Every week, we highlight the very best of new songs for your listening pleasure. In no particular order, check out our selection of the best new songs you need to hear featuring music from Michael Kiwanuka, June Freedom, Aaron Taos, Ivory Blue, Dax and more.
1. Michael Kiwanuka – To Be Young Gifted And Black
Michael Kiwanuka’s ’To Be Young Gifted And Black’ is a new addition to Kiwanuka’s list of amazing music. It is the highly-anticipated official soundtrack of ‘Small Axe’, a British anthology film series, created and directed by Steve McQueen. The slow empowering song celebrates black excellence. It reminds black people of how powerful, how magical and how gifted they are.
2. Aspro x Joy Msanii – Work
Creative Dutch music producer Aspro collaborates with Joy Msanii on new song ‘Work’. For Aspro, music began quite early for him. By the age of 12, he was playing music at schools, street parties and weddings. He says he makes music out of pure love and hopes to spread that love with his music. Work is a motivational mid-tempo anthem that urges listeners to be dedicated to their work in order to see positive results.
3. Aaron Taos – I Must Be In Love
According to Aaron Taos, his new song ‘I Must Be In Love’ is a song of discovery. On ‘I Must Be In Love’, Aaron is in a dilemma. Over dreamy keys, light guitar strings and soft snapping drums, he battles the feelings he has for a woman he loves. After some pondering, he finally arrives at the realization that he really is in love. “I always thought that this approach to a love song would be interesting. Love is such a visceral emotion that oftentimes the physical side of us realizes we are in the throes of it quicker than our brain will admit.” ‘I Must Be In Love’ is a very relatable song. Many people do not want to deal with the vulnerability that is accompanied with falling in love and this is just Aaron Taos’s way of portraying this feeling.
4. DJ Nayiram – Crazier
Ghana’s DJ Nayiram’ is out with Crazier’. It has vocals from Boi Dimix. The two met up via the clubhouse app and developed a good working relationship. Boi Dimix is a Nigerian singer currently living in Cyprus whiles DJ Nayiram is a Ghanaian Disc Jockey living in Washington. After their liaison on Clubhouse, the two later linked up on Instagram and WhatsApp and the rest is history. Crazier is a groovy Afrobeats song where Boi Dimix croons about how his lover makes him feel. DJ Nayiram’s ‘Crazier’ is a perfect summer hit to dance with the love of your life.
5. Ferdiehart x Benjamin Fayah – Switi Lobi
Ferdiehart and Benjamin Fayah’s ’Switi Lobi’ is a potpourri of multiple genres. It has a bit of afro-fusion, afrobeats, dancehall with some traces of Surinamese Kaseko. The WESTLND produced song is a love song with a very catchy hook that speaks about appreciating a lover’s constant support, love and affection.
6. Bellavolent – Holding it Down
Bellavolent’s ‘Holding it Down’ is a mixture of pop melodies with electronic soundscapes. The uplifting Luke Villemur produced song spreads the message of hope, especially in these trying times. According to Bellavolent, ‘Holding it Down’ is an anthem for everyone who knows what it feels like to hold it down, make a change, lift others up, and to never let people give up on their dreams. The song is sure to help listeners transition into post-lockdown.
7. Seven LC – One Day
Seven LC’s new song ‘One Day’ is a reflective song that serves as a reminder to listeners to always live their lives to the fullest and not to forget the people most dear to their hearts. The Haitian-Cameroonian Canadian artiste hypothetically sings about having just one day left to live and all the things he would wish to do and accomplish with the little time he has left on earth.
8. Kid Travis – Nunca Otra Vez
Over a slow, dreamy instrumental with dancehall and R&B undertones, an emotional Kid Travis pours his heart out. Kid’s singing style matches the production perfectly. Kid Travis is a very versatile artiste. Over the years, he’s built a cult following on his YouTube channel with more than 400,000 subscribers where he posts remakes of his favorite songs from artistes such as Post Malone, Bryson Tiller, Rich Brian, and Dominic Fike. With an assist from Micowave_T90, who added a Spanish touch, the track is made complete.
