We’re halfway through 2022, and it’s been an eventful year for Afropop. There’s been a torrent of great new music, spawning a massive stack of inventive smash hit songs. From Highlife-infused Ghanaian pop, to the unrelenting force that is Nigerian street-pop, to South Africa’s indomitable Dance scene, to tantalising Drill explorations in East and Central Africa, and much, much more, we’re living through abundant and musically expansive times.

Every week, tonnes of songs from African artists make their way to digital streaming platforms, and wading through them can be intense. That’s where The NATIVE’s Songs of the Day column comes in to help. We go through as many new releases as possible, spotlighting them here, two to three times every week. Earlier this week, we shared recent drops from Jaido P, Lia Elise, Dwin the Stoic and more. Today’s selection includes new music from Ms Banks, Samthing Soweto, MzVee, and more. Enjoy.

MS BANKS — “BOUNCE”

On her latest single “Bounce”, off her impending EP ‘Bank Statement’, the British-based Nigerian singer-rapper leans starkly into her Nigerian side, both sonically and lyrically. Over a bouncy, Highlife-inflected Afropop production upholstered by boisterous percussion, exotic horns and seething guitar riffs, she renders a salacious ode to sexual attraction. 

SAMTHING SOWETO — “AMAGENTS”

“Amagents,” a resplendent soulful track by venerable South African Soul singer Samthing Soweto, feels like a quaint soundtrack to long sweltering drives. Released in commemoration of Father’s Day, it’s a reassuring ode to girl dads. Over a serene production, he layers his languid angelic vocals, as he conjures a poignant enrapturing number

SAMSNEY — “KUACHA” (FEAT. KELVYN BOY, BLACK SHERIF & DARKOVIBES)

“Kuacha” feels like a grand celebratory moment for the Ghanaian music industry for a good number of reasons. The obvious reason being that it boasts of a stacked cache of heavyweights on it. The other reason being that it melds Highlife: the quintessential Ghanaian genre that characterized the soundscape of post-colonial West Africa, and Ghanaian Drill: the socio-cultural language of the youths of the day. Against the backdrop of primordial highlife guitar melodies and heavy Drill percussion, Samsney’s collaborators bounce off each other, dishing sleek flows and melodious singing. 

MZVEE — “FLEX” (FEAT. KWESI ARTHUR)

Ghanaian pop star MzVee recently released her latest LP, ‘10 Thirty’, which plays host to a trove of Afropop superstars like Tiwa Savage and Bella Shmurda. The Kwesi-Arthur assisted “Flex” is a standout. Over a groovy percussion, the pair trade bars as they conjure a heartfelt ode to love. 

OBONGJAYAR — “NEW MAN”

Earlier this year, British-Nigerian singer Obongjayar released his debut full-length, ‘Some Nights I Dream of Doors’, to critical acclaim. Retaining attention for the LP, he recently released the video for “New Man”, a declarative highlight with defiant and resonant writing. In the video directed by Chukwuka Nwobi, symbolism meets an animated and boisterous Obongjayar, melding into a searing watch.

RNB PRINCESS — “SHE BAD” (FEAT. LOTI)

Over the course of her short but impressive catalogue, RnB Princess has showcased her adeptness at spinning the complexities of modern romance into resonant songs. Her latest single, “She Bad”, is no different, as she taps Loti for a conversational song portraying two people in a noncommittal situationship.

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