Songs Of The Day: New Music From Davido, Odunsi, M.anifest & More
Featuring Davido, Kizz Daniel & more
As the year winds down, the sheer number of music we receive at The NATIVE keeps growing at an exponential rate. With live shows back in full swing and Afropop hits such as Wizkid’s “Essence” and CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” climbing the charts both home and abroad, there has never been a more exciting time than the present for the ever-evolving sonic landscape. Through it all, we remain committed to the ideal of music discovery and sharing that is a big part of what we stand for.
That’s where our Songs of the Day column comes in. We’re doing the work to stay on pulse with all the music coming out from across the continent and beyond, bringing you exciting songs of tomorrow: today. Last time out, we had exciting music from Niniola, Peruzzi, and GuiltyBeatz amongst others. Today, we’re bringing you new music from Davido, Odunsi, M.anifest, and more.
Davido & Focalistic – “Champion Sound”
For much of this year, Davido has continued to impact culture without dropping his own music. Still, his guest features have maintained the magnetic presence that makes him one of the most celebrated musicians out of Africa. To close out the year, he’s reunited with South African rapper, Focalistic, to rekindle the chemistry of “Ke Star (Remix),” their cross-continental hit from earlier in the year. “Champion Sound,” this new attempt is not so new however as it has been playing for months from Jozi to Lagos and is already confirmed a hit in many quarters. The Dalia Dias-directed video finds both musicians making overt brags and bouncing melodies off each other.
Odunsi (The Engine) – “Half A Tab”
While the world waits for full-on immersion into Odunsi (The Engine)’s world after the statement-making success of ‘rare.,’ he has continued to push his music in a variety of eclectic directions that reinforces his dedication to artistic exploration. “Half A Tab,” his latest is influenced by the glittering essence of Disco music. The single is tempered with a soul essence that sees the cult hero lean into psychedelia and half-whisper lyrics such as “I swear I saw the devil in the VIP and she looked me dead in my eyes.”
Kizz Daniel – “Addict”
Earlier this year, Kizz Daniel caught a nationwide hit with “Lie,” displaying a level of self-awareness and the confidence that has been palpable in his music over the last 18 months. His latest project, ‘Barnabas,’ sees him continue to make the addictive brand of Afro-fusion that he has made his calling card. “Addict,” performed over a minimalist instrumental is an interesting juxtaposition of the euphoric highs of narcotics and the rush of a thriving romance.
M.anifest – “E No Easy”
On ‘Madina To The Universe,’ M.anifest’s eagerly-anticipated fifth album, the concept of home plays a central role, with the rapper searching for what it means to him in an increasingly globalist world. The project is driven by captivating lyricism and rich global sounds but is anchored around the arresting sonics of his home country. On “E No Easy” with Tiggs Da Author, M.anifest’s rich storytelling takes root as his collaborator, Tiggs delivers a smooth verse about the complexities of life and the strangeness of the world.
WANI – “God Bless The Child (GBTC)”
It has taken three years for WANI’s ‘Lagos City Vice II’ to arrive and parts of the project are driven by an air of aspirational composure from the innovative singer. Other parts are narrative flicks bolstered by detailed storytelling from WANI and on “God Bless The Child (GBTC,)” the tensions of operating in Lagos inspire the singer to take stock of his successes and his place in the world. “And we smoking on the loud praying that we gon blow/ Shey we go make am? We still never know,” he tenderly sings.
Ice Prince – “Shakara” ft. CKay
Both Ice Prince and CKay have had a monumental year in differing ways. For Ice Prince, a veteran of the Pop scene, his music has grown more refreshing, thanks to a number of collaborations and his ‘Bed of Roses’ collaboration with Peter Pann. On “Shakara,” CKay pulls the veteran into his mid-tempo emo-Afropop world where they sing about showing affection to a love interest regardless of her efforts to rebuff them.
DKizz – “Show Me”
Newcomer, DKizz, has shown an intuitive appreciation for Afropop melodies across the breadth of his sparse catalogue. On “Show Me,” he leans into the traditional cadence and sonic styles of Nigerian pop to shower his affection on a love interest while expertly interpolating a lyric from Mayorkun’s classic anthem, “Che Che.”
Tim Lyre – “Highlife” ft. Lady Donli & Prettyboy D-O
Ahead of the release of his debut album, ‘Worry<,’ Afro-fusion singer, Tim Lyre, has teamed up with Prettyboy D-O and Lady Donli for an Afropop-influenced single titled “Highlife.” The song is defined by its celebration of an unrelenting spirit of the hustle and a call for youths to secure the bag with Lady Donli delivering a delightful verse about making it for herself and her family regardless of any challenges in her way.
