NATIVE Selects: New music from CKay, Fireboy DML, BNXN & more
new music to kickstart your weekend
It’s that time again. Every week, new music shows up, sweeping fans and music lovers off their feet while artists gauge reactions to know the effect of their creativity. At the NATIVE, we are committed to keeping our ears on the pulse of the music scene and bringing the best sounds to your doorstep.
Earlier this week, we brought you stellar new releases from Mayorkun, NOT3S, Kwesi Arthur and more. Today, we have songs that move from Afropop to Amapiano to R&B, with our select artists showcasing their unending talent and passion for creativity. Lock in!
FIREBOY DML – “SOMEONE”
In the third quarter of 2022, Fireboy’s highly anticipated ‘Playboy’ dropped. Featuring tracks like the chart topping “Peru,” assisted by Ed Sheeran, the standout cuts on the project have undoubtedly positioned the artist for a bigger breakthrough. “Someone” serves as the first release for the artist since the album and it does not disappoint. Over a groovy, dance beat -almost reminiscent of Drake’s “Texts Go Green”– Fireboy DML’s infectious vocals unabashedly beckons on love and affection from his muse. His vulnerable lyrics and soulful vocals express his preconceived feeling of loss due to the absence of his love interest.
IYANYA & BNXN FKA BUJU – “SINNER”
Back from a well deserved hiatus, Iyanya makes a stellar comeback on BNXN-assisted “Sinner.” Over the groovy, mid-tempo beat, Iyanya and BNXN wear their hearts on their sleeve as they sing of the hypnotic powers of their love interests. A beautiful fusion of Iyanya’s expressive vocals and BNXN’s rustic verse performed in his local dialect, the recently released single is certain to have audiences hooked on a first listen. The sleek collaboration, produced by Shuga(shugavybz), is a testament to Iyanya’s musical prowess and BNXN’s unique ability to further develop an outstanding track.
KILLERTUNES, BZ & NOT3S – “SHY”
For his first single of 2023, Nigerian record producer and singer Killetunes taps UK acts BZ and Not3s for the sultry number “Shy.” The track brilliantly infuses jazz elements with pop rhythms as the trio serenade their love interests. BZ also uses his verse to deliver some heartfelt lines about being his family’s breadwinner. “Shy” is a flex, both sonically and thematically.
BALORANKING & IDA BANTON – “CARO (REMIX)”
There’s never been a time in Street Hop where its soundscape was as variant as it is now. Everyone’s evolving differently, an acknowledgment that’s necessary in the assessment of contemporary afropop. Balloranking belongs in this convo, a stylist whose merging of deeply-reigned Yoruba cultures and new-school storytelling has seen him elevated as a most promising act. He surely holds that reputation up on the remix of “Caro”, featuring the in-form 1Da Banton who joins him to detail the soulful aftermath of a break-up.
CKAY – “HALLELUJAH” FT. BLAQBONEZ
Without a doubt, Ckay’s growth over the past few years has been nothing short of outstanding. From the astronomical growth of his standout single, “Love Nwantiti” to a star-studded debut album laced with perfectly curated tracks telling a story of toxic love. CKay is THE moment. An ode to his career strides in recent years, CKay’s recently released single “HALLELUJAH” taps into Blaqbonez for an upbeat celebration of growth. The track’s intoxicating Amapiano-infused keys and drums sets the tone for the rest of the track as the pair make comparisons to their past life. Blaqbonez’s sleek bars follow after CKay’s melodious rendition, reiterating the track’s message of gratitude.
ESPACIO DIOS – “THE SECOND KIND” FT OKMALUMKOOLKAT & NALELI
Ever pushing the boundaries of his craft, South African musician Espacio Dios can go anywhere. On “The Second Kind”, it’s a broody song which tells the story of young lovers caught in a storm. Both on a literal and metaphorical level, it’s an inspiring record with bold splashes of individual style. Between Naleli’s svelte tones and Okmalumkoolkat’s spirited verse, the linking quality of Dios’ output makes it come together. Add the smoothly-worked psychedelia and bottle-laden percussions and you get a visceral experience which places you in the world of sound, feeling and imagery.
KING PROMISE – “TERMINATOR”
Ghanaian sensation, King Promise has had an awe-inspiring breakthrough into global audiences over the past few years. Since his Omah Lay-assisted hit single “10 Toes,” off his album, ‘5 Star,’ studded with local and international acts, King Promise has proven to be a serial hit-maker. His stellar songwriting skills and standout vocals come into play on his new single “Terminator.” The song’s catchy beat, produced by KillBeatz and clever lyricism will leave every listener hooked, adding to his already impressive discography.
YABA BULUKU BOYZ & FALZ – “MADAM DE MADAM”
Entire records dedicated to female physiology isn’t new to Afropop musicians, but Falz does know how to spice up his. An astute lyricist with fine flexings on humour and relatable stories, he finds natural alliance with the earthy production of Mozambican super trio Yaba Buluku Boyz on “Madam De Madam”. House-tinged beats aren’t new to Falz and he does reiterate his brilliance on this style yet again, shining alongside the authoritative bars of the group. An accomplished record, it’s one destined to shake dance floors from Maputo to Lagos.
LEEOBI – “TONIGHT”
The Nigerian music scene is abuzz with talents. Every day, new records announce the peculiarities of rising acts, indeed giving much excitement to us music lovers. Leeobi is a name to watch out for, if his “Tonight” record is anything to go by. Seeming to work in the breezy love tradition of Tekno and Joeboy, he’s a musician with warm dispositions, as evident in his new song. Coloured with live instruments, his vocals are beautifully rendered in the telling of a love tale, establishing a pattern of pensive beauty which is maintained till the song’s last second.
TTO – “BANK”
TTO opts for a mellow vibe on his new single “Bank,” produced by Lynzz Beats who he met online. The Dallas-based Nigerian artist has been honing his melodic rap skills and lyrical confidence with 2018’s ‘Panorama’ and 2022’s ‘You’ve Done.’ On “Bank,” TTO reflects on his journey of “steady tryna get to the bank” and also showers appreciation for a woman responsible for his happiness. TTO and Lynzz Beats have made magic with this feel-good track.
Featured Image Credits/The NATIVE
Asake Links With Tiakola On Gritty “BADMAN GANSTA”
Another step towards ‘Money,’ his fourth
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrive before the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Listen to “BADMAN GANSTA” here.
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Ayra Starr Releases Her Sizzling Anthem, “Hot Body”
An 11th-hour summer anthem for the
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Listen to “Hot Body” here.
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Zulo Details His Evolution On New ‘Z’ EP
Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”
Listen to ‘Z’ here.
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