Weekend Playlist: The Best New Music From Kendrick, Davido, Reason & More

DIASPORA—At the end of every week, we highlight the cream of the crop in music and round up the best tracks and music videos that came across our desks in a Weekend Playlist for you.

Follow our Songs You Need to Hear This Week playlists on Spotify and Apple Music to get immediate updates every Friday and read about some of our weekend selections ahead.

King Kendrick does it again

Kendrick Lamar dropped another incredible music video, this time for his DAMN. standout, "Element." As our contributor Alisha Acquaye writes, "in 'Element' violence exists alongside beauty, wonder, curiosity and power, illustrating a nuanced portrait of black life, survival and what it means to be hard."

Maleek Berry "Been Calling"

Maleek Berry continues his hot streak with his latest single, "Been Calling," a catchy afrobeats-meets-dancehall concoction about longing for a girl.

DJ Zan-D “Rigorous” ft. Reason

“Rigorous” sees Reason floss his rigorous lifestyle–which includes looking fresh at Fashion Week and deserving a spot on your top 5, among other things. A perennial bass line and bouncy 808 rhythm carries the song through. It's an easy listen from one of South Africa’s most gifted rhymers.

Davido "If" Remix

Davido dropped a remix of his smash hit, "If," featuring new vocals from R. Kelly. We're not entirely sure how we feel about it, but here it is above.

Lady Moon & The Eclipse "Augmented"

Brooklyn's Lady Moon & The Eclipse celebrate Congolese independence from Belgium, today, with this one-shot video for "Augmented." The song "pays homage to the infinite fight for peace, freedom & justice, in the Kongo and Afrika," the group mentions.

Show Dem Camp x Funbi

Nigeria's Show Dem Camp link up with Funbi for "Up To You," the silky lead track off their Palm Wine Music album.

Kid Tini “Bekezela” (ft. Lisa)

One of the most promising rappers in South Africa, Kid Tini’s latest song is an ode to his mother. He delivers his verse with a swaggering bravado over a slow trap instrumental. The vocalist Lisa’s hook and backing vocals give the song a soulful feel.

Kahli Abdu "Romantic Girl"

New York-based Nigerian Kahli Abdu rolls through with the Kid Konnect-produced "Romantic Girl," one for your new fling.

Big Nuz “Sibongile”

Durban kwaito duo Big Nuz have a new one for the dance floor. If you aren’t too busy dancing, you’ll notice that “Sibongile” is essentially a light-hearted love song that is sure to keep you warm.

DJ Lag “Khonkolo”

The lead single to gqom producer DJ Lag’s upcoming EP, Trip To New York, is a firestarter of note consisting of an indistinct chant, recurring synth, and a rhythm that’s sure to invoke a booty shake.

Nu Epoque "Ginga"

The Barcelona-based Nu Epoque is a trio that consists of Mozambican singer/beatmaker Simonal Bie, Angolan vocalist Monica Mussungo and Italian pianist Leonardo Cincinelli. They deliver an alluring single and forest video for "Ginga."

Follow our Songs You Need to Hear This Week playlists on Spotify and Apple Music to get immediate updates every Friday