We’re halfway through 2022, and it’s been an eventful year for Afropop. There’s been a torrent of great new music, spawning a massive stack of inventive smash hit songs. From Highlife-infused Ghanaian pop, to the unrelenting force that is Nigerian street-pop, to South Africa’s indomitable Dance scene, to tantalising Drill explorations in East and Central Africa, and much, much more, we’re living through abundant and musically expansive times.

Every week, tonnes of songs from African artists make their way to digital streaming platforms, and wading through them can be intense. That’s where The NATIVE’s Songs of the Day column comes in to help. We go through as many new releases as possible, spotlighting them here, two to three times every week. Today, enjoy new releases from Da Vaji, Maglera Doe Boy, KaniBeatz, Destiny Nsonga, Alana Maria and more. Dig in. 

Da Vaj – “Drop It Down”

Da Vaji teams up with Drill icon from Buruklyn Boyz, Ajay on their new riveting single titled “Drop It Down”. Sampling Akon’s “Bananza(Belly Dancer)”, the duo effortlessly hype themselves up and big up their position in the rap game. Ajay sings memorable lyrics such as “..anapenda maboy wastreets mapusher wenye wanatrap,” which roughly translates to “She loves hood boys, boys who hustle and peddle drugs.” The new single is accompanied by a video with the two rappers surrounded by their group of friends who are excited and religiously agree with each line the pair fire off.

DJ Vadim, Kenneth Mugabi & Destiny Nsonga – “Kiki Kyogamba(What You Saying Mix)”

On their latest release, DJ Vadim is joined by Kenneth Mugabi and Destiny Nsonga for new single, “Kiki Kyogamba.” “Kiki Kyogamba” meaning “what you saying,” is a lover’s duet, in Luganda and English, pitting Kenneth Mugabi’s distinctive soul falsetto with Destiny Nsonga’s alluring vocals. The song brings a classical 1970’s reggae vibe combined with a boisterous Hip-Hop beat. 

KaniBeatz – “Do It For Me” ft. YKB & Alana Maria

Nigerian-British producer, singer and songwrier KaniBeatz is back with a special offering titled “Do It For Me,” which features YKB and Alana Maria. On the new single, “Do For Me” KaniBeatz offers a romantic track that directly addresses his muse and the feeling she gives him. The mid-tempo track sees YKB adoring his muse with lyrics such as, “I go call my bank give her all my money” while they are both joined by Alana Maria who confesses her love for her partner.

Maglera Doe Boy – “God Is A Black Woman” ft. KayGizm

“God Is A Black Woman” is the third track from Maglera Doe Boy’s upcoming project titled ‘Diaspora’. Here, he combines effort with fellow countryman KayGizm as they adore the complexity of a black woman’s power “..Get down on my knees and I praise you, God is a black woman..” The piano riffs and harmonica provide a perfect instrumental background giving a Jazz with  Hip Hop infused vibe.  

Unspoken Salaton – “Mambo Ni Mengi”

Coining popular slang as his title, “Mambo Ni Mengi” is a drill song from rising rapper, Unspoken Salaton.  The poetic rapper gives a rebellious performance in his single as he drops numerous bars and thumps his chest while calling out weak rappers. He throws a couple of cheeky lines “… the girl is thick like yoghurt..” creating light laughs from his ice-cold flow. 

Jinku & See Through Solomon – “Moonlight”

As Jinku gears up for the release of his album ‘Oasis Park III’ from the Trilogy ‘Oasis Park’ he gives a sneak peek of what to expect with “Moonlight”. In collaboration with  See Through Solomon, he employs Khani Khalii’s vocals that croon over the electronic percussive background. The sonic production of “Moonlight” is striking, as the occasional crescendos seamlessly merge with Khani Khalii’s mellifluous voice. As she dreams of liberation, the composition of the song is a combination of melancholy and hope: like a love letter to a lost soul “maybe one day I’ll be the king that sets my people free, to find a way to safety//the land of honey seems way too far away from me.”

Yung Stevie – “One More Time”

For his latest offering, Yung Stevie shares a new single, “One More Time”. The infectious number has the young rapper showing off his playful and versatile music-making capability while portraying his lavish lifestyle with lyrics such as  “when I am speaking money you know I am speaking fluent// trying to drive you crazy like a Rarri or a Bentley.”

Featured image credits/NATIVE