Seven months after Tyla released her self-titled debut album, which spent five weeks at No. 1 Bulletin boardOn the World Albums chart, princess popiano is back with the deluxe edition TYLA +. And after winning cosigns from SZA, Chiara and more of his “Soh-Soh” cut from his own Sunday At Zuri's EP this summer, Afro-R&B artist Odeal feeds his growing fan base with more new songs.
And those are just two of the month's best tracks in African music, which in this edition of the column span from Nigeria to Ghana, Zimbabwe to South Africa and back again. There is the deep baritone of rapper Holy Ten, the signature banter of Ckay and BNXN, the aggressive stylings of Black Sherif and Stonebwoy and a high profile guest spot from Afro Raver Rema, among many others.
We've highlighted 10 of our favorite new songs from African concerts that have been released in the last month or so. Check out our latest fresh picks and get some vibes with the latest Spotify playlist below.
Phyno, “It's Nothing”
Nigerian rapper Phyno is not coming to perform on 'It's Nothing', the opening track from his fifth studio album Full time employment. He proclaims how his money and inheritance are untouchable in the infectious flow of Igbo. And Major Bangz's '90s hip-hop-inspired production, interspersed with a triumphant horn section, gives Phyno an extra pep in his step.
Tyla feat. Tony Duardo, Optimist & Maestro, “SHAKE AH”
Tyla already had our boots shaking on her groundbreaking 'Water' last summer, and she's bringing us back to the dance floor with 'Shake Ah', the first of three new songs included on the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album. Featuring producer Tony Duardo (who often works with fellow amapiano star Uncle Waffles) and vocalists Optimist and Maestro, the Grammy-winning artist stays true to her amapiano roots with the track's bustling drums and folk melody. “Too serious, too serious/ Hands on my hips, won't let me go,” he cools breathily. Only a few of the lyrics are sung in English, proving that Tyla can still cross the mainstream without straying from the sounds of her native South Africa.
Odeal, “Temptress”
Following the success of his viral single “Soh Soh”, Odeal continues his momentum while sonically slowing things down on his latest mesmerizing offering “Temptress”. He confesses that he's in love with a woman whose lifestyle (“purple lights,” “cash on the bedroom floor,” you get the picture) makes it clear that the feelings aren't mutual, while cleverly interjecting, “Boy, I gotta watch the mine' by Aaliyah back, 'cause I ain't nobody' from the chorus of 'Are You That Somebody'. (“My friends told me to watch my back, 'cause I'm one of many bodies,” he sings.) And Harry Westlake's '90s R&B-inspired production has listeners as deep in their feelings as Odeal in his.
Wizkid's feat. Brent Faiyaz, “Piece of My Heart”
Wizkid and Brent Faiyaz are a pair of infatuated but slightly delusional heartthrobs on sexy single “Piece of My Heart”, which comes ahead of Wiz's sixth studio album Moragio This will be on November 22nd. Both artists remind their lovers how inseparable they are (“Nothing can tear us apart,” Faiyaz reassures before delivering the track's title line) over a sultry guitar hook and percussion. The Afrobeats superstar playfully nods to Drake's Hot 100 No. 1 “One Dance” before the track slows down in its second half. Here, Wiz and Faiyaz rant about how hard it is for their wives to have feelings for them when they're always catching flights. “Stressful, I know/ Every other day, different time zone,” Wiz raps. It might not be enough to have just a piece of their heart.
Nasty C, Lekaa Beats, ODUMODUBLVCK & Chip, “Trouble”
South African rapper Nasty C and Nigerian producer Lekaa Beats combine hip-hop, trap, Afrobeats and amapiano on their joint EP. Confuse the Enemy. On lead track “Trouble,” Nasty C highlights the “pressure” he faces from all corners of his life, while guests Nigerian MC ODUMODUBLVCK and UK rapper Chip spit lyrics about their own struggles and how their hustle helped them persevere (“That's why I let my heart pour out every time I rhyme/ 'Cause I never know who's listening on the other side,” Chips raps). And Lekaa's affecting Afrofusion production makes those who listen to ” Trouble” to feel comfortable.
Holy Ten feat. MrCandy, “Kilimanjaro”
Zimbabwean rapper Holy Ten's deep baritone anchors this track from his new album Proud fatherwith a quirky acoustic guitar over a down-tempo beat that provides a rich backbone for the song to soar. With frequent collaborator MrCandy belting out a soaring guest verse, “Kilimanjaro” is a standout on the new album, which suffers from a mere 24 minutes in length. The whole project is worth listening to.
Black Sheriff, “Rebel Music”
Sherif's aggressive vocal style is on full display on this latest single, with production that feels as big as his ambition and defies easy categorization. There's something magnetic about Sherif's confidence on the mic, if only because his lyrics focus on defiance in the face of adversity and his own sheer willpower – not something to be taken lightly. If his latest singles are any indication, this next album will be quite an achievement.
BNXN & Rema, “Fi Kan We Kan”
Two of the most distinctive young voices in Nigeria have teamed up for this new one, which features BNXN's signature falsetto floating over the first verse and hook before Rema comes through and delivers a verse so slick it's hard to tell if takes a breath. a confidence that is contagious. The track builds in momentum throughout, with the amapiano log drums getting more intense as it progresses — with a cinematic music video that ties it all together.
Stonebwoy feat. Ir Sais, “Memories”
With an old school R&B edge, Ghana's Stonebwoy delivers an infectious track that showcases his vocal prowess and distinct style, while Ir Sais croons over the hook. It's a song that seems out of another place and time, but it works because there's nothing like it right now — and it's a great primer for his just-released album UP & RUNNIN6 that left last week.
Ckay feat. The Cavemen., “Addicted”
Ckay's soulful vocal stylings take a detour from his usual minor-key environment into the much brighter world of The Cavemen, resulting in a track that feels like watching an intimate performance in a late-night jazz club, which it is. completely different from what the young singer has done in the past. The band's percussion gives the song a different vibe, while Ckay's voice fits in effortlessly, for one of the strongest collaborations this year.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/best-new-afrobeats-songs-wizkid-tyla-odeal-bnxn-rema-black-sherif-ckay-1235814894/