Teffy – “Ordained”
For the past few years, Ope Teflon known adoringly to fans as Teffy has occupied an interesting space in the Nigerian Hip-Hop/Rap scene. Emerging back in the early 2000s with peers such as DRB, LOS, Cruel Santino and more, the rapper has been patiently biding his time and improving his skills till his breakthrough moment. That moment seems to have finally come for the rapper who recently released his latest project titled ‘Melody King III.’ On the standout second track “Ordained,” the Lagos-based rapper is at his most braggadocious, as he waxes poetic on his undisputed status in the industry. “Ain’t new to the game, youngins know my name/the kid has been ordained,” he quips over the song’s catchy hook, as he addresses the naysayers and opps who may doubt his position. “Ordained” sets a vast tone for the rest of the project which finds the rapper at his most relaxed as he purveys the city which birthed him.
Marv OTM – “Big 45”
Apex Village remains at the forefront of space-rap culture in Abuja and Nigeria as a whole and Marv OTM is the chameleonic shape-shifter in the creative super-collective. On ‘Way Up North,’ his 2020 collaborative project with Malik Bawa, the artist switched between braggadocious bars and fluid melodies. Now, on “Big 45,” he alternates between both sides to celebrate the glorious high of a night out with his boys.
SOLIS – “Love Games” ft. Champs
For the past few years, SOLIS has remained one of the head honchos of bedroom pop in these parts. As she gears up for the release of her sophomore project, the singer has shared “Body Signal,” a hypnotic track that would get anyone to the dancefloor. For her latest release, the singer teams up with Champs for a breakup anthem and mid-tempo number titled “Love Games.” Singing “Cursing is my name/Loving is the game,” she questions the feeling of love.v b
Msaki – “Mntakababa” ft. Kabza De Small & Focalistic
South African singer, composer and songwriter Msaki has just unveiled a dual album drop today with ‘Platinumb Heart Open’ and ‘Platinumb Heart Beating’ with the former centered on protest and the latter on joy. On ‘Platinumb Heart Open,’ notable features include the remake to 2019’s “Fetch Your Life,” an anthem about hope, self actualisation and perseverance in the darkest of times while ‘Platinumb Heart Beating’ is bookended by the catchy Focalistic and Kabza De Small-assisted number “Mntakababa,” a poignant story about family, aspiration and homecoming. Here, all three artists recount the story of an elder sibling filling their younger sibling with words of encouragement and inspiration.
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What OdumoduBlvck’s Greatest School Tour Could Mean For Touring In Nigeria
The rapper’s decision to embark on a local university tour of this nature could go on to become a...
There’s no denying that OdumoduBlvck’s 2023 mixtape ‘Eziokwu’ established his musical genius. While the half dozen projects that preceded ‘Eziokwu’ almost served as target practice, largely showcasing the early iterations of Okporoko music – his unique melodious rap fusion – it was his major label debut that truly grounded the rapper in Nigeria’s rich Hip-Hop lineage. The album’s far-reaching success culminated in a historic joint tour with fellow 2023 breakout star Shallipopi, which saw the two share the stage across 9 cities in the United States. Similarly, riding the high of his latest mixtape, ‘The Machine Is Coming,’ the Anti-World Gangstar head huncho recently announced a new tour. This time, however, instead of taking his new collection of infectious bangers to stages abroad, the rapper decided to visit different universities across the country for what he calls the ‘Greatest School Tour Ever.’
Touring in Nigeria is a subject that has become somewhat controversial over the last few years, splitting opinions amongst many fans, industry experts, and artists themselves. Back in the mid-2000s to early 2010s, local touring was very much the norm. Platforms like Star Music’s ‘The Trek,’ as well as a few prominent local promoters, enabled some of the biggest names like 2face, Olamide, and M.I to hold annual nationwide tours. These tours included stops in cities like Warri, Makurdi, Owerri and many other places that artists are less likely to visit today. University tours were also popular as they presented an avenue for these artists to connect with their younger audience, who mostly served as the bedrock of their fan base.
The rise of digital streaming platforms, which has partly informed the industry’s rapid evolution over the past decade, coupled with other economic and infrastructural issues, has, however, forced a sharp decline in local touring, making it an almost altruistic endeavour in today’s Nigeria. Afropop gaining global exposure meant that the international market immediately became more viable and lucrative to our biggest stars, and this reshaped their priorities. The extensive, multi-city shows became reserved for diaspora fans, while the local audience, in most cases, are treated to a solitary annual show.
OdumoduBlvck looks to buck this trend with the ‘Greatest School Tour Ever,’ prioritizing his primary audience before tending to those abroad. In truth, the Lagos-born rapper is not the only one who has embarked on this type of tour in recent times. A couple of years ago, UK-based rapper Kida Kudz and Ckay also went on similar campus tours, with the latter making stops at 10 different universities across the country. Llona, one of the breakout stars from last year, is also currently on a nationwide tour coming off the success of his impressive debut album ‘Homeless.’ The ‘Greatest School Tour Ever,’ is however, peculiar and momentous because of its timing and OdumoduBlvck’s standing as one of the biggest names around.
