It’s that time again. Every day, 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.

To close out last week, we brought you songs from Libianca, Nv Funk, 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!

IBRAAH – “NIMEPONA”

Tanzanian musician Ibraah is a sweet-voiced singer. Showcasing prodigious talent from age eight, the youngster now marks distinct territory in his home country. He’s been on records with the likes of Harmonize and Joeboy, each time impressing with fluid melodies and heartwarming messages on the variant edges of love. “Nimepona” has a melancholic finish to its delivery, with Ibraah evoking the song’s subtitle, “I have recovered”. Classic heartbreak story from tears to triumph, but the flavour this time is remarkably fresh. 

Emmanuel

JACI MARTINZ & DEADWVLF – “SENSUAL” 

Off their recently released 5-track EP, ‘The House Kids From Africa,’ DeadWvlf and Jaci Martinz enlist Nigerian-EDM producer Jamie Black for “Sensual.” Appearing on the back end of the project, the Afro-house number immediately leads in with mid-tempo drums accompanied by subtle elements of clashing cymbals, setting the pace for the sweet-sounding vocals.  After an upbeat delivery on the verse in which they recollect the impact of their love interests, the track’s instrumentals take centre stage with the saxophone gaining  a harmonious solo rendition. 

Nwanneamaka

MORENA LERABA – “HELERU”

Although Morena Leraba has been around for over a decade, the Lesotho artist has only just released his debut project, ‘Fela Sa Ha Mojela’. The project fuses traditional elements polished with explosive neo-soul grooves. Closing record “Heleru” thrives off that amorphous artistry, retaining mystery in the upbeat percussions while brooding undertones adds poignant layers. Leraba’s vocal inflections oscillate between menacing and celebratory, seeming to call forth energies from raw soil. 

Emmanuel

TANAKA – “WAIT FOR LOVE”

Blink twice and there’s a new South African auteur waiting to rock your world. Tanaka has taken the time off popular lifestyle to work on his sound, collaborating sparingly over the years with close friends like Skai Lounge. He’s now released his debut project, ‘You Look Beautiful In This Light’, and it’s a masterpiece. Four songs with incredible layers, “Wait For Love” is a standout. Burnished with the fun bounce of bedroom pop, Tanaka’s dreamy vocals evoke the breathless emotions that come with wanting love. An electronic sheen runs through, complementing his vocals in a way only a producer like him could execute. 

Emmanuel

DAP THE CONTRACT – “I REMEMBER” FT. CHANDLER ELYSE

On his first single of the year, Nigerian-born rapper/producer, DAP The Contract pays homage to the bittersweet attachments of memories. “It’s hard to remember just how we met/But I couldn’t forget you,” he sing-raps. Over a Trap-influenced beat, he realises that foraging into the past can unearth both pleasant and bad occurrences. Guest artist Chandler Elyse also battles her feelings about distant connections as she sings, “Think about me when it’s someone else.”

Uzoma

CAMIDOH – “BEAUTIFUL”

The rising profile of Ghanaian musician Camidoh is owed to his fresh takes on R&B. He’s been able to blend a unique West African flavour to his breezy delivery, a pairing that’s yet audible in his new record, “Beautiful”. With bubbly drums and a sonorous guitar, he sings affectionately about a lover, painting fine images in the minds of listeners.

Emmanuel

REBECCA WINTER – “ME FIRST”

For her first release of the year, Nigerian Afro-fusion artist Rebecca Winter delivers a slow tempo number about protecting her peace and prioritising her needs in a relationship. The lyrics hold stark vulnerability as she croons on the melodious pre-hook, “How can i be with you and feel alone, I’ll take each day as it comes but I’m taking it on my own/ I cannot lose myself, I’m doing this for myself.” An undeniably reflective number, she reaffirms through the course of the track the need to ask important questions and refrain from enabling toxic relationships. 

Nwanneamaka

ZUCHU – “NAPAMBANA”

Unarguably one of East Africa’s biggest pop stars, Zuchu has maintained a consistent streak over the years. “Napambana” arrives with stellar timing with Women’s History Month. Bubbly production is met with a positive-themed approach of Zuchu, taking a stand for the unique issues pertaining to women in African society. The video is similarly poignant, cutting across social status to depict scenarios with tear-inducing humanity. Professionally-trained vocals often are melodious but it takes a socially-aware artist to lend their voice to issues larger than themselves.

Emmanuel

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