The 12 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Featuring Wizkid, Stonebwoy x Teni, Thabsie, Sampa the Great and a classic Funána compilation.
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.
Tchota Suari & Chando Gracioso 'Nha Boi'
Ostinato Records' compilation The Funána Revolt in 1990s Cabo Verde curates eight tracks from a short period in the late '90s when cherished pioneers, who risked everything to give their proud culture a sound, were finally put in recording studios; an album in itself a revolt in favor of the music of the most marginalized and once deliberately silenced. Pour yourself a grog, the Cabo Verdean moonshine distilled from sugarcane crushed by bulls, imbibe responsibly, listen carefully, and dance recklessly.
WizKid 'Ghetto Love'
Wizkid finally dropped his first official single, along with the music video, for this year. The artist has brought us "Ghetto Love" ahead of his upcoming album and, if you ask us, it's definitely a banger. "Ghetto Love" sees Wizkid staying true to his sound. The track, which was produced by both Killertunes and Kel P, has an incredibly infectious beat and catchy lyrics you'll be singing along to in no time.
Stonebwoy 'Ololo' ft. Teni
Ghanaian rapper Stonebwoy enlists Nigerian artist Teni the Entertainer for his latest single 'Ololo,' his latest since dropping "Tuff Seed" earlier this summer. The duo shine as they exchange loving lyrics atop sultry, upbeat production by Prinx Pappi. Stonebwoy opens the track with a fiery verse about giving his all to a love interest, while Teni brings the her usual high-energy to the second verse as she delivers passionate lyrics directed at a lover. Their musical chemistry, making for a catchy jam-worthy track.
Thabsie 'iLula'
Thabsie's latest single "iLula" explores unfaithfulness in relationships. The South African singer tells the story of being cheated on—the lies, the broken promises and the emptiness it makes her feel. In the hook, in which she interpolates Brenda Fassie's classic song "Istraight Lendaba," Thabsie declares that it's a no-brainer to walk away from the situation. The visuals for the single are simply stunning—from the production design to the outfits and makeup. Directed by Callback Dreams' Makere Thekiso, the visual is metaphorical in its depiction of love triangles
Sampa the Great 'The Return'
Sampa the Great has been on the grind for some time now, dropping several impressive hits and working with the likes of Ibeyi Kendrick Lamar and more. Now the Zambian artist shares her debut album The Return. The artist gave a taste of the genre-bending elements of her debut album, when she released the funk-inspired single "Final Form" in June. The 19-track album boasts features from a range of artists including Krown, Ecca Vandal, thando and more.
Big Zulu 'Ama Million' feat. Cassper Nyovest & Musiholiq
Big Zulu's profile stays rising. In the last few years, the Kwazulu Natal-born rapper has made the transition from a streets emcee to an artist seen on billboards across the country. A few weeks ago, he announced a collaboration with one of the country's biggest rappers Cassper Nyovest, "Ama Million," which is the album's lead single.
Seyi Shay & Teyana Taylor 'Gimme Love Remix'
Seyi Shaycomes through with the new remix of "Gimme Love" featuring none-other-than Teyana Taylor. The new remix sees the Nigerian singer linking up with the GOOD Music star for an afrobeats-inspired take on R&B, as the two artists trade romantic verses over the Sarz-produced beat. The new music video for "Gimme Love Remix," follows Seyi Shay and Teyana Taylor to Harlem, New York.
Janto Djassi 'On Est Ensemble'
Senegalese-German artist Janto Djassi shares the beautiful new self-directed music video for his single "On Est Ensemble," a captivating electronic production. "The video was inspired by my personal experiences growing up as the son of a German mother and a Senegalese father," he mentions, "and the contemplation that entailed, a thought process and development that creates and unveils a lot of connections... It was shot in a historically charged location, a section of the river Elbe in northern Germany which... once separated neighbors, families and friends and was patrolled by boats which had order to shoot refugees who were trying to cross."
"On Est Ensemble" is available now
DJ Tira 'Ikhenani'
DJ Tira hasreleased a new album. Ikhenani is packed with 17 songs to which we will make memories in the upcoming summer. The album title Ikhenani means Canaan. "As you know in the bible, there's Canaan, a place where you'll find gold and silver and all those good things. So, on the album, I'm leading people to a place where they're going to have a good time," DJ Tira says in the album's Apple Music liner notes.
Ice Prince 'A Verse For Jabba'
Almost a year after HHP's death, Ice Prince releases "A Verse for Jabba," a one-verse song in which he pays tribute to the South African hip-hop legend. He raps over the instrumental to HHP's song "Thank You Note," one of the late SA rapper's most loved deep cuts from his 2007 album Acceptance Speech.
Flame 'HOME RUN' (feat. ECCO)
Flame and Ecco's new video for their collaborative song "Home Run" shows just how deep their friendship runs. After Flame dies in a drive-by shooting and is seen ascending to the clouds, Ecco takes care of his friend's family. The video is directed by Morale Phala, popularly known as Clout Cassette. He has shot numerous visuals for Flame and his affiliates.
Melisa Whiskey 'Ajeh' ft. Mystro
Nigerian-British artist Melisa Whiskey comes through with this addictive new single, "Ajeh," featuring Mystro. Get into it above, this one is tailor-made for the dance floor.