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 DBN Gogo, Timaya, ShineTTW, and more. Lock in!

DBN Gogo – “Uyathandeka” ft. Stixx, BoiBizza & MaWhoo

Fresh off the Art X Live stage, South African record producer and DJ, DBN Gogo is gearing up for the release of her new album, ‘What’s Real’ next month. Ahead of this, she’s teasing its release with new single, “Uyanthandeka,” which finds her teaming up with South African heavyweights Stixx, BoiBizza and MaWhoo for a new Amapiano-tinged number. The catchy new release finds all three artists trading romantic lyrics over a propulsive beat that all but demands you stop and dance.

Timaya – “Sweet Us” 

Veteran singer and songwriter Timaya is back and better. Following the release of 2020’s ‘Gratitude,’ it seems that the singer is ready to open his book for the year officially. For his first official release this year, Timaya shares the braggadocious new track titled “Sweet Us.” Produced by Michon, the new record finds the singer sending a note to his opps about how well he’s been doing. Over the catchy production, he sings “As e dey sweet us, e dey pain them/as e dey pain them, e dey sweet us,” in reference to his opps. 

evrYwhr, Patoranking – “Roll On Me”

Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, evrYwhr, features Nigerian superstar, Patoranking for the new record titled “Roll On Me.” Produced by Trakmatik, Swanky, Hvstle, the smooth, almost ethereal love song boasts a sexy sound rooted in Afrobeats and Caribbean music with sonics that travels across the borders. Speaking about the new collaboration, evrYwhr states: “”It was important that I recorded “Roll On Me” with Patoranking in Nigeria to immerse myself in the afrobeat rhythms and culture. While there, I fell in love with the music, food, and fashion.”

Krizbeatz – “NFY (Not For You)” ft. Seyi Vibez & Jamopyper 

Krizbeats is an infectious beats smith. After lending his delectable production to many other artists in the Afropop scene for the past few years, he’s now adding a new feather to his cap by sharing his new EP, ‘King of New School’ which appropriately captures his role as a purveyor of the vibrant percussive sound that’s made a return to mainstream domination in recent years. Standout single, “NFY” translates that vision melodically, featuring the street-hop duo of Jamopyper and Seyi Vibez. Over deletable keys and Afropop drums, the artists colour the record with sweet words for their respective lovers.

Yinka – “Two Weeks”

For the past few years, Olayinka Ehi has become a force to be reckoned with in the music scene. Her forceful voice floats scenically over slow-paced instrumentals, offering up smooth, laid back vibes to her growing population of listeners. Now, with a renewed sense of vision, Olayinka re-emerges as Yinka with new single, “Two Weeks.” The new romantic number soundtracks the early stages of a new crush or budding relationship as Yinka sings, “It feels like a lifetime with you/But it’s only been two weeks.”

Toyboi – “Toy Story” ft. Efya

Ghanaian singer, songwriter and rapper, Toyboi returns with a new offering: his debut 4-track EP titled ‘Toy’s Story.’ On the standout record “Toy Story” which features Ghanaian singer Efya, the artist tells the story of his life and everything leading up to his current standing. “I no fit tell you all the things I dey see/but I fit tell you all the things I dey dream,” he spits, painting a picture that visualises his experiences on the streets of his home country.

Boochi – “My Way” 

Talented producer and musician Boochi has only recently released his debut project, but the youngster is obviously onto bigger things. An indication reveals itself through the EP’s title, ‘FAME’ which is an acronym for From Another Man’s Perspective. “My Way” is a standout of the record, a breezy listen which builds on the exhilarating mood of Boochi’s vocals gently lapping against the production. By the record’s end you feel some sense of his frustration, the sharpness of his turmoil that’s enabled him to contribute a short but significant part of our understanding concerning the human condition. 

DJ Yo, Goya Menor – “Cleopatra” ft. Alex Price

After soundtracking last summer with his infectious single, Nigerian artist Goya Menor arrives with the new track titled “Cleopatra” featuring DJ Yo and Alex Price. The new single lends its production from Amapiano-inflected drums while also blending Pop and Dancehall elements to create a romantic track that deserves to be on your playlists.

Dusten Truce – “KEEP IT KEWT”

Following the release of his new single, Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter, Dusten Truce shares the accompanying video for “KEEP IT KEWT,” which is plucked from his album, ‘Smoke Break.’ The befitting video features Dusten performing the song’s catchy verses while mimicking the direct-to-consumer layout of social media apps such as TikTok, which is set against the backdrop of Lagos City and its buzzing inhabitants.

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE