Songs of the Day: New Music from Tekno x Mafikizolo, Yaw Tog, Blxckie & more
Some of the best new drops from around the continent
After working tirelessly for the majority of the past quarter, crossing our T’s, dotting our I’s, and putting you unto some of the hottest new artists on the continent, our editorial team was left feeling burnt out and unable to deliver you, our ever-loyal community, the content that you signed up for these past few years. To that end, we took a much-needed editorial downtime to do some necessary housekeeping and realign ourselves with our mission of championing the sounds of tomorrow: today.
We know that it can be hard to keep up with all the new releases out there, even in a year when many of us had time to catch up with all the new music at our fingertips. So, in order to keep our content ever-changing and current, we’re rethinking the ways in which we put you onto new music; whether that’s via our radio show which premieres bi-weekly on No Signal or our regularly updated Apple Music and Spotify playlists or frequent round-ups like this one, we’re committed to keeping you on the pulse with the hottest sounds. Last weekend’s curation included new drops from Burna Boy, M.anifest, Ajebutter22, KDDO and Davido, Le Mav and Tay Iwar, and more. Today, we’re bringing you recent releases from Tekno, Yaw Tog, Blxckie, RnB Princess, and more. Dig in, enjoy and you’re welcome.
Tekno & Mafikizolo – “Enjoy (Remix)”
Late last year, Afropop superstar finally released his overdue debut album, ‘Old Romance’. The LP was preceded by its bubbly lead single, “Enjoy”, where the singer makes it clear that he’s only interested in living a pleasure-filled life over dance-ready neo-Highlife instrumentation. The singer has now shared the remix to the single, collaborating with iconic South African Pop duo Mafikizolo. The major part of Tekno’s catchy hook and the beat remains unchanged, with the only new additions being sung verses by the guests. “Enjoy (Remix)” also comes with a Clarence Peters-directed accompanying video, packed with bright colours and flamboyantly styled wears.
Yaw Tog – “Y33gye”
Nascent Ghanaian Drill superstar Yaw Tog released his debut EP, ‘TIME’, an exhilarating showcase of his abilities as a potential powerhouse. Following its blockbuster lead single, “Sore” featuring Stormzy and Kwesi Arthur, the teenage rap artist is continuing promotion efforts for the project with the release of a new video for the standout song, “Y33gye”, a bruising anthem touting his street cred. The video plays into the gritty aesthetic often employed in Kumerica music videos, showing Yaw Tog in the midst of his posse as they rap and singing with a delightfully menacing edge.
Kwaku DMC – “Most High”
Last month, Ghanaian rapper Kwaku DMC released his latest mixtape, ‘Road to Traphouse 3’, a reiteration of his hood rich lifestyle and street-bred ideals. Off the tape, he’s shared “Most High” as the new promotional single along with a new music video. Over a sombre Trap beat, he raps of his lavish ways and immortalises his fallen brothers from the past. The video takes a very DIY bent, as is typical of Kwaku, showing him rapping his set with a relaxed candour in the kitchen area of his house.
YoungstaCPT – “Kleurling”
YoungstaCPT’s debut album, ‘3T’, explored what it means to be deemed as coloured in South Africa, exploring the origins of that identity and taking unbridled pride in it despite past racist connotations. Over two years later, the Cape Town-based rapper is still garnering attention with a steady trickle of music video for select single, the latest being an accompanying set of visuals for standout song, “Kleurling”. Portraying the specifics of the song’s socially conscious incline, the video contains frames from the historic District Six museum, which contains artefacts and images pertaining to the Coloured experience. It also sees Youngsta rapping amidst people in two different hoods across Johannesburg and Cape Town, closing out with a montage of the variety of faces that make up these places.
Dwin, the Stoic – “Ifunayam”
As a solo artist and member of the alternative folk band Ignis Brothers, Dwin, the Stoic makes deeply affecting songs about the human experience. “Ifunayam”, his first single of the year and solo outing in a while, leans into the Nigerian singer’s increasing mastery of spinning emotionally stirring Folk ballads. Sung in the first-person perspective, and backed by a majestic combination of placid piano, gentle guitar plucks and sweeping strings, Dwin lays his cards down in front of a returning love interest, whose affection seemed to have wavered in the past and left him heartbroken. “There were nights when I thought the darkness would win/but you’ve come my way and I hope you stay”, he sings in the second verse, rejoicing at the return of his prodigal lover.
