Category: Afrobeats

  • ALPHA CENTAURI releases new single “Higher Up” ahead of debut album

    ALPHA CENTAURI releases new single “Higher Up” ahead of debut album

    Zimbabwe-born, West Coast-based artist ALPHA CENTAURI has released a new single, “Higher Up,” the fourth release from his forthcoming debut album, The Future Right Now, scheduled for release in August 2026.

    According to the artist, the song reflects on the challenges of pursuing a creative career, including financial pressures, family expectations, and the balance between everyday responsibilities and making music. Its lyrics focus on perseverance and the determination to move beyond self-doubt and outside expectations.

    Recorded with a full band, “Higher Up” incorporates jazz instrumentation while drawing from the artist’s blend of hip-hop, funk, R&B, Afrobeat, and retro pop influences.

    ALPHA CENTAURI is a Zimbabwe-born artist based on Canada’s West Coast. His debut album, The Future Right Now, is expected later this year.

    “Higher Up” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Benedict J explores mental health and hope on new single “Closing In (The Darkness)”

    Benedict J explores mental health and hope on new single “Closing In (The Darkness)”

    Independent artist Benedict J has released a new single, “Closing In (The Darkness),” a house track that explores mental health struggles alongside themes of resilience, love, and hope.

    According to the artist, the song began as a poem written in January 2026 before being developed into a piece of music. While its lyrics reflect periods of emotional difficulty, the track pairs those themes with upbeat house production, creating a contrast between its sound and subject matter.

    Based in North West England, Benedict J is an independent artist whose latest release draws on personal experiences to explore emotional wellbeing and recovery through music.

    “Closing In (The Darkness)” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Shreya Srikanth blends Afrobeats and Indian classical influences on new single “Something in the Water”

    Shreya Srikanth blends Afrobeats and Indian classical influences on new single “Something in the Water”

    New York City-based singer-songwriter and producer Shreya Srikanth has released a new single, “Something in the Water,” a song that combines Afrobeats-inspired rhythms with dream pop and influences from the Indian classical tradition.

    According to Srikanth, the track explores the feeling of an unexpected connection that is difficult to explain but impossible to ignore. Built around melodic pop songwriting and rhythmic percussion, the song reflects the range of musical influences that inform her work.

    Srikanth is a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose background includes training in Carnatic music, South India’s classical music tradition, alongside classical piano. Her music also draws on pop, R&B, and jazz influences.

    “Something in the Water” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Lil Blinkz releases new single “Everyday”

    Lil Blinkz releases new single “Everyday”

    Nigerian hip-hop artist Lil Blinkz has released a new single, “Everyday,” a record centered on perseverance, hard work, and the pursuit of personal goals.

    According to the artist, the song draws on real-life experiences and reflects the challenges faced by young people striving for success. Through its lyrics, “Everyday” explores themes of resilience, consistency, and maintaining hope in difficult circumstances.

    Lil Blinkz is a Nigerian recording artist whose music combines hip-hop with storytelling rooted in everyday experiences. His work frequently addresses ambition, perseverance, and personal growth.

    “Everyday” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • 80won releases Afrobeats and R&B-influenced single “Slow Whine”

    80won releases Afrobeats and R&B-influenced single “Slow Whine”

    Cardiff-based artist 80won has released a new single, “Slow Whine,” a song that blends Afrobeats-inspired rhythms with R&B and contemporary pop influences.

    According to the artist, the song was inspired by a brief encounter in a Paris café, using that moment as the starting point for a story about attraction, romance, and human connection.

    80won is an independent singer-songwriter based in Cardiff, Wales. His music combines elements of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop while drawing on experiences from everyday life.

    “Slow Whine” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • LOAAIHLY releases Yoruba-inspired Afro House single “AYÉ”

    LOAAIHLY releases Yoruba-inspired Afro House single “AYÉ”

    Paris-based artist and producer LOAAIHLY has released a new single, “AYÉ,” an Afro House track that takes its title from the Yoruba word ayé, which can refer to life, the world, or earthly existence.

    Built around percussion-driven rhythms, deep basslines, and atmospheric electronic production, the song incorporates elements commonly associated with Afro House while drawing on a Yoruba linguistic reference for its title.

    “AYÉ” has been released in both Radio Edit and Extended Mix versions. According to the artist, the record is intended to reflect themes of movement, joy, and freedom through its dance-oriented production.

    LOAAIHLY is an independent artist and producer based in Paris who releases music through his own imprint, Loaaihly Records. His work focuses primarily on Afro House and electronic music.

    “AYÉ” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • DJ Myst explores individuality on new single “Pas tout l’monde (Recette)”

    DJ Myst explores individuality on new single “Pas tout l’monde (Recette)”

    DJ Myst has released a new single, “Pas tout l’monde (Recette),” featuring Mojo Tsb, Greg So, and guitarist Ecri20.

    Blending Afro-urban and contemporary pop influences, the track combines rhythmic production with live guitar elements to create an upbeat, melodic sound. Rather than focusing solely on celebration, “Pas tout l’monde (Recette)” centers on the idea that people follow different paths in life and success does not come from a single formula.

    The song’s chorus reinforces its message of embracing one’s own journey instead of comparing oneself to others. Through its mix of groove-driven production and reflective lyrics, the collaboration touches on themes of perseverance, self-acceptance, and personal growth.

    DJ Myst continues to explore contemporary urban sounds while working with a range of collaborators, with Mojo Tsb, Greg So, and Ecri20 each contributing to the record’s layered musical approach.

    “Pas tout l’monde (Recette)” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • JAYSUN explores faith and perseverance on new single “Para”

    JAYSUN explores faith and perseverance on new single “Para”

    Nigerian Afro-fusion artist JAYSUN has released “Para,” a new single that reflects on faith, resilience, and the search for hope during difficult moments.

    Blending Afro-fusion with melodic storytelling, “Para” is built around the recurring phrase, “God is up to something,” using it as a reminder to remain hopeful through uncertainty, setbacks, and personal challenges. Rather than focusing solely on hardship, the song looks at perseverance and the possibility that difficult seasons can lead to growth.

    The release follows JAYSUN’s earlier single “Trinity,” which examined themes including grief, leadership, social division, and compassion. While “Trinity” reflected on broader societal realities, “Para” shifts its focus inward, exploring spirituality and the role of faith in navigating everyday life.

    Known for combining Afro-fusion with reflective songwriting, JAYSUN’s music often draws on themes of human experience, personal growth, and belief without losing its contemporary Afro-inspired sound.

    “Para” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Markus D’Ambrosi, The Officer and MC Lillo Rework “Fantasy Girl” as an Afro House Release

    Markus D’Ambrosi, The Officer and MC Lillo Rework “Fantasy Girl” as an Afro House Release

    DJ and producer Markus D’Ambrosi joins The Officer and MC Lillo for “Fantasy Girl,” an Afro House reinterpretation of Johnny O’s Freestyle classic.

    The release combines melodies from the original with Afro House rhythms, hypnotic percussion, and contemporary electronic production, reimagining the song through a modern club music lens while retaining its nostalgic character.

    The collaboration brings together artists from different generations of dance music. Markus D’Ambrosi has worked as a DJ and producer for more than three decades, while The Officer is known for his contributions to the European Freestyle scene. MC Lillo adds rap vocals to the updated version.

    “Fantasy Girl” is out now on major streaming platforms.

  • THE NAME IS TT Celebrates Womanhood and Congolese Identity on New Single “Mwasi”

    THE NAME IS TT Celebrates Womanhood and Congolese Identity on New Single “Mwasi”

    Congolese-Canadian artist THE NAME IS TT explores themes of feminine strength, confidence, and cultural identity on her new single “Mwasi,” an Afro-fusion release that blends Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop influences.

    Meaning “woman” in Lingala, “Mwasi” is built around contemporary Afrobeats production, melodic vocals, and dance-driven rhythms while celebrating the resilience and self-assurance of women. Sung in a mix of Lingala, French, and English, the track reflects THE NAME IS TT’s multicultural background, connecting the sounds of Toronto’s music scene with the musical traditions of Central Africa.

    Based in Toronto, THE NAME IS TT draws inspiration from her Congolese heritage, creating music that bridges African and Western influences. As a queer Congolese artist, she also brings perspectives that contribute to the growing visibility of underrepresented voices within contemporary African music.

    “Mwasi” is out now on major streaming platforms.