The Best West African Songs Right Now
This January, West African artists from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire are bringing the heat.
The first month in 2025 ushered in a world of bangers and heavy swings from established and emerging artists. With new music from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal, this month’s best new music list features a range of talent, genres, and acts, all pointing to an exciting musical year ahead for West Africa.
Samba Peuzzi - “Milano” feat. EM (Senegal)
In Samba Peuzzi’s latest drop, “Milano” featuring EM, the flows are relaxed and unhurried, enlivened by Peuzzi’s playful and subversive rap style. Peuzzi, who hails from the suburbs of Dakar and began his career as a rapper, often shifts forms and experiments with his sound. He has moved from classic Afropop (with a notable collaboration with Rema on“Mercedes”) to mbalax, and on “Milano” makes a grand return to classic rap. “Milano” is tightly produced and makes for a good, languid jam.
Klu - “Hits For You” (Ghana)
Set on an ominous, pensive beat, “Hits For You” from Ghanaian rapper Klu is a tightly constructed rap track with a constant, heart-thumping kick. On this track, Klu is relaxed, almost lazing about, and that’s what makes “Hits For You” a highly likely hit.
Teni - “Money” (Nigeria)
Teni’s biggest strength as a musician lies in her intelligent use of repetition. Employed by most people, that technique might lead to boredom, used by Teni however, it’s a way of putting necessary emphasis on clever lyrics. In “Money” — a song that on its surface contends with and explains the general need for more financial freedom — the singer makes the playful, deep, and vain surprisingly insightful. It’s one of Teni’s best and a sure banger.
Papa Diouf - “Ô Kino Koor” (Senegal)
“Ô Kino Koor” opens with a chant, a thrilling, guttural wail adlibbed with drums and soft, sonorous strings. The beat then slides into a drum-filled, repetitive bounce at the end of this artfully theatrical and moving intro. The track is the latest work from Papa Diouf, one of Dakar’s most important musicians whose works have contributed heavily to reviving the country’s mbalax genre. It’s beautiful, commands attention, and sounds like a warm evening walking around the suburbs of Dakar after spending the entire day at the beach.
Qing Madi - “Ali Bomaye” (Nigeria)
On “Ali Bomaye,” fast-rising Afropop star Qing Madi is putting it all on the table: her vulnerability, honesty and a precise, sharply drawn desire. On this track, as with the songs on her latest EP, Madi exhibits a vibrant, infectious personality that makes an already groovy track with witty, attentive lyrics even more fun to listen to. “Ali Bomaye” is also, in many ways, a continuation of Madi’s unique and compelling musical perspective.
Iss 814 - “Full” (Senegal)
At the center of Iss 814’s “Full” are fluttering, soothing piano riffs that complement the beguiling gruffness of his voice. The last track from his Bonus Tracks EP, “Full” is a reflective track that is as tender as it is sharply written, marking one of Iss 814’s most personal works yet.
Wendy Shay - “Psycho” (Ghana)
In “Psycho” Ghanaian songbirdWendy Shay calls out a possessive, narcissistic romantic partner. The lyrics are a warning, a call to action, and a promise to herself to escape oppressive control. Despite its heavy theme, Shay manages, as she often does, to keep the beat interesting, with a groovy hook that will easily stick to one’s head. Shay is undoubtedly off to an incredible musical year with this track.
Amaeya - “Wait” (Nigeria)
Even though Nigerian R&B artist Amaeya is playing in a field where high energy, uptempo music reigns supreme, there is a sureness about her artistry that makes her just as interesting as any club banger. In her latest single “Wait,” Amaeya combines elements of Afropop with the beauty and deep reflections of her R&B background, making for a strong but lush, lounge bop that might force you to put it on constant replay.
OV - “I Stress” (Ghana)
In “I Stress,” Ghanaian artist OV praises the hustle and highlights the exacting demands of finding success. The singer’s slightly raspy voice over a soft, groovy Afropop beat, is a combination that makes sense. “I Stress” is the perfect springboard to showcase OV’s dynamic and multifaceted talent.
Himra - ”Freestyle Booska Boss” (Côte d’Ivoire)
“Freestyle Booska Boss” by Himra is a high-energy drill freestyle with an Ivorian twist. With his gruff, arresting voice and heavy-hitting lyrics, the song is a rallying call and another confirmation of the rapper's undeniable talent.
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