The Top Nigerian Afro-Gospel Songs You Need to Hear Right Now 2025 The Afro-gospel genre is thriving in 2025. OkayAfrica puts together a list of 10 essential Nigerian songs from the genre, featuring Mercy Chinwo, Lawrence Oyor, Anendlessocean, and more. music September 11, 2025
Moroccan Songstress ilham Invites You to Escape on Her ‘uhm…ok?’ EP The Moroccan American alternative R&B-pop artist will drop her independently-released EP ‘uhm...ok?’ on Sep 19, continuing on her journey from Queensbridge projects to rising stardom. music September 11, 2025
The Top Afro Jazz Songs You Need to Hear Right Now 2025 From the deeply rooted traditions of South African jazz, to the horn-driven, rhythmically intricate sound of Ethio-jazz, and the vibrant, cascading energy of Afrobeat, these are the top Afro Jazz songs right now. music September 10, 2025
Skales Is Making the World Dance Again, With a Little Help From Lamine Yamal Earlier this year, the Nigerian artist’s 2014 hit “Shake Body” gained global popularity, thanks to FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. OkayAfrica catches up with the music star, fresh off a major collaboration with one of sport’s biggest brands. music September 10, 2025
Nairobi’s Studio Can-V Is the Future of Kenyan Nightlife & Music Get to know the new accessible music studio in Nairobi, gaining lots of buzz, empowering young DJs, and reshaping the future of Kenya’s nightlife scene. music September 9, 2025
Tyla, Ayra Starr and Moliy Shine at MTV VMAs 2025 With Tyla winning Best Afrobeats for “PUSH 2 Start,” the 2025 MTV VMAs on Sept 7 in New York also showcased African stars Ayra Starr and Moliy. news September 8, 2025
Guedra Guedra’s ‘MUTANT’ is a Pan-African Sonic Archive The Moroccan producer releases his second album of experimental Pan-African music, re-centering polyrhythms and the many stories behind the voices. music September 2, 2025
The Top Southern African Songs to Stream Right Now: August 2025 Edition For the music highlights from Southern Africa in August, we dig into alternative genres from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and beyond. music August 30, 2025
The Top Afrobeats Songs to Stream Right Now: August 2025 Edition The standout records from August include songs from Tiwa Savage, Victony, Ebne Hakim, Amaarae, and other rising stars pushing the Afrobeats sound to new heights. music August 29, 2025
To Make Her Debut Album, ‘After Midnight,’ Gyakie First Had to Find Inner Peace The Ghanaian artist's debut album is a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and soul, guided by her openness and self-discovery. music August 29, 2025
SPINALL Wants to Take the ‘Èkó Groove’ Afrobeats Sound to the World In his new album, the revered Afrobeats tastemaker combines colorful sonics with exciting features. Marking his sixth project, OkayAfrica talks to SPINALL about the making of ‘Èkó Groove’ and his wide-ranging career. music August 29, 2025
The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: August 29, 2025 The best new African music tracks that came out this week, featuring Tiwa Savage, Wizkid x Young Jonn, Lordkez x Cassper Nyovest, and more. music August 29, 2025
11 South African Women Musicians Pushing the Boundaries As Women’s Month concludes in South Africa, OkayAfrica celebrates 11 women in music who are redefining the industry. music August 28, 2025
The Top West African Songs to Stream Right Now: August 2025 Music Guide In this monthly music guide, enjoy the top West African songs of August 2025 from Josey, Bella Alubo, Serge Beynaud, Taves, and more, highlighted by OkayAfrica. music August 28, 2025
The Best East African Songs Right Now: August 2025 Edition OkayAfrica rounds up the best new music to come out of Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania this August. Enjoy the best new East African music below. music August 27, 2025
The Best Amapiano Songs Right Now: August 2025 Edition This list of the latest hits and trending tracks features Aymos, Xduppy, M00tion, and other top amapiano artists. music August 26, 2025
The Best North African Songs Right Now: August 2025 Edition FromElmiene’s Sudanese soul toDranagov’s Moroccan rap, this month’s list features summer’s last romantic tracks with a fresh turn towards more timeless music. music August 26, 2025
African Songs You Need to Hear This Week The best new African music tracks that came out this week, featuring Zee Nxumalo, Blaqbonez, Amaarae, Flavour x The Cavemen, and more. music August 22, 2025
Listen to Odumodublvck, Stormzy & Zlatan’s Highlife-Influenced Single, “Pay Me” Released on August 22, 2025, “Pay Me” by the Nigerian and UK trio rides melodic highlife beats and snappily rapped bars. music August 22, 2025
Mr Eazi Drops “Casanova,” the Lead Single From His Upcoming ‘Maison Rouge’ EP The Afrobeats star returns with a playful yet vulnerable confession of love, and a video directed by Ademola Falomo and filmed in Barcelona. music August 22, 2025
Shatta Wale Released on Bail in $4M Fraud Case The dancehall superstar is under investigation for failing to identify the seller of a Lamborghini Urus that was flagged as part of the proceeds of a case in the U.S. music August 21, 2025
