The 10 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Featuring Asa, Samthing Soweto, Sudan Archives, Mut4y x Maleek Berry, Adekunle Gold 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.
Samthing Soweto "Akulaleki" "Lotto" & "AmaDM."
It's finally happening. Samthing Soweto is releasing his highly anticipated and long overdue debut album. The album, which is titled Isiphithiphithi, is now up for pre-order/pre-save, which comes with three new songs from the album. One of them, "Akulaleki," features Shasha, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. The other two songs are "Lotto" and "AmaDM." In the former's hook, the artist references Mafikizolo's classic hit "Loot" from their 2001 album Gate Crashers. The song also features Mlindo The Vocalist.
Aṣa 'Good Thing'
Asa is officially back. After a five-year hiatus, the celebrated Nigerian singer returned earlier this year with the song "The Beginning." Now, the artist has shared the music video for "Good Thing," her second single from her upcoming album Lucid. The track addresses a lover who missed out on a "good thing" by failing to appreciate their partner. "Cause I'm too fly for this, and I have no time for this," sings Asa in her familiar husky tone.
Mannywellz 'META' EP
Rising Nigerian-born act Mannywellz returns with his brand new EP, META. The new EP furthers Mannywellz' addictive blend of RnB, hip-hop, and West African rhythms, through self-produced songs that deal with love, leaving relationships, and faith. The project is named after the Yoruba word for "three." Mannywellz mentions that, for META, he challenged himself to write, record, and produce three songs in three days—the result is well worth your while.
Tshego 'Pink Panther' LP
Tshego's Pink Panther was one of the most anticipated South African albums of the year. After making the move from Family Tree to Universal Music Group, the artist released the single "No Ties," which features King Monada. Pink Panther arrived with 15 songs. Most of the production on the song is handled by him, alongside a selection of other producers. A handful of guests make appearances—Riky Rick, Kwesta, Focalistic, Tellaman, Black Cass and Frank Casino.
Sudan Archives 'Confessions'
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, producer and violinist Sudan Archivesreturns with the hypnotizing new single "Confessions," the first track to see the light of day from her upcoming debut album on Stones Throw Records. The Wilma Archer-produced "Confessions" details a crisis of conscience and features the Northeast African-inspired violin riffs we've come to get hooked on from the artist.
Gloria 'Second Chances'
Newcomer London artist Gloriacomes through with her new single, "Second Chances," an immersive blend of dark synths and electronic beat work with striking RnB vocals. The AART-produced song is the lead single from her upcoming EP, TESTIFY, which will be released on GAIKA's label The Spectacular Empire. "This song is about relationships, we are so quick to give Second, Third, Fourth chances we find ourselves stuck in a self-created visceral vortex," Gloria mentions. "This track plays on nostalgia and the power to push yourself forward." Listen above.
DJ Lag 'Uhuru' EP
South African DJ, producer and one of the pioneers of gqom, DJ Lag shares a new EP. The six-song project, which is titled Uhuru, is characterized by eardrum-shattering drums and eardrum slicing synths, which you've grown to expect from the producer, the songs just thump a bit harder. The EP pays homage to Uhuru, a club in Clermont, Durban, where a lot of your favorite gqom producers and DJs—Rude Boyz, Naked Boyz etc.—cut their teeth and where the genre got exposed to Durbanites and eventually the whole country and the world.
Audiomarc ft Nasty C & Tellaman 'Catch It'
Nasty C's tour DJ, Audiomarc, released his debut single "Catch It" last year. The song features Nasty C himself and his frequent collaborator Tellaman. "Catch It" is a light-hearted banger; Nasty C and Tellaman share some obnoxious brags and sexual innuendos over a catchy trap instrumental. The song's music video looks like it was shot in Japan.
DJ Breezy Ft. Adekunle Gold – Live My Life (Official Audio)
Mut4y & Maleek Berry 'Turn Me On'
Mut4y connects with Maleek Berry for a new afro pop jam made for the dance floor. "Turn Me On," which is produced by Mut4y, comes paired with a new London-shot music video directed by Capone & Guise. Get into it above.