The 14 Best Ghanaian Songs of the Month
Featuring Efya x Mr Eazi, E.L, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Joey B x La Meme Gang and more.
In yet another productive month for Ghanaian pop, rap artists make huge strides as do gospel and RnB singers in a list that also features a viral sensation and a surprise release.
Read ahead for our selection of the Best Ghanaian Songs of September 2018.
Wendy Shay "Astalavista"
Wendy Shay scored gold with "Bedroom Commando," a big come on and raunchy pop delight produced by MOG Beatz, a feat the pair have repeated on "Astalavista," this time urging a better performance from a lover. Shay's strong balladeer's voice is beautifully restrained by the structures of pop songwriting in what continues to be a run of impressive releases by one the most convincing newcomers in Ghanaian pop.
E.L "Ghana Meets Naija"
"We fit fight hard we fit beat Naija / why you dey fear? Them dem breath like us" rails E.L on this big push back against the dominance of Nigerian artists on Ghanaian pop music. He rallies his country men: "the whole Africa go shock when them see what's inside us / but the whole quality for rise up / mediocrity for die kraa.
Expect no less a well crafted song from two of the most convincing singers in afropop. "Mamee" is another brilliant duet by Efya and a male artist, after the gem that was "Could This Be Love" with Mugeez. This time it's Mr Eazi who deploys more stank in his voice that otherwise known while Efya has repurposed the majesty in her voice in service of a perfectly enjoyable pop song.
Sarkodie "Black Excellence"
Sarkodie extols the virtues of hard work and self-reflection with characteristic zest and precision over woozy bass synths and trap drums.
Shatta Wale "Alakpator" x "My Level"
Shatta Wale reaches new emotional heights when he beats in his gravelly voice about his life struggles as proven on "Life In Nima" and elsewhere, as on "Alakpator" and "My Level"—which present humility while insisting on his status. Even newer is "Thunder" with SM Militants, an amiable group effort that carries more than strain in Shatta Wale's inimitable vocal signature.
Supa "Ghana 2pac"
The viral sensation that is Supa out does himself on his self referencing single "Ghana 2pac" showing serious song making over a thumping house beat which he rides impressively in a commanding gruff voice that reminds us of Shatta Wale, or even 2pac.
King Promise "Abena"
Beneath the very decent writing and perfectly enjoyable love song is a disciplined RnB voice and technique that will continue to serve King Promise well.
Joey B x La Meme Gang - "Stables"
The video may emphasise the song title, "Stables," but more impressive is what a breath of fresh air La Meme Gang is in Ghanaian pop, eschewing the flash of afropop for influences of trap and emocore otherwise known as "alte cruise" in Nigeria.
MzVee x Kuami Eugene "Bend Down"
An unabashed dance floor number that is quick to get down to business, "Bend Down" combines the both artists' strengths—pop-highlife and pop-R&B—with in-trend dances from the more robust afropop markets of Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa to make a satisfying song and video which does not out stay its welcome.
Samini "Mighty (Freestyle)"
Samini is in full god-mode with chest-beating bars about his supremacy in this engaging hybrid of ragga-rap.
Bisa Kdei x Mayorkun "Count On Me"
Over mellow arrangements given bite by sunclappers, the honeyed and reassuring in Bisa Kdei's voice is a good match for the playful and earnest in Mayorkun's verse about how he will "kpalanga kpolongo on top your matter." But how Sway?
KiDi "Thunder"
KiDi raises the loyalty stakes by invoking a thunder on himself if he ever desserts a lover.
MiYaKi "Tracy Ohema Mercy"
One of the new wonder boys of Ghanaian pop, Miyaki retraces the melodic lines and beat work on Wizkid's "Soco" with charm and wit ("mans not hot but man dapper")—all of his own.
Joe Mettle "My Everything"
A crowd pleasing worship song as good as any, "My Everything" is written to apply to any sort of thanksgiving but it is Mettle's engaged singing that wins one over.