Songs of the Day: New Music from Victony, BOJ, Diamond Platinumz & more
Some of the best songs you need to hear this weekend
2022 is no longer a new year, and Afropop knows that very well. As much as the previous year was packed with scene-defining achievements, especially within the context of global growth, the only way to keep the momentum from falling off is for artists to keep reaching into their bag for great music that holds the ears and captures the hearts of millions of listeners across the continent and well beyond. That’s exactly what’s been happening, so much so that there’s hundreds of new singles, at-least one new must-hear album and a new smash hit every week.
Amidst this torrent of new music, The NATIVE is committed to highlighting the best releases you need to hear, and possibly add to your playlists. That’s the essence of our ‘Songs of the Day’ column. During the mid-week, we spotlighted new releases from Lady Donli, Blxckie, Barry Jhay and more. For our weekend instalment, we have new drops from Victony, BOJ and ENNY, Diamond Platinumz, Jaido P and more. Tap in.
Victony – “Apollo”
In an interview with content creator and popular Nigerian YouTuber Korty EO, 2021 breakout star Victony revealed that he’s an ass guy. It’s important information, especially within the context of his new single, “Apollo,” an unabashed ode to his favourite feature on the women he often finds himself attracted to. While his performances have scraped different types of highs, from catharsis to sensual expression, this new single reaches for euphoria, with the unique tone of his voice taking on a robust shape over P.Priime’s phenomenal house-pop production, which combines percussive elements from Amapiano and Fuji with lustrous synths. “Abeg slow down/know na bulldozer for your back,” Victony sings, in full surrender to his carnal obsession.
Diamond Platinumz – “Fresh” (feat. Focalistic, Pabi Cooper & Costa Titch)”
In the last decade-plus, Tanzanian pop artist and entertainment magnate Diamond Platnumz has emerged and maintained his status as one of the biggest artists out of East Africa. Today, he’s just released his first project in four years, a 10-track set titled ‘First of All’. In his usual fashion, the singer adopts a broad canvas that pulls in a diverse range of sounds within the sphere of African music, and its final track, “Fresh,” leans into the sonic rave of the moment, Amapiano. Over a dusty ‘piano beat, he’s joined by South African artists Focalistic, Pabi Cooper and Costa, as they all boast of their fly appearances, stuffed closets and deep pockets.
Coco Em – “Land (Black) First” [feat. Sisian & Kasiva]
In recent years, Kenyan DJ/producer has emerged as one of the most pronounced players in East Africa’s burgeoning dance music scene. While she’s made her name off playing enveloping mixes, she’s been teasing her full-fledged debut as a producer for a minute, and it’s happening with the April-release of her debut project, Kilumi. Ahead of the full tape, she’s shared the lead single, “Land (Black) First,” a song that pairs ominous and experimental production with socially conscious lyricism. “Who needs a hand, when the hand that feeds you bleeds you dry?” Sisian wonders out loud, with her confrontational cadence leaning close to spoken word poetry, and Kasiva’s mournful chants punctuating the song’s anti-colonial message.
BOJ & ENNY – “Culture”
In his episode of NATIVE’s ‘PreGame’ series, Nigerian singer BOJ revealed that his next album would be titled ‘Gbagada Express’. Now scheduled for an April release, the project will include previously released singles, “Abracadabra” and “Money & Laughter.” Adding to the pre-release pile to stoke hype, BOJ has now shared a new single, “Culture,” which features British-Nigerian rapper ENNY. Helmed by Juls, the new single is built on the ace British-Ghanaian producer’s inimitable ability at laying down sumptuous neo-highlife grooves for his collaborators to luxuriate in, which is exactly what BOJ and ENNY do. BOJ opens the song with a self-reverent verse, setting the tone for ENNY’s proud quips on her first generation immigrant heritage.
Jaido P – “Queen and More”
Between his breakout single, the Olamide-assisted “Tesina Pot” and last year’s hit song “Cram,” Jaido P is proving to be adept at crafting bangers at will. The Fresh Meat alum’s new single, “Queen and More” is the latest entry into the line of street and club-ready slappers for the dynamic rap artist. Driven by a beat that pairs the droning synths of house music and the guttural bounce of current street-pop, the song is an impressive showcase of Jaido P’s ear for beats and his ability to pick an intriguing pocket to slot his sturdy yet groovy rap flow into. Similar to his breakout song, “Queen and More” is decidedly raunchy, but this time, it’s his storytelling chops and consistently improved powers as a songwriter that gets underlined, proof that the artist keeps refining his skills even though he’s found a sweet spot.
Yaw Tog & Bad Boy Timz – “Azul”
From “Ameno Amapiano” to Adekunle Gold & Davido’s “High,” slangs that have worked their way into pop culture fixtures have proven to be solid foundations for the emergence of smash hit songs. It seems like that’s what Ghanaian rapper Yaw Tog and Nigerian singer Bad Boy Timz are going for with their new collaborative single, “Azul.” The term “who order Azul?” has been fixed into Nigerian common speak for a while now, via its nightlife scene, and it forms the basis for both artists to combine for a song primed for dancefloors and clubs. Over 1da Banton’s fast-paced beat, Timz and Tog deliver lyrics that speak to their hustle and quest to live life to the fullest, with Tog adapting a heavily melodic flow that expands the perception of his drill and trap skill-set.
Ish Kevin – “My Year (2022)”
Last year, Rwandan rap superstar Ish Kevin vaulted into higher levels of popularity with a handful of singles that optimised his inventive and infectious take on drill music. Keeping the momentum going, he’s opened his account for this year with “My Year (2022),” a new single that sees the rapper veering into a new lane of experimentation. Displaying his wide musical interest and the malleability of his gruff voice, Ish Kevin tinkers with dancehall on “My Year,” making declarative remarks on the type of year he plans on having. As the lead single from Ish Kevin’s upcoming EP, ‘Trappish II’, set for release later this month, it expands the possibilities for the project beyond his drill and trap allegiances. The accompanying music video is a staged rave in Jamaica Town, Kigali, making this musical foray feel even more authentic.
Oumou Sangaré – “Wassulu Don”
Iconic Malian singer Oumou Sangaré has consistently found a means to balance heritage with progressive ideals, rooting her music to the folksy sound she picked while growing up and championing women’s liberal rights in a patriarchal society. To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, she shared a new single, “Wassulu Don,” and its accompanying visuals, which features women in varying elements all radiating joy. Her spry voice is loaded with poise on the track, which mixes her Malian folk sound with the guitar elements of blues and rock. The new song is the second single from her coming album, Timbuktu, her first project of new material since 2017’s well-received Mogoya and “MOOD 4 EVA,” on Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift, introduced to younger, wider audience.
ICYMI: VICTONY & REXXIE BECOME MUSICAL KIN ON 2-SONG PACK, ‘NATARAJA’
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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