NATIVE Selects: New music from Davido, Abidoza, SGaWD & more
kickstart your weekend with new tunes
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 new releases from Tochi Bedford, Cruel Santino 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!
DAVIDO & MUSA KEYS – “UNAVAILABLE (REMIX)” FT. LATTO
Davido’s Afro-House chart-topper is the gift that keeps on giving. After the release of his fourth studio album, Davido dropped a series of cross-continental remixes including Major Lazer. He takes it one step further to tap American rapper, Latto, for a new remix. The iconic introductory verse and hook remain unchanged while Latto taps to match the track’s energy in the second verse. She effortlessly rides the wave of the beat in rap as she reminisces on the toxic traits of a previous relationship. An admirable attempt.
ABIDOZA – “DON’T WANNA LOVE YOU” FT. XENIA MANASSEH & JAY SAX
After a fairly silent year, mainstay Amapiano DJ and producer, Abidoza, has released a new project dubbed ‘Phola.’ Right in the middle of the album, he taps Xenia Manasseh for her sweet-sounding vocals on “Don’t Wanna Love You,” a stellar contribution to the rhythmic Private School Amapiano hits emanating from these parts. Her soulful vocals hold a stark vulnerability as she confesses of being scorned by love over a mid-tempo production gleaming with saxophone chords and funky basslines.
PATORANKING – “HIGHER”
Patoranking added to his catalogue this year with an upbeat Afro-House-tinged single called “Higher.” The track immediately leads in with a bass-heavy drum pattern stacked with melodious strings. “If e no be God, tell me no where I wan dey,” Patoranking croons in the first line, attributing all praise to his successes thus far to God. He sustains a joyful and appreciative tone as he thanks God for protecting him from his enemies, accompanied by choir chants in the background.
REMINISCE – “WHY?” FT OXLADE
“Why?” is a solemn confessional by Oxlade’s instantly recognizable notes on, carried along by Reminisce’s braggadocious flow. The reigning oja flute draws listeners into the track with its hypnotic notes accompanied by Oxlade’s soothing vocals. He addresses his love interest, begging her to stick beside him despite his shortcomings. Reminisce elevates the track with a laid-back flow reiterating his dedication to the muse despite the questioning of several naysayers.
BAD BOY TIMZ – “LOTTO”
Bad Boy Timz’s newest single provides a comical sample from an iconic poem meets monologue by Nollywood mainstay character, Paw Paw. It lays the foundation for a story of love as Bad Boy Timz compares the feelings of joy his love interest provides to that of winning a lottery. He seamlessly transitions between singing and rapping, armed with bars in Yoruba and English over a mid-tempo, drum-heavy soundscape.
SGAWD – “DUMP ALL YOUR WORRIES ON THE DANCE FLOOR”
Any fans of Azealia Banks or perfect infusions of dance and rap would love SGaWD’s new single. She sets the scene with a brief self-affirming message to her listeners, reminding them that she is the hottest in the room. SGaWD commands attention over the track’s ethereal production, chanting lyrics such as “Roll a blunt then I move my hips some more,” charged with undeniable feelings of euphoria. “Dump All Your Worries On The Dancefloor” inches us one step closer to her highly anticipated project, as she continues expanding the scope of her artistry with other-worldly genre fusions.
KAYODE – “TO THE TOP”
After releasing ‘STILL FIGURING LIFE’ earlier this year, Nigerian act Kayode returns with a new single. On “To The Top,” he narrates his struggles as a rising musician and the ways he kept his belief alive. “I was hustling the money wasn’t coming in/In Akoka with my brothers we were struggling/Oh my God I knew I had to level up,” he sings. Kayode sees himself on an upward trajectory and celebrates his journey and accomplishments.
KARUN & BLOCKA BEATS – “LIE TO ME (KENZA REMIX)” FT. KENZA
Kenyan alternative R&B star, Karun, returns for a remix of her hit single with Kenza. The single which originally had a gleaming production with underpinnings of SA’s dance scene now takes the shape of a futuristic electronic track with Karun’s same honeyed vocals. Her vocals hold a raw vulnerability as she beckons on her muse to reaffirm her despite knowing the realities of their failing relationship. Across the single, Karun drifts in and out, allowing Kenza’s glowing production to shine through.
Words By Nwanneamaka Igwe & Chigoziri Ezeaku
Featured image credits/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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