Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight: Potential Showcase
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Hello,
Greetings to all our fellow seekers of rhythm and voyagers of sound. How are you doing this week? Has the new month started kindly for you? Did you have a good week, and are you ready for the ember months just ahead? Whatever the time of year, our playlists are here to keep you in good company, offering the perfect sounds for every season and every hour of the day.
This week’s compilation was a true delight to put together, filled with discoveries of promising new voices and exciting talents brimming with raw potential. Today we put that promise on display, inviting you to listen closely and imagine the bright futures that await each of them.
Before we begin, don’t forget to follow us on all our socials so you never miss the joy of musical discovery. July’s Monthly Spotlight is already live, bringing together the best of the month’s releases into one seamless collection. If you missed any of last month’s highlights, you’ll find them there, ready for your enjoyment.
And for the artists among our readers, our door is always open. Submit your music, and you might soon see your own creations featured in this very space. Don’t hesitate to send it to yinoluu@afrocritik.com; we’re eager to spotlight your work as well!
Without further delay, here is this week’s brilliant selection:
SLOW AND STEADY: soft, soulful downtempo tracks to kick us off.
We begin with “Cloudy”, a tender cut from Nigerian newcomer, Efue, recently chosen as an Apple Music Up Next artiste. Her debut EP, Memorabilia, is filled with soulful Afro-Fusion storytelling, also giving us the heartfelt “Beauty and The Beat”, and “Wanna Know”.
Terry Apala follows with the emotionally haunting “Echoes of Pain” from his Not Guilty EP, a project that also offers the reflective “Grace In Disguise” and “Jail Tales”, where the star turns deeply personal and introspective. Kenyan riser, Kahuti, delivers the guitar-centered ballad “Feel The Love”, drawn from his Boy Lover album, its atmosphere drenched in warmth.
South African singer, Guduza, strikes out solo after acclaim with the group The Joy, offering a highlight project of the week in the form of his Isiqalo EP. Its gems, “Sek’seduze”, “Sthandwa Sami”, “Ngiyekeni”, and “Ngiyamthando” are brilliantly heartfelt R&B fusions with soulful harmonies and moving vocals. Botswana’s Titose contributes “Falling”, a captivating new single built on R&B and Trapsoul textures, dripping with mood and elegance.
Closing out this segment is “Tsehaye,” an off-kilter and unusual alternative single from emerging Ethiopian act Ebne Hakim, blending traditional Ethiopian influences with contemporary flavour for something strikingly distinct.
AFRO-FUSION TAKES: We get fresh takes and perspectives on conventional regional sounds.
This category begins with “Asante”, a sweet Bongo Flava track from Kenyan Dancehall sensation, Arrow Bwoy. Tanzanian songstress, Abigail Chams, makes her presence felt on Harmonize’s downtempo Bongo Flava cut “Lala”, as well as on “Kitu” by her fellow Tanzanian Barnaba. Ghanaian emerging act, Raevin, gives us Feelings Of Raevin, an attention-grabbing project with “Maserati”, “Piano”, and “Dear Harriet”, blending R&B inspirations into Afrobeats with his own twist.
Kenyan act, Genes1s, showcases versatility and skill across multiple genres on his Almost There album, highlighted by “Ikitoka,” “Karibia,” and “A Little.”
Nigerian newcomer, Spy Shitta, arrives with his Showboy album, offering “Nfani Ibaga”, “Izz Allowed”, “Son of Grace”, and “Early Momo”, each track demonstrating sharp melodies and commanding vocals across Afropop and Afrofusion. Diasporan artist Frenna shows his range on Bloodline, flowing with ease across Afro-Pop with “Picture Perfect”, “Mas Q Nada”, “In Love With Us”, and “Champion Flow”. Cameroonian singer-songwriter, Sabrina, impresses with the expansive Freely album, weaving emotive and soulful Afro-Pop through tracks like “Alone,” “Faraway,” “Don’t Call Me,” and “Lose.”
And finally, we round out this section with some attention-grabbing singles: Shoday’s energetic “Shoday Kilode”, and “My Soul” from South African-Ghanaian singer, Chayuta, whose captivating vocals and style mark her as one to watch.
TRIP TO THE SOUTH: We resume our usual trip to South Africa
We turn to South Africa with a hard-hitting new single from rap superstar, Nasty C. “Leftie” showcases his sharp, versatile flow and reaffirms mastery of Hip-Hop. Durban singer-songwriter and producer, Nanette, gives us “Abazali”, a sweet and measured midtempo track that shows off her growing artistry.
Mick Man offers three gentle Amapiano standouts: “Amalobolo”, “Mdali”, and “Ungaba Shisi”, from his Uminathi album, each built on soulful grooves and heartwarming vocal performances.
Soul Keys continues the mood with the smooth, instrumental-heavy Amapiano jams “Amanceba” and “Kotamela”, taken from his MPHO album. Finally, Xduppy, Seun1401, and LastBornDiroba deliver the Ghetto Fabulous EP, a set of thumping, gritty Amapiano tracks featuring “Hao Khonagale”, “Bati”, and “Books Before Boys”, each packed with energy and raw attitude.
These are just a small slice of what awaits you on the full playlist, which overflows with more gems waiting to be uncovered. Remember, here we are not about the biggest names alone. Our mission is to make sure you do not miss the noteworthy offerings that might otherwise fly under your radar.
Send us your recent favourites from the coming week’s releases and take some time to enjoy the freshly updated July monthly editorial. We hope you love this week’s spotlight as much as we loved curating it, as the process introduced us to many fantastic songs and artists.
May this music carry you into the week ahead with inspiration and energy. Wishing you the very best as we move deeper into the heart of Q3. Best wishes from all of us until next time.
Warm regards,
Yinoluwa “Yinoluu” Olowofoyeku is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative who finds expression in various media. His music can be found across all platforms, and he welcomes interaction on his social media @Yinoluu.