Ghetto Youth (Freestyle) – Wizkid
It may seem odd to put a Wizkid track in the “Cloud” category, typically reserved for gems from young, exciting talent destined to make waves, but this song fits perfectly. A freestyle reminiscent of the early Wizkid records, he frees his current mainstream shackles to let off some steam.
Based – To Name A Few
From the band that gave us “Stay Over”, a haunting debut single that tests the limits of melody and human emotions comes this oriental stoner fix. “Based” is prepared with very little flair and just the right amount of groove to flip everything their first single made you feel.
Science (Demo) – Odunsi & Zamir
If you have followed Odunsi’s droopy, basement-level production from inception, you would have probably come across one or two songs like “Science” on his SoundCloud. This cut is a collaboration with rapper Zamir, fka Yung Killing of LOS. Definitely need the final version of this.
Lagos City Wave – Daramola
A silent prayer can be said for Daramola not to become repetitive in style and melody, but how possible is that even, with a voice fit to melt stone? On “Lagos City Wave”, Daramola’s ever present female woes is a running theme, but at the core of his latest single is a tribute to the city of his birth, even as he alludes to her as a woman, you’re immediately aware home is where his heart is.
Pot of Jollof
Opoju – DJ Spinall x Wizkid
We’re slowly coming to an end of what has been a long roll out ahead of the release of Wizkid’s third studio album. “Opoju” is a collaboration with DJ Spinall and one of two freestyles the Starboy recently released on his SoundCloud page.
Charliee – Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade’s “Charliee” is many things. A hit, as always with Ms Alade. A Ghanaian hip-life sex song, as tends to be the wave right now. An uber-chill dance track, but perhaps most crucially it signals the end of her Mama Africa era.
Man Already – Poe
As the saying goes, the cloth does make the man, it really happens the other way around. And as if to prove the fact, Poe’s first single under Mavin is the exact kind of hard statement you would expect from an already well-versed rapper, newly signed to one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful labels.
Overseas
Upgrade U – Lil Wayne
In a week where everyone and their mum seems to be talking about an apparent best rapper alive, it is a great time to remind people of a time when there was an undisputed best rapper alive in 2007. Also, Da Drought 3 turned 10 last week. He should have left with Juvie.
Juice & Power (feat. Yxng Bane) – Afro B
Yxng Bane is one of the artists that has benefitted the most from the popularisation of the “Afro-Bashment” wave, and he delivers again on this standout from the Afro B mixtape.
Duckworth – Kendrick Lamar
DAMN. has been critically praised to the heavens, and the album closer justifies this. Story-telling brilliance from a phenomenal lyricist.
Right Now – DAP The Contract
After his heartfelt “Open Letter” last week, DAP released the visuals to “Right Now” the first single from his upcoming Two Roads EP.
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,...
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.
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...
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:
The SA house music pioneers are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release.
South African house music pioneers, Black Motion, are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release...
South African house music pioneers, Black Motion, are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release titled “Khululeka.” True to its meaning in isiZulu— “be free” or “find peace”—this track is an anthem of liberation, urging listeners to let go, embrace love, and heal through the power of music.
With their signature percussion-driven melodies and the soul-stirring vocal chants of King Monopoly, “Khululeka” transcends the dancefloor. It is a spiritual and emotional journey, carrying an energy that is both uplifting and transformative. Whether in personal reflection or in the collective movement of a crowd, the song invites listeners to surrender to its message and rediscover love—both within and around them.
Since their formation in 2010 in Soshanguve, Black Motion—made up of Murdah Bongz (born Robert Mahosana), and Thabo (born Roy Thabo Mabogwane)—has become a dominant force in global house music. Their debut single, “Banane Mavoko,” put them on the map, and their albums, including the gold-certified Fortune Teller and the platinum-selling Ya Badimo, have cemented their status as pioneers of the genre. Their collaborations with artists like Oskido and Black Coffee, along with accolades such as multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs), have solidified their place at the forefront of African electronic music.
Over the years, Black Motion has partnered with brands like Ballantine’s, Sony Xperia, and Coke Studio, and they are looking to partner with more under their new label Intascore, expanding their influence beyond music. With a combined social media reach of over 2.2 million followers, their music resonates with audiences worldwide, uniting people through rhythm, culture, and movement.