Afrobeats Head

Author: Chioma Ugo Nwachukwu

  • Fernand L revisits “I Believe” with the “Lisa Remix Radio Edit”

    Fernand L revisits “I Believe” with the “Lisa Remix Radio Edit”

    French producer Fernand L has released the “Lisa Remix Radio Edit” of “I Believe,” a new version of the track featuring vocals from Lisa. The remix was released on July 12, 2026, as a standalone single.

    The release builds on Fernand L’s background in electronic music, reworking the original song into a radio-length format while retaining its melodic focus. The remix combines electronic production with house influences, placing Lisa’s vocals at the centre of the arrangement.

    Born in Paris, Fernand L began his career as a DJ under the name Dom L, holding residencies at several clubs in the French capital, including Le Cab. He also performed internationally, taking part in the opening of Le Platinium in Rabat, Morocco, in 2003 and later holding a residency at Crystal Hall in Kyiv in 2010.

    In 2017, Fernand L shifted his attention to music production by building his own home studio. He released his first self-produced house single, “Saxland,” in 2018, followed by the Afro House single “Sanaa” in 2021. In recent years, his work has expanded towards pop and electro house through releases including “Listen To The Sound” and “All Night And All Day.”

    “I Believe (Lisa Remix Radio Edit)” is available on major streaming platforms.

  • JAN embraces UK garage influences on “Feel It Now”

    JAN embraces UK garage influences on “Feel It Now”

    Producer and multi-instrumentalist JAN has released “Feel It Now,” a new single that draws on UK garage while incorporating elements of contemporary house music.

    Released through his independent label, The Penthouse Records, the track combines garage-inspired rhythms, melodic house production and vocals from collaborator Paris. The song explores themes of artistic freedom and living in the present, reflecting a period in which JAN reassessed his creative direction while studying music production in London.

    “Feel It Now” was developed after JAN decided to move away from making music to meet industry expectations and instead focus on the sounds that inspired him. Influenced by London’s electronic music scene and its UK garage culture, the single became an opportunity to reconnect with a more personal approach to songwriting and production.

    Paris joined the project after the pair met while studying at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London. Sharing similar musical influences, they developed the song through a series of studio sessions that combined live instrumentation, songwriting and collaborative production.

    At 19, JAN has performed at venues and festivals including Primavera Sound Barcelona, Ministry of Sound, Amnesia Ibiza, Cova Santa Ibiza and Fabrik Madrid.

    “Feel It Now” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • VOS explores Afro House and melodic textures on “UMBA”

    VOS explores Afro House and melodic textures on “UMBA”

    London-based producer VOS has released “UMBA,” a new Afro House single inspired by the Swahili word for “to create.”

    The track combines organic percussion, deep basslines and melodic electronic textures, gradually unfolding through a structure that balances rhythmic movement with more atmospheric passages. Drawing on Afro House while incorporating elements of melodic house, “UMBA” centres on the idea of creation and transformation.

    VOS is an independent artist and producer whose work spans Afro House, Sahara House and melodic house. His catalogue focuses on atmospheric electronic music shaped by rhythmic influences and cross-cultural musical ideas.

    “UMBA” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Egbontalented and Kwavvy team up on midtempo Afrobeats single “TILLA”

    Egbontalented and Kwavvy team up on midtempo Afrobeats single “TILLA”

    Egbontalented has released “TILLA,” a new collaboration with Kwavvy that blends midtempo Afrobeats with contemporary pop influences.

    Released on June 16, 2026, the song is built around prominent basslines, layered percussion and a measured tempo. The collaboration pairs Egbontalented’s vocals with Kwavvy’s contribution, bringing together the two artists on a record that explores their shared musical direction.

    According to Egbontalented, “TILLA” was created with a balance of nostalgia and modern production in mind, combining rhythmic grooves with direct lyricism. The single also marks the beginning of a wider creative partnership, with the artists currently developing a collaborative EP.

    Egbontalented is an artist and producer whose music combines Afrobeats with contemporary production styles. His work often draws on African rhythmic influences while incorporating elements of modern pop and bass-driven production.

    “TILLA” by Egbontalented and Kwavvy is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Nwaretsang unites artists from France, Réunion Island and Nigeria on “DEAD TREE”

    Nwaretsang unites artists from France, Réunion Island and Nigeria on “DEAD TREE”

    Nwaretsang has released “DEAD TREE,” a cross-cultural collaboration featuring Réunionese singer Evahinaa and Nigerian guitarist DR3VMZ.

    The song brings together French verses from Nwaretsang, an English and Swahili chorus performed by Evahinaa, and guitar melodies from DR3VMZ. Musically, it blends Afrobeats, Afro-fusion and subtle Amapiano influences while drawing on the backgrounds of all three artists.

    Rather than focusing on a single musical tradition, “DEAD TREE” explores collaboration across languages, cultures and regions. The track reflects contributions from France, Réunion Island and Nigeria, with each artist bringing a distinct element to the arrangement.

    For Nwaretsang, the release continues an interest in music that crosses geographical and cultural boundaries. The collaboration places equal emphasis on multilingual songwriting and shared musical influences, resulting in a record shaped by artists working across different parts of the African diaspora.

    “DEAD TREE” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • DAMNØ blends Afro House and live guitar on “Furaha”

    DAMNØ blends Afro House and live guitar on “Furaha”

    Italian DJ, producer and guitarist DAMNØ has released “Furaha,” a new Afro House single that combines electronic production with live guitar performances.

    The title, which means “happiness” in Swahili, reflects the song’s central theme. Built around Afro House rhythms, electronic textures and guitar riffs recorded by DAMNØ himself, the track aims to create an uplifting atmosphere inspired by movement and celebration.

    “Furaha” represents the artist’s musical identity by bringing together his experience as a DJ, producer and guitarist. Rather than relying on sampled guitar sounds, the production incorporates live-recorded riffs and arpeggios alongside Afro-inspired percussion and contemporary electronic elements.

    “In my productions, the guitar is a living instrument, not simply a sample,” DAMNØ says in the press release. “With ‘Furaha’ I wanted to combine the warmth of acoustic strings with the grooves of club culture to create a song that encourages people to dance while conveying a sense of joy.”

    “Furaha” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Ersin Ersavas explores love and connection on “My Baby”

    Ersin Ersavas explores love and connection on “My Baby”

    Istanbul-based musician, composer and producer Ersin Ersavas has released a his new single, “My Baby.”

    Described as an Afropop record with contemporary production, the song combines Afro-inspired rhythms, melodic vocals and pop influences to create a warm, upbeat sound. Centred on themes of love, connection and positive energy, “My Baby” reflects Ersavas’ approach to blending global musical styles with his own artistic perspective.

    Ersin Ersavas is an oud performer whose career spans electronic, world, ethnic and instrumental music. Based in Istanbul, his work brings together traditional musical influences and modern production techniques, resulting in a sound that moves across multiple genres.

    “My Baby” continues that cross-cultural approach, incorporating Afropop elements into Ersavas’ broader musical repertoire.

    “My Baby” will be is available on major streaming platforms.

  • Makaya Studios and Olawale Opayinka revisit highlife traditions on “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)”

    Makaya Studios and Olawale Opayinka revisit highlife traditions on “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)”

    Makaya Studios Ltd has released the Radio Edit of “Homecoming Lovers Lane,” featuring vocalist and composer Olawale Opayinka.

    The track combines contemporary Afrobeats rhythms with melodic elements drawn from Nigerian highlife. Built around acoustic textures, guitar-led instrumentation and a mid-tempo groove, the arrangement reflects what Makaya Studios describes as its approach to “Modern Afro-Eclecticism,” blending heritage sounds with contemporary production.

    The song opens with a restrained instrumental before Opayinka’s vocal performance draws on the storytelling traditions of Yoruba music. The Radio Edit streamlines the arrangement while retaining the song’s focus on melody and atmosphere.

    “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)” forms part of Songs of Makaya Plantation, a 17-track catalogue released by Makaya Studios in 2026 under the patronage of the 3E Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports education and cultural development across Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.

    Makaya Studios Ltd is the music and creative content division of Makaya Group Ltd.

    Featured artist Olawale Opayinka is a composer, producer and development finance professional based between Ibadan and Lagos. His contributions to the Songs of Makaya Plantation catalogue draw on Yoruba oral traditions alongside musical influences shaped by his experiences in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Dima Korss reflects on life’s fleeting moments in “Stay a Little Longer”

    Dima Korss reflects on life’s fleeting moments in “Stay a Little Longer”

    Dima Kors has released “Stay a Little Longer,” a new single that explores life, love and the moments people wish they could hold onto.

    Released on July 7, 2026, the song combines contemporary production with a cinematic atmosphere, gradually building towards a saxophone performance that serves as its emotional centrepiece. The instrument plays a prominent role throughout the arrangement, reflecting Dima Kors’ interest in incorporating a classic, understated style into his music.

    According to the accompanying press release, “Stay a Little Longer” is designed to encourage listeners to slow down and reflect rather than provide definitive answers. The song leaves room for personal interpretation, inviting each listener to find their own meaning within its themes of memory, connection and the passage of time.

    The production balances modern elements with melodic instrumentation, using the saxophone to reinforce the song’s reflective mood while shaping its distinctive sonic identity.

    With “Stay a Little Longer,” Dima Kors continues to explore emotionally driven songwriting through a cinematic musical approach that places atmosphere and instrumentation at the centre of the listening experience.

    “Stay a Little Longer” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Chukason Don and Rhyma celebrate love and devotion on “4U”

    Chukason Don and Rhyma celebrate love and devotion on “4U”

    Chukason Don and Rhyma have released “4U,” a collaborative single centred on love, reassurance and commitment.

    The song pairs Chukason Don’s vocal delivery with Rhyma’s softer approach over a production built around contemporary Afrobeats influences. Together, the two artists explore themes of care, emotional support and devotion, presenting “4U” as a reflection on romantic connection.

    The release marks a notable point in the collaboration between the two artists.

    “4U” also serves as a milestone for Chukason Don ahead of an upcoming series of music video releases, as outlined in the press release.

    Through its focus on reassurance and affection, “4U” continues both artists’ exploration of melodic Afrobeats while highlighting the chemistry between their contrasting vocal styles.

    “4U” is available now on major streaming platforms.