These are the must-hear tracks defining the sound of now across the continent and beyond.
Ayra Starr Turns Up the Heat
Ayra Starr is having a serious global moment. After performing her new single Hot Body on Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour stop in Miami, frontman Chris Martin declared her destined to be the “world’s biggest pop star so soon.”
The song itself pulses with attitude and heat — designed for humid summer nights and slow winding. Produced by Ragee and The Elements, it sparkles with percussive textures and glimmering keys that match Ayra’s demand to “open your eyes and look.” It’s sultry, self-assured, and a preview of where she’s headed next.
Her labelmate BNXN also shines on Laye Mi, taken from his new album Captain. Whispered vocals and spiritual lyricism combine into a track that feels vulnerable and current, reflecting today’s cultural anxieties while showcasing his singular Nigerian voice.
Tyla, Odeal, and Asake Push Boundaries
South African pop force Tyla kicks off her latest EP with Dynamite, a previously unreleased 2022 demo with Wizkid. With P. Prime on production, the slow, seductive groove allows both stars to trade intimate lines over a simmering beat. The title fits — two titans, one explosive result.
On Is It, Tyla veers further into electronic territory, combining Afrobeats drum patterns with an almost Beyoncé-like vocal confidence. It’s a bold sonic shift that proves her range and keeps listeners guessing where she’ll go next.
Odeal’s Patience, produced by P2J, is a jazz-inflected standout from The Summer That Saved Me. His British-Nigerian background infuses the track with both edge and depth, as he draws on the story of Delilah and Samson to explain how love has changed his perspective. It’s thoughtful, restrained, and perfect for slow-burning playlists.
Asake brings the mood back down with Badman Gangsta, enlisting French vocalist Tiakola for a minimalist yet emotional track. It’s a bit of a curveball, but Asake’s unmistakable double-tracked vocals in the second verse pull it together with flair.
Burna Boy and Fireboy Deliver Emotional Depth
Burna Boy strips it all back on Love, one of the most powerful songs on his latest album No Sign of Weakness. By scaling back the collaborations, he gives room for his storytelling to breathe. Love is about self-belief in the face of criticism — cinematic, raw, and timely.
Fireboy DML experiments with form on Dopamine, shifting away from his usual R&B style into something more deliberate and restrained. The verses explore emotional vulnerability, and the melody carries the weight of the message. It’s a track that lingers long after it ends.
Darkoo’s Options brings summer energy from a different angle. Taken from her EP $exy Girl $ummer (Vol. 1), the song is light yet fierce — a tropical groove with baddie energy and boundaries intact. It’s for girls who know they’re the prize, and it hits just right.
Azanti wraps things up on a high note with Jaye Lo, a thumping Afro house anthem from his three-pack SKYFALL. With champagne references and beat flips, it’s a celebratory ode to living in the now — no skips, all vibes.
