Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight: Second Bridge Week
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Hello again, lovely people. We hope the week has treated you kindly and that you’ve been keeping well. The past seven days brought a wave of high-profile releases, with some big names, loud headlines, and massive numbers.
But that’s not really our lane. As always, our mission is to sift through the noise and spotlight the smaller, special releases that might have slipped under your radar. And despite the dominance of the heavyweights, there are still more than a few gems worth your time.
Before we dive into the list, a quick reminder to follow us across socials if you haven’t already. Those who have should know that the Monthly Spotlight for June is now live and waiting for you. And of course, if you’re making music or know someone who is, feel free to send us your latest work at yinoluu@afrocritik.com. We’re keen to spotlight your work too.
Now that the housekeeping is out of the way, here’s this week’s brilliant selection:
MARQUEE PROJECTS: The spotlight may have shone on the big-ticket albums this week, but a few remarkable full-lengths still found room to breathe.
We start with The Summer That Saved Me, a textured, heartfelt R&B-fusion release from British-Nigerian artiste, Odeal. Highlights like “Miami”, “Patience”, and “My Heart” showcase his detailed songwriting, pristine vocal phrasing, and rich musical sensibility, making it easily one of the year’s more stirring soul offerings.
On a different path, Light, the new gospel-leaning project by veteran producer, Masterkraft, features standout tracks like “Blessed”, “It’s Done”, “Fear No Evil”, and “In Jesus Name”. Fusing afropop, soul, and contemporary gospel, it feels like a deeply personal experiment wrapped in genre versatility and spiritual reverence.
Ghanaian twin duo, DopeNation, deliver something entirely different with Ghanapiano, a boldly inventive Afropiano record brimming with syncopated fun. Tracks like “Baddest” and “Zorminzor” flex clever melodies and well-styled bounce, giving Ghana’s spin on the Amapiano wave its proper due.
Elsewhere, Sipho Magudulela’s Iqhathanzipho is a warm, sweetly vocalised Amapiano collection. Songs like “Umama”, “Ulibambe”, and “Indlela” highlight his sensitive ear for harmony and delicate groove construction. Instrumentalist excellence is at the forefront of Abidoza’s Whispers Through The Night, a moving instrumental Amapiano offering. “Jazz Piano” with Luxury Piano, “Summer Sax” with Jay Sax, and “Sexy Guitar” with Snow Deep and Dinho all illuminate the project’s cinematic flair and the musicianship at its heart. Rounding out the section is 2 Souls, a collaborative effort by Lowbass Djy and Ndibo Ndibs. With tracks like “Jazzling House” and “Let Us Heal Your Soul”, the album blends soulful keys with richly percussive Amapiano arrangements, leaning into the genre’s jazzier contours.
NOTABLE SINGLES: A tighter list than usual, but each of these selections carries a distinct sonic fingerprint. number of singles that stand out and deserve your time and attention.
“Belong”, by Kohsea in collaboration with Camp Genie, opens the section with its smooth, soulful textures and a heartfelt delivery that lingers long after it ends. “Wanna Know” by Efue mixes jazzy inflections into its Afrobeats groove, with the kind of melodic finesse that keeps you hitting replay. Ghanaian-Norwegian rapper, Gemini Orleans, shows up with “Gasoline”, an energetic and slick slice of Hip-Hop that flaunts his confidence and lyrical dexterity.
April Maey switches things up with “4U”, a bouncy, self-assured rap record that reminds us that her vocal toolkit stretches far beyond sultry singing. From Tanzania, Udi delivers a romantic, melody-rich Bongo Flava entry in the form of “Namuachaje”, charming and tender in equal measure. Nigerian risers, Boi Chase and Noon Dave, step up with “Sneaky Link” and “Orgazi” respectively—two emotive Afrobeats tracks full of feeling, strong melodies, and vocal nuance. “Mind” by Berri-Tiga and Shoday, and Fiokee’s “Pressure” close things out on an upbeat note, brimming with vibrant energy and expressive flair that’s hard to ignore.
SOUTH AFRICAN SIGN-OFF: And now, as we do each week, we head south.
“Piki Piki” brings a jolt of high-octane Amapiano from KMAT, Shaunmusiq, Moonchild Sanelly, and a few lively collaborators. “Gibela” by House of Esama and company is equally thumping, built for loud systems and lively rooms. For those in the mood for something smoother, DJ Stokie’s “Skorokoro 2.0”, Mdoovar’s “iLyf”, and Ceehle’s “Bafuna Thina” each offer warm vocal melodies and soft-pulse grooves that flow easy and slow.
“Bawo”, a hypnotic piece by Ntokzin, Azana, and De Mthuda, is a standout mesmeric, layered track that moves in waves. Finally, AfroHouse gets its moment with three stellar selections: “2 Step” by Shimza and Kabza De Small, “Ndisize” by Caiiro and Ami Faki, and “Dangerous” by Sun-El Musician, Jnr SA, and Section Five. Each one hits with a distinct pulse and a forward-driving spirit.
And that wraps this week’s feature. Remember, this is just a slice of what the full playlist has to offer. Plenty more gems await your ears.
While the spotlight may fall on the familiar names, our aim is always to spotlight what might otherwise be overlooked. So, send us your favourites from this coming week’s deluge of releases, and don’t forget to dive into the June Monthly Spotlight if you haven’t yet.
Wishing you an inspired, productive, and joy-filled week ahead. Until next time, take care of yourself, stay curious, and keep listening.
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.