The 9 Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Featuring Olamide, Nasty C, Davido, Mr Eazi x Nicki Minaj 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, Apple Music here and YouTube Music here
Check out all of OkayAfrica's playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
Olamide 'Eru'
Nigerian heavyweight act Olamide returns with the new single "Eru," which will feature on this upcoming new album. The energetic and addictive new track was made. by 18-year-old Nigerian producer P-Priime and comes paired with a new msuic video directed by Clarence Peters. "Eru is something priceless, that money can't buy,"Olamide mentions of the song's Yoruba title, "like a rare gem, or ajewel. If I call myself Omo Eru, that means no one can buy me—I am priceless."
Nasty C, Lil Gotit, Lil Keed 'Bookoo Bucks'
The visuals for "Bookoo Bucks", an ice-cold trap banger from Nasty C's new album Zulu Man With Some Power, are now widely available. As expected from a song called "Bookoo Bucks", the visual shows performance scenes of Nasty with bookoo bucks and surrounded by scantily dressed women—the hip-hop music video stereotypes and the like. Nasty C's squad—Tellaman, Eyes of Teddy, etc.—make cameos. Nasty C's parts were filmed in South Africa, while Lil Keed and Lil Gotit's were shot in the US.
Davido 'FEM'
Davidoreturns with "FEM," the first song off his highly anticipated next album, A Better Time, expected to come out in October. The uplifting, yet threatening, song comes after a months long social media hiatus from the Nigerian superstar, during which he's been rumored to be working on his upcoming album. "FEM" is Davido's first official single of the year and seems to address those people that talk too much. "To the people talking about you because they don't understand your shine, they don't understand your grace," Davido wrote on Instagram, "they don't understand why they can never be what you are or have what you have... we say #FEM... Heard y'all missed me."
Jupiter & Okwess 'Bakunda Ulu'
Jupiter & Okwess share the striking new video for "Bakunda Ulu," the latest single from their upcoming album Na Kozonga. "This song is an empowerment for the people we see roaming in Kinshasa, guided by their hopes despite the hard reality of life," a press release from the band mentions, "and it is them who are at the center of the Bakunda Ulu Music Video."
Mr Eazi & Major Lazer feat. Nicki Minaj & K4mo 'Oh My Gawd'
Nigerian singer-songwriter Mr Eazihas teamed up with production trio Major Lazer for their collective new single "Oh My Gawd." The single only gets stronger with features, with Nicki Minaj and fellow Nigerian artist K4mo also lending their voices. Taking lyrical inspiration from Black Uhuru and Baby Charm and their legendary contributions to reggae and dancehall classic hits, "Oh My Gawd" acts as Mr Eazi's first single off of his highly anticipated EP Something Else. The song features production from Fred Again, Diplo and co-production courtesy of Alex Gibson, Toddla T and Siba.
betina quest 'ikangure'
betina quest is a Ghanaian-based artist of Burundian origin, who was raised in Germany. "Ikangure" is the captivating lead single from quest's upcoming debut album, room in a room. "room in a room is a cross-media art piece of music, poetry and photography discussing the human experience from a black African female's perspective," a press statement from the artist explains. "It's about how much room in this world She is given and how much She can demand, all whilst dealing with life, loss, love and identity."
Siselabonga 'Warnama'
Here's a meditative new desert rock song from trio Siselabonga, which is comprised of Tarang Cissokho (vocals, string kora), Glau-co Cataldo aka Blind Boy De vita (acoustic and e-guitar, vocals) and Fabio Meier (drums, percussion). The Senegal-Switzerland group shared their latest EP, Warnama, with this standout title track.
King Lekan & Moelogo 'Give You All'
New York-based producer and musician King Lekan is readying the release of his debut EP, No Time. The album's lead single "Give You All" sees him connecting with Moelogo for a highly-captivating sonic affair.
Veen 'On Impact'
Nigerian rapper Veen comes throughwith the new 6-song EP, On Impact, which was born out of his experiences and relationships. Check out Veen's blend of trap, RnB, pop, and neo-soul above.