Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight: Projects Galore.
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Hello!
Greetings to all our fellow adventurers of sound and seekers of rhythm. We hope you are doing well, and that the week has been kind to you. September is here, bringing with it the ember months that always seem to carry a different kind of energy.
For the sports fans among you, the NFL is back. That may bring its own excitement—or frustration—but remember, our playlists are always in season. They never leave you stranded and remain steady companions. This week has been overflowing with big-name releases and plenty of attention-grabbing headlines, but that is not where our spotlight rests. While you enjoy Tiwa Savage and other household names, we are here to shine a brighter light on projects from voices that still need amplification.
Before we begin, we encourage you to follow us on our socials so you never miss a drop. July’s monthly spotlight has officially been retired, and August’s is now live for your enjoyment—a full recap of last month’s best music. For the artistes among you, our doors remain open for submissions. Don’t hesitate to send your work to yinoluu@afrocritik.com. We’re itching to spotlight your own work as well.
Without further delay, we go into this week’s brilliant selection, which comes in the form of:
GREAT IMPRESSIONS: This section highlights the young and emerging voices whose projects stand tall with promise and whose songs make strong cases for their futures.
South African singer Nanette delivers Painfully Happy, a smooth, soulful, swinging R&B project that is both emotional and textured, with songs like “Suddenly,” “Make it Dance,” “How Much Can You Really Take” and “Silent Killer” leading the way. From Ghana, Gyakie presents her debut album, After Midnight, where tracks like “want it”, “damn u”, “i’m not taken”, and “house party” showcase her R&B leanings while weaving them into a diverse body of work that reinforces her superstar potential. Mckay returns with Vibes & Melodies 2, and the title is no exaggeration. Songs like “Unholy”, “Omalicha”, “Without You”, and “Bella” bring vibey, melodic Afrobeats to the fore, carried by his strong vocals.
Ugandan dancehall artiste, John Blaq, offers his gravelly edge across African Buoy, with highlights including “African Boy”, the remix of “Commander”, “Let Me Know”, and “Yuko Sawa”, all presenting his unique slant across different Afrobeats tempos. From South Africa, Jst Sako unveils Tuka, a brilliant project where tracks like “Hamba”, “Mlilo”, “Ufunani”, and “Limele” are layered, versatile, and performed with exceptional talent, easily marking him out as one to watch. Nigerian singer, Bella Alubo, shows her eclectic and unpredictable artistry on Love Is War, where “Somebody Else”, “Oxygen”, “Ricochet”, and “Rush” deliver witty and energetic Afrobeats laced with her signature flair.
Tay Iwar’s Wonderful EP once again demonstrates why he remains one of the most distinctive voices in Nigeria. With songs like “Mercy Please,” “Do Your Thing,” and “Next2U,” he crafts alternative Afrofusions that balance unique production choices with stellar vocal performances.
MINI JOL: Last week we took you on a massive jol in South Africa. This week, we return briefly for a sequel, a smaller but no less vibrant party.
DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, the legendary Scorpion Kings, offer Kings Will Rise, where “iLanga”, “Bafo”, “Biri Marung”, and “Lalelani” deliver mature Amapiano infused with folk leanings and diverse textures that remind us of their mastery. Khathapillar brings Kganya, a project full of smooth and gentle Amapiano, with tracks like “Sedi Laka”, “Pelo Tsa Bona”, “Nako”, and “Lerato” providing subtle but memorable moments.
Nigerian DJ Spinall shows his range with Eko Groove, a multigenre, star-studded album that thrives on versatility. Songs like “Excited”, “Living” featuring Kerosene, “Waiting”, and “Forward” underline his reputation as a connector of sounds and styles. From South Africa, MaWhoo delivers Amazwi Okubonga, a standout body of work that merges Amapiano and AfroHouse with powerful vocals and rich instrumentals. Highlights include “Imenemene,” “Umona,” “Mina,” and “Amandla,” each track immersive, moving, and beautifully arranged.
As always, this spotlight is just a cross-section of the week’s releases. The full playlist holds even more gems waiting to be discovered. Our mission here at Afrocritik is not to dwell only on the big names, but to make sure you don’t miss out on these noteworthy offerings that may have slipped under your radar. We hope this week we’ve managed to put you on to new artistes and projects, and perhaps you’ll find some new favourites to carry with you into September.
Send us your recent favourites from this coming week’s wave of releases, and remember to enjoy the newly updated August monthly editorial for a curated look at the best of last month. We hope this spotlight fills you with as much excitement as it gave us to compile, and that your September begins with joy, inspiration, and plenty of music.
Wishing you a motivating and uplifting week ahead, and may September bring you only the best.
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.
Monthly:
Weekly: