While Tyla is dripping in “Chanel” on her latest designer single, the South African star is making movies on the dancefloor with MOLIY on “Body Go” and holding onto remnants of a past relationship with Lojay on “Memories.”
And there’s no stopping what’s coming from Mavin’s golden children Ayra Starr and Rema on their hypnotic collab “Who’s Dat Girl,” which debuted at No. 3 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs this week (chart dated Nov. 1). The single arrives less than one month after Rema popped out as a surprise guest during Starr’s performance at this year’s Global Citizen Festival, where they duetted on Rema’s “Baby (Is it a Crime)” single from earlier this year and his 2022 international smash “Calm Down,” with Starr filling for Sade’s and Selena Gomez’s parts, respectively.
We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new songs by African acts that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and catch a vibe with our Spotify playlist below.
Lojay & Tyla, “Memories”
Lojay and Tyla cosplay as exes who are hesitant to let go of their haunted “Memories” of each other on this tantalizing highlight track from the former’s debut album XOXO. But their mellifluous “Eh-la-la-lo, eh-le-ah-no-ah” harmonies sound like a subtle hint that they’re still meant to be together. The Lagos loverboy reunites with his “Monalisa” collaborator, Afrobeats hitmaker Sarz, who brings his Sarz Academy protégé Twitch along for the duet’s sensual Afropop production.
MOLIY & Tyla, “Body Go”
Whether you’re in the back of the cab or in a “section full of baddies” at the club, MOLIY and Tyla command you to “dance, whine your body, go down” on their dancefloor filler. The infectious waist-whining rhythm of “Body Go” complements its come-hither lyricism. Months after releasing her U.S. Afrobeats Songs No. 1 “Shake It To The Max (Fly)” remix, the Ghanaian star continues to seize her moment.
Ayra Starr & Rema, “Who’s Dat Girl”
Mavin’s marquee stars Ayra Starr and Rema burn brighter together on their “Who’s Dat Girl” banger. Starr flaunts her It-girl status with poise, while Rema’s rapid-fire flow momentarily steals the spotlight from her – only for listeners to realize he’s spending his whole verse gassing up the gyal. And Ragee and The Elements’ dancehall-inspired and Middle Eastern-influenced production gives “Girl” a multicultural edge.
Young Jonn, “Full Control”
Young Jonn is giving up “Full Control” of his body tonight on his sleek and sultry single, which arrives ahead of his upcoming sophomore album Blue Disco. Producer Yung Willis’ electronic flourishes and subdued log drums help soundtrack Jiggy’s late-night rendezvous. “This one is about owning your space and moving with confidence. After so many collaborations, I wanted to drop something that’s purely me – my energy, my vision, my vibe,” he said in a press release about “Full Control,” which debuted at No. 42 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs.
Boj & Anaïs Cardot, “After Hours”
After delivering gorgeous verses on Asake’s “My Heart” and Wizkid’s “Slow” last year, French Gabonese singer Anaïs Cardot lends her lithe, featherlight vocals once more on Boj’s “After Hours” single ahead of his upcoming album Duplicity. Their intimate exchange floats over Genio Bambino’s guitar-driven production, which softens into an old-school R&B synth loop for an extra touch of romance.
The Cavemen. feat. Pa Salieu, “Gatekeepers”
The high-life masters just released their new album, Cavy In the City, today (Oct. 31), and on this latest single they brought Gambian-British singer Pa Salieu along for the ride. His contribution to the laid back track is less, singing, less rapping, than it is spoken word, adding a contemplative element to a track that is an engaging groove in the context of the overall album. The duo also announced a series of European dates for early next year, where they’ll take the new record on the road.
Shallipopi feat. Gunna, “HIM”
Shallipopi has been on an incendiary run of late, and this time he taps Atlanta MC Gunna for a street-to-street linkup that manages to feel like it lives simultaneously in both artists’ worlds. Shalli has an extended verse to open the track, using his slinking yet confident delivery to set the tone, before Gunna comes through to flow over the Spanish-inflected guitar that animates the brooding beat. It somehow manages to seem like a commercial hit, even though it’s still rooted in the streets. Another high-quality addition to both catalogs.
Flavour & Baaba Maal, “Afroculture”
Flavour — who also produced this song — often has a very distinct style, and this track embodies that, with driving percussion, traditional vocals and classic instrumentation that delivers a largely instrumental intensity that is lush with its different stylings and insistent in getting in — and staying in — listeners’ heads. It’s almost breathless, and feels much shorter than its three-plus minute run time, even as it fits in an avalanche of elements to create its sound. A real triumph, and a joy.
Lil Kesh feat. Balloranking, “TTGG”
Lil Kesh is one of the best and most consistent artists on the scene right now, and his vocals are distinct from anyone else out there. He’s so adept at melody and crafting catchy hooks that his verses can often fly under the radar, but he’s truly well-rounded in so many different ways that each release of his is a must-listen. Balloranking slides through with a different style on his verse, but it fits well within Kesh’s world on this ode to finding ways to get through tough times (which is one way of putting it).
Joeboy & Shoday, “Ring”
Joeboy is an effortless vocalist, one of the true crooners in the Afrobeats scene, and this is a twist on his usual love song — finally, after playing around with a number of women, he’s met someone who makes him want to cut off all his relationships to dedicate himself to getting married to the woman of his life. Accompanied by a hilarious music video which shows all that drama coming home to roost, this is another ear worm in his ever-expanding catalog of catchy hooks and varied takes on love songs.