9. Ivory Blue – Addicted
Ivory Blue’s ‘Addicted’ was written at the height of the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown caused a lot of changes in our daily routine like meeting up with friends, family and lovers. Addicted was birthed out of his desire to want to spend time with his ladylove. “I was really missing a sweetheart that was close to my heart and I couldn’t get to feel her physical presence anymore, I mean we talked virtually, but it wasn’t the same.” Produced by Flowzy, Ivory Blue’s ‘Addicted’ is an intimate mid-tempo afrobeats song made for lovers.
10. Lady Impress – Melanin
Lady Impress’s ‘Melanin’ has a beautiful message. Western beauty standards often make black people especially women feel insecure about their skin, making them feel unworthy of beauty. As the title suggests, ‘Melanin’ is an ode to people with dark skin pigment. It is a moving song that reminds black people to not feel insecure but rather embrace and own their beautiful skin.
11. Dax – “Forgot About Dre” Remix
Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter Daniel Nwosu Jnr popularly known as Dax is out with a new song “Forgot About Dre” Remix. According to Dax, this song depicts his journey thus far in its rawest form. Dax’s “Forgot About Dre” remix was released after Dax challenged his fans/followers on Twitter to get him 500 retweets in 20 hours on a particular tweet. On the song, Dax does what he does best over the instrumental of Dr. Dre and Eminem’s “Forgot About Dre” featuring Hitman off The Chronic 2001, the second studio album by the legendary hip hop producer released in 1999 release.
12. Karim Naas x Niall O’connor – Just Friends
Budding 21-year-old producer Karim Naas is out with a new song “Just Friends” featuring Niall O’connor. Throughout his career, Karim has garnered over 5 million streams on all digital streaming platforms. With an amazing repertoire, Karim Naas is back with ‘Just Friends’, a feel-good summer jam that fuses R&B and House music. The relatable song that talks about trying to initiate a relationship with a lady you’re interested in is a follow-up on his last track ‘Work From Home’, which has amassed thousands of global streams since release.
13. Sainte Victoire – Hive Mind
Sainte Victoire’s ‘Hive Mind’ is an intimate song that tackles the constant yearning to be surrounded by our loved ones. The bells of the Angelus marks the beginning of the song, followed by a thumping baseline and raw vocals. Sainte sings about making amends with our loved ones, coming together, dancing, and forgetting about the past. Sainte Victoire takes us on a journey of self-discovery love and forgiveness in order to ask the existential question: “Is it better to be alone or in bad company?
14. June Freedom – Anchor Baby
June Freedom has had an amazing career thus far. off the back of being named ‘Apple Music’s Africa Rising Artist of the Week’, he is out with his debut album ‘Anchor Baby’. The body of work, which was released on June 18th and contains his breakout Kriolu hit song “Andréia”, is still doing amazing numbers. He currently has 6 songs from the album in the top 10 of the Cape Verde Apple Music Top Songs chart. On Anchor Baby, we see the Cape Verdean-American artiste draw inspiration from his Cape Verdean heritage and fusing it with sonic influences from other parts of the world. “This first body of work is a collection of songs that tease every facet of my heritage and upbringing. In an industry that has heavily pressured me to pick a single lane, the idea of having to choose between two sides of the same coin never inspired me.”
15. Sofie – If You Don’t Stop
Sofie shines brightly again with her glimmering new single “If You Don’t Stop”, a song filled with guitar strings, drums, and heartfelt lyrics. Known for churning out awe-inspiring and soulful songs, Ghanaian singer/songwriter Sofie is out with her latest. “If You Don’t Stop’ expresses the kindling of a new passionate romance”. Over gentle guitar strokes, Sofie sings about the fundamentals of blossoming love. With her soothing and sultry voice, she sings about the vulnerability that comes with falling in love.
