Afrocritik Music Spotlight: May on the Mind
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Greetings once again to the faithful seekers of sound, the wanderers who follow melodies down unfamiliar paths, the crate-diggers of the digital age, and the fearless travellers who never tire of chasing the next song capable of becoming a lifelong companion. Welcome back to another journey through the ever-expanding landscape of African music.
How have you been? More importantly, how did May treat you? Hopefully, the beginning of Q2 has not been too stressful, and life has been moving in the right direction for you. As always, I hope you have found reasons to smile, reasons to celebrate, and reasons to keep moving forward.
Personally, I am incredibly happy to be getting back into the rhythm of doing these more regularly again. There is something deeply fulfilling about discovering great music and sharing it with all of you, and I have genuinely missed having these little musical conversations together.
As many of you know, June is Men’s Mental Health Month, and that feels like an important thing to acknowledge. Music has always been one of the things that helps keep me grounded, focused, hopeful, and connected to the world around me. If this month finds you struggling, overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply not feeling like yourself, please remember that there is no shame in asking for help. There is strength in reaching out. There is strength in being honest. And most importantly, you are not alone.
This edition is another big one, and rightfully so because it covers multiple weeks of discoveries, releases, and recommendations. The breadth and depth of the treasures uncovered during this period mean we have a densely packed spotlight this time around, fueled by an exciting collection of released projects and ambitious singles from across the continent. There are familiar names, emerging talents, unexpected collaborations, and many records that left a lasting impression on me throughout the past few weeks. Putting this edition together was an absolute blast, and I genuinely hope it expands your tastes, broadens your horizons, and tickles your ears in all the right ways.
Before we begin, make sure you’re following Afrocritik across our social platforms because there is a lot of exciting work coming your way in the near future. And as always, if you’re an artist and would like your music considered for future editions, send your submissions to [email protected]. You never know, your song might end up becoming somebody else’s next favourite discovery.
Without further ado, we go into this brilliant selection, which comes in the form of:
SOFT & HEARTFELT
We begin this edition in gentle territory, with songs built around vulnerability, romance, reflection, and emotional honesty. From R&B ballads and Soul-infused offerings to Bongo Flava love songs and intimate Afrofusion, these are records for quiet moments, deep feelings, and everything in between.
French-Gabonese singer-songwriter Anaïs Cardot leads the way with Map Of Her Shadow, giving us “FOMO”, “The Sentimental Song”, “Another Day”, and “Second Hand”, a beautifully intimate collection of Folk, Pop, and Alternative songwriting. UK-born Nigerian artiste Esoterica also leans inward on Avant God through “Faith”, “Recovery”, and “Decisions”, pairing atmospheric production with thoughtful reflections and compelling vocal performances.
Nigerian singer-songwriter Celeste Ojatula brings warmth and optimism to Our Time In The Sun, represented by “Oya Wa”, “Our Time In The Sun”, and “Traveler”, where organic instrumentation and gentle storytelling create an uplifting listening experience. Tanzanian star Aslay contributes “Nimekumiss”, “Umenitekenya”, “Kapeperuka”, and “Kipemba” from My Way, delivering the smooth romantic songwriting and melodic Bongo Flava sensibilities that have made him a regional favourite.
Elsewhere, Ghanaian artiste Ess thee Legend explores matters of the heart on Bloom through “No More Texts”, “Notice Me”, and “Never Work Out”, while Rwandan artiste ELEMENT EleéeH offers the expressive “MILELE”, “MAASO”, and “AYAYAAH” from GENESIS, blending East African influences with contemporary Afropop energy. Tanzanian hitmaker Marioo also makes an appearance through “UA”, “Mombasa”, and “Priority” from MMMCXII, a project packed with infectious melodies and polished songwriting.
Among the standout singles, Kunmie delivers another emotional gem in “Confession”, K.ZIA and Zap Mama unite for the soulful “Déjà”, Maali offers introspection on “Bad Decision”, and Victor Collins rounds things off with the heartfelt “War”.
From matters of the heart, we move toward records powered by groove, swagger, and rhythm.
RHYTHM & CRUISE
The heart of this playlist has always lived in discovery, and nowhere is that spirit more evident than here. These songs inject energy, style, groove, and personality into the mix, drawing from Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, Alternative Pop, Afrofusion, and countless sounds in between. Some are built for movement, some for cruising, and some simply refuse to fit neatly into a box.
Nigerian singer Qing Madi continues her impressive rise on Barely Legal, bringing us “10 over 10”, “Jowo”, and “Adding Up”, a blend of youthful confidence, infectious melodies, and contemporary Afro-Pop polish. Boy Spyce follows with “PROBLEMS”, “JONAH”, and “TALK” from RED PILL, where catchy songwriting and smooth vocals sit comfortably atop groovy production.
