Songs of the Day: New music from Gorillaz x Skepta x Tony Allen, M.anifest, ShowDemCamp and many more
Your latest dose of great music from across Africa
Today, one could very easily argue that the Nigerian musical landscape is more liberated from the audience’s expectations than it’s ever been, and artists now have the room to re-imagine genres to fit their own personal expressions. This allows for an expansive range of new music from many different artists, which can become overwhelming, so we’ve decided to help out by sorting through new songs from across all the sub-genres around the continent to highlight all the new releases you absolutely need to hear.
Last Friday, we enjoyed new releases from DRB, WurlD, Adekunle Gold, Maison 2500, Adanna Duru and many more, as artists around the continent continue to roll out much-needed music to get through these strange and unprecedented times. To start off the new week, we have new releases from Skepta and the late Tony Allen who join the Gorillaz on their new single “Song Machine: How Far?”. We also have new releases from M.anifest, Dammy Krane, ShowDemCamp, Idris King x DAP the Contract, Deena Ade, Ictooicy. Dig in, and you’re welcome.
Gorillaz – “Song Machine: How Far?” featuring Skepta & Tony Allen
Grammy-winning group, Gorillaz are paying homage to the late Afrobeat legend, Tony Allen with their new single “Song Machine: How Far?” which they enlisted Skepta for. In his usual fashion, Skepta reflects on his journey whilst navigating the music industry with impeccable flow, rapping: ‘Just know I love the action but I move in silence/Taking what’s mine till Elizabeth returns the diamonds’ self-assuredly before the song closes out with Tony Allen’s vocals.
In a press release, the Gorillaz revealed that “The track was written and recorded with Skepta in London just before lockdown and is being shared immediately as a tribute to the spirit of a great man, Tony Allen”. Rest in Power.
M.anifest – “No Long Talk”
M.anifest is back with his first single since the release of his third studio album last year. “No Long Talk” begins with what appears to be a voice note from his father commending him for his achievements and filled with immense pride for his creative son. On the upbeat track produced by Mike Millionz’onem, M.anifest tackles fame and pain with sharp, clear raps. ‘I come alive on IG Live/The lockdown has put a padlock on any new love’ he raps confidently, speaking about how the current state of affairs has made artists resort to social media channels like IG live to connect directly to their fans. The rapper is definitely taking full advantage of this, and is currently collating videos of fans rapping along to “No Long Talk” for a quarantine video special for the new single.
Show Dem Camp – “That Year” featuring Sir Dauda
Rap duo, Show Dem Camp has just released their first single of the year which features talented singer, Sir Dauda, which reflects upon how far they’ve come in the game over the years. With an Ikon-produced beat laced by acoustic strings and vivid percussion patterns, the duo trade bars about getting shit popping after years of grinding in the come up as independent artists. In the accompanying music video, we get to see their come up in real-time, with clips of their highs and lows, and the fans who have stood by them throughout their journey.
Dammy Krane – “Aje”
Dammy Krane is clearly gearing up for a comeback on the scene this year, with a new EP titled ‘4 D Girls’ which is due for release this year. Ahead of this, he recently shared the first single, “Aje” where he sings praises to God about his privilege to have basic amenities even in the face of economic struggles in Nigeria. The catchy upbeat track which was produced by Gnash makes for a real feel-good appreciative number, fitting for the unprecedented times we’re all currently facing.
Idris King – “Roses” featuring DAP the Contract
Idris King has just released a new 3-pack release titled ‘Pure’ over the past few weeks, which is exclusively available to stream on his website. His latest drop, “Roses” featuring DAP The Contract sees the pair lusting after a love interest who they seem to be disconnected from. Over airy synths, he alternates between rapping in French and English, while he tries to remind her of the love they shared, before opening the floor for DAP’s straightforward raps.
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Deena Ade – “Bitter”
We love hearing songs from artists who are able to sing what we’re all feeling inside, but aren’t quite able to express, which is what makes Deena Ade’s latest number so special. On “Bitter”, Deena Ade mourns a lost love and is full of rage and anger at this person who has hurt her. ‘Yeah my ego is bruised but I gotta let you go/Yes I’m kinda bitter’ she sings with strong vocals to express her deep pain and resentment for this person who has caused her irreparable damage. We feel you girl!
Watch the homemade music video for “Bitter” below made by Deena Ade herself and Yunastand.
Ictooicy – “Die For You”
Ictooicy is definitely one of the most hardworking young artists in these times, and even in the midst of all the chaos, she’s continuously rolling out content for her social media following from freestyles to new singles and visuals. For her latest release “Die For You”, she’s longing for a past lover and likens her love for this person to a drug which she can’t seem to get enough of. ‘Always knew our love will fade away/And you’re my heroin make me fade away’ she sings, digging into the frustrating knots of life and flipping them into echoing synths-inflected number.
Theophilus King – “Cha Cha Cha”
Theophilus King has just released his first single of the year titled “Cha Cha Cha”, a catchy upbeat number infused with bass, hi-hats, and whistles and slick, scant singing, sure to get anybody on their feet and dancing along. The song is heavily influenced by Salsa, with the title immediately invoking the cha cha slide, whilst managing to flip the popular sound for a boastful rap number.
Featured image credits/Gorillaz
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ICYMI: Here’s all the new music you may have missed last week
Maya Amolo Is Committed To Giving You The Sweetest Time
There’s undoubtedly more to come from the talented singer as she looks to solidify herself as one of the...
“Sweetest Time,” Maya Amolo’s latest single, is a soothing, lovesick confessional that mixes intimate, heartfelt lyricism with wistful production courtesy of Ugandan musician and producer SOULCHYD aka MAUIMØON. Alongside fellow Kenyan singer Ywaya Tajiri, the self-acclaimed sweetest girl delivers a lustrous duet that sees her soft vocals, which perfectly complement Tajiri’s more robust voice, skip and flit across moody synths, intensifying the spotlight on her wholehearted delivery. “I can feel you rushing through my system / Every single day it’s my religion,” she sings passionately halfway into the record. The whole thing sounds like the aural equivalent of a warm blanket; a truly affectionate record that immerses and envelopes its listeners in its warmth. This is the brand of vulnerable, understated R&B music that has been helping Amolo gain significant attention since she debuted in the pandemic year.
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Amolo always had an affinity for music. The singer and producer, who took on piano and guitar lessons as a child, has previously credited acts like Brandy, Erykah Badu, Prince, and Kenyan musical icon Eric Wainaina as her early influences – and it’s easy to see how Amolo’s style draws from this strong lineage of musicians whose music is equally expansive, soothing and vulnerable. After years experimenting with different styles, recording covers to beats she ripped from YouTube and posting them on her Soundcloud page, Amolo released her debut project ‘Leave Me At The Pregame’ in 2020.
The EP, which quickly soared up the charts in Kenya, served as a brief but emphatic introduction to Amolo’s minimalistic take on R&B. Standouts like the emotive opener “Puddles,” “Lush Green”, and “Jokes” showcase her clever and poignant lyricism that reflects on themes of love, depression, and self-healing. Along with sparse, melancholic production and the icy sensuality of her voice, Amolo delivered a remarkable debut that made her one of the most promising figures in Nairobi’s alternative music scene. Two years after ‘Leave Me At The Pregame,’ the Kenyan rising star released her debut album, ‘Asali.’
‘Asali,’ which translates to “honey” in her native Kiswahili, showcased Amolo’s progression as both an artist and a human being, as she swapped out the sad-girl tunes that filled her debut EP for more vibrant and intricate records – thanks in part to Sir Bastien and Kenyan producer and rapper Lukorito – that explore themes of growth and the complexities and rich luster of love. The album’s lead singles, “Foundry” and the self-produced “Can’t Get Enough,” found relative success on streaming platforms, placing Amolo as one of the continent’s most exciting new R&B voices. About a year after the release of ‘Asali,’ Amolo updated the album with 8 new songs on a deluxe version that featured Kenyan stars like Bensoul, Xenia Manasseh and Zowie Kengocha.
In August 2024, a few months after she delivered a splendid Colors performance, Amolo released a new project titled ‘What a Feeling.’ The 5-track EP, which essentially serves as an ode to Amolo’s home city, Nairobi, sees her experimenting with an array of dance sub-genres without straying too far from her R&B roots. While the project still retains much of the melancholy and elegance that defined her earlier work, there’s a hypnotic and pulsating energy that courses through ‘What A Feeling,’ that highlights a shift in the singer’s sensibilities. Amolo’s honeyed vocals gently seep through subtle Dancehall, Electronic, R&B and House-inspired production and the accompanying visualizer, a mashup of camcorder footage of her and her friends in Nairobi, also adequately captures the charming and nocturnal vibe of the tape.
The project produced standout tracks like the sensual “Let It Flow,” the title track and “Take It,” which later got remixed by Ugandan singer Soundlykbb and rapper SGawD. With Amolo’s latest release, “Sweetest Girl,” the Kenyan rising star continues her intricate exploration of R&B music, merging it with varying styles to produce her own distinct and refreshing variant. There’s no telling what Amolo might do next, but with only a handful of releases to her name so far, there’s undoubtedly more to come from the talented singer as she looks to solidify herself as one of the genre’s most prominent faces across the continent.
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T.I Blaze Updates ‘Shakur’ EP With Deluxe Version
Following the success of “Trenches Luv,” the street-pop star is back with seven new songs on the deluxe...
Over the last few years, street-pop, a guttural version of afropop, has surged to mainstream popularity, birthing stars like Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi. On the homefront, a generation of younger stars also put unique spins on the sound. Singer, T.I Blaze, has been a notable star in the sub-genre since his 2021 single, “Sometimes,” and a subsequent remix with icon, Olamide, launched him into a different stratosphere.
Since “Sometimes,” Blaze has established his profile as a reliable source for songs that reflect the pulse of the streets while archiving his come-up story across a debut album (‘El Major’) and three extended plays like ‘The Fresh Prince Of Lagos’ and ‘Dangerous Wavy Baby.’ His 2024 EP, ‘Shakur,’ further underscored his evolution as an artist, featuring slippery numbers about escapism, his thoughts on life in the fast lane, and brotherhood with features from rising stars like Tml Vibez and BhadBoi Oml.
In 2025, the singer has picked up where he left off last year, releasing “Trenches Luv,” a balmy February release that examines the dynamics of romance from his point of view as a young adult moulded by the hard realities of life on the street. The success of “Trenches Luv” has led to a deluxe version of ‘Shakur’ with the singer adding seven new songs to the original version of the project. Impressively, on the new version of the project, TI Blaze taps up Ayo Maff and Ghanaian star Arathejay on “My Brother” and “Mario Remix,” respectively.
Led by a galala-inflected opener, “Track 1,” ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ is both raw and complex with the singer sounding refreshed on songs like “My Brother,” “Dodge,” and “Introduction.” In many ways, this project is an invitation for listeners to explore the many facets of T.I Blaze’s artistry as well as a portent to celebrate his roots and offer a glimpse at his evolution.
Listen to ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ here.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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