2022 is winding down 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. Today, enjoy new music from AV, Kah-Lo, Pheelz, Savage and more. Lock in!

AV – “Thug Love”

After blazing the scene with his hit single, “Big Thug Boys” last year, Afropop singer AV returns with his debut EP ‘Thug Love.’ The EP consists of romantic tracks and features Victony and KTIZO. On the standout record “Thug Love,” AV professes his love to his muse and shares his plans for her over the mid-paced Kulboy production. He opens the record chanting the lyrics “Baby girl 24/7 I’m booked but I make time for you/My girl, you’re very special,” he confesses to his muse. 

Kah-Lo – “It Girl” ft. Karma Fields & Associanu

On “It Girl,” Nigerian-born American-based singer and songwriter is at her most braggadocious. Over the futuristic production, she hypes herself up and talks about what makes her special. While she teams up with Karma Fields and Assoccianu, she doesn’t hesitate from taking the lead. Opening the track, she chants “Let me tell you a story about a girl, she walked around like she ran the world/She walked around like she knew everything, and wouldn’t back down till you kissed her ring.” 

Pheelz – “Ballin”

Following a phenomenal year which saw the release of standout tracks such as Davido-assisted “Electricity” and “Finesse” with BNXN fka Buju, Pheelz returns with new single, “Ballin.” On the mid-tempo self-produced track, the singer speaks about his recent achievements, attaining greater heights and enjoying life to the fullest. A catchy tune in time for the detty December period.

Savage – “Your Waist” ft. PsychoYP & King Perryy

Savage, PsychoYP and King Perryy make a stellar one-time boy band on new single, “Your Waist.” The new track finds all three artists speaking to their respective love interests and highlighting their importance and great physique. Over the melodious production of the track, King Perryy sings “And the way you move your waist, dey make me craze/Sisi see your waist o,” speaking to the attractiveness of his muse.

MayorKun – “Oshey Boys”

Mayorkun is known for his party-starting bops and the record “Oshey Boys” continues in this line of releases. Produced by Magicsticks, the new track finds the artist speaking about unapologetically staying true to himself and not paying attention to naysayers. Over an Amapiano-infused production, he sings standout lyrics such as “oh my god, I am impressed, you’re heaven sent/do better, correct yourself/before you collect.” 

Titose – “Cracks Of You”

Dealing with the loss of a long-term partner is brutal for anyone going through heartbreak. On her latest single, “Cracks of You,” uNder alum, Titose conjures the image of heartbreak adeptly through powerful lyrics such as “I’m trying to get to the deepest thinking/How I can get to the cracks of you/Hoping you love me too,” expressing the hold her love interest has over her.

Zoro – “Naira To Pounds” ft. Falz 

There have been a lot of conversations about the state of Rap music in Nigeria this year. On their latest record “Naira to Pounds,” Nigerian rappers Zoro and Falz trade bars about getting their shit popping and earning copious amounts of money. “Call aboki, change naira to pounds,” they chant over the song’s infectious hook, laying claim to their wealthy status and flexing their ability to deal in foreign currency.

Reekado Banks – “Holla Me”

Only a few weeks ago, singer and songwriter Reekado Banks arrived with the new dance-ready bop titled “Holla Me.” Over the weekend, to further amplify the track, the singer returned with a new Dammy Twitch-directed video. The lush visuals perfectly encapsulate the themes of the record including making money and spending on his love interest.

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE