The 9 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Featuring Burna Boy, Nadia Nakai, Jidenna, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Emtee 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 'African Giant'
Following a slew of standout singles throughout the year, an international tour, repping for Nigeria at Coachella, and a host of memorable collaborations Burna Boy's studio album African Giant finally dropped. The 19-track album boasts features from Angelique Kidjo, Damian Marley, Future, M.anifest, Jorja Smith, Jeremih and more. It includes the previous released singles "Anybody," "On the Low," "Killin' Dem," "Gbona," "Dangote," and "Pull Up" which the artist dropped earlier this week. African Giant sees the artist taking his signature 'afrofusion' to the next level, offering a bevy of infectious sounds rooted in afrobeat, highlife, dancehall, RnB, hip-hop and more.
Emtee 'Prayer'
"Prayer" is Emtee in his element, reminiscent of his recent EP DIY 2(2018). Just like most of his songs, "Prayer" consists of a good balance between singing and rapping. The South African hip-hop artist sounds comfortable with who he is, rapping lines like, "They want punchlines, like the shit I'm making is whack," and "It's too late, now I'm feeling myself/ No matter how it go, I ain't killin' myself." "Prayer" was produced by Kreazo, who also produced most of DIY 2.
DJ Spinall 'Dis Love' ft. Wizkid, Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage and Wizkid have done it again. The Nigerian superstars and frequent collaborators have reunited for another banger—this time joining forces with DJ Spinall on his latest track "Dis Love." The song opens with Wizkid singing about an intense love, and Tiwa Savage joins in on the second verse, following suit. The real standout is the song is its catchy hook. The video is equally sultry, with Spinall, Tiwa and Wizkid in a dimly-lit lounge performing the song while surrounded by several dancers.
Jidenna 'Tribe' & 'Sufi Woman'
The talented Nigerian-American singer and rapper is back and he's brought his A-game. Jidenna gives us a brilliant sneak preview with his two new singles "Tribe" and "Sufi Woman" from his upcoming project, 85 to Africa. "Tribe" is definitely a hip hop number where Jidenna speaks about camaraderie and the friends in his life who have literally become his family. "Sufi Woman" on the other hand, sounds more like a highlife number. Accompanied by a vibrant beat, Jidenna sings about how a woman who practices Sufism or Mystical Islam, has caught his attention with her charm and the magical spells she's cast on him.
Nadia Nakai 'Imma Boss'
Nadia Nakai's "Imma Boss" just got the visual treatment. The single, which was released in May, saw the emcee drop quotable after another over a trap beat. In the song's recently released video, the Zimbabwe-born rapper shows off her banging body, something Nadia has proven fond of doing. And it's nothing you wouldn't expect from a rapper with an album titled Nadia Naked.
BankyOnDBeatz 'Bamilo' feat. Muyiwa
BankyOnDBeatzreturns with the uplifting track "Bamilo," featuring up-and-coming Nigerian singer-songwriter Muyiwa. "Bamilo" is an upbeat composition built on light guitars, airy keyboard chords, and addictive afro-fusion beat work. Muyiwa takes center stage as he sings about finding his true love.
Frank Casino 'Sudden' ft Cassper Nyovest & Major League Djz
Last year, Cassper Nyovest dropped one of the most talked about verses of the year in SA hip-hop. The song on which he appeared, Frank Casino's "Sudden," just got the visual treatment. The video kicks off with a scene that looks like it's off of a mafia movie. Frank reminds his goons how far they've come, and that they succeeded independently. The rest of the video, which is directed by YeahLenzo, shows Frank and Cassper rapping in front of luxury cars.
Zakwe 'Blood' ft. AB Crazy, MPK
For his latest single's video, Zakwe is in Cape Town with his collaborators AB Crazy and MPK. In the video, the Durban-born emcee raps his first verse as if he's doing a TV interview. The interviewer is played by budding Cape Town singer Liso The Musician. A majority of the video's scenes are shot in a church.
DJ Kaymoworld 'The Come Up' ft. 25K , Reason & Espiquet
Newcomers 25K and Espiquet appear alongside Reason on DJ Kaymoworld's new single, which is fittingly titled "The Come Up." 25K delivers a catchy hook, while Reason and Espiquet rap laidback verses over a minimal trap instrumental. Espiquet is one of most promising lyricists in South African hip-hop, and on "The Come Up," he makes his case with an effortless verse that is decorated with his baritone. His verse sets the tone for the rest of the song; he establishes the flow, which Reason picks up in his verse.