Eno Barony – “God is a Woman” (feat. Efya)
At the recent 3Music Awards, dedicated to celebrating creative achievements in Ghanaian music, Eno Barony picked up the award for Rapper of the Year, making her the first woman to win in that category. On the back of that significant win, she’s just shared the video for “God is a Woman”, the intro song on her latest album, ‘Ladies First’. On the song, she’s joined by singer Efya who sings the choral hook, as they declare women’s supreme worth and chuck the middle finger at those who would like to disagree. The music video employs religious symbolism and regal styling to get their point further across, as Eno and Efya perform their set in various bright backgrounds with a boisterous, joyous attitude.
RnB Princess – “Be Gone” (feat. Fuga the Pirate)
The signs that it’s time to end a romantic relationship are often evident, it’s just about reading them and making the terminating move. RnB Princess’s new single, “Be Gone”, portrays the resolve it takes to exit a situation once things start to get irredeemably sour. “You’re looking back at me, I wonder who’s within/I see your insecurities escape from where they hide”, she poetically expresses over Noiz’s aqueous keys and gently thumping bass synths, laying out her justification for opting to dip. She’s joined by Fuga the Pirate, who seemingly plays the provocative, nonchalant love interest in his rap verse, forming a narrative counterpoint that makes “Be Gone” feel even more lived-in and compelling.
Blxckie – “David”
South African Rap breakout star Blxckie is getting set to release his debut LP, ‘B4NOW’. Ahead of its scheduled May 15th release date, the Fresh Meat alum has been stoking hype by dropping a visual album trailer and the pre-release single, “David”. The new song captures the irreverent, assertive charisma that has characterised Blxckie’s ascent into notoriety, as he dismisses his doubters and projects his growing greatness. Over spacey and booming Trap instrumentation, the rapper references the biblical story of David killing Goliath with stones, threatening opps and going on to remind us that money is his favourite conversation.
BIWOM – “Company”
Cross River-born singer, songwriter and producer BIWOM has just released her debut EP ‘Confessions of A Rebel’, a succinct 6-track tape that finds her singing about life and love with help from collaborators such as Skales and P Classic. Standout opening track “Company” is an anti-love anthem which showcases the upcoming singer’s melodious vocals and her knack for writing relatable lyrics.
Over a brassy anthemic beat, she sings “Close to me, you think that’s where you’re supposed to be/I be moving antisocially/I don’t really want you in my company”, admonishing a love interest who has clearly hurt her in some way. For anyone who’s had several flings fizzle out right at their start, her words ring true as she says: “You’re perfect but you too dey lie/try no dey talk too much”. It’s a powerful introduction to the singer who clearly has a lot more to say.
Dennis is a staff writer at the NATIVE. Let me know your favourite the Cavemen songs @dennisadepeter
BEST NEW MUSIC: SARZ & LOJAY’S DECEPTIVELY ADDICTIVE “TONONGO”
Maya Amolo Is Committed To Giving You The Sweetest Time
There’s undoubtedly more to come from the talented singer as she looks to solidify herself as one of the...
“Sweetest Time,” Maya Amolo’s latest single, is a soothing, lovesick confessional that mixes intimate, heartfelt lyricism with wistful production courtesy of Ugandan musician and producer SOULCHYD aka MAUIMØON. Alongside fellow Kenyan singer Ywaya Tajiri, the self-acclaimed sweetest girl delivers a lustrous duet that sees her soft vocals, which perfectly complement Tajiri’s more robust voice, skip and flit across moody synths, intensifying the spotlight on her wholehearted delivery. “I can feel you rushing through my system / Every single day it’s my religion,” she sings passionately halfway into the record. The whole thing sounds like the aural equivalent of a warm blanket; a truly affectionate record that immerses and envelopes its listeners in its warmth. This is the brand of vulnerable, understated R&B music that has been helping Amolo gain significant attention since she debuted in the pandemic year.
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Amolo always had an affinity for music. The singer and producer, who took on piano and guitar lessons as a child, has previously credited acts like Brandy, Erykah Badu, Prince, and Kenyan musical icon Eric Wainaina as her early influences – and it’s easy to see how Amolo’s style draws from this strong lineage of musicians whose music is equally expansive, soothing and vulnerable. After years experimenting with different styles, recording covers to beats she ripped from YouTube and posting them on her Soundcloud page, Amolo released her debut project ‘Leave Me At The Pregame’ in 2020.
