Best of the Month: March

The Best New Tracks from March 2024 by Taves, Tneeya, Tg.Blk, Kulturr and more.

March came with a delectable list of music that had our music curators’ heads bopping. Picks from Congo, South Africa and Kenya mingled with the usual suspects from Nigeria and Ghana.

This month’s ‘best of’ selection boasts of the unique fusion sounds that float through the African music space. If you’re looking for what the future of African music looks like beyond afrobeats, this is great place to start:

FOLAKE/TAVES
The home of Afrobeats gets a breath of fresh air with the introduction of Taves. The young singer threw his cap in the ring for new artists in Nigeria to watch with his single Eleyele in 2023 and a co-sign from GWAGWALADA hitmaker BNXN. However, it was his recent single Folake that truly caught our attention. The funk-influenced track reminiscent of The Weeknd is a sure addition to your playlist.

EVERY DAY I PRAY / KOLD AF, AEMA
If there’s anything we love more than collaboration it’s one with a message. When Nigerian Afrofusion rising star Kold AF teamed up with neo-soul sensation Aema for the 2 track EP ‘No Pity’, they delivered exactly that. Released on International Women’s day the EP consists of the motivational anthem every day (I dey pray) which is our curator’s favourite this month.

While Kold AF’s journey into the spotlight showcases a meticulous artist’s development, marked by confidence and self-assuredness in her sound, Aema, a talented singer-songwriter, composer, and vocalist, is introduced as one to watch, especially if you’re looking for unrivalled versatility and forward-thinking sounds.

GEN-Z FUJI II / FIRSTKLAS, TERRY APALA
Another exciting collaboration is FirstKlas and Terry Apala’s Gen Z Fuji II. Its not every time one gets to witness the legendary Terry Apala join forces with one of the exciting new sounds from Nigeria. Gen Z Fuji II is exactly as the name describes; a modern twist on the traditional Fuji sound. This song won the hearts and legwork of many including superstar Asake and Fireboy. Listen to Gen Z Fuji II below:

BEBE / BOISTORY, ODUNSI(THE ENGINE)
An exciting entry into the alternative music scene is Boistory. Boistory is a Ghanaian-Nigerian artist with a voice and melody blend similar to what you’d get if Brent Faiyaz, Bryson Tiller and Tems had a baby. His alluring vocals and storytelling make him an interesting artist to fall in love with. On Bebe, we are glad to see him bring out 2017/2018 Odunsi (the Engine), one of the mavericks of the Alté music scene. Listen below:

TONIC NO LIME / T’NEEYA

If you’re looking for new lyrics to add to your morning affirmations list, T’Neeya’s Tonic No Lime is a perfect place to start. The simple production makes the lyrics of this song shine through and makes you listen. T’Neeya is a favourite when it comes to feeling honesty in lyrics and Tonic No Lime is no different.

ALL GOOD / FUNBI, KARUN
Funbi came bursting into the Nigerian music scene with the quasi-gospel single Hallelujah in 2017, and after a few years of silence, we are glad to see the singer make a comeback with the EP Love Lust. A favourite is All Good featuring Kenyan singer Karun. All Good is a sultry R&B single with an Afropop bounce. A sure addition to any summertime playlist.

SUNSHINE / BAABA J
The Ghanaian alternative musician is an easy breakout star from 2023. Earning her spot in the elite Alum of Spotify’s EQUAL program. She makes a breezy entrance to 2024 with Sunshine, a smooth alternative single performed in her native language Ga. In a sea of afrobeats, Afropop and amapiano records heavy on the airwaves, Baaba J is always a welcome breath of fresh air.

LIMIT / THE CONTINENT. LIVE, ARATHEJAY, DOVE NICOL
Afro Future Festival (Formerly Afrochella) make their debut in recorded music with their debut The Continent. Live – First Class; A joint mixtape featuring musicians and producers from all over the African continent. The standout track is the earworm “Limit” featuring AratheJay and Dove Nicol. AratheJay one of my favourite new artists, carries this song effortlessly, cruising through the melodies and production and delivering a fresh new sound.

HOME / 2AM, KARABO
One of our favourite discoveries in March is South African R&B musician 2AM. The sensual crooner collaborated with another hometown R&B singer Karabo for the single Home featured on his EP For You, Forever. 2AM’s Home is a lover’s prayer; a romantic intercession of the juxtaposition of thrill, peace and safety of being in love.

GIN AND WINE (GINUWINE) / TG.BLK
Tg. Blk’s Gin and Wine is not only a play on the 2000s R&B singer’s name but also a sweet lovers’ anthem for those with an affinity for 90s-type romance. The Kenyan rapper takes a step away from her usual with this indie pop record about the love of her life. The sweet melodies as she describes this perfect woman make for a perfect listen.

WONT MAKE IT / AMAKA.
Perhaps it’s the layered vocals or the strings of the harp on amaka.’s won’t make it out, but I doubt I’ve heard a love song this month that tugs at the heartstrings so beautifully. The Canada-based Nigerian delivers an openness in her music that allows you to let yourself go in her music. amaka. continues to deliver purity in her lyrics and Won’t Make It is no different.

JOJO / KULTURR
Coming from Paris is Cameroonian-Angolan musician Kulturr. the exciting new name in the francophone afropop music scene is one to keep an eye on. Jojo is a straight groove with all the makings of an Afropop chart-topper.

OFF / SUPERJAZZCLUB
Ghanaian collective SUPERJAZZCLUB returns with Off. Featuring their distinct bossa nova style groove and melody Off is a single we’re looking forward to having on repeat.

SILLY NIGGA 2 / KOFEE BEAN, STEPH
Kofee Bean, the Ghanaian singer, returns with part two of the girl boss heartbreak anthem Silly Nigga. The second version features a rap solo from Steph another new artist bringing new life to this favourite.

NOBODY KNOWS / NYOTA PARKER
Cape Town-based Congolese-Irish rapper released her album Intrusive Thoughts this month and Nobody Knows battled 11 other tracks to become a favourite among our curators. It’s an airy funky record with a vibe akin to Tyler the Creator. While Nobody Knows is our pick, the entire album is a recommended listen featuring tracks from producers and artists such as Uno July, Deem Spencer, and Zmny, Proda, as well as the talented pianist, Mercer Shavelson.

MORE / ROSE MAY ALABA
Born and raised in Austria, Nigerian musician Rose May Alaba played in the realms of pop and R&B till she fell in love with afrobeats in 2018. Since then she’s delivered a myriad of tracks one of which included fan favourite Lockdown.
“More” is a lively fusion of Afrobeats and Amapiano, with lyrics in English, German, and Yoruba, Rose May Alaba showcases her multicultural background. More pulsates with vibrant rhythms and Alaba’s soulful vocals, expressing passionate love and longing.

BUM BUM / ESS THEE LEGEND, TIT OWUSU

Formerly known as Essilfie and most recent winner of Afro Future’s Rising Star Challenge, Ess thee Legend reintroduces herself with an EP littered with afrobeats, hip hop and hiplife-influenced tracks. Bum Bum is a trap soul single featuring vocalist Titi Owusu that sees the two women owning their shapely bodies and their “big bum bum”.

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