New releases from Ayra Starr, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Bloody Civilian, and a host of other artists lead this week’s roundup of notable African music.
Bongeziwe Mabandla
Ayra Starr began the week with viral clips from her performance at London’s Zsongo Experience, followed by widespread discussion of her NPR Tiny Desk concert. A clip shared by Rihanna featuring Starr and Rema’s track “Who’s Dat Girl?” further underscored the Nigerian artist’s growing global profile. Her latest single, Tornado, is a bold, high-energy pop track built on pulsating attitude and a power-anthem structure, with no posturing, just direct, rousing delivery.
Bongeziwe Mabandla
South African artist Bongeziwe Mabandla, who has spoken about leaving behind corporate security to pursue music and find his place on dance floors worldwide, has built a career balancing vibrant pop songwriting with immersive, introspective work. His long-running musical partnership with Tiago Correia-Paulo of the band 340ml has yielded critically regarded material. Mabandla’s new album, Ndingubani, tightens that inward focus across 18 tracks, engaging in tough self-examination, acknowledging shortcomings, and emerging with a sense of renewal.
DESIREE feat. Emmanuel Jal
Producer and DJ DESIREE continues to evolve with each release, and on Macho, featuring Sudanese artist Emmanuel Jal, she sets a groove with a steady, subterranean thump that then veers in unexpected directions. Jal’s vocal threads over an unrelenting guitar line, moving like a troubadour over a production that incorporates elements of Afro and bacardi house.
Rorisang Sechele
South African jazz artist Rorisang Sechele has moved deliberately, taking time to understand her relationship with her craft. Her new song Mama is a contribution to the global archive honoring mothers and mother figures.
“Don’t forget to write me a song for our love,”
she sings, delivering a heartfelt performance that makes a well-worn subject feel fresh.
Spha Mdlalose (on Mavimbs’ Late Bloomer)
Vocalist Spha Mdlalose features on the track from bassist and composer Mavimbs‘ debut album, Late Bloomer, a project that delves deeply into the elements of improvised music, particularly jazz.
“You’ve given me a chance to love again,”
Mdlalose sings, in a performance that invites the listener to let the music and words resonate beyond the surface.
Joey B
Ghanaian lyricist Joey B demonstrates his range on Sexy Highlife, a nine-track collection that draws on nineties influences while updating the formula. The project features contributions from Bosom P-Yung and Odunsi (The Engine), and hits a sweet spot between nostalgia and contemporary sound.
Sarkodie & Shatta Wale
Ghanaian rap heavyweight Sarkodie and dancehall star Shatta Wale join forces on a new collaboration that sits at the intersection of azonto and amapiano, delivering larger-than-life narratives that match their established reputations.
The Northmob
After nearly two months of teasers on social media, South African rap collective The Northmob has released highway, dimas. The track’s title captures the feeling of riding with abandon on the highway, shades on, and serves as theme music for self-actualization, delivered by some of the country’s most potent lyricists.
Bloody Civilian
Bloody Civilian returns with Space Fuji, a track that repurposes older sounds and merges them with contemporary elements, combining the percussive drive and bass licks of fuji with the interoperable groove of mara. Featuring Terry Apala and Boj, the song is taken from her forthcoming EP, The Haze, due out in August.
