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 Runtown, PsychoYP, Seyi Vibez and more. Lock in!

RUNTOWN – “THINGS I KNOW”

Nigerian Afropop act Runtown returns to our airwaves after a two-year hiatus with a new single “Things I Know.” On the mid-tempo record, which carries hints of Amapiano, Runtown declares his devotion to a lover while also aiming shots at detractors. “Steady trying, amma trying to keep my vibe/I no getti time for no fucking parasite/I just want liquor and a likkle bit of Ice/Money and my peace I never compromise,” he sings. “Things I Know” serves as a warm-up to Runtown’s forthcoming album ‘SIGNS.’

PSYCHOYP – “OK, ALRIGHT” FT. ALPHA P

‘YPSZN 3,’ the final instalment in Psycho YP’s YPSZN series, is out. The project features guest appearances from Zlatan, Alpha P, Azanti, Jeriq, BackRoad Gee and Odumodublvck, among others. One of the standout songs on the project is the Alpha P-assisted “Ok, Alright,” where both artists let off braggadocios lines through dexterous flows. “You got kids at home but I got cash at home,” Alpha P raps.

SEYI VIBEZ – “DARLING” FT. SIMI

Off Seyi Vibez’s newly released debut album, “Darling,” which features Simi is a love ballad. Over LarryLanes’ mid-tempo production, Seyi Vibez and Simi sing about the lovers in their lives and about how they will continue to shower them with affection. “When she text, I dey text right back/Her selfie pon mi Snapchat/She said “I’m ride or die”/That’s why she be my type,” Seyi Vibez sings.

GOLD UP, REEKADO BANKS & BEENIE MAN – “BLUE SKIES”

Made up of Raph and Zack Ariyah, Gold Up recruit Nigerian artist Reekado Banks and Dancehall veteran Beenie Man for “Blue Skies,” a warm track about good vibes. Reekado Banks and Beenie Man liken the presence of their lovers to the balminess tree-lined paths at beach sides. “Under the blue skies/Feeling is so nice/We be here all night/Having a good time yeah,” Reekado Banks sings.

KOREDE BELLO – “AVAILABLE”

Korede Bello’s “Available” is an upbeat, Amapiano-flavoured track. On the record, he requests to know if his love interest is willing to give him a trial as he promises to treat her right. The track also interpolates some melodies of other music stars, e.g. Micheal Jackson’s “Yeah, yeah” from “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.”

ELTEE SKHILLZ – “BREAKFAST”

Fresh off releasing the deluxe edition of his ‘Body of Work’ EP, Nigerian singer Eltee Skhillz is back with “Breakfast,” another Amapiano-influenced banger. In the same carefree yet infectious style as his smash hit “ODG,” Skhillz is nimble as he floats on the beat while declaring his impenetrability against heartbreak. “If na my money you go chop belleful/You know say Odogwu no dey chop breakfast,” he sings.

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