This week’s African music releases span a range of styles, from amapiano and Afro-tech to barcadi house and disco-tinged pop. Notable projects include a 14-track collection from Tyla, the debut album from Taves, and new singles from Solana, De Mthuda and Kabza De Small, among others.
Tyla Expands Her Catalog with 14-Track Release
South African pop artist Tyla has issued a new 14-track project. The release features collaborations with fellow South African acts Mawhoo (“Crazy Of Me”) and Babalwa M (“I Don’t Care”), as well as a re-recording of the Liquideep classic “Fairytale” with original group member Ziyon.
De Mthuda and Kabza De Small Join Forces with Mnqobi Yazo
Amapiano heavyweights De Mthuda and Kabza De Small have teamed up on a new track featuring vocalist Mnqobi Yazo. De Mthuda is widely regarded as a foundational producer from Gauteng’s East Rand, while Kabza De Small has built a reputation for versatility across kwaito, hip-hop, Afro-pop, and house. The song leans into Afro-tech textures, anchored by Yazo’s chant and punctuated by a prominent trumpet line that enters at the 1:27 mark.
Snokie and Nelow De Guitar Continue Their Collaborative Run
Vocalist Snokie and producer Nelow De Guitar have released a new track rooted in the barcadi house sound. Snokie’s free-flowing verses weave together personal experience and social commentary. On the song, he raps:
wa itsi hore Snokie ke ngaka man/ e no ba o tshabile ho thwassa
followed by:
Ke tlhakane le mathata man, a batho ba ho rata diceleb
Nelow De Guitar’s production draws on marching-band percussion, dramatic synth trombone, and retro-futuristic melodies. The pair have already released two EPs this year: Moruti o jele kolobe and The return of snokie.
Solana Follows Viral Success with ‘Dide’
After the widespread attention garnered by her single “Okunkun,” Solana has returned with a new track titled “Dide.” The song continues her exploration of 1980s disco influences, built on reverb-heavy snares, stadium-sized power synths, and a modulated bassline designed for the dancefloor.
K.Keed and Orish Deliver an 11-Track Collaborative Project
South African rappers K.Keed and Orish have released a new joint project, the follow-up to their 2023 effort uMgaranto. Spanning 11 tracks, the release showcases the duo’s tight chemistry, with each artist finishing the other’s lines. The intro sets a cinematic scene before launching into “Abenam,” a high-energy cut that evokes a high-speed chase.
Igwe Aka and ARTSALGHUL Share ‘Chase’
Nigerian artists Igwe Aka and ARTSALGHUL have teamed up for the new single “Chase.” The production pairs bit-crushed drums and distorted 808s with a sci-fi-tinged synth line, while the lyrics draw on Lagos street slang. Igwe Aka delivers the chorus:
Give you love, and you waste am/ girl I’m loving your face and/ I waka from the east side/ my canna from the westside
Taves Releases Debut Album ‘Popstar: Side A’
Nigerian singer-songwriter Taves has released his debut album, Popstar: Side A. The project arrives two years after his EP Are You Listening, which featured the single “CWT” with BNXN. The album highlights Taves’ melodic optimism, with tracks like “Chaos” and “Isn’t It Beautiful” showcasing his harmonic approach.
