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 a means to discover music from niche, rising acts, while also spotlighting releases from the biggest artists on the continent. As artists continue to share their music with us, this year, it’s only right that we return to pointing you towards as much great music as we can.

Though the pandemic has denied us live shows, where the magical bond between artists and fans unfolds in real-time, artists have remained committed to sharing music with fans, so we continue to honour their art and create space and visibility for them. For previous our weekend selection, we brought new music from Teni the Entertainer and Davido, Prettyboy D-O, CKay who just released his EP ‘Boyfriend’, Headie one and Burna Boy, Princess Mami, Psycho YP, and more. To begin the week, we’re bringing you new tunes from SGaWD who just released her debut music video “Feel Right”, Emo Grae, Mo’believe, Sean Tizzle, Ocho Foreign, Waje and more.

SGaWD – “Feel Right”

For her debut music video since stepping on the scene, Fresh Meat alum, SGaWD turned her focus to nostalgic moments from her childhood to accompany the vulnerable lyrics on last year’s “Feel Right” featuring DOZ and Mafeni. Having grown up in the beach town of Ibeno in Akwa Ibom, the recently released video for “Feel Right” sees the rapper and singer returning to familiar settings by the beach as SGaWD attempts to capture the intimacy and memories that punctuated her earlier years. Opening your heart to someone new can feel incredibly daunting, however, the Jola Adeboye-directed visuals make viewers feel at ease, perfectly capturing the innocence and intimacy of the moment by taking us through SGaWD’s personal background and inspirations. For any romance sceptics, this one is for you as it’ll turn you into a believer–love is beautiful.

Emo Grae – “Mine”

In the new year, all eyes are on Marlian Music, the label imprint of Naira Marley which has secured the likes of Zinoleesky, Moh Bad, Emo Grae, Lyta, Tori Keeche, and more. For the follow-up to the previously released Zinoleesky-assisted single “How Come”, Marlian Music singer Emo Grae is back with his first official release for the year titled “Mine”. On the new single, Emo Grae delivers a romantic number which expresses undying affection for a love interest with lyrics such as “Season after season, still dey fall for you”. The track delivers a no-holds-barred confessional that will surely resonate with the lovers amongst us.

Vector – “Early Momo” featuring GoodGirlLA

Vector recently released his first official single of the year titled “Early Momo” featuring GoodGirlLA, a mid-tempo track that finds both artists delivering a heartfelt rendition to their love interests. Vector switches effortlessly between singing and rapping, singing “early momo, take it in bed/show me some love, don’t you fake it instead” on the song’s infectious hook. On “Early Momo”, the rapper shows how enamoured he is by his love interest, expressing how he’s smitten with her at all times of the day, particularly in the morning where they share intimate passionate moments in bed.

Blaqbonez – “BBC (Remix)” featuring Tiwa Savage

Blaqbonez clearly no longer needs us to stream “Haba”, as 100 Crowns’ rapper, has now served up the remix for his buzzing record, “BBC” from last year. The remix features a verse from Africa’s favourite bad girl, Tiwa Savage this time around and the pair make the song a more enjoyable listening experience. Produced by Spax, the “BBC Remix” sees both artists declaring their raunchy sexual desires, holding nothing back when expressing their most intimate affections. The “BBC” remix is said to feature on Blaqbonez’s forthcoming debut album titled “Sex Over Love.”

REESPECT – “Happy Song” featuring Mo’Believe

The mood of the world over the past few months has been incredibly heavy, and as such, music that speaks to the core of our being is especially welcome. For his latest single, REESPECT has linked up with Mo’Believe for an upbeat single aptly titled “Happy Song”, a song that would instantly lift your mood on first listen. “This is a happy song/forget all your sorrows and worries and dance along” he sings on the song’s infectious hook, attempting to soothe listeners who may be going through a tough time. REESPECT and Mo’Believe are here to turn that frown upside down.

Sean Tizzle – “For Me” featuring Wyclef Jean

Sean Tizzle is back with a new EP titled ‘Where You Been’, a 5-track offering that explores romance and attraction for a love interest. The Wyclef Jean-assisted “For Me” is one of the project’s highlights, as both artists deliver an open-wound confessional to the women in their lives. Singing “Shebi you say you go there for me/so why you turn around act like you don’t know me” Sean Tizzle tries to address the romantic situation with his partner, admitting his renewed commitment to their relationship. On the song’s second verse, he’s joined by Wyclef, who adds his patois-inflected verse that makes the song more memorable.

Ayüü -n “4AMIN” featuring SOLIS

Last year, Abuja-based artist Ayüü kept fans saturated with new material all-year long releasing a joint EP titled ‘Fuzion: Ready When Ü Are’ with collaborator Marzi and a string of singles including “Covid Riddim” and André Wolff and Psycho YP-assisted “Swollen”. For his first musical offering of the year, the talented singer teams up with bedroom pop princess SOLIS for a romantic number tracing the rise of a budding relationship titled “4AMIN”. Over the mid-tempo beat, he sings “May we talk for a min/Maybe you should let me fall for a minute girl” pleading with his crush to give their love a chance. With most of our lives still socially distanced, Ayüü and SOLIS come together for a sweet-sounding bop that will surely encourage listeners to reach out to the ones they love.

Ocho Foreign & Waje – “Chinese”

Romantic songs are integral to Afropop’s fabric and Ocho Foreign and Waje know this all too well. For their first official collaboration titled “Chinese”, both singers deliver a soft, stripped-back number that explores their romantic affections. Singing “I’ve been waiting for someone like you/there’s no need for me to lie to you” OchoForeign wastes no time in declaring his love for his muse, assuring her that he’s committed to their budding relationship. He’s joined by Waje who’s honey-toned voice makes the number a confessional ballad that pulls together piano, strings, drums, and the two artists’ impressive vocal talents.

Featured image credits/Instagram

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