to the dancefloor all summer long.
The winner of our Song of the Summer Face-Off bracket game last year — Harry Styles‘ “Watermelon Sugar” — has found its African counterpart: Suté Iwar’s “SHUGA PEACH.” Listeners can sink their teeth into this juicy song, or sip on “Casamigos (Pour It In My Cup),” courtesy of Afro B and Sukihana. There’s also the breezy “Trumpet” from Olamide and Ckay, as well as Asake‘s amapiano dance floor banger “2:30” and the effortlessly gorgeous debut single from Inkabe Zezwe. But Davido‘s latest album, Timeless, ensures endless vibes that he explores through various triumphant sounds — and we clearly couldn’t get enough of it, considering we shouted out multiple tracks. Just try getting through the summer without dropping “In the Garden,” “Na Money” or “U (JUJU),” just to name a few.
We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and catch a vibe with us by listening to our Spotify playlist below.
Davido feat. Skepta, “U (JUJU)”
Davido and Skepta got their girls covered in the utterly enchanting “U (JUJU)” collaboration, from the former’s latest album, Timeless. The Afrobeats superstar worries if he’s stuck under a woman’s spell when he sings in the mesmerizing chorus, “You dey do me like juju, dey worry me” (a nice nod to Ice Prince’s 2011 track “Juju”), and promises her anything she so desires. Meanwhile, the British-Nigerian grime MC commends his partner for sticking by his side and reassures her he won’t leave hers.
Sukihana & Afro B, “Casamigos (Pour It in My Cup)”
British-Ivorian DJ/singer/songwriter Afro B and American rapper Sukihana craft a refreshing summer vibe with “Casamigos (Pour It in My Cup).” While blending his instantly party-starting vocals with her seductive, smooth melodies that slip right off her tongue, “Casamigos” isn’t just an ode to George Clooney’s ultra-premium tequila brand, but just a little taste of warmer weather and the frivolousness that it brings. Once the song’s amapiano production (courtesy of Team Solut and co-producer Oghenekevwe Bojeghre) takes hold of the song toward the end, it’ll have everyone in a chokehold.
L.A.X, “Zaza”
Afrobeats star L.A.X only provides the best vibes, as confirmed by his new album No Bad Vibes. On its highlight track “Zaza,” he expresses his feelings for a woman while gassing her up (“On the dance floor you fire them/ On the finish line you finish them,” he boasts in the pre-chorus) – all while staying true to his characteristically laidback demeanor. “Zaza” will have any listener whining their hips to its mesmerizing, chugging beat pattern (courtesy of Clemzy).
Suté Iwar, “SHUGA PEACH”
For those craving another “Watermelon Sugar”-like summer anthem, look no further than Suté Iwar’s “SHUGA PEACH” highlight track from his new album, ULTRALIGHT. The Nigerian singer’s mouth waters at the sight of a “golden lady,” whom he later describes as his “favorite late-night craving” because… well, you get the picture. Iwar wrote on his Bandcamp page that ULTRALIGHT is a “journey that takes you through a range of emotions, from the high energy and excitement of life to the introspection and self-reflection that comes with it.” Listeners experience that entire range in the 3:51 runtime of “SHUGA PEACH,” as its tender keys and sultry saxophone runs accentuate Iwar’s carnal desires, while a wavy guitar and meditative beats introduce his self-aware rap about commitment in the track’s latter half.
Uncle Waffles, Tony Duardo, Jelly Babie & Chley, “Babiee”
Ahead of her historic Coachella performance this month, rising amapiano star Uncle Waffles set a moody, yet mesmerizing tone on her new Asylum project. On the highlight track “Babiee” – alongside Tony Duardo, Jelly Babie and Chley – listeners tiptoe into Waffles’ world with the guidance of a pitter-pattering synth loop that’s supplemented by steadily building percussion. Babie seizes the song’s peak by praising two of South Africa’s house genres, bacardi and amapiano, before chanting hers and Waffles’ stage names until “Babiee” fizzles out in a hypnotic rhythm.
Davido feat. Morravey, “In the Garden”
A simple major-key guitar line, a stripped down drum pattern with a supplementary amapiano log drum and a positive vibe underlines this breezy, beautiful track from Timeless — but it is the power of Morravey’s voice that elevates this track into something special, and possibly the best song on the entire album. It’s at heart a wistful love song, but the driving hook — “I’ll change your status, yeah” — adds a coy determination to take the initiative, while Davido’s verse adds another layer of catchiness to a song that has the capacity to dig into your head and never leave.
Davido feat. The Cavemen. & Angélique Kidjo, “Na Money”
One of the best things about Davido’s Timeless album is how seamlessly he weaves together different styles, and “Na Money” is among the best examples, blending highlife with amapiano through this collaboration with Nigerian highlife duo The Cavemen. and iconic Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo. The result is a driving, upbeat song about the intersection of love and money, with a joyful hook and highlife horns underscoring the production. A standout for its departure from the rest of the record.
Asake, “2:30”
Asake has leaned deeply into amapiano in many of his biggest songs, and this latest single, which should be on his forthcoming next album, really drives home the point in an ode to the party life. Log drums propel the verses, while a typically-choral hook gives it some of the space and majesty that has come to define Asake’s biggest records. The only complaint — voiced with some humor by his fans online — is that the actual audio of the track isn’t even 2:30 long. And yet!
Inkabi Zezwe (Big Zulu & Sjava), “Umbayimbayi”
South African rappers and singers Big Zulu and Sjava have linked up for a joint album under the duo moniker Inkabi Zezwe, with “Umbayimbayi” as the first single off that project — and from the opening notes the song unfurls as a gorgeous piano-based ballad that sonically cuts to the soul. The song has already been certified platinum in their home country, which is hardly surprising given its vibe — the Hammond organ flourishes as the song floats to its finish, emphasizing the emotion just as much as the duo’s voices. A special record.
Olamide feat. Ckay, “Trumpet”
A Nigerian hip-hop legend teaming up with one of the most successful young Nigerian singers of the past few years, this track was always going to catch the ear — and its plaintive piano base over some Afrobeats drums gives it an instantly catchy vibe. That it’s essentially a barely-disguised ode to beautiful women and the things they do makes the title amusing, but it’s a great, understated record (sonically, at least) and an absolute earworm.
March is coming to an end, and with it comes another installment of our Afrobeats Fresh Picks column, an endeavor that is heating up along with the weather.
At this point in the year, a quarter of the way through, there are already a handful of contenders for songs that will define the summer and carry us through all of 2023. But there’s also still plenty of room to pad out those playlists and a lot more music coming down the pipeline — including full albums from many of the artists who have been steadily building through singles in the first few months of this year.
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The stars have been shining brighter together lately, from Major Lazer and Major League Djz‘s international alliance to the electric duo of Adekunle Gold and Zinoleesky to the triple team up of Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr and Young Jonn — in fact, this month’s edition features half collaborations and half solo tracks. Even songs we’ve previously featured, Libianca‘s “People” and Victony and Tempoe‘s “Soweto,” have added illustrious guests to new versions of their original tracks: Ayra Starr and Omah Lay on the former as well as Don Toliver and Rema on the latter. But there are plenty of solo gems from the likes of Amaarae, Bella Shmurda and Lil Kesh on the playlist, too, with plenty more deserving tracks just missing the cut.
Here, we’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and cue up our Spotify playlist below as you’re reading along.
Adekunle Gold feat. Zinoleesky, “Party No Dey Stop”
Adekunle Gold makes sure the “Party No Dey Stop” in his new up-tempo, Afropop single, which also marks his debut under Def Jam Recordings. Apart from his new major label deal, AG Baby flexes his co-sign from Oluwa (which means God in Yoruba) and his riches on the vivacious beat, co-produced by Kel-P and Monro, which ensures the vibes are not just immaculate but also eternal. He reflects on relying on God’s grace and having a good time alongside his fellow Agege native Zinoleesky, who’s featured on the track. “The world should be expecting madness from that guy – he’s so good,” Gold recently told Billboard. “I reached out to him, and then we got in the studio. In a matter of hours, we wrote his verse together and it was a banger.”
JayO, “22”
Rising North London-born, Nigerian singer JayO is the ultimate charmer in his sensual single “22,” which has an all-too-fitting Feb. 22 official release date. While scintillating snippets had been swarming TikTok before then – with “22” garnering almost 300,000 user-generated videos to date on the platform – the full 2-minute, 22-second single captures JayO’s explicit desires with a girl who’s (you guessed it) 22 years old and “too hot to handle,” as he croons over the lush R&B piano loop and sizzling percussion. While JayO can’t keep his hands off this girl, our ears can’t get enough of this song.
