The Essential Tracks You Should Listen to This Week

Black Sherif – “Lord I’m Amazed”

Blacko’s strength has been the ability to create in transit, ever keen on adapting the stories of his life on wax. A milky trap production sets the course for gospel-leaning adulation on “Lord I’m Amazed.” It’s a song that’s perfectly suited to the optimistic fervor of a new year, as we remember how the Ghanaian artist has never lost his essence or wavered on the motivation to reflect both bleak and blessed times. Revisit our feature, “Black Sherif, Ghana’s Young Bright Black Star.”

Asake – “Whine” feat. LUDMILLA

Shot in Brazil, the searing new visuals for Asake’s “Whine” capture the intense quality of the record. The new video features a montage of summer activities: chilling by the sea, catching a good whine, and generally just having a good time. In their role as the prime characters of this feel good scene, Asake and Brazilian star LUDMILLA exude a sexy charisma that makes it an even more enthralling watch. “Whine” was featured on Asake’s Lungu Boy album from last year.

AVAION & Sofiya Nzau – “Wacuka”

Electronic music deals with revelry, and the duo on this record provides a lot of it. In his composition, German artist AVAION showcases flamboyant depth, creating a luminous base for the Kenyan singer Sofiya Nzau in “Wacuka.” It’s the kind of song to fling carefree arms to, as it achieves both excitement and intimacy.

Jordan Adetunji – “Too Many Women” feat. KWN

Jordan Adetunji’s “KEHLANI” was one of the revelatory songs of last year, and the 25-year-old artist has followed up with even more melodic brilliance. “Too Many Women” is a groovy collaboration with East London artist KWN, swirling with the diverse influences the artist-producer previously demonstrated. With a bounce that’s retro hip-hop paired with electro finishes, “Too Many Women” is a sweet song with a distinct tone. A Jaguar’s Dream, the artist’s mixtape, is expected on January 24. In the meantime, watch our video interview with Adetunji here.

Qing Madi – “Akanchawa”

Qing Madiis an exceptional talent. Purposeful in her sound and distinctly creative writing, it’s a wonder the artist’s still in her teens. “Akanchawa” showcases the emotive maturity Madi’s grown into in recent songs, musing lovingly about a partner while keeping a smooth rhythm with the warm, guitar-led beat.

Ayisi – “New Beginnings”

There’s a pristine element to the music of Ayisi. We encounter a soul in touch with the spirit of things, which is revealed in his perspective as much as his sound. “New Beginnings” is an anthem for the new year. Putting forward the aim of positivity and clean energy, the Ghanaian artist moves between spoken word, rapping, and patois-leaning singing, all in all just flexing an incredible vocal range.

K.Keed – “Indaba Yetu” feat. J’Something & Kaylow

Always known for that extra funk in her otherwise hip-hop songs, K.Keed has again tapped into a new dimension on “Indaba Yetu.” It’s the quintessential feel-good song, with a simple string pattern and mellow drums that make it sound like Christmas again. All the featured artists here are aligned in the promise of a good time, making it a pretty assured and easy listen.

DJ Kaywise, Black Sherif & Buju Banton – “Green Light”

“I was never the type to be worried,” sings Black Sherif on the hook of this sunny collaboration. He’s the propelling force of the record, taking on a theme he’s done with mastery elsewhere: the threat of enemies and the resilience of his mind and actions. Paired with the evocative, gritty tone of the reggae legend Buju Banton, it’s a well-curated song with obvious investment from everyone involved.

Zola 7 – “Imbube” feat. Berut

Zola 7’s status as one of the legends of kwaito hasn’t hampered his zest for musical experimentation. On “Imbube,” he steps up the groove, relying heavily on hip-hop rhythms to convey the message of having a lion’s strength. With roars fused into parts of the beat, it’s a song that’s as bold as it is tender.