The 11 Best Ghanaian Songs of the Month
Featuring Shatta Wale, E.L, Sarkodie, Darkovibes, Kwesi Arthur and more.
Here are the best tracks that came out of the buzzing Ghana scene in August.
Follow our new GHANA WAVE playlist on Spotify here and Apple Music here.
Shatta Wale 'Melissa'
The Ghanaian dancehall and afrobeats titan has released about 40 songs so far in 2019. Anyone who knows Shatta Wale knows that that's perfectly normal for him—let loose and see what sticks. Well something has finally stuck, as Melissa gives him his first solo mainstream hit this year. Coupled with his Beyoncé feature, it's safe to say the outspoken controversy magnet is back to dominating the airwaves. —Nnamdi Okirike
E.L & A.I. 'Adwuma'
Needy and affecting, A.I's guest verse and hook is perfect fodder for E.L whose husky talk-rap on "Adwuma" earns the otherwise clunky title of "afro-dance." —Sabo Kpade
Joojo Addison 'Remedy ' feat. Xrusade
The new kid on the block is back once again. The follow up single to his last release "Yessa Massa" and his wave-making debut "Guy Man," the buzzing Guy Man Music act continues to forge ahead with another tune in his signature blend of contemporary afrobeat music. —N.O.
Sarkodie 'Do You' ft. Mr Eazi
"Do you ever think about the sex? / do you ever think about going back to your ex?" wonders Sarkodie on "Do You," even when unprepared for an answer to his confessed insecurities and helped by an unshowy guest hook from Mr Eazi. —S.K.
Darkovibes 'Different'
The La Meme Gang member, Darkovibes, sings the praises of a special someone in his dreamy tenor vocals, on an atmospheric, mid-tempo afrobeats backdrop produced by Uche B. —N.O.
Kojo Funds 'I Like' ft. WizKid
The leading tastemakers of afropop and afroswing—Wizkid and British-Ghanaian Kojo Funds—combine effortlessly on "I Like," helped by nostalgia for the production on Donell Jones' "All The Love," a fine example of the enduring influence of American R&B on much of the continent's pop output. —S.K.
DopeNation ft Medikal 'Confam'
The Lynx Entertainment signed duo DopeNation take part in an afrobeats artist rite of passage, a one-off impression of a gospel artist. Assisted by rapper Medikal the brothers sing out to their Creator, asking for all the good things of life and all the trappings of success. —N.O.
Omar Sterling 'Exotic Flow'
What starts out as an assortment of free association bars soon finds focus with the injection of biographical material: "Mom said she'll be back / never came, never showed" raps Omar Sterling with neither bitterness or pride, choosing instead to praise his father's steadfast love and care. "Goddamn I wrote a song for you" exclaims Sterling as if still realising how deeply he's affected by it. —S.K.
Kwesi Arthur 'See No Evil'
The star rapper delivers another single off his recently dropped Live From Nkrumah Krom Vol. II project.Kwesi rap-sings his way through, repelling bad energy in his verses as the video depicts the faces, activities, joys, and struggles of daily African life. —N.O.
Bryan the Mensah 'Grease' feat. Blaq Bonez
The young Ghanaian rapper Bryan the Mensah alternates between quickfire raps and confident singing to deliver a public statement about being all about his paper, as he recruits the buzzing Nigerian rapper Blaq Bonez to reinforce his claims. —N.O.
Adina Thembi 'Sika'
"Show me something deeper" demands Adina of a lover who may have hoped to woo her with money completely underestimating her resolve to find love. —S.K.