Songs of the Day: New Music from Dapo Tuburna, Mayorkun, Sarkodie, Boity & more

Your latest dose of great music from across Africa

Written by Dennis Ade Peter - 29.Apr.2020

The constant frequency of cross-Atlantic collaborations is proof that afropop is only moving forward with its global appeal. Last week alone, we got new music from Tems and Davido alongside Khalid, while Santi joined Octavian and Obongjayar for a hypnotic bop. Across the continent, music has only become more diverse and expansive, leading to a daily flurry of new releases. We’ve decided to help out by sorting through new songs from across all the sub-genres around the continent to curate a column with all the best “Songs of the Day”, to highlight all the new releases you Need to hear.

At the beginning of the week, we brought you Ajebutter22’s Grime-influenced banger, “Big Man Talking”, Jidenna’s “Feng Shui” off the soundtrack of the new “Insecure” season, the latest single off Mut4y & Elhi’s joint project, and more. Today, we bring you Dapo Tuburna and Mayorkun’s collaborative single, a loverboy cut from Korede Bello, a brag-filled stomper from Boity, an Azonto revival jam by E.L and Sarkodie, and much more. Dig in, and you’re welcome.

Dapo Tuburna x Mayorkun – “See Finish”

Dapo Tuburna started off 2020 with his first headlining show, ‘The Gingo Experience’, in celebration of last year’s run that saw him release his well-received debut EP, ‘Gingo Vibes’, amongst other achievements. He soon followed up with his first single of the year, “See Finish” in collaboration with regular hitmaker, Mayorkun. Together, both singers urge listeners to avoid being too open and familiar in public, since it only breeds contempt in the long run. “See Finish” has now been given an accompanying video, which in addition to shots of Dapo and Mayorkun performing their set, we see colourful dance moves and all-round, eye-popping shots.

Korede Bello – “Mi Casa Su Casa”

Korede Bello started his 2020 with “Sun Momi”, a romance-themed cut released just in time for Valentine’s Day, and now he’s continuing with that momentum with the release of his new single, “Mi Casa Su Casa”. Produced by Ozedikus, who laces the beat with an afro-Caribbean flavour, the new single continues to bolster Korede Bello’s heartthrob, with a more mature presence. “If you give me chop, I no go rush”, he sings on the hook, exploring a new raunchy side we’ve never really seen to him.

Boity – “Bakae”

Last November, Boity made history as the first female South African rapper to go platinum, with the success of her Nasty C-assisted debut single, “Wuz Dat”. She followed up with “Bakae”, a song where she stunts and flexes on her naysayers over a thumping trap beat. After a long wait, she’s finally dropped the music video for “Bakae” via IGTV, citing ongoing label issues as the reason she couldn’t put out through any other medium. Regardless, the Nape Phasha-directed video is pretty stunning, as we see Boity rapping her lyrics with a commanding demeanour, while rocking several glamorous outfits.

E.L x Sarkodie – “Revival”

Over a week ago, Sarkodie put out a call to fellow Ghanaian artists to bring back Azonto, the up-tempo subgenre behind the dance craze that took over West Africa circa 2011. Sarkodie kicked things off with the Tulenkey-assisted “Fa Hooki Me”, and he’s now followed up by joining fellow Ghanaian rap veteran, E.L for “Revival”. Over Pee GH’s bright and buzzing synths, both artists narrate the experience of a night out while also setting the Azonto revival agenda straight with a beat that mimics that sound and instructive lyrics.

Sheye Banks x Ckay x Bella Alubo – “Ifunanya”

Moving beyond their role as music curators for radio listeners, it’s becoming more common for on-air personalities to facilitate songs of their own with vocal assists from artists. Following the release of his Dapo Tuburna-assisted track, “Rotation”, Sheye Banks, the self-proclaimed king of vibes, recently tapped Ckay and Bella Alubo for the romantic single, “Ifunanya”. Backed by piano keys and mid-tempo afropop drums, Ckay and Bella deliver an amorous set loaded with affectionate one-liners.

TÖME – “Free”

After a stunning 2019 run where she opened at headlining shows for Wizkid and Burna Boy, and also released her debut album, ‘Tomesroom Chapter One’, Canada-based singer, TÖME is preparing for the release her sophomore LP, ‘Bigger than 4 Walls’. The album which we’re expecting next month is set to feature Runtown, King Promise and Zlatan, and to whet our appetites, she’s just dropped the lead single, “Free”, along with an accompanying video. Over gently sweeping keys and EDM drums, TÖME’s voice soars as she sings about earning the freedom to go after her dreams. In the video, we see the song’s narrative being played out, as well as shots of TÖME surrounded by nature.

Kiienka – “In the Ends”

Kiienka’s debut EP, ‘Spaceman’, marked the Port Harcourt-based artist as one of the more exciting purveyors of trap music on this side of the globe. He’s continued to consolidate on that ideal via joint releases with frequent collaborator Veen, and he’s currently getting set to drop his next project ‘Spaceman, Vol. II’.

“In the Ends” is the lead single off the forthcoming project, and it serves as a thrilling peek into what we should be expecting. where Veen lays down the song’s layered, psychedelic trap beat, accentuating Kiienka’s brag-filled raps about sipping Hennessy and independently making it to the top with no help.

Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter