The Bumplist: Lady Gaga, Asa, Ray BLK and 6 other women you should check out this week.
An all woman Bumplist to celebrate the month
From Cloud
Let’s Dance – Ibibio Soundmachine
London born, Lagos raised singer Eno Williams is currently being touted as one of the most refreshing new wave African sounds. The singer leads an 8-piece band whose music is borne of a multiplex of influences; a fusion of coordinated fast-paced synths, loud trumpets and music rendered in her native Ibibio language. “Let’s Dance”, comes off The Ibibio Soundmachine’s self-titled debut and it bursts of a vibrant energy and of 70s psychedelic funk reminiscent of an sonic era forgotten.
Capture – Seo
Capture is another one of many hidden in the obscure underbelly of SoundCloud. Seo sings of a world where there is too much to capture, a direct reflection of our information age where there is too much to absorb and not enough to learn.
Emotions In Kumasi – Khandie
Ghanian music is witnessing an acoustic renaissance where peripheral sounds are stripped away for lighter production. Even Khandie’s druggy “Emotions In Kumasi” opens with a guitar riff that sounds like the start of a closing movie sequence. Khandie is in Kumasi sailing through the motions and longing for lost love, but she’s “moving on, moving on” and feeling like she “finna turn up”
Maradona – Niniola
Our Best New Music from last week doesn’t need any more brandishing but ahead of the pressing need from a debut album from Niniola, “Maradona” will live on as a bold exploration of the female sensuality, a murky subject matter many artists of her ilk actively shy away from.
From Our Pot of Jollof
Moving On – Asa
As if to remind us of the continued relevance of her Bed of Stone album, Asa released a haunting performance of her survivor’s anthem “Moving On” earlier last week. “Moving On” is a deep cut from the album about forging ahead despite inherent trauma from the past.
If You Ask Me – Omawumi
West African Idols first runner up Omawumi Megbele turned a stint on a music reality show into a platform to become one of Nigeria’s most successful contemporary musicians, period. Omawumi is always on the pulse of contemporary Nigerian issues, using her voice and her platform to promote women’s issues. But one song stands out above all the others. 2011, If You Ask Me from the album, Lasso of Truth. Covering domestic violence, sexual assault, molestation and incestuous relationship. Omawumi brought to the national consciousness the plight of the most vulnerable.
If I Start To Talk – Tiwa Savage
Before the release of an accompanying video that suggested marital abuse and indicated personal battles for Tiwa Savage last year, the original song stood out on her sophomore album R.E.D as a light-weight Afrowave number about leaving the past unsaid because there’s too much pain buried within to do otherwise.
Overseas
Hey Girl (feat. Florence Welch) – Lady Gaga
If you have ever wondered if there is a song about women supporting women that doesn’t sound like an obvious pseudo-feminist propaganda, you should listen to Lady Gaga and Florence Welch’s duet on this chord light track off Gaga’s sixth studio album Joanne.
Patience – RayBLK
BBC’s Sound Of 2017, Ray BLK brings her stylised hip-hop and soul to self reflect on “Patience”. In a world of glossy contracts and the gold rush for fame, Ray BLK will sit on the outside of it all and leave the rat race for those willing to sell their soul because “slow and steady wins the race”.
https://soundcloud.com/thenativemag/sets/the-bumplist
See our Bumplist from the previous week, featuring Migos, JHus and other choice picks
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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