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. In our last edition, we brought you stellar new releases from Blaqbonez, Maya Amolo, Bantwanas, Shatta Wale and more. Today’s NATIVE Selects features singles from BOJ & Abjebutter22, Tim Lyre, PDSTRN and more. Lock in!
BOJ & AJEBUTTER22 – “DITR”
Boj and Ajebutter22’s chemistry has never been up for debate. Since the pair first collaborated back in 2013 with the scene-stealing “Omo Pastor,” the duo has gone on to deliver a slew of stacked releases including two iterations of the ‘Make E No Cause Fight’ EP. To round up the year, the dynamic duo link up once again since their last offering in 2019 with the third installment to the ‘Make E No Cause Fight’ series. DITR,” the project’s final track is an instant standout for many reasons. An acronym for ‘diamond in the rough,’ we see the pair take on what they’re best at; serenading women. Ajebutter22 leads the Spax-produced track with an admirably smooth flow over the drum-led mid-tempo instrumentals. In their typical anecdotal fashion, “DITR” is coloured with various scenarios the crooners promise to show up for their love interest.
TIM LYRE – “ WHY EVILS” FT TAY IWAR
Tim Lyre is on a roll. After serving up his debut album ‘Worry <‘ last year, the singer returns with an impressive 8-track project dubbed ‘MASTA’ before the year runs out. The project is packed with features from South African Amapiano crooner, Khanyisa, Minz and, the project’s intro “Why Evils,” is an instant favourite. Tim opens the track in a pensive state as a daunting piano chord invites audiences to listen closer to his words. He dabbles between singing and rapping as he questions life’s evils while narrating an interaction with his love interest where he beckons on her for patience. Tay Iwar’s mellifluous vocals perfectly contrast Tim’s as he croons of needing a break from life’s daily struggles
DUMOMI THE JIG – “MARIA” FT. NINIOLA & BLACK CULTURE
The Queen of Afro House is back. Niniola joins Black Culture and Dumomi the Jig for a new single titled “Maria.” The track, introduced in by lush, twinkling chords takes a groovy spin with the dance-led beat and hypnotic bars by Dumomi the Jig. The Nigerian-born rapper expertly rides the wave of the beat with rhyming puns as shamelessly rains praises on his love interest, “Trying to meditate but cannot concentrate, be like I don nearly Crace for your sexy waist.” He swiftly transitions into a melodious hook as he desperately croons for a chance with his love interest. Shortly after, Niniola takes over for a soft and sultry rendition.
SUMMER PEARL – “GREEN EYES”
UK based Neo-Soul artist, Summer Pearl, unveils another layer of her artistry with her 13-track LP, ‘outmysystem,’ a melting pot of smooth Jazz, Hip-hop, Soul and Reggae. On “green eyes,” the project’s second track, Summer’s buttery vocals croon over lulled piano chords and a light drum rendition, shortly followed by a shifted Hip-Hop flow. She explores a series of theme surrounding love as she sings praises to herself, “I’m like a broken record, I get scratched in all the best places/And as you continue to play me, my green eyes replace it.”
PDSTRN – “OFFER” FT. VECTOR
This Vector-assisted live performance features a series of melodious guitar strings, accompanied by a groovy drum pattern and PDSTRN’s head-bopping rap cadence. “I fit give you offer wey you no fit decline, this feeling you no fit fight/E day my shoot the thing you dey find,” he croons on repeat at the start of the track. Vector swoops in for a brief rendition over a slow tempo production.
OXLADE – “KATIGORI/PIANO”
Master producer, P.Prime helms the production on “PIANO,” the latest single from Nigerian singer Oxlade’s recent two pack release. The house leaning soundscape houses Oxlade’s lush vocals which he uses to make promises and apologise to his love interest. Interestingly, but in typical Oxlade fashion, he accompanies his croons with comical chants and adlibs in the background. “KATIGORI,” on the other hand, takes a more self-reflective approach. Oxlade is ready to face the uncertainty of the future, armed with the confidence of an expert as sets himself apart from his peers in the industry.
DELASI – “PERCEPTION”
“Perception” leads this Ghanian artists self-affirming two pack release, ahead of his forthcoming extended play dubbed ‘The Audacity of Free Thought’ slated for release early next year. The groovy track is established by a rhythmic drum patterns and locally sung chants, shortly followed by silvery piano notes and Delasi’s soft croons. He expertly explores the electronic-funk soundscape as he passes on a message of encouragement in the hook, “You can do anything, just believe in your dreams.” He doubles down to express his feelings of joy and freedom once he successfully drowns out the naysers and their expectations.
KEAMO – “UNFOLD ME(AMAPIANO REMIX)”
Keamo’s originally RnB single, “Unfold Me” takes on a new Afro-House face with assistance of Zambian DJ-producer, DJ Lowa. The previously slow-tempo single has now morphed beautifully into upbeat, energetic single, padded with Keamo’s honeyed vocals. Through the course of the track, she addresses her muse, urging them to amicably part ways.
EGO ELLA MAY – “HIGHER SELF”
The penultimate track off ‘FIELDNOTES PT III,’ this contemporary jazz singer explores the concept of self-love, encouraging her listeners to engage with the practice to enable them tap into higher versions fo themselves. As the track closes out, she melodiously hums, “Falling with yourself is all that you’ll ever be, Falling with yourself is the only recipe.”
JULIET ARIEL – “HOLIDAY”
As the year draws to a close, Congolese singer, Juliet Ariel is reiterating the need for a holiday on this upbeat Signal-produced track. “Body no be firewood, don’t want to stress, wanna keep it cool,” she quips as she expresses her need to unwind after working through the year.
SELA VIE – “CHASING THE PAPER + MONEY”
Nigerian singer-songwriter, Sela is focused on her bag as we see in her recently released two pack single dubbed ‘Chasing the paper + Money.’ Through the course of the brief listen, we Sela tuneful R&B inclinations shine through on “Chasing the Paper” with groovy drum patterns. For “Money” on the other hand, she taps into a groovy reggaeton sound as she quips on staying focused on chasing the bag.
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super...
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 arrivebefore 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.
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.” The Mavin popstar has been teasing...
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.
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...
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).”