Music has been the driving force keeping us connected for the past ten months where we have been cut off from live experiences. As a result, last year, The NATIVE created our ‘Songs of the Day’ column as an avenue to curate some of the best and biggest songs from around the continent. In the time since its creation, the column has served as an avenue to discover music from niche, rising acts, while also spotlighting releases from the biggest artists. As music industries around the continent have begun kicking into gear, it’s only right that we return to pointing you towards as much great music as we can.

For last week’s Songs of the Day, we brought you new singles from Bella Shmurda, Tomi Thomas, Le Diouck and DJ Bamao Yendé, Fresh Meat alum, capespring and Sustain. To kickstart the weekend, we’re bringing you new tunes from Dice Ailes, Ykb ft. Zlatan, Jackmillz, Dj Xquisite, Tomilola, Andy S, Veen, CKay who just announced his sophomore album ‘Boyfriend’, and Mr Eazi who is set to release his second EP ‘Something Else’ later this year. Dig in.

Mr Eazi – “The Don”

Since his sophomore album ‘Life is Eazi, Vol. 2’, Mr Eazi has spent time creating and building his artist incubator platform emPawa Africa which has successfully funded and powered the next generation of African musical talent. On his forthcoming EP ‘Something Else’, the follow-up to last year’s ‘One Day You Will Understand’, he appears to now be reaping the rewards of his entrepreneurial seeds sown over these past few years. The project’s promotional single “The Don” finds the singer experimenting with Trap sensibilities couched in his blend of Banku music and Dancehall as he declares himself “The don and I paid my price, I’m living like I’m in paradise.” He clearly brags different.

Dice Ailes – “Money Dance”

After rounding up 2020 with the danceable hit “Pim Pim” featuring Olamide and “No One”, a special tribute song to the lives lost during the EndSARS movement, Dice Ailes is ready to kick off the new year with new music. “Money Dance” his latest single is a catchy danceable hit that is sure to get you moving this weekend. Over a skirty bassline and Afropo drums, he sings “I really no like two-faced niggas, me I no dey give them chance/I do the money dance,” casting his focus on making the bag and being successful rather than paying focus to what the naysayers are discussing.

CKay – “Kiss Me Like You Miss Me”

By the end of 2020, CKay had set himself out as one of the ones to watch with his string of collaborations from Davido’s “LaLa” to Amaarae’s “FANTASY” but this year, he’s casting his focus on more solo releases with his sophomore album ‘Boyfriend’ slated for release February 12. The project’s promotional single “Kiss Me Like You Miss Me” is a heart-wrenching confessional which sees the singer pining for physical intimacy with a love interest. Over delectable strings and soft drum patterns, he makes his romantic intentions known, making it official with the best way Gen Zers know how to: the honorary dp update.

YKB – “Dey Your Dey” featuring Zlatan

Yusuf Kan Bai, now simply going as YKB, has just released a new single addressed to the opps titled “Dey Your Dey”, a catchy bop that instructs them to stay out of his business. Singing over the rhythmic beat produced by Gizzle Beats, “Don’t let them take you for a fool/dey your dey,” he encourages fans to cautiously watch out for the opps posing as friends to exploit you. Zlatan joins him for a memorable verse on the song, rapping, “Judas dey him dey/he for no be wey he dey,” aptly using this biblical reference to hone in the message about staying clear of wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Tomilola – “Mo Yato”

After introducing herself with her debut single, “Let Go” featuring The Cavemen, last year, singer/songwriter Tomilola is back with a new track to start the year titled “Mo Yato”. The upbeat soulful single finds her showing off more of her powerful vocals as she confronts the desires she has for herself, encouraging listeners to always remain self-assured and listen to their heart rather than follow the crowd. Over the groovy percussive beat, she sings, “I don’t want to do follow follow/Time is now, I’m not afraid to be myself,” a self-confident message that soundtracks a young woman’s journey to finding power within herself. With “Mo Yato”, Tomilola clearly shows that she’s here to stay, and we can’t wait to see how she develops into herself this year.

Jackmillz – “Temptation” featuring Aziz

Fresh Meat Alum JackMillz is back with his first official single of the year titled “Temptation” which features Aziz. The midtempo single is an exploration into young love as the Lagos-based singer confronts his inescapable feelings for a romantic interest. “I don’t want to waste your time/We been falling too deep, I’m tempted to give you everything,” he sings softly over the slow piano-led beat, admitting that he’s fallen for a crush for whom he’s ready to risk it all.

DJ Xquisite – “Once Again Dey Don Dey Vex Me” ft Blaqbonez and Psycho YP

Dj Xquisite pairs up two of the promising young rappers in the scene, Psycho YP and Blaqbonez for braggadocious new single “Once Again Dey Don Dey Vex”. Over the upbeat catchy production by BMH, both rappers trade bars about getting shit popping and ruling their own turf successfully to the annoyance of their haters. Blaqbonez takes the songs first verse and the hook, explaining why he has to keep delivering songs to keep the fans content and the enemies angry. He’s joined by Psycho YP who raps on the second verse, “Usually I’m popping on streets, usually I charge 100 for a feature/I be coming like a dealer”, as his bars grow more ruthless and cocky.

Andy S & Veen – “PTC”

Port Harcourt based rapper and producer, Veen has just linked up with Côte d’Ivoire rapper Andy S for a joint 3-pack EP titled ‘RDBQ Vol. 1’. On the standout second track “PTC” both artists trade bars over a lilting piano-led beat procured by Veen himself. Andy S takes the song’s first verse, rapping in French for the lot of it, before she’s joined by Veen on the song’s second verse. “Yeah I’m shining, niggas hating/on the way to be the greatest,” he raps confidently, letting his clever wordplay and steller penmanship take centre stage. It’s inspiring to see both artists from different backgrounds come together for such a boisterous offering.

Featured image credits/Instagram

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