Op-Ed: Like Moliy and Tyla, More African Artists Should Lean Into Long-Term Music Promotion Moliy’s months-long promotion strategy via a consistent online presence is a useful template for emerging artists looking to cut above the noise in an era of abundant options. music August 21, 2025
Lesotho’s Sannere Honors His Ancestors on New Album, 'Sehopotso' The singer expands his sound on 'Sehopotso,' a six-track project weaving gospel, reggae, and famo music influences into a meditation on dreams, fame, and ancestral memory. music August 21, 2025
US Unchanged Policy on Somalia Stalls Somaliland Recognition Quest The unrecognized state in the Horn of Africa is betting its Red Sea access and mineral wealth can convince the Trump administration to break with international consensus after decades of diplomatic isolation. news August 19, 2025
South African Rapper K.Keed Refused to Freestyle, Sparking Hip-Hop Debate Online A radio interview had the Internet talking about whether or not freestyling is still essential in South African hip-hop culture. news August 18, 2025
African Songs You Need to Hear This Week The best new African music tracks that came out this week, featuring Tiwa Savage, Nasty C, Yemi Alade, Ebne Hakim, and more music August 15, 2025
Did Tyla Flop? The Misunderstanding Behind ‘WWP’ Streaming Numbers Social media debates are calling the South African star's latest EP a ‘flop,’ but her streaming numbers and global impact tell a very different story. music August 14, 2025
Mádé Kuti Asks the Difficult Questions on ‘Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?’ OkayAfricasits down with the Nigerian artist to discuss his robust interpretation of Afrobeat and his new album’s roving vision. music August 13, 2025
How Mavin Global Is Pushing Local Growth Within the Afrobeats Industry Recent initiatives are broadening the entry level for creatives and music executives in the Nigerian music industry and beyond. music August 12, 2025
Tems Is Building a Legacy Beyond Music with Her Leading Vibe Initiative The Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer hosted a 2-day event for her new initiative, which aims to support African women artists through mentorship, workshops, and strategic opportunities. music August 12, 2025
Odeal Will Save Your Summer — and Every Other Season The British Nigerian singer-songwriter’s new project, 'The Summer That Saved Me,'is a sensuous depiction of summer, but his music has always been so much more. Fusing R&B with Afrobeats and alte sensibilities, he’s cornered a unique space in the international music scene. music August 12, 2025
A Timeline of Davido and Chioma Rowland’s Love Story as They Tie the Knot – Again – in Miami Almost five years after their engagement, the couple is flaunting their faith in their bond with another lavish wedding ceremony event. news August 12, 2025
DJ Maphorisa Brings Amapiano Heat as Mainland Block Party Returns to NYC The Lagos-born street party collective joins forces with the South African hitmaker for round two of its U.S. takeover. music August 11, 2025
African Songs You Need to Hear This Week The best new African music tracks that came out this week featuringVictony, Shekhinah, Wendy Shay, Amaarae,andKwesi Arthur. music August 8, 2025
Tommy Wá’s Soulful New Folk EP, ‘Somewhere Only We Go,’ Offers a Soft Place to Land On his new release, the Nigerian guitarist blends celestial folk music with quiet emotional depth and invites listeners into a world of tenderness and surrender. music August 8, 2025
Amaarae’s New Album ‘Black Star’ Explores Love, Desire, and Euphoria For her third album,Black Star, the Ghanaian artist known for her experimental and defiant sound, toys with matters of euphoria, desire, and emotional contradictions. news August 8, 2025
What It’s Like To … Be an Afrobeats Songwriter Mbryo, born Maxwell Omoferi, is one of the foremost songwriters in Afrobeats. He has co-written Grammy-nominated hits for stars like Ayra Starr, Davido, and Magixx. His rise from the streets of Lagos to the global music stage is both inspirational and instructive. news August 6, 2025
Maglera Doe Boy’s “God Is Power” Music Video Turns Township Grit Into Cinematic Art Set in Kanana township and styled like a Roman noir, Maglera’s latest video is a mythic origin story that reframes kasi life through sacred symbolism and surrealist visual language. music August 5, 2025
The Best Southern African Songs Right Now: July 2025 Edition For the music highlights from Southern Africa in July, we dig into alternative genres from Eswatini, South Africa, Mozambique, and beyond. music August 2, 2025
African Songs You Need to Hear This Week The best new African music tracks that came out this week featuring Rema, Stonebwoy, and Tiwa Savage. music August 1, 2025
In Photos: Davido Electrifies NYC With a High-Energy Live Concert The Afrobeats superstar touched down in Brooklyn, NYC, for a stellar live performanceand showcase of his global reach. music August 1, 2025
Rema Infuses Fresh Energy into Afrobeats on Sizzling New Single, “Kelebu” On his latest single, the Nigerian superstar lives up to his reputation as one of Afrobeats’ most inventive artists, launching a $10K dance challenge to match. music August 1, 2025
