Songs of the day: New music from Sinach, Ruger, capespring, Davido and more
Catch up on all the latest releases from around the continent
Last year, The NATIVE created our ‘Songs of the Day’ column as an avenue to curate some of the best and biggest songs from around the continent. In the time since its creation, the column has served as a means to discover music from niche, rising acts, while also spotlighting releases from the biggest artists on the continent. As artists continue to share their music with us, this year, it’s only right that we return to pointing you towards as much great music as we can.
Though the pandemic has denied us live shows, where the magical bond between artists and fans unfolds in real-time, artists have remained committed to sharing music with fans, so we continue to honour their art and create space and visibility for them. We started this week’s selection by bringing you the new release from SGaWD who shared her debut video, “Feel Right”, as well as other new releases from Emo Grae, Mo’believe, Sean Tizzle, Ocho Foreign, Waje and more. Today, we’re catching you up on all the latest releases from around the continent that can serve up inspiration and comfort while we continue chasing the bag for the rest of this week. Gospel singer, Sinach has shared a new single and music video for her ever-expanding audience and we also have new releases from Niniola, Lil5ive, capespring, a much-anticipated remix featuring Davido, Ruger’s official debut and many others for you to enjoy. You’re welcome.
Carla Prata – “Certified Freak”
Colors Studio has continued to spotlight some of the underrated talents around the globe and African artists aren’t left out. Last weekend, we were introduced to the charming sound of Angolan singer, Carla Prata as she stepped into the famous studio and dropped her new single, “Certified Freak”, an empowering romantic anthem that soundtracked fans’ Valentine’s Day.
With her sexually provocative lyrics, “Baby put that pussy on my mouth yeah yeah/ I’m obsessed with how your booty bounce, yeah yeah”, “Certified Freak” is an ode to female empowerment and sensuality. It is carried by production that combines R&B harmonies with trap drums as Carla shows off her R&B vocal timbre with a laidback confidence that’s reminiscent of Syd of the Californian band, The Internet. This new song marks a turning point in her young career as she abandons the afrobeats and baile funk inspirations that permeated her latest EP, ‘Roots’, and it has also helped her grow more international attention.
Focalistic ft. Davido – “Ke Star” (Remix)
Teased a few days ago, this Davido and Focalistic collaboration is one listeners have been hotly anticipating this month. Last May’s hit song, “Ke Star” was a continental sensation across Africa, garnering platinum success by the time its music video arrived in September. Unsurprisingly, “Ke Star” had a fan in Davido, and with his keen collaborative spirit, the Nigerian artist has now jumped on the track, and apparently has even more gems with Focalistic. Ever adaptable, Davido’s Pop skills are on full display over the familiar Virgo Deep production, as he blends perfectly with the duo’s already established works.
Ruger – “Ruger”
Debuting on the Jonzing World single, “One Shirt” Ruger came into the limelight alongside a legend and one of the most prolific Nigerian artists of recent years. Beside D’Prince and Rema, Ruger held his own, and on his debut single he is thriving off the confidence that that performance left him with. Opening his self-titled debut single with the lyrics, “Man I spit fire to the mic from day one,” “Ruger” is an introduction to the rising rapper, from his pink hair and eye patch gimmick, to his flawless offbeat flow. Born ready, the debut single comes already fitted with a music video, directed by uaxstudio, which depicts him lighting up the show, which he promises to continue to do as his career takes off.
Ninola – “Promise”
As the pandemic continues to force us to spend more time indoors, productivity appears to be at an all-time high as music fans have been getting more music from their favourite artists. Niniola closed her account for 2020 by sharing her debut album, ‘Colours and Sounds’ and barely two months into this year, she is already gearing to release a new project. The Queen Of Afro-House as she’s fondly referred to by fans announced on her social media that she’ll be dropping an R&B EP, ‘Promise’ before the end of this month. And while we wait for the tape’s release, she has whet our appetite by sharing the lead single and title track, “Promise”.
Just as promised, “Promise” is an R&B song as it features some of the most enthralling singing we’ve gotten from Niniola in recent times. She climbs up and down several vocal scales melodically over the laidback R&B instrumentals produced by Dj Rombee while she expresses the pain from getting her hearts broken by a lover; However, she channels the pain into a moving breakup anthem that can serve as a catharsis for listeners who have dealt with similar disappointments.