Amaarae, “Reckless & Sweet”
Amaarae delivers a “Reckless and Sweet” yet slightly savage offering from her forthcoming sophomore album Fountain Baby. The Ghanaian Afropop singer draws in (and calls out) her money-hungry admirer with the siren-like hook “Call me when the money come, come, come, come, come/ To the money I’ma run, run, run, run, run,” which sounds just as mesmerizing and attractive as Amaarae’s spending habits. Nothing less is expected from the “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” hitmaker, whose irresistible swagger can be found in the latest Mugler x H&M campaign or front row during Milan Fashion Week as she also builds up her name in the neighboring fashion world, where she can further relish in opulence.
Tay Iwar, “Healing”
Nigerian alté singer Tay Iwar provides himself with a musical antidote from a previous, harmful relationship on “Healing,” his first single of 2023. His hypnotizing, digitized “healing from your stress” hook floats above a bubbling percussive pattern that can wash anyone’s worries away with the simple press of the play button. But for Iwar himself, his healing journey doesn’t just involve uncomfortable revelations as to what went wrong, but also “[killing] all of my worries with champagne.” After being featured on “True Love” from Wizkid’s critically acclaimed Made in Lagos and co-writing/co-producing Burna Boy’s standout “Alone” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, Iwar continues to show his fans that he can lend his talents to the biggest stars while also being a star in his own right.
Major Lazer & Major League Djz feat. Brenda Fassie, “Mamgobhozi”
American EDM DJ trio Major Lazer and African DJ/producer duo Major League Djz join forces on their new amapiano album, Piano Republik. On the single “Mamgobhozi,” the late Queen of African Pop Brenda Fassie’s vocals come to life, via a sample of her 1997 hit “Vuli Ndlela,” adding an honorable touch to a project dedicated to celebrating the amapiano sound traveling across the globe from its native South African townships. “Brenda Fassie was not only an icon, but she inspired many Black South Africans to be their authentic selves,” Major League Djz say in a press statement. “’Vuli Ndlela’ is undoubtedly one of Brenda Fassie’s best bodies of work, holding the title of ‘Song of the Decade,’ and a song we heard playing at every South African wedding and home then and now … Her music catalog speaks for her long after she has left us, a true force.”
Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr & Young Jonn, “Stamina”
Young Jonn has been on a hell of a run with his singles of late — see “Mood” and “Currency” previously — and this track sees him sandwiched in between two fantastic singers from two different generations in Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr. Those two have been on hot streaks of their own lately — witness Tiwa on the “Who Is Your Guy?” remix with Spyro and duetting with Asake on “Loaded” earlier this year, while Starr has one of the biggest songs out in “Rush” and another one growing in prominence with “Sability.” Is that enough reason to listen to this? If not, take our word for it: It’s great. Treat yourself.
Bella Shmurda, “Ara (Gen Gen Tin)”
Almost ominous in its opening notes, the latest single from Bella Shmurda quickly opens up (through the production of Larry Lanes) into one of the most infectious hooks of the year so far, propelled by its call and response. And, yes, there’s a dance challenge, so go check that out too. And while we’re here, check out that new track he dropped with Nasty C, the “Philo” remix — but good luck getting “Ara” out of your head first.
Khaid & Boy Spyce, “Carry Me Go”
Last month we included Khaid’s sweet ode “Jolie” on our playlist, and this month we’ve got another one from the young Nigerian singer with an innate knack for melody and inviting hooks. Here, the collaboration with Boy Spyce somehow turns those melodies up a notch, with the track steadily building and layering into a full-on choir production, taking the song into the stratosphere.
Jaido P & Fireboy DML, “One of a Kind”
Fireboy dropped a pair of red-hot features this month, between this one and Peruzzi’s “Pressure,” but there’s something about the melding of his voice with the more streetwise rapping of Jaido P, each of them switching back and forth between Yoruba and English, that sets this one apart from the rest of what’s coming out right now. You could easily see this one going off in the U.K. at the drop of a hat.
Lil Kesh, “Good Bad Boy”
As mentioned in a previous column, Lil Kesh had one of the hands-down best songs of 2022 with “Don’t Call Me,” alongside Zinoleesky. “Good Bad Boy” has a completely different feel, incorporating horns and a back-and-forth bridge supported by rapped verses that pile on top of one another, creating an energy that propels the track forward. Kesh is one of the more elastic vocalists around right now, mixing in all kinds of styles, melodies and flows — sometimes even into the same line of a verse — and that’s all on display here.
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