Songs of the Day: New music from Don Jazzy, Cassper Nyovest, Vector & more
Your latest dose of great music from around Africa
Today, one could very easily argue that the Nigerian musical landscape is more liberated from the audience’s expectations than it’s ever been, and artists now have the room to re-imagine genres to fit their own personal expressions. This allows for an expansive range of new music from many different artists, which can become overwhelming, so we’ve decided to help out by sorting through new songs from across all the sub-genres around the continent to highlight all the new releases you absolutely Need to hear.
At the beginning of the week, we brought you new releases from Show Dem Camp, M.anifest, the Gorillaz-curated collaboration between Skepta and the late Tony Allen, and more. Today, we bring you a collaboration between Don Jazzy and Falz, Cassper Nyovest’s second single of this year, the lead single from a joint project between Vector and Masterkraft, and more. Dig in, and you’re welcome.
Don Jazzy x Falz – “Safe”
Don Jazzy’s evolution from mystical music producer to an icon with a jovial presence on social media has been interesting to watch. Two weeks ago, Don Jazzy shared a video of himself singing a coronavirus PSA, and fans immediately began to hound for the song’s official release. Now, he’s given people what they want with the new track, “Safe”, which is straightforward in its message, encouraging listeners to adhere to social distancing rules during these uncertain times, and also show love and support to family, friends and those around in whatever way possible. Falz also stops by for two verses, reinforcing Don Jazzy’s stance with his bracing raps.
Cassper Nyovest x Tweezy – “Amademoni”
In the years since his mainstream breakout, Cassper Nyovest has amassed a long list of achievements, and he makes sure to flaunt his acclaim every chance he gets. “Amademoni”, his second single of the year, finds the South African rapper in boastful form over a whirring drill beat—he notably namechecks Pop Smoke at the beginning of the song. Assisted by Tweezy, who delivers the catchy chorus, Cassper reiterates his status as a top dog in African rap music, backing it up with a music video loaded with snapshots of sold-out concerts and meetings with international superstars like J. Cole.
King Perryy – “Jigga”
Since capturing mainstream attention with the Timaya-assisted hit song, “Man on Duty”, King Perryy has remained active via a consistent run of singles and features. While the singer is currently prepping his debut project, tentatively titled ‘Citizen of the World’, he dropped a new single, “Jigga”, to celebrate his birthday a few days ago. Backed by a groovy beat which combines elements from Igbo folk and dancehall, King Perryy dedicates the club-ready anthem to friends and his supporters, imploring those who aren’t in this sect to “dey one side”.
TÖME x Wavy the Creator – “Magical Fruits”
Canada-based singer TÖME is currently gearing up to release her sophomore album, ‘Bigger than 4 Walls’, later this month, and she’s already giving us a peek into what to expect. A few days ago, she shared the vibrant “Free” as the lead single, and she’s now followed up with a second single, “Magical Fruits” featuring Wavy the Creator. TÖME and Wavy make a great musical pairing, conjuring images of a baecation on a tropical island, as their sensual vocals glide over the airy piano strings and lightly swinging drums.
Vector x Masterkraft – “If We Must (Sun x Rain)”
Less than six months after dropping ‘Vibes before Teslim’, Vector is preparing to drop ‘Crossroads’, a new joint EP with ace Afropop producer, Masterkraft. While the 5-track project will be released later this month, the pair have shared “If We Must (Sun x Rain)” as the lead single. Solely backed by angelic vocal samples and minimalist piano chords, Vector goes into stream of consciousness mode, rapping thoughtfully about the current pandemic, conspiracy theories and the divide between the haves and have-nots. “If We Must” hones in on the socially aware side Vector has always shown on social media and in interviews.
FSB – “High Enough”
In between their hedonistic intentions and savage-heavy lyrics, trap artists are quite adept at sneaking in personal stories and truths in a way that’s catchy and affecting. FSB’s “High Enough”, one of the standouts from his newly released debut project, ‘First Impression’, follows this M.O. “My ex say I need help, can’t look at my shelf”, FSB admits, immediately following up by bragging about the amount of Supreme gear he owns. Supported by a floating piano loop and reverbed 808 bass, he balances introspection and materialism, admitting the wrongs in his past relationship but also deferring to his growing wealth as something of a crotch.
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Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
ICYMI: LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC FROM GORILLAZ X SKEPTA X TONY ALLEN, M.ANIFEST, SHOWDEMCAMP AND MORE
Maya Amolo Is Committed To Giving You The Sweetest Time
There’s undoubtedly more to come from the talented singer as she looks to solidify herself as one of the...
“Sweetest Time,” Maya Amolo’s latest single, is a soothing, lovesick confessional that mixes intimate, heartfelt lyricism with wistful production courtesy of Ugandan musician and producer SOULCHYD aka MAUIMØON. Alongside fellow Kenyan singer Ywaya Tajiri, the self-acclaimed sweetest girl delivers a lustrous duet that sees her soft vocals, which perfectly complement Tajiri’s more robust voice, skip and flit across moody synths, intensifying the spotlight on her wholehearted delivery. “I can feel you rushing through my system / Every single day it’s my religion,” she sings passionately halfway into the record. The whole thing sounds like the aural equivalent of a warm blanket; a truly affectionate record that immerses and envelopes its listeners in its warmth. This is the brand of vulnerable, understated R&B music that has been helping Amolo gain significant attention since she debuted in the pandemic year.