Sinach – “Greatest Lord”
Though Sinach doesn’t make contemporary music, her music video for her 2016 gospel hit record, “Way Maker” is one of the most-streamed Nigerian videos on YouTube. She has just released a new single and music video, “Greatest Lord” as she continues to prove that gospel music is an intricate part of popular culture as the worship song already garnered over a hundred thousand views on the streaming platform since it was released last weekend.
Like all the best worship songs, “Greatest Lord” is built around swirling piano harmonies that give the song an enchanting aura while Sinach sings praises to her maker; “Your power has no limits/ Your name oh Jesus, the strongest”. The song’s accompanying video is directed Ose Iria and it captures Sinach singing in a well-lit studio, accompanied by her backing choir and instrumentalists. Some visually appealing landscapes are also featured in the video and it helps convey the song’s message about God’s awesome power. “Greatest Lord” is the title track off her soon to be released album, ‘Greatest Lord’ and the song and video are sure to heighten anticipation for the project.
capespring – “puppy” Feat. Jomande
capespring captured our hearts and attention with his debut project, ‘Duality’, released last year when he had just turned 16. His songs narrating personal stories of romance and his knack for switching between singing and rapping drew comparison to artists like Frank Ocean and the tape earned him a spot on our monthly column, Fresh Meat, where we highlight artists from around the continent who are on the rise. capespring has announced that he’ll be sharing his debut album in March, ‘diodrama’ and he already set the ball rolling with his debut single for 2021, “indigo” and his newly released single, “puppy”.
Lo-fi harmonies have become capespring’s signature sound and he delivers another charming performance here, singing and rapping about his feelings for his muse over the lightweight instrumentals; “I’ve been watching you from across the room/Girl what won’t I do to get up close to you?”. “puppy” tells a story of young love and we can’t wait to hear what else the Kenyan singer has in store for us with his coming debut album.
Johnny Drille – “Bad Dancer”
Johnny Drille is an expert at the love song, and his latest offering is further proof of his dominance in the song-type. Typically melodic, “Bad Dancer” plays like a romantic drama, Drille’s his profound profession of love. Singing that despite his bad dancing, he wishes to embark on a midnight dance with his lover, holding her and serenading her lustfully, Johnne Drille tells his muse he wishes to “whisper into your ear that you’re beautiful and heavenly.”
“Deep in love,” the encompassing emotion has made Johnny Drille a better man, grateful that he has found his perfect match who fulfils all his prayers and more. In true romantic drama style, Johnny Drille’s profession of love comes with a plea to his lover to actually accept the love, which he delivers on the song’s vibrant bridge. This bridge builds up to the climax of the song, where an electric guitar solo plays beneath the chorus, and reaches its end as “Bad Dancer” closes with mystic chimes that portend a happy ending.
Plvyboi Pluto – “Superman”
Whenever a new sound begins to pop on global music charts, Africa artists are never too far behind on the wave. Playboy Carti’s baby voice and his ad-lib focused flow have become the new rave since he shared his new album, ‘Whole Lotta Red’ last Christmas and with its success as his first number one album, it’s no surprise that we’re starting to hear more Nigerians tapping into his sauce. Plvyboi Pluto used to be an Afropop singer by the moniker Afrowonder till he shared his latest single, “Superman” where he adopts a trap flow and a baby voice that sounds inspired by Carti or UnoTheActivisit. Singing “Pop the molly, pop the zinzu/ Cause tonight there’s no controlling you”, “Superman” also incorporates the pill-popping excesses of the American hip-hop sound while referencing the colloquial Nigerian slang, ‘Zinzu’ to give the song a much needed Nigerian flair.
Awori x Twani- “Hold Me”
Ugandan singer and rapper, Awori has joined forces with French beatmaker, Twani to release a new album, ‘Ranavalona’, expected to be released later this year. Paired together by their label, Galant Records, the artist and producer teamed up to make an album in honour of the last queen of Madagascar, Ranavalona III and the newly-released lead single, “Hold Me”, hints at the empowering music they have in store as Awori raps then sings over the catchy hip-hop as she expresses her vulnerable emotions while talking us through her troubled thoughts; “Sometimes it just feels like I can’t relate/ I just want you to hold me”.
With her voice switching to match the emotions in her lyrics, “Hold Me” aims to reassure people craving love and those who are afraid to be vulnerable that they aren’t alone in their struggles. The upbeat instrumentals can certainly rejuvenate listeners and encourage us to be merry.
Lil5ive – “Happy”
Rising singer, Lil5ive has today released a six-track EP, ‘Dreams & Imaginations’ – a stand out of which is the rousing single, “Happy”. One of the more upbeat numbers from the project, with a very empowering subject matter, “Happy” first speaks to finding one’s voice amongst a crowd of your peers, feeling at the same time unheard and anxious of being heard. Ultimately, though trials do not overcome Lil5ive, as he tells us that he is not one to be fucked with, and that no matter how hard life gets, he is resolved to remain happy.
With happy horns following the song’s chorus, it is clear that Lil5ive is resilient enough to smile through the pain that Nigerian leaders have exerted on its people, as he sings on the song’s second, much shorter, verse. In these more dreary days, “Happy” reminds us of the value of keeping in good spirits, if you can.
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ICYMI: Catch up on all the latest releases from earlier in the week
Luwa.Mp4 Releases Riotous Debut Album, ‘punKstA*’
Across the album’s 12 tracks, Luwa.Mp4 continues his fiery exploration and fusion of genres like Punk Rock,...
Rising singer and rapper Luwa.Mp4 has released his debut album titled ‘punKstA*.’ The underground star who has been on a release spree all year long, announced the imminent arrival of his debut only a couple of days ago with a cryptic trailer video and an Instagram caption that simply read ‘PUNKSTA* MONDAY.’
Before the arrival of ‘punKstA*,’ the rising fusion star had been showcasing his diligence and talent with a consistent output that has seen him put out over a dozen songs since the start of the year. A string of singles led to a 6-pack titled ‘lore skooL,’ while a deluxe version that housed 5 new songs came just a month later.
His debut album’s lead single, “pUNK FANTASY,” arrived in late July, setting the stage for what could prove to be a pivotal moment in the underground star’s burgeoning career.
Across the album’s 12 tracks, the eclectic singer continues his fiery exploration and fusion of genres like Punk Rock, Afropop, Hyperpop, and Rap into something uniquely different. Tracks like “Pure Water,” which was previously teased on Cruel Santino’s Subaru Live Stream, the abrasive, Tecno-influenced “pROMISED NEVERLAND,” and the more laidback “pEEp MY RIDE” put on display the sort of varied, autotune-soaked approach that has set him apart and helped carve a growing niche.
While Luwa decided to go solo on his debut, credited as the only recording artist, the album was brought to life by a cast of talented producers like frequent collaborator TOPSY, Emyboi, JTRN, 3CB, FVKK.ANDI and Jeremy Cartier.
Listen to ‘punKstA*,’ here.
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Shekhinah Returns With Surprise Album, ‘Less Trouble’
The South African R&B star is at her most assertive on her first album in four years.
South African R&B and Pop singer Shekhinah has released a new surprise album titled ‘Less Trouble.’ The Durban star, who had been quiet for most of the year, took to social media shortly before midnight to share the new album’s cover, synopsis, and tracklist, simply stating, ‘If you’re seeing this my album LESS TROUBLE is out now at Midnight,’ in an Instagram caption.
The soulful singer first began teasing ‘Less Trouble,’ her first album in over four years, about a year ago when she released its lead single “Risk,” a bouncy Afropop-inspired collab with Ghanaian star MOLIY. A few months after the release of “Risk,” she put out “Steady,” a dreamy pop number that suggested that something bigger was on the horizon. But then it was largely radio silence about a project until its surprise arrival at midnight.
If 2021’s ‘Trouble In Paradise’ represented a coming-of-age for Shekhinah, subsisting some of the dreamy, youthful exuberance of her debut album for more measured musings on themes like heartbreak and grief, ‘Less Trouble’ finds her at her most assertive, writing and singing with the acuity of someone who is grown, decisive and discerning. The delicate opener “Break Up Season” sets the tone for the rest of the album as she shows little tolerance for shady behaviour and toxic patterns.