At the recent 17th Headies Awards, the rapper became the latest recipient of the Next Rated award, a highly coveted plaque that’s historically reserved for standout acts whose music defines the zeitgeist at a given period. He received the award just two days after he gave an electrifying performance at Afe Babalola University. His latest mixtape, ‘The Machine Is Coming,’ a precursor to his highly anticipated forthcoming debut, currently sits at the No. 2 spot on the Turntable Top 50 Album charts. It is unheard of in recent times: that the Headies Next Rated act, who has one of the top projects in the country, is on a local university tour. The Abuja-native has, however, shown on numerous occasions that he has never really been one to abide by existing standards. The famous opening lines from his breakout single “Declan Rice” (I can do without their Policy I Know), did not only serve as a message to gatekeepers and naysayers but also as a manifesto that declared his mode of operation going forward.
At the time of this writing, the rapper has only made two stops on his ongoing tour, but his decision to embark on a local tour of this nature already looks to be paying dividends. The first two shows have produced viral clips that capture his star power, the hysteria of his headline shows and his rapidly growing influence, especially amongst younger listeners. The viral clips have already created an increased demand for shows, with many young fans harassing the rapper to add more dates to the tour. With the release of ‘The Machine Is Coming’ and his recent crowning moment at the Headies, it’s safe to assume there’s more attention on him now than ever. While it is, of course, still early days, the rapper’s decision to embark on a local university tour, especially given that he’s currently experiencing a career high, could go on to become a significant moment, one that potentially inspires a shift in the touring landscape in Nigeria.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Tanika Is Stepping Out On Her Terms With The Kida Kudz-Assisted “FAST FWD”
From working her way out of London’s Myatt’s Field, Tanika is now setting her sights on the bright lights...
Across a career that’s in its second decade, Tanika has proven to be a force in her own right, holding her own on collaborations with Black British stars like Stormzy and Wretch 32, as well as popular record producer Naughty Boy–working with the Grammy-nominated beatmaker on his acclaimed ‘Hotel Cabana’ album.
Following a stint as an actor, she returned to the studio in 2021, releasing a new extended play, ‘333,’ in 2023. The project carried all the hallmarks of Tanika at her tantalising best: lilting cadences, well-paced narratives, a songwriting that reaches for the heart of the matter.
On her latest song, “Fast Fwd,” she’s growing into her own and stepping into a new era. In many ways, “Fast Fwd,” a hypnotic, sultry anthem, is landing just in time for summer revelry. Produced by her longtime collaborator, Naughty Boy, her silky vocals land effortlessly on the mid-tempo instrumental and pulsates with her desire for her love interest.
Joined on the song by her fiancé, Kida Kudz, they make an interesting duo and replicate the synergy they had on “Nobody,” off Kudz’s 2021 ‘Top Memba.’ Distinctively marked by use of neon lights, the video for the song captures the effervescence of romance that Tanika hums about throughout the song.
From working her way out of London’s Myatt’s Field to becoming a star with millions of streams, Tanika is now setting her sights on the bright lights of superstardom. Ahead of the official release of the single, we had a brief chat with Tanika about her career, the influences for “Fast Fwd,” and working with KIda Kudz on it.
Her answers, which follow below, have been lightly edited for clarity.
How would you describe where you are in your career right now?
I’m just enjoying the journey.
What does the release of “Fast Fwd” signify for you?
It signifies love.
Why is Kida Kudz a fit for the song? (
To be honest, we didn’t plan to do another song together. I have worked on two records with him before (“Nobody” and “Tasty Time” ) but we never thought to shoot a video for it.. “Fast Fwd” felt like a real testimony of our present moment in the relationship.
You’ve worked extensively with Naughty Boy and he’s helped with “Fast Fwd,” what’s your relationship like and why does it work?
Naughty Boy knows me very well. We’ve known one another for over 10 years, so he knows what fits me musically. We gel. I think him knowing me and being a fan of Kida’s music made it all work. Naughty Boy does his listening before he makes a beat for you. A lot of producers don’t really understand the importance of knowing the artist musically but he does.
What were you aiming for with the video?
To be honest, I’m aiming for nothing. I’m just enjoying the journey. It’s been a very long road and I know I still have a long way to go.
Catch an exclusive view of “Fast Fwd” below.
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Vlisco’s “The Garden Of Sisterhood” Campaign Comes To Life in New “MAYANGA” Video
A celebration of creativity and cultural
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanying music video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
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