The Songs You Need to Hear This Week
Here are the best songs that came across our desks this week featuring Kendrick, Wizkid, Oumou Sangare and more.
At the end of every week, we highlight the creme of the crop in music and round up the best tracks and music videos that came across our desks throughout the last few days.
Check out all of the "Songs You Need to Hear This Week" in our extended Apple Music curator playlist and read about some of the selections ahead.
King Kendrick's "Humble"
Kendrick Lamar dropped his new music video for "Humble" less than 24 hours ago and it's already (rightfully) breaking the internet and our ear drums.
Here's 8 reasons why Kendrick Lamar's new video is the only thing you need to watch today—and pretty much all month.
Oumou Sangaré and Tony Allen’s "Yere Faga"
Oumou Sangaré, the celebrated Malian singer, is set to release her first album of original music in over 8 years.
For the album’s lead single, “Yere Faga,” the Grammy Award-winning singer connects with afrobeat royalty and drumming legend Tony Allen for a message of strength in the face of suicide and depression.
Read more about Oumou's new release and video here.
Wizkid officially drops "Come Closer" ft. Drake
Wizkid and Drake‘s latest collaboration, “Come Closer,” has been a long time coming. It first leaked back in January—at the time it was called “Hush Up the Silence.”
Wizkid teased that track again in February during an episode of OVO Sound Radio.
The single, finally, officially dropped today and a new music video is on it's way very soon.
Stream our ‘Songs You Need to Hear’ playlist on Apple Music, updated every Friday.
Blinky Bill & Mitya's "ATIE"
Kenya's Blinky Bill, formerly of Just A Band, links up with Russian beatboxer/producer Mitya for "ATIE." This is the first music video from his upcoming project, Everyone's Just Winging It And Other Fly Tales.
For the new video, directed by Andrew Mageto and photographer Osborne Macharia, the pair enlisted the aid of Kenya’s League of Extravagant Grannies from Macharia's break-out photo project last year.
Young Paris' Afrobeats EP
Young Paris flirts with several shades of afrobeats in his new EP. The Roc Nation signee's 8-track releaset, Afrobeats, sees him collaborating with the likes of Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks on jams tailor-made for the dance floor.
Afrobeats is available now on iTunes/Apple Music and Spotify.
Kondi Band "Titi Dem Too Service"
Kondi Bandis a collaborative project from Sierra Leonean thumb piano (kondi) maestro Sorie Kondi and producer Chief Boima.
"Titi Dem Too Service" showcases the group's blend of electronic beats with Sierra Leonean instrumentation, which you'll find on their new album, Salone, due June 2 from Strut Records.
Lil Kesh "No Fake Love"
Lil Kesh, the man behind shoki, is at his most bankable in his newest single "No Fake Love." Read our contributor Sabo Kpade's take on the new song.
Numerica "Tu Peux Pas"
Cameroonian singer Numerica comes through with his latest single "Tu Peux Pas," which is built on a shuffling dance beat that will lead you right into this weekend's parties.
Check out "Tu Peux Pas" above and download it, along with Numerica's other recent tune "Ça te pique où?," on iTunes.