Other standout cuts on the album like “Bare Minimum,” a sombre collab with fellow South African award-winning singer lordkez, the ethereal, in-your-face interlude “New Casanova,” and the percussive “What Are We,” where Shekhinah contemplates the nature of a relationship but ultimately demands all or nothing, all drive home a part of the album’s synopsis, which reads ‘A BOOK ON MORE HEARTBREAK BUT LESS HEARTACHE.’
Shekhinah invites a couple of new collaborators on ‘Less Trouble,’ featuring the aforementioned MOLIY and lordkez as well as multi-instrumentalist Mars Baby and Young Stunna across the album’s 11 tracks. Mpilo Shabangu handled the majority of the album’s production, while other producers like Michael Morare, her longtime collaborator, Mthintheki Mzizi, and Vuyo also contributed to the album.
Listen to ‘Less Trouble’ here.
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The NATIVE’s First Impressions Of Amaarae’s ‘Black Star’
‘Black Star’ marks another evolutionary arc for Amaarae, and The NATIVE team offer our thoughts after a...
Change has always been a constant theme in any discussion about the career of Ghanaian-American star, Amaarae. Since she emerged as a singular voice in the late 2010s, she has evolved from a sirenic Afropop-adjacent singer into a Punk-Pop firestarter with minimal fuss. ‘Fountain Baby,’ her 2023 sophomore album, was a sweeping departure from the lilting melodies and shapeshifing cadences of the hypnotic ‘The Angel You Don’t Know,’ emphasizing her commitment to charting new courses with her music.
In the lead-up to her new album, ‘Black Star,’ she has wholly embraced a Pop aesthetic and sheen that was reflected on the album’s promotional singles, “S.M.O.” and “Girlie-Pop!.” Now that the album has arrived, the singer has advised listeners not to go in expecting a continuation of the soundscape on ‘Fountain Baby.’ As keen followers of Amaarae’s career from its start, we are sure that ‘Black Star’ marks another evolutionary arc for her, and we offer our thoughts after a few listens.
WHAT WERE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF AMAARAE GOING INTO THIS ALBUM?
Kemnachi: I had zero doubts that she would impress me again. Amaarae always comes correct. She is audacious with her choices, taking creative risks most artists would not dare to imagine, and somehow rendering them seamless, deliberate, and effortless. Her music has a way of enveloping me: it’s fluid, slightly dangerous, and yet irresistibly sensual. Every project feels like an immersive world she has curated down to the finest detail. With ‘Black Star,’ I knew it was not going to be a mere collection of songs but another meticulously constructed realm.
Bamise: I expected something fun, genre-bending, and sonically diverse in the fashion that Amaarae’s music typically is. I may have taken the album title a bit too literally, though, because listening made me realise I had an eye out for some Pan-African statements or something to spark discourse on African identity, but I didn’t quite catch any of that.
Boluwatife: Amaarae has largely delivered throughout her career, so I knew she was going to come correct again. She’s one of those forward-thinking artists who take the kind of risks most others wouldn’t, but she always manages to make it work. She’s proven to be a musical omnivore who constantly meshes her wide-ranging influences into something new, fluid, icy, and more often than not, sensual. I knew ‘Black Star’ wasn’t going to be any different.
WHAT SONGS STOOD OUT ON THE FIRST LISTEN?
Wale: I liked “Girlie-Pop!.” I feel like it captures Amaarae’s vision of pushing Afropop into the future. She’s also really grown comfortable with music and lyricism and will not dumb down her message for anybody. The instrumental for “Girlie-Pop!” is also a wonder; it’s so dense, but there are pockets for Amaarae to be emotive about her feelings. Top song!
Daniel Akins: I need to hear “B2B” at the next rave I’m at. Amaarae is in her Dance era, and I’m here for it. Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt 2” with PinkPantheress is the collaboration I knew I needed, and I’m glad they finally linked up. It’s a clear standout on the project; their ethereal style complements each other.
Shina: “B2B” was the one that did it for me. That is my favourite track on the project. The number of times I ran it back was unhealthy for a first listen. It was also really fun to catch the Don Toliver “Best You Had” sample. I need to hear this outside!
HOW WELL YOU THINK THE GUEST APPEARANCES ENHANCED THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE?
Israel: The guest features on Black Star aren’t mere flexes. They’re strategic, theatrical, and sometimes emotionally resonant. They enhance, yes, but they do so on Amaarae’s terms. A standout for me was PinkPantheress on “Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt 2.” The tradeoff is that a few songs feel like dazzling cameos rather than an integrated conversation, yet overall they enhance the album’s drama, texture, and bravado with precision.
Daniel Banjoko: Everyone showed up and delivered, no weak links here. Instead of just guest spots, they felt like vital pieces of a bigger puzzle. Charlie Wilson on “Dream Scenario” nailed his part especially, making the track sound exactly like its name promises.
Moore: The guest appearances on ‘Black Star’ feel very intentional; each one enhances the album’s world without overshadowing Amaarae’s vision. PinkPantheress’s signature airy delivery meshes with Amaarae’s experimental pop sound. Naomi Campbell’s commanding voice on “ms60” is an unexpected but powerful addition, adding drama to the track. Each feature feels carefully chosen.
WHAT SONG IS THE BIGGEST SKIP?
Bamise: Not to be a party pooper, but I don’t get the PinkPantheress collab, “Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt 2.” It feels like a PinkPantheress song with less pop in it, and just borrows the title of the iconic Soulja Boy song but has no other similarities. It’s between that and “ms60.” For me, the chorus of that sounds like something I’ve heard from Amaarae before, and I doubt its absence would have diminished the album.
Shina: I feel like biggest skip is a strong word for a solid project, but if I have to pick a song to skip, it’ll be “ms60.” I think it’s easily forgettable.
Wale: It’s hard to single out a song that stuck out to me, but hearing Naomi Campbell on “ms60” threw me off. It’s just too contrived to bear for me.
WHAT SONG HAS THE BIGGEST HIT POTENTIAL?
Boluwatife: My gut answer would probably be “She Is My Drug,” just because of how she beautifully reworks the melodies from Cher’s “Believe.” DJ remixes of this song could go crazy. But if I were to think a bit more logically, TikTok would probably lap up “Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt 2.”
Daniel Banjoko: “Kiss Me Thru the Phone pt 2” goes crazy. Amaarae and PinkPantheress are the perfect match. This collab feels like it was destined to happen, and it delivers in full. Honestly, I can’t believe it took this long, and now I just need more tracks from these two, ASAP.
Moore: “Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt 2” has the biggest hit potential on the album. The song has a nostalgic, sad party girl vibe that makes it appealing, and it’s also catchy and well-produced. PinkPantheress consistently performs well on platforms like TikTok, and her fanbase overlaps in a really interesting way with Amaarae’s. The collaboration feels organic and exciting, and will likely create a lot of buzz.
OVERALL FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Wale: There is a very visceral quality to how Amaarae expresses desire that I don’t hear very often in a lot of music. It’s abstracted and warped in futuristic textures, but it’s very profoundly human, and it’s always great to hear that even as she advances the sonics of her delivery. I do, however, have an issue with the thematic scope of ‘Black Star.’ I thought there would be overt references to her experiences of navigating her Ghanaian identity, but those references are limited to samples and interpolations. It’s still an incisive listen and a triumph for finding ways to advance music from Africa.
Bamise: It’s Amaarae; she can never go wrong. But for me, this is the album that excites me the least from her catalogue. Other than how bass-heavy some songs on the album are, like “S.M.O.” and “She Is My Drug” among others, it feels similar to other projects I’ve heard from her in a way that’s not exactly refreshing or mind-bending. I may have gotten spoiled by how diverse and eclectic Amaarae’s music tends to be, but I wanted more from her. I expected more gangster, Hip-Hop Amaarae. Thematically, I didn’t get anything that gives the Black Star of Ghana, or black stars are ruling the world. Will I listen again and enjoy every bit of it still, though? Yes, I will.
Shina: So first off, this is a solid body of work. I love the fact that Amaarae stuck with the Dance, Electro-Pop route she was going with throughout the album. The features also played their part, adding their unique touches to each record. I would say, though, a feature I would’ve loved to hear on this project is 070Shake. I think she would have been perfect on “100DRUM,” but we don’t always get what we want, do we? Thematically, I think Amaarae could’ve leaned heavily on her Ghanaian heritage, seeing as the title and cover of the album are a nod to that. Maybe Amaarae just wants us to dance, and that’s what I’m just gonna do, and you should too.
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