The 13 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Featuring Burna Boy x M.anifest, Sho Madjozi, Sudan Archives, Adekunle Gold, Wizkid and more.
Every week, we highlight the cream of the crop in music through our Best Music of the Week column.
Here's our round up of the best tracks and music videos that came across our desks, which you can also check out in our Songs You Need to Hear This Week playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
Follow our SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS WEEK playlist onSpotify hereand Apple Music here.
Check out all of OkayAfrica's new playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
Burna Boy 'Another Story' feat. M.anifest
Burna Boy has had an insanely successful year with the release of his album, African Giant. "Another Story" is the tenth track on the album and speaks to the colonial history of Nigeria. Burna features Ghanaian rapper M.anifest in the new video for this track and the visuals are hauntingly on point. The video, which was directed by Clarence Peters, begins with an impromptu history lesson about how Nigeria was under the colonial rule of Britain at the beginning of the 20th century.
Sho Madjozi 'John Cena'
Last month, Sho Madjozi appeared on A COLORS SHOW, and performed an unreleased song titled "John Cena." The performance went viral, and even reached the eyes and ears of John Cena himself. The South African artist has now shared the official audio of "John Cena" on streaming platforms and online stores. Sho Madjozi released her debut album Limpopo Champions League last year. She went on to win a B.E.T award for Best New International Act and Female Artist of The Year award at the South African Music Awards, the country's equivalent of the Grammys in June.
Sudan Archives 'Confessions'
Sudan Archives, the multi-talented artist and violinist known for blending genres and hypnotizing beats, has struck once again with an impressive–if not a little trippy–new video. The video for "Confessions" features the artist shedding her iconic afro for a partially shaved head and long microbraids with green ends. The combination of her hair and the bodice she's rocking conjures images of if X-men's Storm and Wolverine had a child born on Halloween. Fitting, given the artist always delivers music with an eerie, futuristic and divine presence. Confessions is no different.
Adekunle Gold 'Young Love'
After recently announcing that he'd be dropping Afro Pop, his third studio album soon, Adekunle Gold has just released a new single entitled "Young Love" and true to form, it's a definite banger. "I know this is young love, feels like a lifetime. Although this is young love, don't ever leave my side," the Nigerian artist sings as he describes a new romance he's stumbled into with a beautiful woman. The catchy and up-tempo beat was produced by Okan, an upcoming beatsmith in the UK who has worked with the likes of Mr Eazi.
Makwa 'Ayipheli'
Makwa has been teasing his collaboration with AKA and MarazA in the last few weeks. "Ayipheli" is built on a woozy kwaito-inspired instrumental, and sees MarazA, AKA and Makwa drop verses that are sung and rapped. "Ayipheli" could make a good soundtrack for summer and could score Makwa yet another hit after his recent single "All Go," which also features MarazA.
WizKid 'Joro'
Wizkid returns today on Nigerian Independence Day with the drop of a new single, "Joro." The new track sees the Nigerian superstar delivering his signature vocals over a head-nodding mid-tempo beat produced by Northboi. The accompanying music video follows Wizkid and a companion as they dance across candle-lit rooms, hair salons and the streets of Lagos. It features actress/dancer Georgia Curtis.
Related: Listen to New Wizkid Songs From His Surprise 2019 EP 'Soundman Vol. 1'
Darkovibes 'Mike Tyson' ft. Runtown
Ghana's Darkovibes comes through with "Mike Tyson," a new single featuring Runtown. "Mike Tyson is a song for champions, pathfinders and trail blazers," a press statement reads. "It is for those who stand against popular opinions and make it. Runtown... touches on developmental issues in Nigeria. He also speaks on being bold in the face of institutional oppositions and signs out with a badman proclamation."
MUZI 'GOOD VIBES ONLY' ft ESPACIO DIOS
Muzi released a new single to his upcoming album two weeks ago. "Good Vibes Only," which features Espacio Dios, lives up to its name—the song is optimistic in its messaging and comes with both a catchy beat and hook.The video lives up to the song's light-heartedness. Muzi and Espacio masquerade as 70s musicians as they perform the song in the video, rocking mean afros (Muzi looks like Jimi Hendrix in afro, doesn't he?).
Boj ft. Tiwa Savage 'Your Love (Mogbe)'
Boj and Tiwa Savage connect for "Your Love," the first single from Afro Nation Festival's companion EP. "A downbeat and laidback affair, 'Your Love' is accompanied by a simple but picturesque visual," a press statement reads. The forthcoming mixtape dropping in November featuring contributions from Stonebwoy, Vanessa Mdee , King Promise and more.
Nasty C 'God Flow' feat. crownedYung
Nasty C has been teasing a song called "God Flow" in the last few weeks. The emcee finally shared the song this morning. "God Flow" comes with a verse from up—and-coming Durban rapper crownedYung. On "God Flow," Nasty C and his guest trade bars over a bass-heavy instrumental decorated with glittery pads. Nasty C shows off with syllable rhymes and mid-rhymes, reminding you he's one of the best out. "God Flow" is one of those songs in which rappers focus on rapping and worry less about other things, and it works.
Demola 'Gbedu' feat. Davido
Demola has hit us just in time with a weekend-ready song that is perfect for the dance floor. The singer and violinist has released "Gbedu," an irresistibly catchy Afropop number sure to get your shoulders and hips loose. The track, which Demola self-produced, features Davido, who delivers what he is known for: a smooth, feel-good, romantic verse over Demola's smooth vocals.
K.O 'PTY UnLTD'
As previously announced, K.O's third studio album PTY UnLTD is finally out. The 13-track album features Sjava, Wizkid, DJ Maphorisa, Ma-E, Loki and Nandi Madida. The latter appears on the second single from the album "Say U Will." The first single from PTY UnLTD was "Supa Dupa," which has amassed great streams and airplay.
Ami Faku 'Imali'
Ami Faku is not here for games. The young South African singer's debut album Imali is a display of her soulful voice and impressive writing skills. Imali displays Ami Faku's versatility, as she delivers ballads ("Ubuhle Bakho," "Ungowami") alongside songs for the dancefloor ("Mbize"). "I tried to embrace where I come from and also celebrate it," says Ami Faku in the album's liner notes on Apple Music. "I wanted to represent African sounds and show that I'm proud to be Xhosa." Production on Imali is handled by Blaq Diamond, Sun-El Musician, 37MPH Eternal Africa and Wilson. The album leans more towards Afropop with a few variations.
Follow our SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS WEEK playlist on Spotify here and Apple Music here.
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