Halfway through 2022, and it’s been an eventful year for Afropop. There’s been a torrent of great new music, spawning a massive stack of inventive smash hit songs. From Highlife-infused Ghanaian pop, to the unrelenting force that is Nigerian street-pop, to South Africa’s indomitable Dance scene, to tantalising Drill explorations in East and Central Africa, and much, much more, we’re living through abundant and musically expansive times.

Every week, tonnes of songs from African artists make their way to digital streaming platforms, and wading through them can be intense. That’s where The NATIVE’s Songs of the Day column comes in to help. We go through as many new releases as possible, spotlighting them here, two to three times every week. For this weekend edition, we’re spotlighting singles from Niniola, Blaqbonez, Moelogo, and more. Tap in, and you’ll definitely find new sounds for your playlist(s).

NINIOLA — “WANT”

Niniola’s music are not so much ambitious ballads but high-octane spiritual soundtracks to billowing raves, and “Want” isn’t any different. Coming at us with thumping percussion, angelic vocals and shimmering melodies, she delivers an utterly irresistible Amapiano earworm. Over the track, she broaches the topics of love, happiness and enjoins her listeners to dance to the track.

TOBI & !LLMIND — “TOO HOT” (FEAT. ADEKUNLE GOLD)

Off their just released awe-inspiring EP dubbed “Too Hot,” which features five different versions of the song, the cut with Adekunle Gold is an obvious standout. Over a tranquil production punctuated by erupting guitar riffs, the trio rap and sing about their success. Using braggadocious lines and twinkling melodies, they deliver an ode that culminates in them declaring that they’re too hot to handle.

1DA BANTON — “SUMMER LOVE”

Following the success of 2021 viral track “No Wahala” and its energized remix with features Tiwa Savage and Kizz Daniel, which was released earlier this year, 1dabanton isn’t losing any steam as he doubles down with a dazzling new single, “Summer Love.” Over a bouncy dancehall instrumental, he conjures a gratifying sunny montage about love in the summer. Using his powerful syrupy voice, he sings about being heartbroken but still yearning for love in the summer.

BLAQBONEZ — “GO HOME”

Following a brief hiatus from all social channels, Blaqbonez swaggers back to the scene with his second single of the year, a refreshing new Drill number dubbed “Go Home.” Over an eerie production, he’s on edge as he delivers a record for the culture, whose focus point is a relationship with a partner gone awry. He bemoans her long-drawn stay at his crib and yells at her to go home.

BEGHO — “WETIN DEY” (FEAT. EESKAY)

For “Wetin Dey,” Begho taps burgeoning Abuja Drill rapper Eeskay. Over an ominous Drill beat, the duo trade bars about  the struggle to climb the ladder of success. They rope in cheeky lines, rapid-fire flows and self-aggrandizing lyrics to this effect.

MOELOGO — “SOFT LIFE” (FEAT. CHINKO EKUN)

“Soft Life” sees Moelogo tap Chinko Ekun for a refreshing soundtrack to sweltering drives and sweaty nights at the bar. Over the groovy instrumental, they deliver an ode to ebullience and opulence. Moelogo cruises the beat with his sultry voice, singing about his gnawing longing for a life of peace and wealth, Chinko Ekun comes in with his definitive braggadocious Yoruba rapping, rapping about an opulent life.

EO — “BLOOD ON THE BLOCK”

On “Blood On The Block,” nascent rapper EO turns inward with sombre angst as he pulls apart the topics of gang violence and hood life. Bouncy, ominous and utterly compelling, EO’s sleek flows and gritty singing drip across the track as he bares his soul over the pensive instrumental.