amapiano
1. Konke and Musa keys: ‘Kancane’
Musa Keys is quickly becoming one of Amapiano’s most in-demand artists. He has not only been performing all over the world, but also caught the eye of Lewis Hamilton last week when the F1 star shared a reel featuring last year’s massive single, Selema (Pop Po).
Her most recent single, Kancane featuring vocalist Konke, is poised to surpass Selema and become one of the biggest hits of the year.
2. Felo Le Tee: ‘Manca’ (ft. Toss)
Producer and DJ Felo Le Tee has the aura of a rap star. He’s flamboyant, dresses like an ATL trapper and loves good weed (as he made clear with his smash hit ‘Dipatje Tsa Felo’). In Manca, Felo asks the gruff-voiced newcomer Toss to deliver the catchy vocals here. Toss delivers one of the best performances of his rapidly growing career here. The lingo, the vibe, the energy. He is Amapiano in the best expression of him.
3. Kabza From Little: Eningi (with Mhaw Keys, Simmy and Njelic)
In typical Amapian style, ‘Eningi’ has been a smash hit since long before Amapian pioneer Kabza De Small released it as part of his stellar new album, KOA II Pt. 1, thanks to a leak on social media. The relativity of Njelic’s refrain throughout—“weSomandla ngiceli ungiphi mali eningi” (God please give me lots of money)—makes it feel like a drum-driven worship song.
Afropop star Simmy’s haunting vocals elevate this to a truly ethereal listening experience before Kabza closes the song with a mesmerizing drum progression.
4. Kamo Mphela: ‘Ghost’ (with Daliwonga and Felo Le Tee)
Kamo Mphela needed a hit single when she released ‘Ghost’. Sure, she was constantly touring and performing across the continent and Europe, but her fans were hungry for new music and the star hadn’t released any music all year.
She duly delivered with ‘Ghost,’ her most creative and inventive release to date. The flawless video for the ‘Thriller’-inspired single, which was directed by Nape Phasha, adds to her overall appeal.
5. Daliwonga: ‘Abo Mvelo’ (with Mellow & Sleazy and MJ)
‘Abo Mvelo’ came in like a wrecking ball. When it was officially released, the teaser snippet that South African vocalist Daliwonga had shared on social media of him was viral and had already become a fixture at amapiano club DJ club sets. Mellow & Sleazy, the Amapian DJ duo that has been on a roll all year, came through with this intoxicating beat and typical log drumming. His recent hit ‘Chipi Ke Chipi’ could easily have been on this list as well.
Afrobeats
6. Rhyme: ‘Calm down’
The speed with which Rema is producing hit records is amazing. Since she burst onto the scene in 2019, the 22-year-old Nigerian Afrobeats star has consistently outdone herself with each subsequent release and quickly established herself as one of the continent’s most prominent artists.
Even though it only came out a few months ago, ‘Calm Down’ has already exploded worldwide and become the most important song of his fledgling career. It’s an infectious record that sees Rema serenading her love interest with those witty lines of hers. “Girl, you’re sweet like Fanta,” she sings herself throughout. Just row.
7. Burna Boy: ‘Jagele’
While Burna Boy’s Last Last continues to break ground around the world, it’s the groovy, midtempo Jagele that’s the most impressive on his new album. With love, damini.
In typical Burna fashion, he seems to make up his own lingo just for the vibe and it all comes together nicely in this Kel-P produced gem. It’s a song that echoes the tropical sounds of 2019’s brilliant African Giant, his most cohesive album to date.
8. Lojay and Sarz: Monalisa Remix (with Chris Brown)
Monalisa was a hit long before global pop star Chris Brown launched into its remix in May. But Brown, who has shown in recent Afrobeat performances alongside Rema and Davido that his versatility knows no bounds, elevated the song and gave it global appeal. It feels organic and right. The perfect addition to what was already a perfect song.
9. Omah Lay: ‘Never forget’
Omah Lay’s recently released debut album, alone boy it’s a mixed bag. He’s moody, reflective and throbbing with his uniquely contemplative Afro-fusion style. But by the time you get a few songs, it starts to sound a bit monotonous.
Then, ‘Never forget; it hits and the heat rises a bit. It’s unlike any other song on the album and it’s a breath of fresh air to hear the 24-year-old Nigerian star with a bouncy, up-tempo beat. More of this please, Omah.
10. Rhymes: ‘Sound gasm’
Rama’s album rave and roses, is arguably the most cohesive project of the year so far, so it should come as no surprise that two songs from the album make it here. ‘Soundgasm’, which fittingly first came out alongside ‘Calm Down’ as a precursor to the album a month before its release, sees Rema playfully and sensually teasing her lover as she whispers sweet words in his ear.
It’s a bouncy dance record that makes you want to go to the Caribbean and enjoy a couple of glasses of rum on the beach.
