NATIVE Selects: New Music From Tochi Bedford, Cruel Santino, Bantwanas & More
new releases for the week
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 Olamide, Sarkodie, Falz 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 & MAJOR LAZER – “UNAVAILABLE (REMIX)” FT. MUSA KEYS
“AVAILABLE,” one of the standout records from Davido’s ‘Timeless,’ gets a fresh remix helmed by DJ trio Major Lazer. The allure of Davido and Musa Keys’ energy remains but Major Lazer also injects their kind: deep bass with electro-inspired elements. This version of “AVAILABLE” opens up the track to new audiences who get to experience the Afrobeats banger from a different perspective.
TOCHI BEDFORD – “END OF THE LINE” FT. CRUEL SANTINO
“After Eternity” was the last we heard from the Nigerian Alternative musician and that was in 2021. Tochi Bedford returns this year with a new single “End of the Line” with some help from Cruel Santino. The duo is not new to us as both musicians have collaborated in the past to deliver the Trap-laced “Disintegrate.” “End of the Line” sustains a catchy beat from start to finish and graces us with talented vocals from both talents.
KABZA DE SMALL & DJ MAPHORISA – “UNGIPHETHE KAHLE” FT. NOKWAZI, MAWHOO, MASHUDU & LEEART
South African music superpowers Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa recruit a star-studded crew for their latest single “Ungiphethe Kahle.” The featured acts vocalists Nokwazi, MaWhoo, Mashudu and LeeArt are the primary conduit for a wholesome experience that exults womanhood. LeeArt calls it a “gift to all women.”
BLAQ JERZEE FT. SOFIYA NZAU – “OROBOTO”
Nigerian music producer and singer Blaq Jerzee connects with Kenya’s Sofiya Nzau for a pan-African-aligning tune. “Oroboto” is a fun track that is steeped in South Africa’s house rhythms. Nzau’s mellifluous vocals are the song’s glue as she evokes deep feelings to balance Blaq Jerzee’s freewheeling lyrics about his admiration for a woman.
NEKTUNEZ – “ANTI-SOCIAL” FT. JEREMIH & YOUNG JONN
Following his breakout on “Ameno Amapiano (You Wanna Bamba)” with Nigeria’s Goya Menor, Ghanaian record producer Nektunez has been making strides with his music and carving his niche. On “Anti-Social,” he features US’s Jeremih and Nigeria’s Young Jonn for an Amapiano-influenced tune. Jeremih and Young Jonn sing about their affection for their lovers and the depths they would reach to show that affection.
THA BOY MYLES FT. BNXN – “LEVEL UP”
Rising Afropop act Tha Boy Myles recently released his EP ‘Level Up.’ Out of the project is a self-titled track with BNXN. On the Dreysoundz-produced song, Tha Boy Myles and BNXN share stories about the struggles they have encountered with chasing a career in music. They recount bad times, fake friends, defeats and victories. It is a smooth track full of relatable songwriting and effective delivery.
BANTWANAS – “ISIZWE”
Music collective Bantwanas, whose name means children of Africa, stir traditional and universal rhythms with “iSizwe,” a Zulu/Xhosa word for nation. The 7-minute track carries the diversity in the band of DJs, producers and vocalists, who seek inspiration from South African music. “[The song] tells a story of children calling for unity and peace in the land,” the group says.
OAG – “MONEY”
Toronto-based Nigerian Hip-Hop act OAG debuts her 3-track EP ‘Benin Doll.’ OAG’s raps are full of swag and panache as she charges through the songs with a domineering attitude. On “Money,” one of the tracks in the project, she pays no mind to distractions, choosing to focus on money and other good things in life. OAG shows enough promise to make her one to watch.
Words By Uzoma Ihejirika & 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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