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. Earlier this week, we brought you new releases from 1da Banton, Magixx, Sess, Diamond Platnumz and more. This week, get into these new releases from Omah Lay, Dave, King Promise and more.  Enjoy.

OMAH LAY — “ATTENTION” FT. JUSTIN BIEBER

After sending seismic ripples through the Afropop scene since 2020 with the release of his ‘Get Layd’ EP and ‘What Have We Done,’ Omah Lay begins the year with the Justin Bieber-assisted “Attention”. The number is a beautiful dreamy mid-tempo R&B ballad, tinctured with delectable elements of Afropop.

On the song, Omah Lay and Justin Bieber take turns expressing their desire for attention from a love interest with poignant melodies that are front and centre of the new track. “Attention” is the lead single from Omah Lay’s forthcoming LP ‘Boy Alone,’ which is expected to drop later this year. In the accompanying purple-hued video, the pair are set in a bonfire party, crowded with swaths of sweaty young bodies, dancing and drinking to the infectious mid-tempo track. 

CRUEL SANTINO — FINAL CHAMPION

Middle last year, Santi sent social media into a frenzy when he released a snippet of “Final Champion,” setting off a cascade of reactions — from TikTok’s to memes by his loyal legion of Gen Z fans. Almost a year following this euphoric high, the avant-garde act finally drops his much-anticipated sophomore album ‘Subaru Boys: Final Heaven’ which finally brings “Final Champion” into the land of the living. The track sees Santi seamlessly deliver punchy lyrics such as “weyrey touch me,” over a slow burn dreamy instrumental, maintaining the mid-tempo cadence that colours the project.

W4 — “Let Me Know” FT. BNXN

Following a long drawn hiatus, singer W4 makes his return on the scene with the BNXN-assisted “Let Me Know”. “Let Me Know” has a stripped-down Afro-piano production, marked by pensive guitar riffs and melodies, and sleek drums. On the song, the pair sing directly to their muse about their desire and the great lengths they would go to make her happy. 

DAVE — “STARLIGHT”

In 2020, Dave’s sonical trajectory swivelled a new arc. On his 2020-album ‘We’re All In This Together,’ he opted for a more stripped-down production and leaned towards greater introspection. On his latest release “Starlight”, the mercurial UK whiz continues on this trajectory. The track feels heavy under the weight of his personal reflection, coloured by somber melodies as Dave delivers his verse in his recently release capsule collection at Corteiz. The effect is a poignant listen that reels in listeners, compelling them to listen with rapt attention to Dave’s shrewd poetry.

KING PROMISE — “BAD N RUDE” FT WSTRN

For “Bad n Rude”, Ghanian superstar King Promise teams up with WSTRN. The track’s production is marked by sleek percussion and elaborate gospel-like piano melodies. The pair layer lush euphoric vocals on the soulful production as they deliver inspirational lyrics about rising to the top and wanting to live a life free from troubles. 

JILEX ANDERSON — “WITH YOU”

“With You” is Jilex Anderson’s debut release of the year. An affably sunny mid-tempo Afropop number, “With You” is populated with sleek drums, melodic keys and Jilex’s sultry vocals. On the new track, he rains praises and expresses his strong desire for his muse, in the bouncy cadence of archetypal Afropop songs, with lyrics like “Playing hide and seek but na you I want find, …”

DCHRIZ — “7 DAYS” FT. ZINOLEESKY

For “7 Days”, D CHRIZ taps man-of-the-moment Zinoleesky. The two combine to create a dreamy magnetic Afropop number, upholstered by bouncy percussion and poignant synths. Zinoleesky’s sultry vocals elevate the track as he sings about commitment to his muse. D Chriz holds up his end as he serves up brilliantly fashioned lyrics about the lengths he’d go to protect his muse. The effect is an interesting soulful ballad. 

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