We’ve had music to fall back on through all the heartbreaking moments of 2020. Despite the ongoing pandemic, civil unrest, and the seemingly endless barrage of bad news, musicians have continued to capture our collective pop consciousness with new songs that either reflects our present reality or provide an escape from it. We know it can be difficult to keep up with all the diverse streams of music so we’ve created this column to keep you, our readers, up to date with all the finest tunes coming out of Africa and the rest of the world. These are the songs you absolutely need to hear.
We started this week’s curation for Songs of the Day with the new music releases from; Cheque, July Drama, Straffitti, OBT, Jean Feier, and more. Today’s Songs of the day curation features new music from Kenyan singer, Maya Amolo, Bella Shmurda, JELEEL!, Alpha P, T-Classic, and South African duo, Reece Madlisa and Zuma to keep you motivated as we edge closer to the weekend. You can enjoy them below.
Maya Amolo – “I Know”
After impressing with her debut project, ‘Leave Me At The Pregame’, Maya Amolo has returned with a music video f0r one of the tape’s standout tracks, “I Know”. She offered an intimate narration of her process, growing out of her bad habits on the r&b tape, and on “I Know”, she detailed the struggle she went through whilst dealing with a bad relationship.
Mumbi Muturi directed the 3-minute long video showing Maya in different artsy set designs. With her classy clothes and rose petal props contrasting the timeworn building the video is set in, the video seems to reiterate the song’s message that she’s too good to keep tolerating an inept boyfriend. The video for “I Know” is the second visual from the tape, after she shared the video for “Lush Green” back in July.
Bella Shmurda – “Dangbana Orisa”
Indigenous Yoruba rappers love to glamorise the tough reality on the street with songs celebrating their triumph over hardship. Though Bella Shmurda introduced us to the soulful, pseudo-spiritual representation of the street lifestyle on his debut project, ‘High Tension’, for his latest single, “Dangbana Orisa”, he embodied street-hop’s pride in overcoming adversity as he sang of his esteem over the laidback beat produced by Rexxie; “Bi Ina Ban Jo, Ogiri O Sa (The Walls Don’t Run When There’s Fire)”.
Directed by Naya Effectz Visuals, the newly released video for “Dangbana Orisa”, shows Bella Shmurda in a desert looking scene where he is surrounded by gun-wielding goons in bullet-proof vests. The scene is reminiscent of Mad Max’s dystopian reality, but we also see cuts of Bella Shmurda performing with adoring fans on the street. The street is rough but with Bella Shmurda’s charm he is still able to find love.
JELEEL! – “Love BKO!”
Our Fresh Meat alum, JELEEL! got inspired by racial discrimination for his latest project, ‘Generation Z’. The 6-track EP was released during the protest sparked by George Floyd’s murder at the hands of an American police officer and it offered music as a balm to heal the trauma of the time. He celebrated black power on the 3rd track, “Love BKO”, expressing his rage at the injustice singing “Ima throw a fit just because”. JELEEL! has now released the music video for “Love BKO” and the sci-fi direction reflects his reality as an alien in the racist American society.
The video produced by Ricky Remedy and Aryalion shows JELEEL! beside his alien ship while we also see him making rocks levitate with his mind. While he performs his threatening lyrics, the video represents how institutionalised racism in America vilifies black people as outsiders. Though JELEEL didn’t feature on our series where we, imaginied Nigerian musicians as superheroes, the video for “Love BKO” grants him alien superpowers to make racists pay for discriminating against blacks; “I don’t like that/ You know ima fight that”.
Alpha P – “Quarantine”
Alpha P’s debut tape, ‘King of the Wolves’ introduced him as one of the teen prodigies giving afropop a refreshing new spin. The 5-track EP highlighted his knack for crafting pop sounds with wistful and relatable lyrics and he continues in the same vein for his latest single, “Quarantine” a sleek r&b number produced by BlaiseBeatz. “Quarantine” channels the ongoing pandemic situation in the most romantic way possible as Alpha P expresses his undying love for his muse; “If you get quarantined today, I’d be there/ Staring at your face”.
Backed by the smooth mix of percussion harmonies, guitar riffs, piano harmonies and harmonized backing vocals, Alpha P’s performance is captivating as he sings his charming lyrics addressed at his muse. He explained to us that, “It’s a very special song to me and I hope it connects with everyone who has experienced this kind of love, a love where you can’t be with your partner because of the lockdown, or the coronavirus.” Love is a compelling emotion that can always be counted on to make romantic songs relatable, but Alpha P takes it even further on “Quarantine” by infusing the topical subject of the pandemic.
Back in July, South African music duo, Reece Madlisa and Zuma shared their 5-track EP, ‘Ama Roto’, exploring the trendy Amapiano sound dominating South African radio. They just released the music video for one of the tape’s lead single, “JazziDisciples (Zlele)”, featuring Mr JazziQ and Busta 929, and the 7-minute long clip shot by RB Media, captures a day in the life of the artists.
The video was shot at their township in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, showing Mr JazziQ and Busta 929 as they record in a room then head to the street to show off the dance that accompanies the Amapiano sound. They make several stops at clubs and bars where others join them to dance the EDM-fueled music and we also see a cameo from Busiswa, one of the key figures in the South African music scene.
T-Classic – “La Cream”
T-Classic’s new EP, ‘Alirat’ is a testament to the singer’s cordial relationship with his label boss, Darasimi Famoyin whose late mother the tape is named after. However, rather than reflect the pain from the loss, T-Classic channeled the grief into celebrating the music that brought them all together. On the opening track, “La Cream”, he delivered a cheerful number to emphasize his confidence in his team; “For life, me and my guys we dey shut it down/ Me and my guys we go paint the town”.
Reward Beatz is credited for producing the upbeat instrumentals that make “La Cream” a sure feature on club DJ sets as he mixes groovy afropop drum riffs with synths and percussion harmonies. The catchy instrumentals serve as the perfect backdrop for T-Classic to bask in his accomplishment as a celebrated Nigerian artist.
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Taves has shared a new two-pack single titled “W2Y.” The new songs, which the rising singer has been...
Taves has shared a new two-pack single titled “W2Y.” The new songs, which the rising singer has been teasing for a few weeks now, arrive as his first official release since he put out ‘Are You Listening?,’ his 8-track debut that came out in mid-2024. Perhaps more importantly, the new singles are released under Mother Africa Reigns Supreme’s imprint, suggesting that the singer might have parted ways with his former label.
While it’s taken Taves over a year to follow up on his debut, he’s ensured he didn’t lose all momentum by delivering a couple of standout features in that time period. Late last year, he stole the show on L.A.X’s euphonious “Let Me Know,” as well as “Compose,” a sleek collaboration with Mavin rapper LADIPOE. This year, he’s continued his impressive collab streak, adding his deft touch to Loti’s “Okrika” and Yarden’s “Ifeoma.”
Teaming up with producer Arieenati, the singer’s latest two-pack, which includes “Way2Yung” and “6ways,” is imbued with the same type of charm and magnetism that helped previous singles like “Folake” and “Eleyele” resonate with his growing fanbase. The two-pack’s title track serves as a perfect soundtrack to youthful optimism and exuberance, as he delivers riffs and runs that explore his newfound vices and the thrills of adolescence.
If “Way2Yung” is adequate for house parties and shindigs, the sensual “6ways” is better suited for close quarters. Here, Taves yearns and croons about a potential love interest whom he can’t seem to get out of his mind. “Is it too late? I’m calling, I don’t mean to bother you,” he sings charmily in the song’s opening seconds over evocative production that smoothly combines influences from both R&B and Trap.
After months of warning that the machine is coming, including a mixtape to portend its arrival, ODUMODUBLVCK...
After months of warning that the machine is coming, including a mixtape to portend its arrival, ODUMODUBLVCK is kicking off the much-awaited and anticipated ‘Industry Machine’ era with the release of “Pay Me,” a blockbuster collab with Nigerian rapper, Zlatan, and British star, Stormzy.
Produced by Scarr, the track is cut from the Abuja rapper’s signature Okporoko sound, hinging on a silky and slick beat propelled by head-nodding drums and airy keyboard loops. Across the song, ODUMODUBLVCK confidently balances an effortless and engaging flow with the confident and chantable chorus, “Pay me my money,” setting the stage for Stormzy and Zlatan to deliver their verses.
“Pay Me” opens with a prominent feature of “Make We Jolly,” an old Nollywood soundtrack by Patience Ozokwor in collaboration with Tonto Dike and Charles Awuram. It offers a nostalgic glimpse into the past, showcasing ODUMODUBLVCK’s longstanding grasp and appreciation of pop culture references.
Close to two years after ‘Eziokwu,’ the rapper is gearing up for another transformative release with ‘Industry Machine,’ and “Pay Me” is his opening salvo. He links up with Zlatan after first working with him on his breakout single, “Picanto.” The video for “Pay Me” taps into the message of the track as the trio humorously attempts to pull off an ATM jacking.
“Pay Me” is coming after the surprise March release of “The Machine Is Coming,” a surprise 16-song mixtape that housed songs like “LEGOLAS,” the Victony-featuring “PITY THIS BOY,” and “WAGE WAR.”
Building on the momentum of hits like “Awolowo" and “Joy Is Coming,” ‘Olayemi’ marks a pivotal...
Confidence is a rare trait that eludes many, but Fido, born Olayemi Josiah Awosika, wields it like a maestro...
Confidence is a rare trait that eludes many, but Fido, born Olayemi Josiah Awosika, wields it like a maestro conducting a symphony. Growing up between Lagos and Matogun in Ogun State, locales where hope and grind intertwine, Fido describes his childhood as amazing. “I was born in Lagos, but my parents are from Ondo State,” he tells The NATIVE. “I don’t have much to say about it, but I had a great childhood with the best parents in the world. They supported me, and I’m grateful for that.”
Unlike other artists who inherited their passion for music from family, Fido’s interest came about by self-discovery. “My music came from within me,” he says. “No one in my family is a musician or into music professionally. I discovered this talent in me, and it just felt natural to pursue it.” That realization hit at age 14, igniting a zeal that propelled him toward the industry. “That’s when the zeal to pursue music hit me,” he recalls. “I knew I wanted to make a name for myself in the industry.”
Inspired by Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Juju great King Sunny Adé, and Fuji icon K1 De Ultimate, Fido developed his unique style, drawing on the soulful storytelling style and infectious energy of the trio’s music. “Their music had soul and told stories that connected with people,” he explains. “That energy and authenticity pushed me to create my sound.”
Fido’s breakout single, “Awolowo,” released in 2024, became a defining moment for him, blending melodic Afropop grooves with streetwise lyricism, the song elevated him to the top of the genre. “It’s a ganja vibe, you know?” he says, laughing. “When I heard the beat, the inspiration just flowed naturally. It was divine, like the music came straight from my soul.” Navigating fame has been a learning curve, but Fido has embraced it with gratitude. “It’s been great, but it’s also a learning process,” he admits. “Fame comes with new responsibilities, and I’m figuring out how to grow and develop myself.”
For Fido, timing is crucial, yet the singer believes there’s no such thing as a perfect moment to share his music. His debut EP, ‘Olayemi,’ was released on August 1, 2025, marking a vibrant, new chapter in a journey ignited by self-discovery all those years ago. “There’s no perfect time, you know?” he says with a grin. “My fans kept asking, ‘Fido, when’s the project dropping?’ So, I worked with my team, and we decided it was time to put it out.”
Building on the momentum of hits like “Awolowo“and “Joy Is Coming,” ‘Olayemi’marks a pivotal milestone for the singer. With a title taken from his birth name, the EP is a deeply personal reflection of his upbringing and journey. “The project is about me, my culture, my upbringing, and my roots,” Fido explains. “It’s about letting people know who Mr. Fido is.” The eight-track project, curated from a vault of recordings spanning years, balances introspection with infectious energy. “I’ve been recording for years,” Fido notes. “For ‘Olayemi,’ I picked songs that felt right for my fans and aligned with my story.”
Across its tracks, ‘Olayemi’ captures Mr. Fido’s remarkable journey from the quiet streets of Matogun, a border town in Ogun State, to the global music stage. The EP traces his path from a struggling unknown to a rising artist on the cusp of stardom, weaving tales of hardship, hope, and triumph. Songs like “Lungu” and “Boko” lay bare the weight of his past struggles, while“Money Moves” channels a buoyant resolve and“Dollarpor” blends Yoruba and English to manifest future success.
Fido’s creative process is a masterclass in effortlessness, a quality he proudly owns. “It’s always easy for Mr. Fido,” he declares with a laugh, a mantra that defines his approach to music-making. “I get in the studio with my producer, he plays the beat, and I vibe. Sometimes I write, sometimes the inspiration hits right there. It’s natural. When asked about challenges in the studio, he doubles down on his confidence, “Nah, it’s always easy for Mr. Fido.”
That ease shines through on ‘Olayemi,’seeing the singer blend Fuji and contemporary pop influences to create a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. His ability to let the music flow without forcing it has become a hallmark of his artistry, setting him apart in an industry often marked by overproduction.
In all, the release of ‘Olayemi’ is a defining moment for Fido, who describes it as “a huge milestone and a step toward greatness.” He’s thrilled with the response from his fans, who have embraced the project with enthusiasm. “The reception has been amazing, fans are streaming it, and they love it,” he shares, his excitement palpable. “When you listen to the EP, you hear my story, my upbringing, and where I come from. It’s personal, and I’m thrilled that people connect with it.”
As he looks to the future, Fido is focused on taking his music to new heights. “Expect more greatness,” he declares. “I’m aiming to take my sound international, representing us on a global stage. I want to be a good example for the genre, both locally and worldwide.”