We’re more than 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, 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. This Friday, enjoy new music from Victony, Mo’Believe, Bella Alubo and more. Dig in!

S HIGH FT. ZINOLEESKY & VICTONY – “HYPNOTIZE”

Produced by Telz, “Hypnotize” is officially a star-studded affair. Days earlier, clips from the recording session went on socials, keeping many amped about what Zino and Victony would sound like today. Now here, it’s obvious the chemistry as both artists unfurl bad boy lyrics over a serene, guitar-licked beat. Their distinct voices are perfectly in sync, making the record an ear candy that should become more accepted as the days pass.

RIA SEAN – “UPTOWN GIRL”

Since breaking out with a deal from Aristokrat Records, Ria Sean has consistently imprinted her distinct sound on a section of Afropop lovers. With a sophomore project expected sometime this year, Sean has released a new single. “Uptown Girl” draws from her R&B-toned direction, with evocative strings and soft drums enlivening the mood. Her delivery is as sleek as ever, with lyrics like “you need a fling like me” spelling out the record’s sensual intent.

BELLA ALUBO FT. 1DA BANTON – “SUGA BABY”

It’s been a minute since we got new music from Bella, and with “Suga Baby” she makes the return worthy. Over colourful percussions and notes, she unfurls stories of a relationship with great candour and wit. Her choice of 1Da Banton to form a duet proves to be affecting as well, the “No Wahala” musician blending quite beautifully with her chosen direction.

KING PERRYY – TURKEY NLA

Slowly but expectedly, Nigerian musicians are weaning their sound of Amapiano. This weekend, Perryy’s “Turkey Nla” happens to be one of the few records to tap from those recognisable log drums. He however makes good of the influence, sketching his ethos in deft style throughout the song’s runtime. Very much understanding of his voice, he goes from cool to energetic in a matter of seconds, following the synth-streaked production in its latter parts.

JIMOHSOUNDZ & SUSSS – “YOUR LOVE”

Warm serenade, tropical production. “Your Love” is a well-structured record from the duo of Jimohsoundz and Susss, flying the mid-tempo sound that’s now popular across Nigerian Pop. “I really really need your love,” they sing on the chorus, underlining the motivations at the centre of the record. The Dancehall inflection was also very crucial in diversifying the record’s sound, and there’s no doubt this forms a credible backlog for both rising musicians.

CECE VEE – “SHOOTING STARS”

South African musician Cece Vee has released a new record. “Shooting Stars,” like the title suggests, is a record shooting with triumphant synths and Vee’s sunny vocals. It’s an exhilarating record, the one you throw your head back to and take in the beauty of nature. Quite telling as well, that the video is entirely shot in the woods, with sci-fi elements like a lightsabre mirroring the glistering influence of eighties-influenced synth-wave on the production.

T3AGRAY – “TAKE THE RAIN AWAY”

uNder alum T3agray has marked out a psychedelic direction in his music, utilising Punk Rock and Emo Rap as the primary outlets for delivering his affecting songs. “Take The Rain Away” emerges from that tradition, bemoaning the loss of a relationship with all the attendant emotions that comes with it. A swinging guitar forms the backdrop, with purposeful splashes of drums bringing more life into the production. As ever, T3agray’s lyrics are haunting and searching, as he pleads, “why don’t you take the rain away, stay for another day”.

LOVN – “JUMOKE”

Not long ago, we included Lovn’s “Caution” among our Songs of the Day, a record which flaunted Highlife influences with the unmissable sleek delivery of Lovn. Earlier today, the talented musician released his project, ‘This Is Lovn,’ which is meant to display his range. “Jumoke” is a stellar addition to that project, a Pheelz-produced record which sees him bare his singing gifts to beautiful effect. Every bit a love song, the vulnerability of Lovn’s lyrics, as well as his pristine vocals, marks him out as an artist who has all the potential to become much bigger in the coming months.