A selection of new music from African artists this week spans amapiano, Afrobeat, gqom, and alternative R&B, with projects from Shekhinah, Ezra Collective, Seun Kuti, and others.
Notable Singles and EPs
- Shekhinah has released the EP Love On Repeat, Vol. 1. The project features Brandon Dhludhlu on two tracks, “Say You Love Me” and “My Baby,” and Simmy on “Your Love.” Production credits include Thorsten Mashego and Khaya Sibuyi, alongside Master Aflat and Fatso98. In a recent interview, Shekhinah said, “This is the first time in my life where I can say that all the songs were made this year, and are being released this year.”
- State Off shared “Alarma,” a track that merges amapiano percussion with gqom’s string arrangements and bass, incorporating drum patterns from bacardi.
- Thando Zide released “Fakazela,” featuring Ami Faku.
- Ezra Collective returned with “Only Love,” featuring Pa Salieu. It is the first single from their forthcoming fourth studio album, Here Because of Hope. The music video was filmed in Lagos, Nigeria.
- Seun Kuti enlisted Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage) for “Na Dem,” a track that critiques systemic failures.
- Moroccan-Canadian artist El Mehdi reworked an earlier English-language song into “SALAM (سلام),” now sung in Darija (Moroccan Arabic).
- Uche released “Messi,” a track built around a subdued beat and lyrics expressing romantic longing.
- Tessi Nandi and YOSHE collaborated on “Living Without You.”
- Kenya-based artist mau from nowhere dropped “choose what stays,” featuring Kwoli Black. The song draws on grime influences and introspective wordplay.