The EP, which quickly soared up the charts in Kenya, served as a brief but emphatic introduction to Amolo’s minimalistic take on R&B. Standouts like the emotive opener “Puddles,” “Lush Green”, and “Jokes” showcase her clever and poignant lyricism that reflects on themes of love, depression, and self-healing. Along with sparse, melancholic production and the icy sensuality of her voice, Amolo delivered a remarkable debut that made her one of the most promising figures in Nairobi’s alternative music scene. Two years after ‘Leave Me At The Pregame,’ the Kenyan rising star released her debut album, ‘Asali.’
‘Asali,’ which translates to “honey” in her native Kiswahili, showcased Amolo’s progression as both an artist and a human being, as she swapped out the sad-girl tunes that filled her debut EP for more vibrant and intricate records – thanks in part to Sir Bastien and Kenyan producer and rapper Lukorito – that explore themes of growth and the complexities and rich luster of love. The album’s lead singles, “Foundry” and the self-produced “Can’t Get Enough,” found relative success on streaming platforms, placing Amolo as one of the continent’s most exciting new R&B voices. About a year after the release of ‘Asali,’ Amolo updated the album with 8 new songs on a deluxe version that featured Kenyan stars like Bensoul, Xenia Manasseh and Zowie Kengocha.
In August 2024, a few months after she delivered a splendid Colors performance, Amolo released a new project titled ‘What a Feeling.’ The 5-track EP, which essentially serves as an ode to Amolo’s home city, Nairobi, sees her experimenting with an array of dance sub-genres without straying too far from her R&B roots. While the project still retains much of the melancholy and elegance that defined her earlier work, there’s a hypnotic and pulsating energy that courses through ‘What A Feeling,’ that highlights a shift in the singer’s sensibilities. Amolo’s honeyed vocals gently seep through subtle Dancehall, Electronic, R&B and House-inspired production and the accompanying visualizer, a mashup of camcorder footage of her and her friends in Nairobi, also adequately captures the charming and nocturnal vibe of the tape.
The project produced standout tracks like the sensual “Let It Flow,” the title track and “Take It,” which later got remixed by Ugandan singer Soundlykbb and rapper SGawD. With Amolo’s latest release, “Sweetest Girl,” the Kenyan rising star continues her intricate exploration of R&B music, merging it with varying styles to produce her own distinct and refreshing variant. There’s no telling what Amolo might do next, but with only a handful of releases to her name so far, there’s undoubtedly more to come from the talented singer as she looks to solidify herself as one of the genre’s most prominent faces across the continent.
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T.I Blaze Updates ‘Shakur’ EP With Deluxe Version
Following the success of “Trenches Luv,” the street-pop star is back with seven new songs on the deluxe...
Over the last few years, street-pop, a guttural version of afropop, has surged to mainstream popularity, birthing stars like Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi. On the homefront, a generation of younger stars also put unique spins on the sound. Singer, T.I Blaze, has been a notable star in the sub-genre since his 2021 single, “Sometimes,” and a subsequent remix with icon, Olamide, launched him into a different stratosphere.
Since “Sometimes,” Blaze has established his profile as a reliable source for songs that reflect the pulse of the streets while archiving his come-up story across a debut album (‘El Major’) and three extended plays like ‘The Fresh Prince Of Lagos’ and ‘Dangerous Wavy Baby.’ His 2024 EP, ‘Shakur,’ further underscored his evolution as an artist, featuring slippery numbers about escapism, his thoughts on life in the fast lane, and brotherhood with features from rising stars like Tml Vibez and BhadBoi Oml.
In 2025, the singer has picked up where he left off last year, releasing “Trenches Luv,” a balmy February release that examines the dynamics of romance from his point of view as a young adult moulded by the hard realities of life on the street. The success of “Trenches Luv” has led to a deluxe version of ‘Shakur’ with the singer adding seven new songs to the original version of the project. Impressively, on the new version of the project, TI Blaze taps up Ayo Maff and Ghanaian star Arathejay on “My Brother” and “Mario Remix,” respectively.
Led by a galala-inflected opener, “Track 1,” ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ is both raw and complex with the singer sounding refreshed on songs like “My Brother,” “Dodge,” and “Introduction.” In many ways, this project is an invitation for listeners to explore the many facets of T.I Blaze’s artistry as well as a portent to celebrate his roots and offer a glimpse at his evolution.
Listen to ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ here.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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