Afrocritik Music Spotlight: Storytelling Songwriting
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Hey everyone, and welcome back to another edition of the Afrocritik Music Spotlight!
How are we doing? We’re already well into Q3, and we hope the year has been treating you kindly so far. How’s everything going on your end? We hope you’re staying positive, making the most of your time, and finding little reasons to keep moving, whether that’s through work, love, creating, resting, or simply taking things one day at a time.
And of course, if you’ve been making music, don’t keep it from us. We’ve been discovering so much amazing music lately, and we’d love to hear what you’ve been working on. Send your latest releases our way at [email protected] for a chance to be featured in a future edition of our Music Spotlight.
Addressing the elephant in the room, unfortunately, technical difficulties kept us from bringing you our delectable selection two weeks ago. Thankfully, they have been resolved, and now you get to enjoy a stacked, long, and moving curation. You know I don’t like being away from you guys for too long, so consider this a soft apology from me.
This batch was particularly special to discover because the storytellers really came out to play. From beautiful songs carrying deeply personal narratives to records built around vivid themes, heartfelt reflections, and lyrics that stay with you long after the music stops, this edition is all about Storytelling Songwriting. These are songs that give your mind something to chew on and your heart something to feel, while still getting your feet moving.
So settle in, turn the volume up, and let’s get into this week’s discoveries in the form of…
SOUL & BALLADS
Some artists let the music speak softly, leaning into soulful melodies, vulnerable performances, and stories that linger long after the song ends. This selection brings together some of the week’s most heartfelt offerings, where rhythm meets reflection and emotion takes centre stage.
Somi explores different shades of emotion across What Does It Take to Bloom?, with “Throw Something”, “Aiwah”, and “Sugar” showcasing her melodic versatility and expressive songwriting. Ṣẹ̀wà expands Detox (Deluxe) with “Àlàké”, “Cautionary Tale”, and “I.p.b.y.h”, adding new perspectives to an already deeply personal body of work. Odeal brings his smooth, intimate approach to For A Good Time…, where “Bluey Vitton”, “Coming Home”, “After The Club”, and “Trying Things” pair polished production with reflective songwriting. 95ANTNY looks inward on IN-HINDSIGHT, with “SLiDE”, “BROWN EYES”, and “DEEP SH*T” featuring Azekel exploring different shades of contemporary Alternative expression.
The singles continue that soulful thread, with Libianca’s “I Know” featuring ZeeBoy, Lusanda’s “By The Time I Wake Up”, Nasty C and Tellaman’s “Natural”, and Marcus Harvey’s “Waters” each offering their own take on intimacy, vulnerability, and emotional expression.
NARRATIVE FUSIONS
Some artistes find their stories in the spaces between genres, folding different rhythms, textures, and influences into songs that remain deeply personal. This selection brings together a broad spectrum of Afro-fusions, where movement and melody work alongside storytelling, emotion, and distinctive artistic voices.
Moelogo leans into identity, heritage, and emotional expression on Yorùbá Healer, with “Broke and Mighty”, “Eledùà”, “For Us”, and “You Know” forming a deeply personal collection. Lodù explores intimacy and atmosphere on Wine & Honey, where “lolufé”, “follow”, and “ífémí”, featuring DOTTi The Deity, form a warm and melodic collection. Kemuel embraces his roots on Borokiri Boy, delivering “FINI”, “Seki” with DJ Tunez, and “YOLO”, a melodic project that blends personal expression with contemporary Afro-Pop. ru. explores a range of moods on SILK, bringing together “Entertainer”, “Colours”, and “Falling” in a concise project built around smooth melodies and expressive songwriting.
Valee YVE introduces the LITBOY WAVE v1 aesthetic through “Purple hibiscus”, “Sb boys!”, and “Vacay!”, blending youthful energy with an unmistakably modern sound, while Llona takes listeners through the highs and lows of the journey on On The Road, where “Monster or Not”, “Cry” featuring Black Sherif, “Masculine Love”, and “Look At Me” pair introspective songwriting with emotionally charged performances.
That same blend of rhythm and narrative continues through ginius’ “Love Me Softly”, Ms Gideon and Not3s’ “All My Luv”, Darkoo and Asake’s “THAT GIRL!”, and YKB’s “BOOBO”, each bringing a different energy and perspective to the playlist.
