The 10 Best Ghanaian Songs of the Month

Shatta Wale 'Borjor' & 'California'

Shatta Wale taps into his afrobeats sensibilities in "Borjor," a jam that could go toe to toe with the best offerings of any African pop star. This is a surefire December anthem! —Nnamdi Okirike

The jab and stab of producer Paq's drums on "California" would make for an instructive dancehall song by Shatta Wale, who instead has chosen to sing real feelings about his "Liberian queen." The song is taken from Wonder Boy, Shatta Wale's recent album. —Sabo Kpade

Amaarae 'Like It'

The "shawty with the bald head" Amaarae continues to veer deeper into her own lane with an afro-dancehall influenced alternative RnB tune, floating all the way through in her sensual, sultry soprano. She fronts the ballad with visuals that are just as sensual, set in a dream-like fantasy world. —N.O.

"Like It" by Amaaree draws from images of a glacier, missile and a pistol to convey longing for a lover. The neat and playful writing, when sung in her feather-soft falsetto, makes for seductive listening. —S.K.

Joey B Ft. Boj 'No Waste Time'

Joey B keeps it simple with the bars in this easy going bop featuring Nigerian singer BOJ. A few months earlier, and this would have been a summer anthem. —N.O.

Sarkodie, Donae'O & Idris Elba 'Party & Bulls#!t'

Sarkodie's combined star power with Idris Elba is bound to win over any doubts in "Party & Bulls#!t," which also features Donae's typically engaged singing. —S.K.

M.anifest 'Big Mad' ft. Simi

In the run leading up to his new project The Gamble, M.anifest drops a love-turned-sour story assisted by Nigerian songstress Simi. "Big Mad" comes accompanied with pristine visuals to match. —N.O

Supa Gaeta 'Woa' feat. Ko-Jo Cue

Young rapper, singer, and producer Supa Gaeta dishes out a smooth afrobeats bop, featuring a guest appearance by rapper Ko-Jo Cue. The duo discusses the pain of unrequited love over a melody-packed soundscape. —N.O.

Ebo Taylor 'Palaver'

Long lost and now re-issued, "Palava," is the title song of the five track EP recorded in 1980 by Ebo Taylor, dubbed the "king of Ghanaian funky-highlife," while touring Nigeria. —S.K.

Wendy Shay 'Kut It'

Wendy Shay's departure from hiplife to dancehall on "Kut It" retains her bad-assery and effective songwriting exemplified in the single line hook, "come and kut it," a big come on that is also a dare. —S.K.

Kofi Kinaata 'Things Fall Apart'

Kofi Kinaata scores a big hit with this socially conscious highlife record, where he addresses the contamination of the Christian faith by worldly desires and pleasures. —N.O.

Ko-jo Cue 'Dzo' feat. Worlasi

Worlasi's winning hook is well matched by Ko-jo Cue on "Dzo,", the second single—after "You Alone"—from his upcoming album, For My Brothers, out on November 1. —S.K.