We’re more than 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, many 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. This Friday, enjoy new music from April Maey, Bad Boy Timz, TÖME and more. Dig in!

April Maey – “Far Away” 

Following the release of her 2021 standout hit “Sweatshirt,” singer and songwriter April Maey has now arrived with new single “Far Away.” Produced by Grammy-award winning producer Chopstixx, the record is a mid tempo which sees the artist singing romantic lyrics to her muse. Over the infectious hok, she chants “from far away, I can see the pain in your eyes/I’m on my way to you if you say you love me tonight,” matching the melodious production of the track. 

TÖME- “Real Love”

On “Real Love,” Nigerian-born, Canada-based singer, songwriter and performer TÖME sings about focusing on the positive aspects of life, as well as the importance of finding real love. On the track, she sings “They put me in a box for a long long time I was looking for my way up/If ever you dey on top, remember days when they used to count you out,” addressing a lover who =’s got her ready to commit.

Bad Boy Timz – “Big Money” 

Bad Boy Timz is back with another boisterous record titled “Big Money,” set to take over the clubs soon. On the Oluwadurotimi-produced number, he sings about his love for being successful and the hard work he puts into making his money with memorable lyrics such as “Mo fe lowo bi Pablo Escobar, mo  fe lowo ju Dangote lo/ I wanna get money big money.” 

Di’Ja – “Yoruba Demon”

Since her debut album ‘Aphrodija’ in 2017, it has been singles and features from pop queen, Di’Ja. Now, to kick off her musical year, Di’Ja makes a welcome return with new mid tempo tune Yoruba Demon.” Playing on a relatable slang, the singer addresses deceptive lovers and crooked men who she refers to as Yoruba Demons.

Verchi – “Mix Up Liquor” ft Majeeed 

For the track “Mix Up Liquor,” singer Verchi teams up with uNder alum Majeeed. On the catchy new track, they both sing about enjoying life, partying and having fun. Over the euphonious production of the record, they offer lyrics such as “party don start you know, shayo don dey the body/your makeup so bad you look nice, whine am well for me.”

Wale Turner – “Au Revoir”

Wale Turner has shared a new single titled “Ay Revoir.” The new up-tempo number which is produced by Runtinz sees the artist saying goodbye to the things that don’t matter to him anymore, detailing how he’s leaving behind the bad energy, poverty, fake friends and more.  

Yemi Alade – “Bubble It” ft. Spice 

For the new upbeat record “Bubble It,” Nigerian singer and songwriter Yemi Alade teams up with Jamaican singer, rapper and songwriter Spice for an unmissable number. The afro-dancehall number finds both women having fun and delivering their verses as they emphasise the fact that there are many queens in the game, and enough seats on the table for all of us to eat. A very inspiring message.

CDQ – “Doings”

On the Amapiano-infused record produced by Masterkraft, CDQ delivers a romantic number which he sings to his love interest, reminding her about the lengths he is willing to go for their love. On the record, he chants memorable romantic lyrics such as “baby jen gbe e debe, I’ve got plenty/Omo if you see doings, you go fear fear.”

Wendy Shay – “Warning”

Wendy Shay gets personal on the record “Warning” as she delivers a slow paced record which sees her speaking her mind to a love interest who hurt her. On the record she sings “better watch what you say cause Wendy no dey play/I be queen already, I no dey fight nobody,” sending clear threats that she’s not one to be messed with.

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE