Rolling afropop 2025

Bring your exceptional afro sounds to this thread, please...

So we're already in March and perhaps the moment has passed, but I'd like to begin this thread by asking a serious question:

Is Burna Boy ruining his career by trying to recreate Last Last? His last few singles have been good, no doubt, but it's all getting a bit stale now with all the big samples and interpolations, isn't it? It feels like a game of diminishing returns.

Burna Boy - Update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR8-uQ5LixE

Burna Boy - Bundle By Bundle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLLm8Okhllg

Or am I just being grumpy?

And yes, I do know there are already two threads dedicated to burna, but he mostly interests me as the proponent of a scene.

My two favourite songs this year so far are probably Rema and Asake. You've probably already heard them but I'm dropping them here just to get things going.

Rema - Baby (Is it a Crime)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsZhYgo9MoA

Asake - Why Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCMyKcUNR8w

"baby" is awesome yeah. missed that asake had a new single out, will check it

the very end of "why love" is nice but i feel like his vocals don't sit very well in the groove

"baby" rules though yeah

The Sade sample in “Baby” is key

is it a crime? not if you clear the sample

Am seeing acclaim for Memie’s Rae Thoma Rae Fetsa release. It's described as in the lekompo genre, popular in the Limpopo province (extending into Botswana)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMpa7ggpPHA

really liking this banger by seyi vibez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzhKmRovdMY

Yeah, great video too.

Maybe this should get its own thread or a different one , but gonna post it here-excerpt from writer Dave Moore regarding what is pop , what is not, and Americans and UK role in trying to control the definition. Moore has done a couple of Substack posts on it

The Global Billboard Charts, published since 2020, provide a glimpse at the widening impact of non-American acts to listeners around the world. 2023 was a banner year for non-western and not-in-English music. Rema’s Afrobeats hit “Calm Down,” several songs from regional Mexican music stars Grupa Frontera and Peso Pluma, J-pop from Yaosobi, K-pop from BTS and solo member Jung Kook (among others), and Colombian pop from Karol G and Shakira all went to #1 on the global charts.

These charts also show what was popular everywhere except for the US. While Taylor Swift hit number one on the global charts with her re-released “Cruel Summer” on the heels of her Eras tour juggernaut if you include the American charts, without those charts, the #1 spot in the rest of the world was held by a global TikTok smash from Spain, “Si No Estás” by Íñigo Quintero.

All told, non-American or broader Anglosphere acts were #1 for 22 weeks of the year in 2023 when you do include the American charts, and for 30 weeks if you don’t.

https://www.otherdavemoore.com/p/the-rise-or-fall-of-a-pop

Interesting, will read.

Anyone listening to Ruger's Blownboy RU 2025 album?

Heard it once but need to listen more. Ruger is going to be near dc Wed April 9

Older Ruger material got attention here

New Davido album is okay. Nothing new, but some really good songs. Be There Still is the first afropop song I've heard with a 3-step inspiration, though. Cool how quickly new sounds filter into the mainstream still.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqjlFkvAUi0

Finally listened to that Ruger-album, btw, and it's pretty great! It drags a bit in the second half, but I love the way he incorporates so much stuff into his sound, uk drill, baile funk, Coldplay... Had it been tightened a bit, maybe only half an hour long, it could have been HEIS-level. Still, very very good!

I'm enjoying this Davido - not an artist I've ever been overly thrilled by, but I could imagine having a good old dance to this one

Davido North American arena and outdoor sheds tour pre-sale today code is SYNC

https://afropop.org/audio-programs/planet-afropop-african-beatmakers-part-1-kooldrink-and-pierre-kwenders

Interviews with Kooldrink who produced and made beats for Tyla , and Pierre Kwenders who does an artsy dance take on Congolese music

nice track just heard on 6 Music - New Music Fix show:

Mahlatse ft. Obza Dah musiq, Longboii, Stop'jay - Us'tshelann
https://pssngr.bandcamp.com/track/ustshelann-feat-obza-dah-musiq-longboii-stopjay-mahlatse

Mshelula, the 17-year-old prodigy behind South Africa’s new Umbhoqo wave, delivers his own fresh take on Amapiano. Teaming up with Strous Mambisa, Darkiie Omnyama, Obza Dah Musiq, Longboii, Stop'jay, and Mahlatse, he creates a track that breaks the mold. No slow intro here, it launches straight into catchy vocals and an irresistibly danceable beat . With this release, the young visionary and his Ivory Park crew invent a new fusion: Umbhoqo meets Amapiano. It’s coming from the future, and this is now out on PSSNGЯ !

xpost - Kooldrink who produced for Tyla consciously says he's just trying to make afropop songs that appeal to western audiences on that interview. He's successful at that.