Ghanaian artiste Akuvi delivers the emotionally charged “Whoa” and “Poison” from Afrobeats for Emotional Gangsters, balancing vulnerability and rhythm with ease, while Thutmose brings swagger and personality to “PRADA YOU” and “PUZZLE PIECE”, fusing Hip-Hop, Afro-Pop, and Alternative influences into a stylish package. KT Gorique and Riga inject Rap energy through “NERVEUZ”, “G.W.O.A.T”, and “COEUR BLANC” from COEUR BLANC, while South African artiste Nagaxa contributes “SHENKING” and “CHALLENGES” from PAIN IS OVER, pairing introspective themes with contemporary Afro-Pop sensibilities.
Elsewhere, Onesimus showcases his versatility on Son of Grace through “Kalibo”, “For Me”, “Cigareto”, and “Someone to Love”; DENO offers the thoughtful “Nimekataa” and “Hasira Hasara” from Nyumbani, and DMC Reigns delivers “The Box”, “Roadblock”, and “Rose” from Passport, each project bringing its own flavour to this broad spectrum of groove-focused music.
Among the singles, Tekno reminds us of his effortless melodic touch on “Matter”, Magixx and FOLA combine smoothly on “Juice & Liquor”, while Juls, Projexx, and Valiant bring breezy Caribbean energy on “RARRI”, TÖME delivers effortless cool on “French Tips”, and Joey B links up with Odunsi (The Engine) for the genre-bending “Exopa”. Also making the cut are THEHONESTGUY’s infectious “WAHALA RIDDIM”, and Cassper Nyovest’s “PHUNYUKA BAMPHETHE”.
And finally, we head to the dance floor for some of the continent’s finest electronic sounds.
ELECTRONICAFRIQUE
As always, we close things out with a trip to the dance floor. From AfroHouse and Amapiano to Electronic Soul, 3-Step, and genre-bending club music, this section is dedicated to the producers, DJs, and sonic architects shaping some of the continent’s most exciting sounds. Pulsating drums, hypnotic synths, layered percussion, and infectious vocal performances abound as we lose ourselves in rhythm.
South African producer Muzi brings his signature blend of electronic innovation and local influences to Electric Zululand, represented here by “Thetha”, “Sunflower”, and “Kwaitoverse”, a project that effortlessly bridges tradition and futurism. Fatso 98 also continues his fascinating exploration of club music on THE XO EFFECT 3 through “Life & Music”, “What is House Music?”, and “Ovi”, crafting immersive grooves that feel equally suited to headphones and packed dancefloors.
Elsewhere, Ebisan’s Butterfly Tears gives us “Gone”, “Butterfly Tears”, and “Over Me”, pairing emotional songwriting with sleek electronic textures, while South African heavyweights Yumbs, Simmy, and Kailey Botman deliver the irresistible “Ngiyabonga”. The collaborative spirit of the scene shines through on records like “Saka Mama” from Venom, Shishiliza, Yumbs and company, alongside the energetic “Sgantsontso” by Zan’Ten, Benzoo, and DJy Zan SA.
Among the standout singles, Malumz on Decks and collaborators provide the groove-heavy “uMa Ka Girl”, Sam Deep, Thatohatsi, and Zuma link up for the soulful “Izospana”, and DJ PHAPHANE delivers the infectious “ABAYEKE”. We also get stirring electronic offerings through “We Are” by Chronical Deep, MÖRDA, and Lyrik Shoxen, while “Emakhaya” by Ceehle, TitoM, Yuppe, and Jeep Jack rounds things off with the kind of rich, rhythmic energy that reminds us why South Africa’s electronic ecosystem remains one of the most exciting on the continent.
As always, these songs are just a cross-section of the full playlist. Many more gems are waiting for you, and this is another substantial edition packed with a wide spectrum of sounds, moods, and experiences that deserve your time and attention.
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 may have flown under the radar of your awareness. Hopefully, we have put you on to some exciting new artists, introduced you to sounds you might not have encountered otherwise, and helped you discover a few new favourites to carry with you through the weeks ahead.
We would love to hear what has been living in your headphones lately, so send us some of your favourite releases from the past few weeks and let us know what gems we might have missed. As always, artists are welcome to send their music to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in future editions.
Since June is Men’s Mental Health Month, this feels like a good moment to remind you to be kind to yourselves and to those around you. Life can move quickly, responsibilities can pile up, and sometimes the weight of it all can feel heavier than expected. If you need support, conversation, encouragement, or simply a listening ear, do not be afraid to reach out. There is strength in asking for help, and there is absolutely no shame in leaning on your community when you need it. Most importantly, keep finding joy wherever you can. Keep exploring. Keep listening. Keep seeking out the songs that make difficult days a little lighter and good days even brighter. Music has a remarkable way of reminding us that we are never as alone as we sometimes think.
Thank you for spending some time with us once again. I am genuinely happy to be getting back into the rhythm of bringing these Spotlights to you more consistently, and I hope you have enjoyed this edition as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
We wish you the very best that the rest of June has to offer. May it bring you progress, peace of mind, meaningful connections, and plenty of great music along the way. Until we meet again in two weeks, take care of yourselves, keep your ears open, and try not to miss us too much.
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.