Afrocritik Music Spotlight: Big Bang
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
“Guess who’s back back back, back again gain gain, Spotlight’s back back back, tell your friend friend frieeeeeeeend!”
Greetings to all the rhythm chasers, melody hunters, and brave cartographers of sound. If you are reading this, then you already know what time it is!!
How are you doing? Have you had a great start to 2026? As we step into the final month of Q1, how have all the significant calendar milestones treated you? The beginning of Lent, the opening fasts of Ramadan, Valentine’s reflections, all those markers that quietly shape the first stretch of the year. I have missed you so much. I have missed bringing you the incredible music I have been discovering and enjoying.
So, it only felt right that the first Spotlight of 2026 had to be massive. We are starting things off with a big bang, exploding our musical universe into existence for the year with a mega load of songs and projects I have been listening to and uncovering from across the continent since January began.
Before we dive in, make sure you are following us on our socials @Afrocritik. There is a lot of exciting work coming from Afrocritik very soon. As for the Spotlights, we are getting back into rhythm and will likely return to a bi-weekly cadence, which also means the Monthly Editorial list will be making its return before long.
The last one is still there for your enjoyment in the meantime. And as always, artistes among you can submit your music to yinoluu@afrocritik.com so you stand a chance to be spotlighted right here. I can’t wait to hear what all you talented cats are cooking up!
Without further ado, let’s explore this week’s brilliant selection of tracks.
We begin gently.
Mood & Emotion
We start off soft and smooth, easing into tenderness and feeling. “3am in Paris” by Anaïs Cardot opens the doors with a guitar-led ballad that floats between French and English, her powerful singing carrying the quiet ache of late-night reflection.
From Kenya, Mutoriah’s We Don’t Need Money To Be Rich offers “Tout Ira Bien” and “Day One,” where eclectic Pop sensibilities meet African sonics in a way that feels stadium-ready yet deeply personal. Titose, the Botswanan R&B singer, dives fully into contemporary R&B textures on Did We Try Hard Enough, with “Falling” and “Beautiful Chaos” showcasing buttery vocals layered over lush, modern production.
South African twin sisters Q Twins bring their signature harmonies to Imicabango, with “Ezikingeni” and “Ngeke” gliding over varied instrumentals, their voices blending with effortless power. Kenyan duo We Are Nubia’s Needs EP gives us “Available” and “Sway,” guitar-driven Kizomba vibes wrapped in Electronic Afro-Fusion textures that sway rather than rush. Muthaka’s Off My Chest closes this segment with “Sunday Skin” and “Sitaki Mwingine,” diaristic songwriting delivered naturally over Classic RnB inspired instrumentals, the kind of songs that feel like pages torn from a journal and set to melody.
Then the pulse begins to rise.
Afro-Fusions
Here the Afrobeats heartbeat is fused with varied influences, fluid and adaptable. PJ Star’s Star Player gives us “Jeje” and “No Pressure,” smooth and groovy tracks carried by slick vocals and understated confidence. Perfext’s Nobody’s Perfect offers “Bonnie & Clyde” and “Yawa,” his agile vocals dancing over simple Afroswing frameworks with impressive control. Shayo Davids steps up on the A1 EP with “Outside” and “A Song For The Real Ones,” pairing clever songwriting and varied flows with energetic delivery over catchy beats.
Kenyan Afro-R&B riser Nasha Travis brings “Blessings” and “Umeni Koroga” from the Love & Rhythm EP, her unique high register voice cutting through groovy production with striking clarity. Then come some standout singles with chart-topping and radio-frequenting potential. “Greedy” by Nonso Amadi leans into polished Afropop smoothness, “Fantasy” by Rayona and SAMAD pairs sweetness with bounce, “UNO” by Kosi O and Rigo Kamp rides confidently on rhythm, and “lost!” by Kold AF delivers sleek, emotional flair.
Next we switch gears a bit. Hip-hop lovers, we have not forgotten you.
Spot of Rap
Hip-hop lovers need not fret, we’ve got some vibes to bop your heads. Usimamane’s G-Wagon Music: Baby Tai gives us “Racks” and “Nix,” where the Durban born rapper brings grit and street energy over hard-hitting beats that knock with authority. Danya Devs’ Bayede project offers “Family Anthem” and “Uber Eats,” mixing melodic inflections with quickfire punchlines over quintessential Hip-Hop production.
Sjava’s iNkanyezi NeZinkanyezi stands tall with “Madibuseng” and “Gusheshe,” a gathering of featured rappers adding depth and wisdom over evocative, knocking instrumentals that feel rooted and reflective.
Among the singles, “Hustle” by Kenyan artiste and activist Octopizzo speaks ambition casually over a stripped-down instrumental. “Imali Entsha G-Mix” by Blue Pappi and Young Stunna layers smooth melodic rap flows over a polished beat, and each track reinforces that Rap across the continent continues to stretch and redefine itself.
And finally, we step onto the dancefloor.
Afro-House in the House
A bevvy of Afro-House offerings awaits our avid partakers. Thumping kicks, buzzing synths, layered percussions, sweeping progressions and soul-moving, entrancing vocals are all on display. Sun-El Musician’s Under The Sun gives us “Umlayezo” and “Imali,” masterclasses in immersive AfroHouse arrangements. Damie and Dolapo Martins’ Come Back project offers “Meji” and “Call On Me” featuring Emly, blending melodic songwriting with steady four-on-the-floor propulsion.
Mayonie’s Evolution of Afro House presents “Life”, “Crazy”, and “Ibhanoyi”, collaborative efforts that build on textured grooves and emotive vocal layers. Among the singles that made the cut, “Awe Mah” by Zee Nxumalo and a star-studded lineup surges with vibrant energy, “Aiboo” by maverick DJ Maphorisa and collaborators, “Trichlor” by Hypaphonik and Privacii pulses with underground intensity, “Agbara Mi” by Major League Djz balances groove and bounce, and Atmost Blaq’s remix of Maline Aura’s “Mabebuza” reimagines the original with dynamic, dance-ready finesse.
As always, these songs are only a cross-section of the full playlist. It is a big one this time, packed with a full range of vibes, moods, tempos, and textures. You absolutely have to go and listen to the entire thing.
Remember, over here, we are not just about the biggest names. We are here to make sure you do not miss the noteworthy offerings that might have slipped under your radar. We hope we have put you on to some new artistes and that you walk away with new favourites added to your rotation. Send us your recent favourites from this past week’s flood of releases and keep your eyes open for the return of the Monthly Editorial soon.
We hope you enjoy this Spotlight as much as we enjoyed putting it together. We hope you missed it as much as I missed bringing it to you. And we hope 2026 has been treating you kindly so far.
For the next two weeks, keep exploring, keep listening, and try not to miss us too much. We wish you the very best that March has to offer. Until we see each other again in two weeks.
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.