Songs of the day: New music from Niniola, Moshfire, Sirbastein and more
All the best new songs from around the continent
Music has continued to sustain our sense of community as we all navigate the chaos of the world around us. Artists have kept the party going with new relatable songs that helps us remember the good old days (before the pandemic), dream of a better tomorrow, or just enjoy the present moment. Because we know the volume can be overwhelming sometimes, we’ve decided to highlight the best songs released from around the world, thrice a week, in a bid to put that extra pep in your steps as you go through the rest of the year.
We covered the new releases from Namibian rapper, Lioness, Olayinka Ehi, Tiwa Savage, King Perry and PsychoYP, TaavTheHuman and Isaac Lörd, and Aux Zenith to set the perfect mood for the weekend. Now we are starting the week with the latest releases from Niniola, Shatta Wale, Moshfire, SirBastien, Ayüü, July Drama, Tosin, Flavour and Phyno. Enjoy.
Chu-Chu – “Electra” Feat. WANI
American-based Afropop singer, Chu-Chu has followed up his 2019 debut, “Killing Me” with a double single release titled ‘Electra and You’. Both songs are worth a listen but the track that caught our ear the most is the collab with one of our all-time favorites, WANI on “Electra”.
Dazzling synths, soulful percussion, and laidback drums set the excited tone for Chu-Chu and WANI’s sweet vocals addressed at their respective love interests. WANI already proved himself a formidable and efficient dancefloor filler with a gooey soft spot with his romantic-Afropop catalog and he lives up to his reputation with this catchy set, admitting to his obsession with his lover; “If you see me in the club with my dark shades on/ You should know I got her on my mind/ It’s like all the time”. Though the dancefloor isn’t employed as a plot device on Chu-Chu’s verse, his r&b-inspired flow and hearty lyrics about his romantic feelings deliver “Electra”‘s love message succinctly. The same romantic message carries on to the second song, “You” as Chu-Chu returns with aplomb.
SirBastien – “Addis Ababa” Feat. Ayüü, July Drama, Tosin
Being a producer/artist combo allows SirBastein to build his own sound with an extra dedication to specific details. He introduced listeners to his beach-music soundscape on ‘Mango’, his debut tape from last year. And though his breezy synths and lightweight harmonies have reflected on other artists like Ilaye, YMK, and Judo who he has produced for, we can finally get immersed in his soothing Caribbean harmonies as he just released his sophomore tape, ‘Mango Island’.
The project features Maya Amolo, Eri Ife, Remy Baggins, and others who join him at the sandy beach. The standout track, “Addis Ababa” brings Ayüü, July Drama, Tosin into SirBastien’s beach-inspired universe as they sing over the lightweight mix of soft percussions, rattling samples, twinkling guitars, and laidback drum riffs produced by SirBastien. Each artist takes turns performing their verses describing how they fell in love at the beach. If you close your eyes and listen to the meticulously detailed instrumentals, you can almost feel the wind in your face.
Shatta Wale – “Kumerica”
Shatta Wale’s standout performance on “Already” made it to the soundtrack that featured on Barack Obama’s 2020 Summer playlist, and now his latest single, “Kumerica” seems to be a warm welcoming embrace for his American audience.
Produced by Pac, the drill beat for Shatta Wale’s “Kumerica” and the synth-heavy beat sets a menacing backdrop for Shatta Wale to detail his criminal lifestyle to reach his goal of being powerful, wealthy enough money to stunt. Maybe this isn’t a warm embrace after all. It’s such a convincing drill song, it’s hard not to hear it as a threat to American drill artists who have to compete with an accomplished dancehall king whose unafraid to experiment with the new sound.
Flavour – “Chop Life” Feat. Phyno
Phyno and Flavour teamed up for a celebratory new single, “Chop Life” earlier this month, and now they’ve supported the collaboration with an accompanying video to match.
Over the mid-tempo highlife beat produced by MasterKraft, Flavour and Phyno remind us to be grateful for our lives. With Flavour’s catchy melodies and Phyno’s relaxed flow, the mood is jovial and the TG Omori translates that into a party-themed video. The opening scene is set at a road-side buka where Flavour, Phyno and some actors are seen enjoying their meal. We later watch them selling beers then later, celebrating their successful business. You get the sense that “Chop Life” is an ad for the beer brand featured in the video, but at least the song is honest and the video doesn’t hide the fact that business is booming.
Moshfire – “Thinking of You”
Countless songs have been written to capture the feeling of falling in love. The way Moshfire tells it on her latest single, “Thinking of You”, it’s a dangerous and reckless adventure that everyone should avoid at all cost. Her lyrics, “I’ve been losing my mind all day/ Risking my life just by falling for you/ I will do anything/ What do you say?“, are addressed at a lover she’s chasing.
If the obsessive lyrics weren’t already scandalous, her soft cadence and the drums like a pounding headache make the song feel like the soundtrack to a horror film about the extremes people are willing to go for love. The synths, xylophone harmonies, guitar riff, and twitchy funk rhythm lend the song a captivating allure while she confesses how completely she has fallen in love with her muse. Saying “That is why I can’t stop chasing you” triggers this writer’s stalker alert, but then, the whole song screams extreme risk. Moshfire’s blunt treatment of obsessive love is compelling in its ludic depiction of passionate attraction.
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You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu
ICYMI: Catch up on all the songs releases from last week
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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South African House Duo, Black Motion, Return With Rhythmic “Khululeka”
The SA house music pioneers are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release.
South African house music pioneers, Black Motion, are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release titled “Khululeka.” True to its meaning in isiZulu— “be free” or “find peace”—this track is an anthem of liberation, urging listeners to let go, embrace love, and heal through the power of music.
With their signature percussion-driven melodies and the soul-stirring vocal chants of King Monopoly, “Khululeka” transcends the dancefloor. It is a spiritual and emotional journey, carrying an energy that is both uplifting and transformative. Whether in personal reflection or in the collective movement of a crowd, the song invites listeners to surrender to its message and rediscover love—both within and around them.
Since their formation in 2010 in Soshanguve, Black Motion—made up of Murdah Bongz (born Robert Mahosana), and Thabo (born Roy Thabo Mabogwane)—has become a dominant force in global house music. Their debut single, “Banane Mavoko,” put them on the map, and their albums, including the gold-certified Fortune Teller and the platinum-selling Ya Badimo, have cemented their status as pioneers of the genre. Their collaborations with artists like Oskido and Black Coffee, along with accolades such as multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs), have solidified their place at the forefront of African electronic music.
Over the years, Black Motion has partnered with brands like Ballantine’s, Sony Xperia, and Coke Studio, and they are looking to partner with more under their new label Intascore, expanding their influence beyond music. With a combined social media reach of over 2.2 million followers, their music resonates with audiences worldwide, uniting people through rhythm, culture, and movement.
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