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, 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 Tanasha Donna, Deto Black, Runda, 9ice and more. Dig in.

Tanasha Donna – “Karma” ft Barak Jacuzzi

Kenyan singer and songwriter Tanasha Donna is here with new single “Karma,” which features a guest verse from Barak Jacuzzi. The record sees the rapper spitting disrespectful lyrics over the song’s bouncy production. She sings lyrics such as “why you all up in my face, all in my business copy and paste/bitch i’m a star, you’re riding my wave,” to her opps and haters. 

Deto Black – “Bad S.L.U.T” ft. Mowalola 

Last week, Deto Black and Mowalola shared a new infectious single titled, “Bad S.L.U.T,” a braggadocious number that found them talking smack to the haters. Now, the pair have updated the track with a new video that finds both artists making the most important vow of all. The Chukwaka Nwobi-directed video features clips of Deto Black and Mowalola tying the knot, to the horror of a stunned Nigerian crowd. 

Runda – “No One”

On Nigerian singer and songwriter Runda’s new record “No One,” he explores the possibilities of love and romance with the woman of his dreams. Over the melodious production of the record, the artist sings “No one no one no one, no one fit to love you like I do/All i want is you, have sex girl let’s do,” expressing the hold she has over him and his life.

9ice – “Aye Labowo”

After his brief hiatus from releasing any solo music, veteran singer 9ice made his return to the music scene back in 2020 with the release of ‘Fear Of God,’ a 9-track album. This year, he’s also released a slew of singles including “Igabadun” and “Strong Thing.” The singer now arrives with a new mid tempo record titled “Aye Labowo,” a track which sees the artist chanting prayers to his maker in his Yoruba dialect. 

Borelson – “411” ft. Omaremii & Moncliche

Gabonese-Congolese Afrofusion artist and rapper, Borelson has  teamed up with Nigerian artist-producer Omaremii and Congolese Afropop artist Moncliche to deliver the infectious new record “411.” The catchy record is a summer bop that delivers a glorious melting pot of sounds, driven by Rap, R&B and Afropop. 

Tha Boy Myles – “Shawty” ft. Skiibii

For the record “Shawty,” newcomer Tha Boy Myles teams up with Skiibii to deliver a romantic number which finds them singing to their love interests about the things he’ll want to do to prove his love for her. Over the Niphkeys production, Tha Boy Myles sings sweet words such as “my baby, how much be money wey I no get for you/how much be motor wey I no fit buy for you.”

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE