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