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 Jae5, Dave, Camidoh, Wande Coal, DJ Tunez, and more. Dig in.

JAE5 – “Propeller” ft. Dave & BNXN

On “Propeller”, UK based producer Jae5 unites rapper Dave with Nigerian singer, BNXN (fka Buju). BNXN opens the track with his buttery smooth vocals, singing “been a long time since I learned to put rhymes together, spin round your block I’m a big propeller” as he reminds listeners of how far he has come with his craft. Rapper Dave steps in and lays two stellar verses on the record with BNXN singing the hook at intervals. 

DJ Tunez – “Bad Girl” ft. Wande Coal & Victony 

DJ Tunez brings Wande Coal, Victony and P.Priime together to deliver new single “Bad Girl.” Over the stellar production of the fiery new record, Wande Coal and Victony are a divine pairing, feeding off each other’s energies and lyrics.

Victony sings “bad girl don’t you run away now, girl” calling on his love interest to remain with him. Wande Coal also delivers a standout verse, as he chants lyrics such as “bad girl don’t run away now, e get many things I want to say now/pretty girl come my way now, I get many  things I like to show ya.” 

T-Classic – “Oliver Twist”

Nigerian born singer and songwriter T-Classic has arrived with his sophomore EP ‘Voicenote,’ a 6-track project which features a guest verse from S1mba. On the project opener and standout track “Oliver Twist,” T-Classic speaks on his love for beautiful women and how he can’t seem to commit to one. He quips “So make I follow the way, the way of Oliver Twist” as he plays on the tale of Oliver Twist who was never satisfied.

Camidoh – “Kaba” 

Ghanaian singer Camidoh held down the airwaves recently with his hit single “Sugarcane Remix” which featured Mayorkun, King Promise and Darkoo. Now, the singer is back with another catchy tune titled “Kaba.” The mid-tempo record sees Camidoh delivering a catchy verse about the complexities of love and dating in modern times.

Ayüü – “2 Müch” 

Abuja-based singer Ayüü has arrived with his second official single of the year. On the Lë Mav-produced “2 Müch,” he melds R&B sensibilities with heavy Afropop drums while singing lyrics such as “Sometimes it feels like I’m at peace but then, i start talking to you/Got betrayed sacrificed sha, Still walking with you.”

Mau From Nowhere – “Our Favourite Songs”

uNder alum, mau from nowhere is an experimental artist often toying with unconventional sounds. Following the release of his previous single, “Fireflies,” earlier this month, the singer returns with a new track titled “Our Favourite Songs.” Over the song’s mid-tempo production, he sings “I know you’re scared to chase it, scared of who’ll do you wrong/So we’re celebrating, making all our favourite songs,” reassuring her of their shared love.

Bryann – “Juju Pt. 2” (A COLORS Performance) 

Fresh Meat album (now known as uNder) took the internet by storm when he debuted as a contestant on the ongoing season 7 of Big Brother Naija. Now, the singer joins the long line of Nigerian artists featured on the COLORS platform with his new single,  “Juju Pt. 2.” On the Spax-produced record, he sings “forget the thing dey do me pon pon, the thing dey high me like sawdust/i’m addicted, I’m addicted to you,” to his love interest, as he reveals how deep his love runs for her.

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE