The explore desk
what’s moving in african music
editorial, producer tips, and partner coverage from across the continent — refreshed throughout the day.
Martin Bester Releases New Single ‘Angel’ Featuring Ross Learmonth
Martin Bester Releases New Single ‘Angel’ Featuring Ross Learmonth Jacaranda FM’s Martin Bester has released his feel-good new single ‘Angel’, featuring Ross Learmonth, as a musical tribute to the life-changing work of the station’s…
Stream Babylon, the new album by The Huntress and Holder of Hands
Out now is Babylon, the new album by The Huntress and Holder of Hands, a.k.a. singer-songwriter MorganEve Swain. It had been promoted by singles such as “Promethean” and “Beasts We Are”.
G-String Makes Breakup Guilt Ring Loud In “Breathe In Your Dust”
The rising Bergamo rocker G-String turns a painful goodbye into a UK rock driven single with bite, ache, and a guitar solo built for repeat plays. Guilt has a weird pulse. It does not always scream.
KiKi Celine Releases Soul-Pop New Single “Good Life”
KiKi Celine has unveiled her newest single, “Good Life”, a soul-pop record that arrives as a calm breath. The song is a quiet reckoning with the voices in your head, the expectations of others, and the habits that subtly hold you tiny.
Money Mike SA levels up with ‘On Gawd’
Money Mike SA is stepping into a new era of dominance with a major music release and a powerful brand partnership that further cements his growing influence across entertainment and business.
UK’s Ezra Collective release ‘Only Love’
Ezra Collective arrive back on the global stage with a deeply African story to tell. Fresh off headlining the inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival South Africa, the Mercury Prize and BRIT Award-winning band have announced their fourth studio…
The Push and Pull of Love: K-Iai Drops “Do & Don’t”
Emerging from Giessen, Germany, songwriter and creative director K-Iai shares a fascinating new single today, “Do & Don’t”.
Rachel Swain Takes Center Stage with “Neon Lullaby”
Rachel Swain has spent two decades moving through the roots music scene, but with her debut solo album “Neon Lullaby”, she finally takes the absolute center of the stage.
The Bitter Sting of a Fake Persona on Matt Nation’s “April’s Fool”
Matt Nation drops “April’s Fool,” and I am instantly struck by the sheer exhaustion of loving a hologram. The Brooklyn-born, LA-based artist has a knack for dissolving the borders between alt-pop, R&B, and nu-disco, but here, he channels a…
Embrace the Glitchy Melodrama of Jamythyst’s “Skyline”
Jamythyst has released her new single “Skyline,” a frantic burst of hyperpop that forcefully injects the dizziness of new romance straight into your bloodstream.
heavyskint Channel Found-Footage Horror in “He Says, She Says”
Glasgow post-punk outfit heavyskint have unleashed their new single, “He Says, She Says.” What started as a bedroom side project in 2024 has quickly mutated into a menacing live force, with frontman Jacob Hunter and guitarist Jamie Kelly…
Heart and Grit: Trickshooter Social Club Returns With “Porchlight Pie”
Chicago-based roots-rock outfit Trickshooter Social Club have returned with their new EP, “Porchlight Pie”, a raw, whiskey-soaked collection of songs that grapples with the messy, beautiful experiment of modern America.
Prience Moore Finds Groove in the Grief on “I Should’ve Let You Go”
Seattle-based artist Prience Moore has released his new pop-soul single, “I Should’ve Let You Go.” Moore, who pulls inspiration from a wide-ranging palette that spans classical composers like Beethoven to pop icons like George Michael and…
Major Lazer, Davido, Nelly Furtado – No Place Like Home
Major Lazer, Davido, and Nelly Furtado join forces for their single “No Place Like Home,” from the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Official Album.
Poco Lee & Seyi Vibez – OPERA MINI
Poco Lee teams up with Seyi Vibez on the street anthem “OPERA MINI,” produced by Larrylanes. “OPERA MINI” is a high-energy fusion of street-hop, blending the distinct strengths of both artists with production that is as bold as it is…
E.Z.O. Prompts an Emotional Spring Cleaning on “Fiend”
Brooklyn-based solo artist E.Z.O. captures a mood of quiet, breezy liberation on his new single, “Fiend.” Serving as a bridge from his “2000’s vibe” EP to his upcoming album, “Suburban urban”, the track draws heavily on the smooth,…
Ayra Starr & Latto – Show Me
Ayra Starr and Latto have delivered an impressive single, “Show Me,” from the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Official Album. The track conveys confidence, resilience, and unity, perfectly capturing the spirit of a tournament that brings the world…
Mr P – I Can’t Look Away
P. Classic Records presents Mr P’s new uptempo single titled “I Can’t Look Away,” off his forthcoming project. The track “I Can’t Look Away” is an Afropop anthem that showcases the singer’s versatility and emotional depth.
Vybz Kartel & Wizkid – Stay For The Night
Vybz Kartel collaborates with Wizkid on his new single, “Stay For The Night,” from the album “God & Time.” “Stay For The Night” brings together two global icons, each at the top of their respective genres, to create a sultry anthem that…
LADIPOE & Ema Onigah – Many People
LADIPOE has teamed up with Ema Onigah for an infectious single titled “Many People.” “Many People” is an introspective track that seamlessly merges Afropop influences with the lyricism and storytelling prowess both artists are celebrated…
Hallaballoo Drift into Dream-Pop on “You Will Break”
Minneapolis collective Hallaballoo have returned with their bittersweet new single, “You Will Break.” Operating as a collaborative musical ecosystem rather than a traditional band, the group steers their jam-indie rock roots into dream-pop…
Red Light Factory Turn A Forgotten Demo Into Pop Voltage On ‘Avalon’
Some songs arrive like planned architecture. Others appear from the cluttered back room of a restless mind, half remembered, half misfiled. That is the quiet magic around “Avalon“, Greater Manchester’s Red Light Factory single.
David Jones David – Eze Yoyo
Nigerian singer David Jones David has released a chart-topping single titled “Eze Yoyo,” produced by himself. “Eze Yoyo” is a song that features a compelling blend of praise, worship, cultural homage, storytelling, and infectious Afrobeat…
Fight the AI Future: Motihari Brigade Returns with “The Great Refusal”
Motihari Brigade have dropped a massive, heavily distorted wrench into our algorithmically curated lives with their biting new single, “The Great Refusal.” Preceding their upcoming full-length album, “Problematic,” the track delivers…
Victony – FRE$H
Nigerian talented singer Victony has released a catchy single, “FRE$H,” produced by Ozedikus. “FRE$H” is a vibrant showcase of Victony’s unique artistry, blending contemporary Afropop with hip-hop swagger and infectious melodies.
The Visceral DIY Brilliance of Books Of Moods’ “Dreams”
Paris-based indie art-rock project Books Of Moods has just released their debut album, “Dreams”. Guided entirely by Hugo Sailer, a self-taught singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and fiercely independent one-man studio, the record…
Young Jonn – Elumelu
Serial hitmaker Young Jonn comes through with a new single, “Elumelu,” off his upcoming project. Young Jonn has mastered the art of turning ambition into melody, and his latest release feels like another reminder of why his sound continues…
Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal & Mavo – Energy
The powerhouse trio of Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, and Mavo collaborates on an infectious single titled “Energy.” The song brings together three distinctive talents, each contributing their unique flair, resulting in a dynamic track that…
OpCritical Is A Defiant Voice in a Conforming World
OpCritical has come with a bang, and a loud one at that. Doing Fine is their most recent single and music video; it’s an empowering anthem for being different and an unabashed rejection of a world that insists on conformity.
Fish And Scale Delivers a Cinematic Plea in “Letter from Paulus”
Fish And Scale has surfaced from the quiet margins with a massive new pop-rock ballad, dropping the cinematic single “Letter from Paulus” today.
Seven Nation Army Brews Dark Alt-Rock Scorn on “Power and Money”
When Cracow-born indie project Seven Nation Army dropped their new EP “Power and Money”, I found myself struck by the sudden urge to bite a gold coin to see if it would break my teeth.
Patoranking ft. Ruger – Shake Dat
Nigerian music veteran Patoranking teams up with Ruger for his uptempo anthem “Shake Dat.” “Shake Dat” is an electrifying collaboration between Patoranking and Ruger that brings the heat of the dancefloor directly to listeners.
Young Legend, Joeboy, Abefe – Let Me Go
Young Legend, Joeboy, and Abefe have teamed up for their collaborative single titled “Let Me Go.” “Let Me Go” is an Afropop track that blends vulnerability, melody, and modern production into an unforgettable listening experience.
South Summit’s “Heartless” Single Turns Fans’ Attention to Their Now-Imminent Second Album
As already announced, Australian pop band South Summit will be releasing their sophomore album, Run It Back, on June 12th. And they have been promoting it actively, serving up amazing singles such as “On The Dash” and “Heartless”.
Listen: Allison Leah – “I Didn’t Know I Was Growing Up”
Drenched in nostalgia, Allison Leah’s newest single “I Didn’t Know I Was Growing Up” is a truly heart-melting piece. The track blends indie-folk songwriting with indie pop production, highlighting Allison’s penchant for delivering…
E. Lundquist Taps India Blue for New Song & Video, “My Wings”
E. Lundquist (born Eric Borders) is an LA-based multi-instrumentalist with an intoxicating brand of R&B/soul. And it feels like a heavenly experience listening to his newest offering, “My Wings”.
CKay – AFRICAN GIRLS ft. Kidd Carder
CKay collaborates with Kidd Carder on his new single, “African Girls,” produced by BMH and DJ Khalipha. The track “AFRICAN GIRLS” stands out as a modern Afropop anthem, blending infectious rhythms, melodic hooks, and heartfelt lyrics to…
Magixx & FOLA – Juice & Liquor
Magixx has joined forces with FOLA for his new single, “Juice & Liquor,” taken from his forthcoming project. The track brings together the smooth and soulful vocals of Magixx and the artistry of FOLA, set against a backdrop of infectious…
ODUMODUBLVCK – MOTION SICKNESS ft. Zlatan
ODUMODUBLVCK has linked up with Zlatan for his new single titled “MOTION SICKNESS.” “MOTION SICKNESS” is a hard-hitting collaboration between two of Nigeria’s most dynamic voices in contemporary hip-hop and street music.
Larry Gaaga, Olamide, Mavo, Kidd Carder – Come On
Larry Gaaga collaborates with Olamide, Mavo, and Kidd Carder on his latest single titled “Come On.” The song “Come On” is energetic. This collaboration brings together diverse influences from Afrobeats, hip-hop, and contemporary pop.
Pheelz & Tiwa Savage – I’M OK
Record producer Pheelz has teamed up with Tiwa Savage for his new self-produced single, “I’m OK.” The track is a showcase of two of Nigeria’s musical talents coming together to deliver an empowering message set against a backdrop of…
Blaqbonez – Chanel ft. Asake
Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez has released a new single titled “Chanel,” featuring Asake. The song blends luxury, romance, and swagger, showcasing the unique strengths of both artists while delivering a sound that is as catchy as it is…
LISA, Anitta, Rema – Goals
LISA, Anitta, and Rema serve up a new single, “Goals,” as one of the official anthems for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The track is a celebration of ambition, unity, and the relentless pursuit of greatness, fitting themes for the world’s most…
The Ediacaran teams up with Royal Blu for “Water In The Sun” single
Built around a feel-good laidback groove, “Water In The Sun” by genre-blurring collective The Ediacaran is a song that was clearly created with summer in mind. It’s basically a euphonious invitation to dive into the water on a hot day.
Hear “These Little Things” by Carbon City Lights
There are those songs that are so beautiful, you desperately want the whole world to listen. “These Little Things” by California’s Carbon City Lights is one such piece.
Yo Maps & Harmonize – Moses (Video)
The African music landscape is witnessing a monumental cross-border synergy as Zambian superstar Yo Maps collaborates with Tanzanian heavyweight Harmonize on their latest masterpiece, “Moses.” This powerful Afro-pop record is a standout…
Keith Woodhouse Channels Life Experience Into “Base Chakra”
British artist Keith Woodhouse continues to turn personal experience into creative expression with “Base Chakra,” a deeply personal track shaped by years of songwriting, painting, and lived experience.
GoldBlock Party shuts down Accra with Purple
Accra witnessed one of its biggest nightlife experiences of the year as GoldBlock Party hosted the Accra edition of Purple at the Underbridge Annex Dome, delivering a powerful celebration of Afro House, Amapiano and Afrotech culture.
Jay Saint James Turns Hidden Hollywood Lives Into Moral Theatre In ‘Lavender’
In the old studio lots, glamour was rarely allowed to be ordinary. It had to shine under lamps, obey contracts, smile through exhaustion, and hide anything that might disturb the public dream.
The Royal Countess Zingara announces Johannesburg season
Following a triumphant season in Cape Town, bookings are now open for The Royal Countess Zingara, soon to be transporting her enchantment to the City of Gold with La Dolce Royal.