Kwenders is interested in other things like he's a fan of a producer who mixes Congolese old-school singer Tshala Muana w/ Missy Elliot get ur freak on

A little more from Thukzin / Nxumalo ? Part of 8 tracks released as 031 Studio Camp 2.0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWlS86VMOC8
Dlala Thukzin feat. Zee Nxumalo & Sykes - Mali

Not exactly groundbreaking afro-house but good vibe nevertheless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sel1mCYFJ8U
CIZA - ISAKA (6am)

In other news, Scotts Maphuma still owns the country and the productions still slay whether dark (Uyaphapha Marn) or a tribute to Pantsula (Ngibolekeni)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9gkrBmMrdY
TNK MusiQ, DJ Maphorisa & Seun1401 - Uyaphapha Marn feat. Scotts Maphuma & Kabelo Sings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcM2VHAWSDQ
DJ Maphorisa, XDuppy, Sean1401 - Ngibolekeni feat. Leemckrazy, Scotts Maphuma, Blxckie, Pcee, Kabelo Sings

And since I'm at it, this is from last year but kind of a low-key masterpiece. Amapiano drowned out in sax and synths and backing vocals, locked in a dark groove, wow, how did I miss this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhGf4_OgSkE
Cyfred x Scott Maphuma - Phuthuma feat. LeeMcKrazy

Person on Bluesky re Ciza - Isaka track and video linked above xpost-

there’s now a video* for “Isaka (6am)”, the 3step track that’s sweeping the southern and eastern parts of the African continent and is now seeping into Portugal through Mozambique.

I played catch up with the Zee Nxumalo mini album from last year, people had highlighted Drip Juluka which is really cool but I also really enjoyed Ucingo (with producers Shakes & Les) and Ngisakuthanda (a nice soulful hit).
Ditto with Uncle Waffles latest EP which includes Zenzele. Wild woman.
On the more peaceful and soul-searching side, Abangifuni from newcomer Romeo Makota and Eemoh is really nice. That's 2025.

Speaking of Shakes & Les, maybe this is worth posting - at least I'm digging this new wave of menacing dark raw production following into the steps of Jazzidisciples, Busta 929, Mellow & Sleazy, Pcee etc. Again with Scotts Maphuma, this guy is literally hired on every song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LMNkHRwFv0
Shakes & Les - Hamba Nabo feat. Fake'well, Scotts Maphuma, Uncool MC

Just released on Awesome Tapes From Africa—Moskito “Idoiar” LP/CD/Tape/Digital (South Africa, 2001) ATFA052

Rugged and funky kwaito that didn’t really get its due upon release. Hope you have a chance to listen. I have been djing this tape for years and it’s cool to see people enjoying it.

Brian from Awesome Tapes

His reissue of the tape was a bandcamp album of the day

https://daily.bandcamp.com/album-of-the-day/moskito-idolar-review

this is a good article

https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/gombey-bermuda-guide

and fucking hell this song
https://djobeka-music.bandcamp.com/album/drums-of-utopia

i instantly thought of stirmonster

Critic Dave Moore on Bluesky likes Zerrydl: My Amigo from Nigeria and then says :

So...any idea what's happened to Nigerian pop this year? Has its devil's bargain with amapiano short-circuited its own development? It is approximately nowhere on the global charts, and the Nigerian charts seem to have pulled away a bit, too, a few breakthroughs like Shallipoppi notwithstanding. But I could be totally wrong here, might need to do a regional dive soon to see what l've been missing. (I should be doing this more anyway, but I haven't really needed to
- as it turns out, there's a lot of music out there.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr7cjiP9PYo
MaWhoo, GL Ceejay & Thukhutela - Bengicela feat. Jazzworx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHcp9rRPIWQ
Uncle Waffles & Royal MusiQ - Zenzele feat. CowBoii, Xduppy & Uncool MC (worth reposting for the video and because it's cool)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCYx8UZwYRc
Piano City, Kelvin Momo & Thatohatsi - Amalanga feat. Major League DJz, Tracy & Pyy Log Drum King

Critic Dave Moore on Bluesky likes Zerrydl: My Amigo from Nigeria and then says :

So...any idea what's happened to Nigerian pop this year? Has its devil's bargain with amapiano short-circuited its own development? It is approximately nowhere on the global charts, and the Nigerian charts seem to have pulled away a bit, too, a few breakthroughs like Shallipoppi notwithstanding. But I could be totally wrong here, might need to do a regional dive soon to see what l've been missing. (I should be doing this more anyway, but I haven't really needed to
- as it turns out, there's a lot of music out there.)

― curmudgeon, 10. juli 2025 23:00 (one week ago) bookmarkflaglink

Rob in the Burna Boy thread said that he's 'relaxed into a really consistent and pleasurable groove' and I kinda think that's the case for a lot of the big stars from Nigeria. It's nice, I listen quite a bit, but it's not as new and constantly reinventing itself as it was some years ago. The last Rema album was a big exception, though, and the new Ruger is halfway there, but overall everything feels much more safe.

