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.
On Tuesday, we highlighted songs from Rexxie, Naira Marley & Skibii, Khaligraph Jones and more. Today, we have songs that move from Afropop to Amapiano to R&B; these artists—from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and more—showcase their unending talent and passion for creativity. Dig in!
REMA – “HOLIDAY”
Rema’s diverse and creative musical palette has seen him rise to the pinnacle of Afropop. There is an allure to his songs that getter even better with each release. Releasing his first release after his smash hit album ‘Rave & Roses‘, Rema comes with a double release “Holiday”and “Reason You.” Of the pair, “Holiday” gets the video treatment and it centres Rema’s star power by recounting his rise to undeniable greatness. Produced by Blaise beat, the single is an up-tempo Amapiano-infused jam, a glossy runaway for Rema wax lyrical and exuberant about determination and success.
BIEN X AYRA STARR – “MY BABY”
Bien has a knack for penning lover numbers, apart from painting an image of love into our minds he vividly croons over enchanting productions that reflect adoration. Assuring pure and blissful life Bien lyrics offer much more than empty promises. On his latest single he is joined by Ayra Starr reassuring themselves of their lovers’ quality: “..you got the keys to my heart..”
BNXN FT KIZZ DANIEL & SEYI VIBEZ – “GWAGWALADA”
What do you get when three giants of Nigerian pop collaborate? A smash hit, no less. In recent years we’ve heard fewer of such star collabs and on “Gwagwalada,” BNXN makes it worth the time. Carried on the bubbly overtones of an amapiano-tinged production, the musicians fuse their distinct styles to tell a story hinged on the Abuja city it is named after. “I no fit force am if I e fit pass my power” is such a revealing lyric, and quite telling of the musicians’ chosen themes of aspiration and personal strength over the years. I’m expecting this to smash through dancefloors and similar spaces, definitely.
ENNY – “NO MORE NAIJA MEN”
Love, gender roles, and toxicity are at the heart of our daily conversations and British-Nigerian singer ENNY puts them down in her latest single “No More Naija Men.” The smooth and eccentric soundscape provides a perfect backdrop for Enny’s reflection on relationships. While addressing both Nigerian men and men in general Enny writes “Did you find out he had fathered a child in the duration of your relationship and have three other girls “coming to you as woman“? Was that man a Nigerian man? Well you could be owed a substantial amount in compensation and healing.”
IDAHAMS – “WETIN NO GOOD”
Following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Truth, Love & Confessions’ which was released in September Idahams makes his comeback with brand new single “Wetin No Good.” The infectious pop offering fuses afrobeats and amapiano together to glorious effects. Backed sonically by magical drum patterns and a thumping bassline, the single sees Idahams in peerless form, as he brings his captivating vocal delivery, lush melodic arrangements, and excellent griotic songwriting about love, sex, and relationships to the fore.
WAKADINALI FT. MC GIJ, RIDIQ & SKILLO – “RONG REGGAE”
Wakadinali has surpassed Hip Hop genius with each release they get more versatile with their releases. With the group being at the forefront of Ke local music and Munga Domani releasing an Amapiano tape, it’s clear they are a force to be reckoned with. Featuring MC Gij,RiDiQ, and Skillo, ”Rong Reggae” keeps the gangsta rap core of their artistry while opening them up to clear reggae influences. While reaffirming their position in rap with their pristine cadence the snare offers a nostalgic trip to the Old Skool Rap
DEMI GRACE – “STAY”
British-Nigerian artist Demi Grace has taken a page straight from her diary and has brought her words to life in her new R&B single “Stay.”The video opens with Demi’s love interest slipping out of bed early in the morning, leaving Demi contemplating the night before and all of the emotions that are coming up for her as a result. “Stay” takes us back to Demi’s hotel room, the morning after the events that took place in her “Clingy” video.
LLYOISO – “RUN”
Former South African Idol winner Llyoiso is a distinct artist with a catalogue of pop ballads under his belt. “Run” arrives at the heel of the fan-favourite single, “Let Me Love You Now,” as he anticipates releasing his body of work this year. Opening with charged emotions and powerful vocals, the song finds Llyoiso searching for freedom as he sings “...I just wanna run into the sun//I am gonna fly I am gonna reach up the sky..” His voice shines as he tugs your heartstrings.
DBOI – “BEZOS”
Relying on the expertise of the legendary afrobeat producer KDDO, Dboi takes listeners on a sonically pleasing journey confessing his love for a romantic interest while relaying his message of chasing “Bezos,” which could be understood as the pursuit of money. The single is Dboi’s debut release of the year and it is set to be followed up by numerous projects this year.
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).”