The past few months have been difficult to go through. An ongoing pandemic has forced us to significantly curtail movements and social interactions, at the same time fighting injustices on multiple fronts. Luckily, the one palliative we can rely on is the continued and diverse stream of music that has continued to grace ears all over the continent. In a bid to brighten your mood with the finest African tunes, we’ve looked around to bring you four of the best records at the moment – songs you absolutely need to hear.

Our weekend selection featured new releases from Tolani and Sigag Lauren, as well as DJ Spinall’s, Kranium-assisted single, Kida Kudz’s collaboration with Falz and Joey B, Psycho YP’s riveting new freestyle and much more. To start off the new week, get into these new releases from Korede Bello, Tiwa Savage, Gogowe, Psycho YP, and many more from around the continent. Enjoy.

NSG – “Lupita”

Following the successful release of their debut project ‘ROOTS’ last month, the 6-man music collective from London, NSG are now releasing fitting video treatments for fan favourite singles off the project starting with the 4Play-produced number “Lupita”. With a major emphasis on the song’s theme of black love and black women, the Kevin Hudson-directed video showcases beautiful black women as they enjoy an outdoor summer party with the group, featuring cameos from some of our fave women such as London-based singer Tomi Agape to Youtuber, Nella Rose and Priscilla Anyabu from Love Island 2020.

Tiwa Savage – “Dangerous Love (Ampiano Remix)”

Tiwa Savage is back with the Ampiano-inspired remix to her latest single “Dangerous Love” and if you thought the song couldn’t get any better, then you’re definitely in for a treat. Where most remixes would just include a new verse added along to the original song, the Ampiano remix produced by Dj Ganyani and De Mogul gives off a completely new feel, save for the infectious and familiar hook. ‘Make me feel like the first time/ You’ve been giving me a different vibe’ she sings, against the bouncy new beat which will have you bopping your head through the entire 5 minute run-time.

Korede Bello – “Table for Two”

Mavin’s Korede Bello is back with a new project titled ‘Table for Two’, released three years after his previous project ‘Belloved’. After catching our attention with pre-released singles “Sun Momi” and “Mi Casa”, which became one of the most used songs on Tiktok, the 5-track project is finally here. Korede Bello stays true to his signature loverboy persona, and it’s on the title track “Table for Two” that he really shines the most. ‘There’s nobody like you/I would do anything you say make I do’ he sings amorously, declaring his undying affection for a love interest who he is committed to despite there being 8 billion other people in the world.

Psycho YP & DJT1Z – “FOOLiSH (OUTSTANDiNG DiNNER)

If there’s one thing about Psycho YP, he definitely works hard. Every other week, he has a new feature or freestyle out, constantly keeping the streets feed with his off-the-cuff raps and it’s why we love him so much.

After wowing us with a new freestyle last Friday, the talented rapper is back with a new video for his single with DJT1Z “FOOLiSH (OUTSTANDiNG DiNNER)”. In the new video by untitled productions, Psycho YP delivers his braggadocious raps in a dark room, as he is egged on by his posse. The sinister air of the room along with his sharp-tongued raps adds to the seriousness of the song, and to the unfortunate person he’s addressing: ‘Pay Up [and ]Don’t be Foolish’.

Gogowé – “Gentle Girl”

As far as millennials and Gen Zers go, this generation of Nigerian women are fiercely independent and unafraid to say what they want regardless of what society says. To commemorate her birthday, singer/songwriter Gogowé has just released a new single titled “Gentle Girl” which sees her distancing herself from the ‘gentle’ tag and establishing herself as a far cry from the decent ‘lady’ society wishes to make of women.

‘I’m not that kind of angel/Me I get e temper/And I dey live my life’ she sings enthusiastically to a love interest, as she reaffirms that she is unwilling to conform to social standards of how a woman should act. Gone are the days of constricting personas, a woman can be whatever she wants to be so get with it, or move out the way.

Fasina and Tim Lyre – “88 Bpm”

After sharing their latest single “Just Linked” featuring MOJO and LK a few weeks back, rapper/singer Fasina and rapper/producer, Tim Lyre are back with a new 3-track project titled ‘3 Strains’. The project which draws inspiration from their marijuana-induced studio sessions is a fun, bouncy offering to kickstart your week, starting with the opener “88 Bpm”.

‘Cali in the kush, this ain’t for lightweight son/Get the fuck out of my way, you’re in my way mate’ raps Fasina in short, flashy sentences as he adopts jaded detachment in his tone. He’s joined by Tim Lyre who raps, ‘I go ballistic/check that statistic’ as he raps about his talented ability to lay down a beat and also rap circles around it. This is exactly the kinetic bundle of oomph needed to convince you to visit their 3-track offering.

OluwaJBeats – “Owner” featuring Ade Josh, Charlie Mase & Keys the Prince

As far as things go, this year’s summer is pretty much cancelled and the phrase “all dressed up with nowhere to go” is especially relevant but while we’re all spending more time indoors than ever before, we’re constantly entertained by the slew of new music coming out. Afroswing producer, OluwaJBeats knows this all too well as he taps into the sounds of Ade Josh, Charlie Mase, and Keys the Prince for a new amped-up party jam titled “Owner” that’s uniquely primed for DJ sets and air plays.

Directed by Scilla Owusu, the video for “Owner” sees all three artists rolling up to an all-white mansion, which we find out is owned by a group of female friends. They deliver their verses while having fun out at the party hosted by the girls. Speaking about the video, Scilla shared that it was important to depict the women as homeowners, as they are oftentimes represented as extras in music videos when that is not always the case.

Featured image credits/Instagram 

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