The 10 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Featuring Sauti Sol, Burna Boy x Buju, Maphorisa x Kabza De Small, Popcaan, Simi 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 on Spotify here and Apple Music here.
Check out all of OkayAfrica's playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
Buju ft. Burna Boy 'Lenu Remix'
Buju recently dropped the remix of his hit single "Lenu" which was released back in 2019. The upcoming afro-fusion artist recruits Burna Boyto deliver the an alternative version to the song that has been awaited by his fans. The two make for a breezy collaboration building on the multilayered sound of the original track. Burna adds to the song by delivering a high-energy final verse. The playful music video features the two artists as they ride out together in a luxury whip, and give animated performances in a tunnel-like setting. The camaraderie between the two artists is infectious and fun to watch.
DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small 'Once Upon a Time in Lockdown'
Once Upon a Time in Lockdown is the latest offering from DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, the South African dance music duo known as Scorpion Kings. The 15-track album consists of songs different artists most of them up-and-coming and from South Africa. Maphorisa's frequent collaborators and some recognized names in the amapiano scene such as Busiswa, Shasha, Mark Khoza, Kamo, Buckz and Howard are joined by the likes of Shiba, Adrinne Foo (Swaziland), Les-Ego and many others.
Popcaan 'Numbers Don't Lie'
Star Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan releases the music video for his single "Numbers Don't Lie," from his latest EP Vanquish. The song, produced by Dane "Waldane Hampton" Ray is a standout from the 10-track project, which the artist dropped in December of last year.
Sauti Sol 'Brighter Days' ft. Soweto Gospel Choir
Kenyan Afro pop band Sauti Sol's fifth studio album Midnight Train is out June 5. As part of the album's pre-add/pre-order, comes the song "Brighter Days" which features the Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir. "Brighter Days" is uplifting in both mood and lyrical content. Sonically, the song borrows from gospel music, but the group's urban aesthetic is not lost.
RIMON 'Out Of My Way'
RIMONis an R&B singer who we've previously stated you need to be watching. The Amsterdam-based, Eritrean-born artist recently shared her latest single "Out of My Way," a head-nodding R&B concoction about the push-and-pull of attraction, produced by Samuel Kareem. Here's the hazy house party music video for "Out of My Way," which was directed by Blue Nuit. "With this song I really wanted to channel 2000s vibes and write about a playful 'hard to get' situation," RIMON tells OkayAfrica.
SIMI 'Duduke'
Nigerian artist Simi is back with her first official solo track of the year titled "Duduke," the latest track to be released under Simi's own record label, Studio Brat. "Duduke" is a classic mid-tempo afrobeats number with just enough bounce to get you onto the dancefloor. Produced by the talented Oscar, the mellow track is essentially an onomatopoeic play on the sound the artist's heart makes when she thinks about her love interest.
Ike Chuks 'Igbotic'
UK-based artist Ike Chuks recently came through with a blazing new EP in the shape of Igbotic. The EP sees the Nigerian rooted rapper/singer/dancer going in over five songs that blend influences from his home of Britain with a distinct Nigerian flavor.
Falz 'Bop Daddy' ft. Ms Banks
Falz connects with Ms Banks for a Nigeria-meets-UK head-nodder in the form of "Bop Daddy." Check out the trippy retro music video for the single above.
Whiteboyy 'Winterlude'
Whiteboyy is a new artist/producer coming out of Coney Island, NYC. The up-and-coming act mixes West African rhythms and chants with his Brooklyn influences to create an American-leaning afrobeats sound. He's been co-signed by the likes of DJ Tunez and Dot Da Genius. The artist mentions that "Winterlude" is "a vibe and interlude to transition us from winter to summer."
BANTU 'Disrupt The Programme'
The Lagos-based 13-piece band BANTU returns with the new single "Disrupt the Programme," a politically-charged and horn-backed Afrofunk tune. Lead singer Ade Bantu states: “the freedom of expression, the right to protest and of peaceful assembly is being threatened in Nigeria. 'Disrupt the Programme' and its video remind us that in the face of social and political injustice, we cannot afford to be silent. We must speak up and let our voices be heard. We must disrupt the programme."
Follow our SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS WEEK playlist on Spotify here and Apple Music here.
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