Afrocritik Weekly Music Spotlight: Detour Week
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Greetings, my acoustic adventurers!
We hope the past week has treated you kindly and that you’re staying grounded as we make our way through July. Can you believe how quickly the month has flown by? We’re already well into the second half of the year, and as the pace picks up, so does the music.
This week, we’ve taken a slight detour, veering off the usual bridges and diving straight into some off-the-path highlights that carry their own spark and surprises. We’re swerving away from the obvious and embracing fresh delights.
As always, we’re here to keep your playlists vibrant and full of colour. If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on social media so you never miss a drop. And while you’re at it, have you checked out our Monthly Spotlight for June?
It’s live now and absolutely worth your time. Got a song or project you think we should spotlight? Don’t hesitate to send it in to yinoluu@afrocritik.com; we’re itching to shine a light on your own work as well.
Now that the housekeeping is out of the way, here’s this week’s brilliant selection, which arrives in the form of:
SOFT AND HEARTFELT: We begin this week’s journey on a tender note, with songs that wear their hearts on their sleeves. Nigerian newcomer, Czin, sets the tone with “One For The Road”, a strikingly intimate acoustic moment and the opening track of his CNG project, which also includes the reflective title track “CNG”.
South African talent, Mlindo The Vocalist, returns with Uhambo, The Journey, a record rich with heartfelt expression and vocal sensitivity. Highlights include “Dance Around You”, “Holy Father”, and “Noma Yini Bhoza Yam”, all of which showcase the breadth of his emotional storytelling.
Kenyan songstress, Maya Amolo, floats gently into the mix with “Look The Other Way”, a soft, shimmering piece that lingers long after its final notes. Nigerian singer, Kunmie, brings new light to his earlier ballad with the remix of “Arike”, enlisting the expressive touches of Mabel and Simi. Rising Zimbabwean singer, M.I.L.E, crafts a heartfelt blend of R&B and Afrobeats on “Sunday”, while Ghanaian pair, MisterKay and Darkua, offer “Pick Up”, a gently woven duet about love, miscommunication, and all the things left unsaid.
PARTY STARTERS: We kick things up a notch with songs that were built for the dancefloor. Nigerian artiste, Minz, keeps things tight and punchy with his 444Play EP, filled with danceable bangers like “Ta Na”, “Agenda”, and “4×4”. Mavin’s own Mbryo and Magixx join forces on the fun and catchy “My Shayla”, a buoyant single that radiates collaborative energy. The always-brilliant Guchi teases her upcoming project with “Your Type”, a witty and sassy number full of playful charm.
Jaywillz gives us both ends of the spectrum with the vibrant “Magic” and the gentler “Bumaye”, both off his new Ocean Echo project. Thutmose lets his range shine on Bad Boy Good Lover, delivering both the swaggering title track “Bad Boy Good Lover” and the slick, introspective “Sixth Sense”.
Ghanaian legend, Sarkodie, teams up with Lasmid on “Lavida Loca”, an energetic and confident jam that refuses to slow down. Meanwhile, Lojay serves up “Tenner”, a high-octane banger that keeps the tempo racing forward.
DETOUR INTO RAP CITY: This week’s detour takes us deep into rap territory, where bold flows and vibrant cadences rule. South African DJ and curator DJ Speedsta drops 120 Ocean View Dr., a full-bodied rap album that gives us “All I Have”, “Come Right Back”, “Violate”, and “Unidentified”, each one layered with precise flows and rhythmic punch.
Veteran rapper, Casper Nyovest, makes a bold return with “Guess Who’s Back”, a braggadocious statement piece that reminds us of his presence.
Young South African emcee, Tony Dayimane, unleashes Big Boy II, a gritty and vibrant project with standout tracks like “Marco Polo”, “Balaclava”, and “Gemelli”, all rich with character and bounce. Olamide brings his unique energy to “Girl on Fya”, a playful collaboration with Ashidapo that draws creatively from Donae’o’s classic “Party Hard”.
SOUTH AFRICAN SIGN-OFF: As is tradition, we close out with a trip to South Africa, where the Amapiano keeps flowing strong in many shapes and moods. J&S Projects deliver a sleek and meditative cut in “Deeper 7”, while Bless offers soulful and melodic textures on Nkateko, with “Nkateko”, “Inganekwane”, and “Amaphupho” standing out as vocal-driven gems. Bean RSA leans fully into instrumental flair on Tshimologo, particularly on the hard-hitting “Glory” and “JD27”.
Kammu Dee’s Vitamin Dee 2.0 brings high-energy fun with its Gqom-flavoured Amapiano blend, especially on “Heh He!”, “Bhanashilolo”, and “Siyay’dala”. Finally, Kabza De Small tugs at the heartstrings on Bab’Motha, a full-bodied and emotional project with deeply felt offerings like “Ngyozama”, “Siyabonga”, “Ukuthula”, and “Isthombe”.
These are just a few highlights from this week’s playlist. There are even more sonic gems waiting to be discovered on the full spotlight, so dive in and let your ears roam free. As always, send us your recent favourites, especially from the releases coming in this new week, and be sure to check out the June Monthly Spotlight if you haven’t already. We’ll be back again next week with more carefully curated picks just for you.
Until then, we wish you joy, clarity, and inspiration for the week ahead. Stay kind, stay open, and keep your music close.
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.