This month has produced the biggest abundance of great releases from African artists in 2024 so far, with some of the most exciting, innovative and fastest-rising artists and veterans releasing not only big singles, but highly anticipated albums — and with plenty more to come next months as summer approaches.
Tems released her remix of Nigerian singer-songwriter Seyi Sodimu's 1997 smash 'Love Me Jeje' after her first performance of the single at Coachella. It is the first single from her upcoming debut album Born in the wild, which will be released in May. Meanwhile, Joeboy linked up with teen sensation Qing Madi, ODUMODUBLVCK and Blaqbonez dropped a standout collaboration, and Black Sherif turned up the aggression with a new banger.
Nigerian Afropop singer Minz talks a big game on his new single 'shadow' with German trio 255, who also produced 1da Banton and Bella Shmurda's 'Evidence' collab, which is featured in this column . Speaking of collaborations, Ruger and Bnxn put past issues behind them and celebrate their harmonious relationship on their joint album RnB. And Young Jonn helped Jamaican dance-maker Sean Paul win his first career feature Advertising signThis month's US Afrobeats Songs chart with “Hold On”, from the latter's highly anticipated debut album Jiggy Forever.
“I'm an artist and I go to Africa and they appreciate so much what we brought to the table. It's been a symbiotic relationship back and forth over the years,” he said Advertising sign in an interview last week about the dynamic between Afrobeats and dance music. “We use drums from the sound that is Afro music, people like Fela Kuti and all these great musicians, and we produce it the way we hear it [and] Feel it. At Afrobeats 1714499517they took the cue from how we produce and did their own thing with it.”
We've highlighted 10 of our favorite new Afrobeats (and related) songs released in the last month or so. Check out our latest fresh picks and get some vibes with the latest Spotify playlist below.
Minz & 255, “shadow”
Minz calls out 255 for his new single “shadow.” “It's for sure, you know I'm killin' it,” he says on the first verse, while assuring his haters won't go far on the chorus. His confident flow is a perfect match for his and 255's lively production.
Bloody Civilian, “Head Start”
At the end of her electrifying debut EP Anger management, Bloody Civilian remains a force to be reckoned with on her first single of 2024, “Head Start.” She leaves her opps shaking, so much so that 'thinking say they're dancers. Congratulations, you are the best dancers,” he quips in the chorus. But the track's stirring Afropop production, with its unsettling sirens, ominous cues and intoxicating percussion, will leave listeners dancing alongside her fans. “This piece is pretty raw. Basically, I made a revenge track that's Afrobeats but it's also low key Travis Scott coded,” Bloody says in a press release.
1da Banton & Bella Shmurda, “Evidence”
Nigerian singer-songwriters 1da Banton and Bella Shmurda join forces for the first time on their summer two-track package, Proof / Holy man. The first single, “Evidence”, is a lively, mid-tempo celebration of their success, with the hook “And the proves choke/ Evidence choke, and the boys dem know/ Boys dem know, and the everywhere I go” proving it for the boys. Produced by 255, the track's acoustic guitar drives its laid-back production, while the atmospheric melodies sprinkled throughout “Evidence” add an extra touch of lightness.
Ruger & Bnxn, “Not Done”
Ruger and Bnxn make it clear they're not over their past relationship (even if their ex feels otherwise) on the midtempo final track to the Afropop stars' remarkable joint album. RnB. Produced by Blaisebeatz, “Not Done” tells the toxic story of a man who won't accept the end of a relationship, with Ruger questioning why she would ever want to leave him and Bnxn reminding her who treats her best in the bedroom. “When two artists like us come together, we send a message to everyone around the industry,” Ruger said in a recent Billboard News interview. “For Afrobeats right now, a lot of us don't really collaborate. The world does not allow such joint works. But this project actually takes us to another level.”
Young Jonn feat. Sean Paul, “Hold On”
Young Jonn links up with reggae legend Sean Paul on the sensual highlight “Hold On” from his debut album. Jiggy Forever. With its stirring string arrangement, melodic vibes, Jonn's come-hither vocals and Paul's lusty lyrics, “Hold On” is the kind of record you sing along to while moaning about your significant other or even a stranger on the dance floor a hot summer night. . “I recorded this song in Madrid and I was in the studio with Memphis Depay. He was actually going to take the beat, but before you knew it, I had recorded the chorus!” he said album/jiggy-forever/1739159592″ target=”_blank”>Apple Music for the song. “I sent the song to my manager — he's a very imaginative person and he said, 'We should put it on Sean Paul.' Earlier this year he texted me saying we have Sean Paul. it was crazy!”
Young Jonn, “Bahamas”
The super-producer has been stringing us along with top-shelf singles for over a year now, but Jiggy Forever The album is finally here, and unsurprisingly, there are plenty of gorgeous songs sprinkled throughout. His songs have always had a touch of nostalgia or longing, both lyrically and musically, and “Bahamas” fits the bill perfectly as the latest in what's becoming a formidable catalog of big, ambitious hits.
Tems, “Love Me JeJe”
As she prepares for the release of her debut album Born in the wild In May, Tems comes out with a new single that's perfect in her pocket, showcasing her voice and laid-back style in a track titled Seyi Sodimu 1997 hit. The hook “I'm on your wave now/ I'm on your vibe now” — finds Tems right where she's always been best: feeling her way through music as effortlessly and coolly as anyone could ever hope from U.S.
Black Sheriff, “Shut Up”
The Ghanaian street MC has been on a roll of late, with his latest single a fiery, in-your-face cut that takes a mocking swipe at the competition, inviting attacks from others while documenting his undeniable rise to where he is now. It's more aggressive than the single 'January 9' he dropped earlier this year, which took a more introspective approach, but it's a niche he's earned so far.
Joeboy feat. Qing Madi, “Adenuga”
Trusted hitmaker Joeboy enlists young Nigerian singer Qing Madi to assist him on his latest, a platform for their two voices to combine in unexpectedly great ways as the song comes to a close. Ahead of that, Joeboy himself tells the story of melting a frozen harsh outdoors as he falls in love, showcasing the melodic tracks that helped him rise to the top of the Nigerian pop scene. It's a duo that works just fantastic.
ODUMODUBLVCK & Blaqbonez feat. Lekaa Beats, “Technician”
There may not be a more distinctive voice in African music in the last couple of years than ODUMODUBLVCK, whose flow and style are instantly recognizable and add an element to his music that others wish they had. But if anyone could rival him for originality, it might be Blaqbonez, and this collaboration is two fighters playing at the highest level, with Lekaa Beats' vocals the perfect icing.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/best-new-afrobeats-songs-young-jonn-bloody-civilian-ruger-bnxn-tems-joeboy-more-1235669198/