After the many wins forged by Afropop last year, the musical landscape has never looked more promising. As such the fast and furious pace of new music releases makes it hard to keep track of all the good music coming out of Africa. 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 weekend, we brought you new releases from Tekno, Skales, Laycon and more. This week, get into these new releases from Darkoo, Black Sherif, Poco Lee, Alpha P and more. Enjoy.

DARKOO— “ALWAYS” FEAT BLACK SHERIFF

Darkoo is a shape-shifting sonic genius. Whether she’s delivering rapid-fire bars on drill beats or dishing catchy carefree lyrics on punch Afropop instrumentation, she has the uncanny ability to contort her presence to fit a far-reaching sonic expanse. On “Always”, she joins forces with Ghanaian drill artist, Black Sheriff for a piquant romantic number. Over the mid-tempo instrumentation underscored by sombre melodies, the duo take turns rapping up a dreamy romantic ballad. 

SHALOM DUBAS— “DON’T LEAVE

“Don’t Leave” is a heavily introspective tune upholstered by sombre ethereal instrumentation. On the track, Shalom sounds forlorn as she alternates between singing and rapping, putting words to feeling alone and not wanting to feel isolated.  Her tone and her delivery are incredible—contorting her voice to convey a smorgasbord of emotions— segueing from dismay to apathy to passion. 

ASA — “IDG” FEAT WIZKID

Asa sent ripples pulsating through the music soundscape in the country and beyond when she released her fifth studio album ‘V’ this weekend. Among the leading fan-favourites is the Wizkid-assisted “IDG”. Time and space seem to lose their potency in the music Asa makes. Whether she’s writing pensive staid pieces, or sultry ballads, her music is for giving yourself to the moment. On the song, Asa and Wizkid take turns delivering dreamy verses over a mid-tempo stripped down instrumentation, singing about hope, hardwork and longing, with lyrics like “I don’t go where no love, Where my home o”.

POCO LEE—“YARD” FEAT ALPHA-P, BLACK SHERIFF, BELLA SHMURDA 

Poco Lee made a ginormous dent in the Afropop scene when he teamed up with Portable, P Prime and Olamide for the culture defining hit song “Zazuu” last year. On his latest track, he recruits P.Priime, Alpha-P, Black Sheriff and Bella Shmurda for yet another street pop jam. The fully stacked roster of illustrious talents on the song adds dynamism and flavour to the track, with each verse taking a new turn, and elevating its infectiousness. 

DICE AILES— “LADIES FIRST” FT TIWA SAVAGE

Dice Ailes is most notable for his sultry voice and his archetypal syncopated flows over Afropop instrumentation. On this number, he is assisted by fellow Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage to deliver his archetypal sound. They deliver a seamless duet over a pulsating lo-fi beat. Using lyrics like “Hold me, He say baby no let me go Nah Nah hold me” to express their romantic affections for a muse.

T.I BLAZE— “OBA” FEAT BARRY JHAY

T.I BLAZE became a memorable figure when he burst into the Afropop scene a few months ago with his Olamide-assisted street anthem “Sometimes”. He recently released a six-track EP titled ‘The Fresh Prince of Lagos’ which included the standout single
“Oba” featuring Barry Jhay. “Oba” is a poignant soulful song punctuated by guitar riffs with memorable and catchy lyrics. T.I Blaze and Barry Jay eulogise and sing praises to God, contorting their voices to that of traditional Yoruba folk-song musicians.

NONSO AMADI — “FOREIGNER”

Following a long drawn hiatus, genius singer and songwriter Nonso Amadi swaggers back onto the music scene with a mid-tempo Afropop number. On “Foreigner”, he sings about his romantic attraction to an unknown woman, using expertly fashioned lyrics to this effect. “Finally spoke my mind, they you dey listen. Show me the doors to your heart baby I’m breaking in,” he sings on the record, making his intentions known to his muse.