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 JULS, Pheelz, Major League DJz 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!
BNXN – “SWEET TEA(ADUKE)”
A couple months ago, BNXN announced his upcoming album dubbed, ‘Sincerely, Benson.’ He leads us one step closer to the release with his new love-themed single, “Sweet Tea (Aduke).” The slow-tempo single leads in with a lush flute single, followed shortly after by a warm address to his love interest. On the SAK PASE-produced track, he pointedly asks his love interest at what point their love went sour. The track fades out with a solo instrumental paired with soft croons in the background.
SARZ, CRAYON & SKRILLEX – “YO FAM!”
Following the release of ‘Memories That Last Forever,’ Sarz has unveiled another layer of his artistry with gleaming production credits from American Pop DJ, Skrillex and vocal accompaniments. The drum led instrumentals lead the upbeat track embellished with subtle electronic vibrations. Crayon’s rendition rides the wave of the beat as aptly questions his love interest in a seamless blend of Yoruba and Pidgin. By the time the hook comes around, the thumping drums commonplace in Afro-house take centre stage as Crayon croons over the tuneful hook.
BNXN, YOUNG STUNNA & NIKITA KERING’ – “TRABOSKI (REMIX)”
In the later parts of last year, BNXN released a captivating house-tinged single dubbed “Traboski.” Now, he taps Afro-house singer-producer, Young Stunna, and Nikita Kering’ for a more upbeat live-performance remix. This version includes mellifluous supporting vocals from Nikita and a hypnotic Zulu-sung solo by Young Stunna accompanied by lush drums and soft piano keys.
JUJUBOY – “SPACEMAN (REMIX)” FT NONSO AMADI
Fast-rising Afropop singer taps R&B leaning artist, Nonso Amadi, for a glimmering remix of “Spaceman.” The ethereal soundscape leads listeners on a journey to escape reality with its accompanying psychedelic visuals. The single acts as an ode to dreamers, characterised by Jujuboy’s vulnerability and the introspective quest for understanding. He expressly states that he would rather be alone than experience the turmoils a certain relationship has to offer. Nonso Amadi comes in at the second verse to deliver a tuneful verse over the track’s rhythmic drum pattern.
KAH-LO – “EUPHORIA”
House music enthusiast, Kah-lo is back and better with a 14-track project dubbed, “Pain/Pleasure.” Towards the end of the project, “Euphoria” comes in as an upbeat club-ready banger where she addresses her love interest to express feelings of excitement they share. She beckons on her muse to explore their chemistry beyond the dance floor as she croons over the upbeat, eclectic production, “we need to go beyond this some time.”
BOY SPYCE – “SO BAD”
In the run-up to his debut album, Mavin Records’ Boy Spyce unveils a new single “So Bad” produced by Andre Vibez. The track toes the same narrative-led path of Boy Spyce’s previous singles as he pleads for the attention of a lover. “Love you/Need you/Miss you and you miss me too/Talk true/Don’t lose your feelings for me,” he sings. Andre Vibez’s production is a mellow instrumental that Boy Spyce works brilliantly with staccato-like verses.
POCO LEE & KIZZ DANIEL – “UNLEASH”
Poco Lee is one of those easily recognisable names in the Nigerian entertainment industry. His dance prowess has endeared him to many personalities in the music scene who acknowledge his contributions to the expansion of their music. After working with Cruel Santino earlier in this year on “showmetheway !!,” Poco Lee is here with a new single featuring Kizz Daniel. Produced by Semzi, “Unleash” is about good vibes, succeeding and proving the haters wrong.
YKB – “SAN SIRO (REMIX)” FT JOEBOY
“San Siro” is a beautiful love song which YKB taps Joeboy for to deliver a very much anticipated remix. Both artists complement each other on the track as they profess their undying love, “I could be your number one hero/ Till I enter casket.” With love songs being Joeboy’s speciality, he embodies his verse as expected, making it better than the original.
DEELA & MOISE KEANE – “TRY ME”
Moise Keane, a group of three friends from South Paris hand in hand with the trap and Hip-hop star, DEELA, work together to create a track for the lovers of House music,”Try Me.” With this being her first attempt at House Music, it’s only fair to say that she showcased a new level of versatility in her ability to combine House music and her iconic rap style.
KONSTANCE – “MELO”
On her single “Melo,” 18-year-old Konstance, who juggles music with her studies at Lagos State University (LASU), showcases her talent as one to keep an eye on. With spirited vocals, she marshalls an introspective tune about life’s journeys and its baggage. “Sometimes I feel so down/Thinking about many things that have come my way/And as I take stand strong/Praying for my blessings make e no delay,” she sings. “Melo” is great showing of Konstance’s skills as a singer and songwriter.
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).”