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Amolo always had an affinity for music. The singer and producer, who took on piano and guitar lessons as a child, has previously credited acts like Brandy, Erykah Badu, Prince, and Kenyan musical icon Eric Wainaina as her early influences – and it’s easy to see how Amolo’s style draws from this strong lineage of musicians whose music is equally expansive, soothing and vulnerable. After years experimenting with different styles, recording covers to beats she ripped from YouTube and posting them on her Soundcloud page, Amolo released her debut project ‘Leave Me At The Pregame’ in 2020.
The EP, which quickly soared up the charts in Kenya, served as a brief but emphatic introduction to Amolo’s minimalistic take on R&B. Standouts like the emotive opener “Puddles,” “Lush Green”, and “Jokes” showcase her clever and poignant lyricism that reflects on themes of love, depression, and self-healing. Along with sparse, melancholic production and the icy sensuality of her voice, Amolo delivered a remarkable debut that made her one of the most promising figures in Nairobi’s alternative music scene. Two years after ‘Leave Me At The Pregame,’ the Kenyan rising star released her debut album, ‘Asali.’
‘Asali,’ which translates to “honey” in her native Kiswahili, showcased Amolo’s progression as both an artist and a human being, as she swapped out the sad-girl tunes that filled her debut EP for more vibrant and intricate records – thanks in part to Sir Bastien and Kenyan producer and rapper Lukorito – that explore themes of growth and the complexities and rich luster of love. The album’s lead singles, “Foundry” and the self-produced “Can’t Get Enough,” found relative success on streaming platforms, placing Amolo as one of the continent’s most exciting new R&B voices. About a year after the release of ‘Asali,’ Amolo updated the album with 8 new songs on a deluxe version that featured Kenyan stars like Bensoul, Xenia Manasseh and Zowie Kengocha.
In August 2024, a few months after she delivered a splendid Colors performance, Amolo released a new project titled ‘What a Feeling.’ The 5-track EP, which essentially serves as an ode to Amolo’s home city, Nairobi, sees her experimenting with an array of dance sub-genres without straying too far from her R&B roots. While the project still retains much of the melancholy and elegance that defined her earlier work, there’s a hypnotic and pulsating energy that courses through ‘What A Feeling,’ that highlights a shift in the singer’s sensibilities. Amolo’s honeyed vocals gently seep through subtle Dancehall, Electronic, R&B and House-inspired production and the accompanying visualizer, a mashup of camcorder footage of her and her friends in Nairobi, also adequately captures the charming and nocturnal vibe of the tape.
The project produced standout tracks like the sensual “Let It Flow,” the title track and “Take It,” which later got remixed by Ugandan singer Soundlykbb and rapper SGawD. With Amolo’s latest release, “Sweetest Girl,” the Kenyan rising star continues her intricate exploration of R&B music, merging it with varying styles to produce her own distinct and refreshing variant. There’s no telling what Amolo might do next, but with only a handful of releases to her name so far, there’s undoubtedly more to come from the talented singer as she looks to solidify herself as one of the genre’s most prominent faces across the continent.
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T.I Blaze Updates ‘Shakur’ EP With Deluxe Version
Following the success of “Trenches Luv,” the street-pop star is back with seven new songs on the deluxe...
Over the last few years, street-pop, a guttural version of afropop, has surged to mainstream popularity, birthing stars like Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi. On the homefront, a generation of younger stars also put unique spins on the sound. Singer, T.I Blaze, has been a notable star in the sub-genre since his 2021 single, “Sometimes,” and a subsequent remix with icon, Olamide, launched him into a different stratosphere.
Since “Sometimes,” Blaze has established his profile as a reliable source for songs that reflect the pulse of the streets while archiving his come-up story across a debut album (‘El Major’) and three extended plays like ‘The Fresh Prince Of Lagos’ and ‘Dangerous Wavy Baby.’ His 2024 EP, ‘Shakur,’ further underscored his evolution as an artist, featuring slippery numbers about escapism, his thoughts on life in the fast lane, and brotherhood with features from rising stars like Tml Vibez and BhadBoi Oml.
In 2025, the singer has picked up where he left off last year, releasing “Trenches Luv,” a balmy February release that examines the dynamics of romance from his point of view as a young adult moulded by the hard realities of life on the street. The success of “Trenches Luv” has led to a deluxe version of ‘Shakur’ with the singer adding seven new songs to the original version of the project. Impressively, on the new version of the project, TI Blaze taps up Ayo Maff and Ghanaian star Arathejay on “My Brother” and “Mario Remix,” respectively.
Led by a galala-inflected opener, “Track 1,” ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ is both raw and complex with the singer sounding refreshed on songs like “My Brother,” “Dodge,” and “Introduction.” In many ways, this project is an invitation for listeners to explore the many facets of T.I Blaze’s artistry as well as a portent to celebrate his roots and offer a glimpse at his evolution.
Listen to ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ here.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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