STORIED ENERGY
Some stories do not have to slow the music down. There is plenty of room for emotion and narrative when the beat is thumping, the rhythm is infectious, and the energy demands movement. This selection finds that balance, pairing strong songwriting with grooves built to get the body moving.
Zhus Jdo brings a playful, contemporary energy to Wahala Pikin, with “Kai Cenat”, “Opium Amapiano”, and “USDT” offering three distinct flavours across the project. Zen Universe taps into a hazier headspace on #flowstate, with “#toomuchswag”, “margiela baby”, and “2am in Elegushi” capturing its laidback, atmospheric character. MOLIY captures a playful, vibrant energy on BADDIES <3 MOLIY, where “TOMETO”, “PARTYGYAL”, and “ACCRA GIRLS” bring together catchy melodies and lively collaborative chemistry. Anabel Rose reflects on love, growth, and emotional complexity across How Do The Flowers Bloom?, with “Peace of Mind”, “How I Want It Too”, and “Monsters” showcasing her intimate songwriting.
The momentum carries through Phina’s “Ambulance”, HEVI’s “Dance”, and Liquideep’s “For The Night”, bringing more movement and rhythmic energy without losing sight of the stories and emotions at the heart of the music.
ELECTROPULSE
The final stretch takes us into the electronic heart of South Africa, where rhythm, atmosphere, and texture can carry a story just as vividly as words. These projects turn pulse into their own language, building immersive worlds through layered production, emotive melodies, and grooves that keep the narrative moving.
Royal Music brings together “iThemba”, “Umoya” featuring Q Bonke, and “Drain My Energy” for SZEID, a collaborative project steeped in contemporary African sounds and emotive vocal performances. Chronical Deep delivers another atmospheric electronic statement on H.O.P.E, with “Hope”, “Zizwe”, “Pulse”, and “Aura” building a cohesive, immersive listening experience. De Mthuda turns up the energy on Noise, bringing together “Sasingengjena”, “High Hills”, and “Baleka” featuring Nobuhle and Notkzin for a vibrant Amapiano-driven experience.
ShaunMusiq explores soulful Amapiano textures on MISSING PIECE, with “Magama” featuring Thatohatsi, “Maseko” featuring Rory DiamonDz, and “Imizamo Yami” featuring Mashudu. MÖRDA expands his sonic world on Asante IV, bringing together “Nightlife Scats” featuring Napelion, “We Are Samba” featuring Meguel, and “Craving Corners” featuring 2Me10 for a richly textured electronic-leaning experience, while DJ Zinhle keeps the momentum moving on ZINHLE, pairing “Uthando”, “Njengemali”, and “Bestie” with energetic production and collaborative vocal performances.
As ever, what we’ve featured here is only a small part of everything waiting for you across this week’s playlist. There are plenty more gems tucked between these selections, so keep exploring beyond the tracks we’ve highlighted. Revisit the projects that caught your attention, follow the threads that lead you somewhere new, and you might find an artist or song that becomes a lasting favourite.
That remains at the heart of Music Spotlight. Every edition gives us another chance to celebrate the incredible range of African music, from established artists continuing to evolve to emerging voices finding new ways to express themselves. We’re committed to digging through the noise, finding the records that might have slipped past you, and bringing them into the conversation.
And we’d love to know what you’ve been listening to as well. Tell us which releases have been on repeat, what you’ve discovered recently, and which artists or projects you think deserve a little more attention. If you’re an artiste with new music to share, send your work to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in a future edition of the Music Spotlight. And keep up with Afrocritik across our social platforms for more reviews, interviews, playlists, and cultural conversations.
As we proceed into September, we hope the month brings you fresh inspiration, meaningful progress, good moments with the people you love, and plenty of music to soundtrack it all. Take care of yourself, keep looking out for those around you, and make the most of whatever the new month has in store.
And there’s more on the way. The next edition will also be a really big one, so please stay tuned for that! We’re always so excited to keep you up to date with the music we’ve been discovering across the continent. Until then, keep your ears open, keep supporting the artists shaping African music, and never be afraid to follow a new sound down the rabbit hole. We’ll be back in two weeks with another collection of brilliant discoveries. Happy listening.
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.
https://music.apple.com/ng/playlist/afrocritik-music-spotlight/pl.u-LdbqE75I21vAkDK