Afrocritik Music Spotlight: Outside the Box
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Greetings once again, musical explorers, rhythm seekers, and sonic adventurers!
How have you been? Hopefully, the past couple of weeks have treated you kindly, and the final stretch of Q2 has been progressing smoothly for you. Here in Lagos, the rainy season has well and truly settled in, bringing cooler weather, dramatic skies, and unfortunately, some difficult conditions for many. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the recent floods and disruptions. We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe, dry, and well wherever you’re reading from.
June is also Men’s Mental Health Month, and before we get into the music, it feels important to pause for a brief reminder. Life can move quickly, responsibilities can pile up, and sometimes the pressure to keep pushing forward can make it difficult to ask for support. If you’re going through a challenging period, please remember that you do not have to carry everything by yourself. Reach out when you need to, check in on the people around you, and extend yourself the same kindness and patience you so readily offer others.
On a lighter note, football fever continues to sweep across the globe as the World Cup unfolds. Whether you’re passionately backing your team, supporting your favourite players, or simply enjoying the spectacle, we hope you’re having a great time. And for those of us whose countries are nowhere near the action, at least we can always count on great music to keep us entertained.
Speaking of great music, it feels wonderful to say that we’re fully back in the groove. Returning to our bi-weekly schedule means more opportunities to spotlight exciting artists, more chances to uncover hidden gems, and more frequent journeys through the incredible sounds emerging from across the continent. The shorter gap between editions may mean slightly more concise selections, but it also means more artists get their moment in the sun.
And if you’re an artiste yourself, we’d love to hear from you. Send your releases to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in future editions of the Spotlight. Some of our favourite discoveries have come directly from artists brave enough to hit send.
As always, make sure you’re following Afrocritik across our social channels because there’s plenty of exciting work on the horizon. Without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s brilliant selection, which is going to feature some interesting entrants from outside the box. For this edition, we get:
MELODIC INTROSPECTION
We begin this edition in reflective territory, where melody, vulnerability, and thoughtful songwriting take centre stage.
Ghanaian singer-songwriter Baves O delivers a warm and intimate offering on Are You With Me!, with “september rush”, “volcano”, and “rolling stone”, showcasing his blend of Indie Pop, Soul, and Alternative influences through vulnerable songwriting and understated production. EMO Grae enters a new chapter on Grae’s Anatomy, a project rooted in self-discovery and emotional reflection. Tracks such as “Youth”, “Gravity”, “Your Type”, and “Lol” showcase his ability to pair vulnerability with infectious melodies and polished contemporary Afrobeats production. Similarly, Jonn P’s Letter to Delia explores matters of the heart through “Letter to Delia”, “Baby Mama”, and “Shawty”, offering heartfelt storytelling and personal reflections over mellow Afro-Fusion arrangements.
Among the singles, Ric Hassani and Tegha connect beautifully on the tender and romantic “Fantasize”, while Keemlyf’s “In Love” captures the excitement, uncertainty, and vulnerability that often accompany matters of the heart. Emly’s “I See (Blue Skies)” provides a hopeful and uplifting moment of introspection, while Llordkez’s stirring live rendition of “Wena Fela (A COLORS SHOW)” strips things back and allows her distinctive voice and storytelling to shine.
Rounding things out, Kyle Simbwa’s breezy “East African Girl”, Nandy’s emotionally conflicted “I Hate That I Love You”, and Baby S.O.N, Zingah, Kwesta, and Yonda Way’s reflective Hip-Hop collaboration “The Journey” all offer different perspectives on love, growth, and self-discovery, making this an ideal place to ease into the many sounds still to come.
ENERGETIC INTERLUDE
Before we settle back into deeper reflection, here’s a brief burst of momentum. These songs bring movement, confidence, and infectious energy, offering a welcome change of pace while still carrying the melodic sensibilities that tie this playlist together.
Ycee keeps the energy flowing with standout cuts in “BA NKAN JE”, “LEMONADE”, and “WITH YOU” from OUT OF SIGHT – OUT OF MIND: VOLUME 1, effortlessly blending Rap, Afrobeats, and melodic songwriting into easy-going grooves. Pheelz leans into smooth melodies and infectious rhythms on A Rii Set, where “DIRTY DIANA RIDDIM”, “STEPPIN”, and “I’M OK” showcase his ability to create polished records built for movement and replay value.
South African Alternative Folk favourite Bongeziwe Mabandla provides a different kind of energy on Ndingubani, with “Ndinje” and “Makuyiwe” pairing rich instrumentation with emotionally resonant songwriting and a gentle sense of forward motion.
Among the singles, Naira Marley and Kizz Daniel unite on the playful and instantly catchy “Ijoba”, while Afro B’s “MAPOUKA” arrives packed with dancefloor-ready energy and undeniable bounce. Yammi’s “Namtaka” brings bright East African Pop sensibilities; Otile Brown delivers another polished romantic anthem with “Ni Wewe”; and Kweku Flick’s “Black Stars Anthem Pt.2” supplies a patriotic dose of football-fuelled excitement. Black Sherif’s “Find A Way” and Lodù’s “Moróúntódún” round things off by injecting just enough introspection beneath the groove, ensuring this brief interlude remains every bit as engaging as it is energetic.
ELECTRONIC AFRIQUE
As always, we close things out on the dance floor. From Soulful AfroHouse and Amapiano to rhythm-rich electronic fusions, these records showcase the continent’s remarkable ability to create music that moves both the body and the spirit. Whether built around soaring vocals, rolling percussion, or hypnotic grooves, each of these offerings reminds us why African electronic music remains one of the most exciting sonic spaces in the world.
South African producer Vico Da Sporo delivers a rich blend of AfroHouse and Soulful Dance music on Let It Be, with “Love 2.0”, “As Long As Kunemali”, “This Is The Goodlife”, and “We Are People” highlighting lush instrumentation, uplifting melodies, and warm communal energy. Equally compelling is Love on Repeat, Vol. 1 from Brandon Dhludhlu and Shekhinah, where “Say You Love Me”, “My Baby”, and “Your Love” pair silky vocal performances with polished production and undeniable chemistry.
TxC continue their impressive run with Straata, bringing together heavyweight collaborators across the energetic “Intro”, “Show Me”, and “Nakupenda”. Built around driving rhythms, infectious hooks, and cross-border collaborations, the project captures the vibrant spirit of contemporary Southern African dance music.
Among the singles, Kailey Botman and Yumbs’ “uThando Alupheli” delivers a smooth and melodic electronic groove, while DJ Karri and Officixl RSA’s “Zenzele” featuring Mid9T and JazzShakes provides a vibrant Amapiano workout built for movement. Officixl RSA, Lowbass Djy, Ndibo Ndibs, Matute Boy, Mellow and Sleazy bring pure dancefloor energy on “Shokozela”, while Justin99 and Benzoo’s “EveryBody” keeps the momentum high with infectious rhythms and undeniable bounce. Cyfred, Sayfar, Blxckie, and Pcee unite on the energetic “Mashonisa eDubane”, while KJ Spio, Mavo, and Gyakie round things off with the smooth and melodic “Call Me”, ensuring we leave this edition exactly as we should: moving.
As always, what we have highlighted here is only a cross-section of the full playlist. Many more gems are waiting to be discovered, and we hope this selection has given you a few new favourites to sit with over the coming weeks.
As we continue through Men’s Mental Health Month, I want to once again encourage everyone to take care of themselves and the people around them. Check in on your friends. Reach out when you need support. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and remember that none of us are meant to carry life’s burdens alone. Music cannot solve everything, but it can often provide comfort, companionship, understanding, and moments of joy when we need them most.
For those navigating the rainy season here in Lagos and across other parts of the continent, stay safe, stay warm, and continue looking out for one another. To everyone following the World Cup, I hope your team is giving you plenty to celebrate. And if they’re not, well, at least there’s always good music to keep the spirits high.
If you’ve discovered any standout releases that have been living rent-free in your rotation lately, we’d love to hear about them. And as always, if you’re an artist with new music you’d like us to consider for future editions, send it through to [email protected]. With our biweekly rhythm now firmly back in place, there are more opportunities than ever for us to spotlight exciting new voices and remarkable new records.
Thank you, as always, for reading, listening, sharing, and exploring with us. It is a privilege to continue making these discoveries alongside you.
Until the next edition, keep exploring, keep listening, keep supporting great music, and keep your ears open to the unexpected. We wish you a wonderful close to June, a strong finish to the second quarter of the year, and nothing but good things in the weeks ahead.
See you again soon.
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.