The end of the year is here but music releases are hardly stopping. There is still heat if you know where to look and, with many artists putting out their last songs for the year, we know you might need a primer on what stuff to be listening to as we all bid to close out the year in the best way possible. 

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 Black Sherif, Seyi Shay, and Mohbad amongst others. Today, we’re bringing you new music from Naira Marley, Olamide, Iyanya, and more.

NAIRA MARLEY – “KOJOSESE”

Since his career got a major boost with his controversy-laden run in 2019, Naira Marley has refused to recede from public view, solidifying his staying power with a string of hit singles like “Koleyewon” and the Busiswa-featuring “Coming.” Keen to see out 2021 on a high, the singer has returned with another tune titled “Kojosese.”

Cut from the same cloth as its dance-ready predecessors, and off his forthcoming debut album, ‘This Is Africa,’ “Kojesese,” is an infectious anthem that merges the bounce of kuduro with the percussion of Afropop. Produced by Angolan, Leo Beatz, the song sees Naira Marley urge his listeners to hit the dancefloor and have a great time. 

BELLA ALUBO & ZORO – “DANCIA”

Earlier this year, Bella Alubo released her debut album, ‘Bella’s Buffet,’ interspersing her minimalist take on the intersection of R&B and Afropop with a range of sonic tells from Highlife, Hip-hop, and Trap.  One of the most well-received songs from the project was “Dancia,” a collaboration with Nigerian rapper, Zoro, that expanded on the classic rap-sung format with beguiling ease. The video for the song tunnels into the chemistry between the duo as they take a historic approach to documenting their romance and their desire to be together regardless of what life throws at them. 

MONEY BADOO & RICKY TYLER – “47K$”

Some of the most inventive R&B music out of Africa springs out of South Africa, and Money Badoo is an avatar for that innovative streak. Gently layering her voice-over wavy basslines with tales of lust and love, she continues to break barriers and set new benchmarks with her authentic take on the genre. Her new single “47k$” is a testament to this as she joins forces with Ricky Tyler on this song which speaks about intoxicated love, chemistry, and intimacy over a wispy instrumental. 

OLAMIDE X POCO LEE X PORTABLE – “ZAZOO ZEHH”

For years before he inked a deal with Empire and reinvented his sound for global domination, Olamide was street music’s biggest ambassador to Afropop, sneaking in the densest street slangs into the heart of the genre. To close out the year, Olamide has teamed up with popular dancer, Poco Lee, and hype man, Portable, for a hard-hitting single titled “ZaZoo Zehh.” Produced by P.Priime, the song sees Olamide drop his most street-leaning verse for a bit while Portable takes us deep into street culture with a lengthy monologue that captures the dynamism of street pop. 

IYANYA & WANDE COAL – “CHANGE AM”

Last year, Iyanya released ‘For Your Love,’ a project that was packed with the R&B influences that made him a reality TV sweetheart more than a decade ago. On “Change Am” with Wande Coal, the singer leans into Afropop for an accomplished showing that rises on the power of the duo’s synergy. Produced by 1da Banton, the beat shifts from place to place while Iyanya and Wande Coal move rapidly between English and pidgin singing about changing the gears of their life and luxuriating in the finer things of life. 

TEEZEE F.T. PRETTYBOY D-O & KOFI MOLE – “NEW GOVERNMENT”

Ahead of the release of his sophomore project ‘Arrested By Love,’ due out next year, Teezee has released a new single in time for the December festivities titled “New Government” featuring Nigerian rapper, Prettyboy D-O, and Ghanaian peer, Kofi Mole.  An uptempo Afro-fusion track, “New Government” features bragging from Teezee and his guests about being at the forefront of a new revolution and paving the way for a new generation of power players. “But now there’s a new government in charge/Pretty be the new government in charge/Teezee be the new government in charge,” D-O confidently asserts in the song’s infectious hook. 

C BLVCK FT. NAIRA MARLEY  – “TEAR RUBBER”

No other label operating today has its fingers on the pulse of street culture like Marlian Music does and in C Blvck, they have one of the sub-culture’s most bruising voices.  On “Tear Rubber,” C Blvck is joined by label boss, Naira Marley for a casual flex about their cultural cachet and street credo. Leading the way, Blvck sings about being a strong presence on the scene before being joined by Naira whose insouciant flow is a perfect contrast for his protege’s spurious delivery scheme. 

Featured image credits/Instagram