3-step on the other hand. Wow, Bengicela sounds incredible!

3-step still has places to go. Bengicela is not quite as dynamic as I'd like: nice percussion, but longish synth layers, and we've heard those vocals before... it's not such a leap from a track like Thokoza from 3 years ago. But now everyone will switch to the new style, I'm happy about the incoming big wave.

Completely agree about Afropop playing it safe and sounding bankrupt for new ideas. Lack of a real market to conquer ?

Yeah that Rema album from last year was a corker. Need more bangers and a bit of grit, or just something to lift things out

I love this from last year - not strictly Afropop as it's Haitian I think, but it's still in the same wheelhouse and it's gorgeous

Tracy Magic Girls - Lajan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8tgHruhLmo

migh tbe better on the soca thread, but nobody reads those

I didn't bother with Burna Boy's album but I actually like Laho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNW7zPzZNtE
Shallipopi & Burna Boy- Laho II

Curiosity in a familiar style: Amapiano from South Sudan, sung in Swahili and overall close to the style found in Kenya / TZ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzd2S7wKW0o
LCJ Mach , John Frog & King Kuza - Ooh Yes Remix (Mama Amira)

Relistening it's actually several languages

The song is maybe not quite where it could have been, but this is some nicely crafted and intriguing production

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAb9HmNzB9Y
1da Banton - High Star

For those who missed the thread from dog latin, Glory now has a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ5B9HuuFAk
MÖRDA feat. Nontokozo Mkhize & Nomfundo Moh - Glory

Oh wow, this is right in the tradition of jazzy, sprawling, labyrinthic, long-ass form Amapiano and I'm here for it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck4-9PRuRLg
CowBoii, Fada Figa & Papiki - Mdantso Nyana

Credit where credit is due, the new Ayra Starr is very good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLZLuVtJo7Q
Ayra Starr - Hot Body

Actual video for Hot Body

Will probably make zero sense for anyone but me as a loyal fan of Focalistic - here in a "romantic" moment. This guy will intrigue me forever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpJMDD-NeEE
Focalistic, Ch’cco, Sims Noreng - Beyoncé Baby

Aw thanks Naledi, you've made my day :) So much good music.

My pleasure. Let's add one. On reflection, I'm feeling Bhampa. Good team around Vigro Deep. Maybe I just can't get enough of Zee Nxumalo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MAy576DyVo
Vigro Deep, Zee Nxumalo, Ch'cco - Bhampa

Diamond Platnumz - Msumari

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR-yDEocnxI

a lush and pretty one. he also sounds great on ciara's recent song "low"

https://www.pulse.ng/articles/entertainment/music/5-nigerian-songs-rolling-stones-250-greatest-21st-century-2025100913582137083

From the minister of attitude, efficiency & big drops

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cILg2foO6jc
Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ & Jay Music feat. SpacePose - Partii

There's an Isaka remix with all the darlings. They have a video but let's have the full version here. Almost makes me sad to think how the best producers and singers meet less often.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1mZuIgYW1g
CIZA feat. Tems, Omah Lay, Thukuthela, JAZZWRLD - Isaka II

Didi B's DIYILEM & BAZARHOFF: GENIUS is pretty genius imo. Reminds me of Burna's Outside in the sense of afro-fusion coming together into something coherent.

this is plenty great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrpoKkP2Lo0

shallipopi in general might be HIM. closest analog to future in afropop

i think “him” is cool, but “laho” is one of the best songs of the year

Still liking South African Oscar Mbo & Jazzworx (now Jazzwrld) - Vuka (ft. Thukuthela) from 7 months or so ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxQ16k30e_E

It’s an earworm song

really like the new ep by odeal, who is kind of like an afroswing brent faiyaz. song with wizkid is great, as is "cold world"

"nights in the sun" ft. wizkid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLtFk_jfxKU

"cold world"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyteNCmIl6o

Maybe I should post this on the dancehall thread and a Caribbean one (too)

"Shake It to the Max (Fly)" is a song by Ghanaian singer Moliy and Jamaican producer Silent Addy.[3] It was released as a single on December 3, 2024. A first remix featuring Jamaican singer Shenseea and Jamaican rapper Skillibeng was released on February 21, 2025.[4][5] The second remix featuring Martinican rappers Kalash and Maureen was released on March 14, 2025. A third remix of the song by American electronic dance music and DJ trio Major Lazer was released on 16 May 2025. A fourth remix featuring Trinidadian dancer and singer Gladdest was released on May 30, 2025, called "Shake It to the Max (Done with Ya Ex)". A fifth remix featuring Jamaican singer and rapper Sean Paul was released on July 11, 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjBhbMMgLzc