KYOO has released “More Than This”, a bilingual track that sits between Afropop and R&B, with lyrics in English and Spanish.
The London-based singer-songwriter draws from pop, R&B, Afro and Latin influences, incorporating both languages into her songwriting. Born in Nepal and raised in Barcelona, KYOO’s music reflects elements of the different cultures that have shaped her.
“More Than This” is available on streaming platforms.
DJ Mamee2u has released “CACAO”, a cross-cultural track combining Latin music, Afrobeats, trap and reggaeton.
The 16-year-old producer, composer and saxophone player began learning the saxophone in third grade before joining an advanced electronic music programme at age 12, where he studied music production for three years alongside regular school.
“CACAO” brings together Latin rhythms, Afrobeat influences, trap elements and Spanish guitar. The single is the first of five planned releases exploring different combinations of cultures, languages and musical styles.
“CACAO” is available on streaming platforms.
UK R&B artist Dara Blaxx has released “Honey”, a track that blends Afrobeats with contemporary R&B and soulful influences.
Released on August 7, the song explores attraction and flirtation through playful lyrics centred around chemistry on the dancefloor.
Produced by Beezyx, “Honey” is built around percussion-led production, warm harmonies and saxophone melodies, with Blaxx’s vocals carrying the song’s flirtatious tone.
The single follows Blaxx’s previous release “Over My Mind” and has been featured by BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Berkshire.
“Honey” is available on streaming platforms.
Brooklyn-based artist Deozi has released “My Sweet Ride”, a track combining Afrobeats with Reggae and Dancehall influences.
Released on August 29 as part of Deozi’s debut album The Default Human, the song centres on romance, attraction and admiration of a woman. Its lyrics take the form of a seduction, with vows of love and reassurance forming part of the narrative.
Produced by Omito Beats and engineered by Ryan Kelly, “My Sweet Ride” incorporates rhythmic elements associated with Afrobeats and Dancehall alongside Deozi’s melodic delivery and rap influences drawn from both East Coast hip-hop and Caribbean music.
The track is part of The Default Human, an album that moves across Rock, Blues, Dancehall, Afrobeats and Hip-Hop. Its subject matter includes love, spirituality, family, culture, politics and ideas around beauty.
“My Sweet Ride” is available on streaming platforms.
Papi Ojo and DJ and producer Doubleaaproved bring together Afrobeats, Dancehall and Amapiano influences on their collaborative single, “N.O.L.Y. (No One Like You).”
The track is built around rhythmic grooves and melodic vocals, with Doubleaaproved handling the production and Papi Ojo delivering the vocals.
The production draws from classic Dancehall riddims alongside contemporary Afrobeats and Amapiano rhythms, giving the song a cross-genre foundation.
For Papi Ojo, the release adds another entry to a catalogue that moves between Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall and hip-hop. The Lagos-born, New York-raised artist is also known for his work across dance and visual performance, including his appearance as the blue character in Beyoncé’s “Black Is King.”
Doubleaaproved, who is based in Brooklyn, brings his work as a DJ and producer to the collaboration, with a sound that also incorporates Dancehall, Soca and contemporary club music.
“N.O.L.Y. (No One Like You)” is out now on streaming platforms.
Alex Alidor has released “Artie,” a new single that brings together Afrobeats rhythms and Caribbean influences.
According to Saint-Denis Records, “Artie” draws from the musical traditions of the Caribbean while incorporating contemporary Afrobeats elements. The release reflects Alidor’s interest in bringing the two sounds together without being confined to a single musical style.
The track is described as a dance-oriented record, with its production centred on the rhythmic relationship between African and Caribbean music.
“Artie” is now available on streaming platforms.
Alex Alidor has released “Bongo,” a track that brings together Afrobeats with Caribbean musical influences.
The Guadeloupe-based singer-songwriter draws from styles including Gwo Ka, reggae, bolero and chanson. Those influences inform “Bongo,” which combines African-rooted rhythms with elements of Caribbean music.
The song reflects Alidor’s broader approach to working across genres rather than staying within a single musical style. He releases his music independently and is currently based in Guadeloupe.
“Bongo” is the latest single in Alidor’s catalogue and follows his work exploring the relationship between African and Caribbean musical traditions.
The track is now available on streaming platforms.
Lilwaboy has released “File,” an Afrobeats single built around a playful Nigerian expression about respecting what belongs to someone else.
The song uses the phrase, “File, no touch am o, if no be you get am, make you no touch am o,” as its central hook. The expression essentially means that if something does not belong to you, you should not touch it.
“File” combines Afrobeats rhythms with a street-influenced sound, with the repeated phrase giving the song its main lyrical refrain.
Lilwaboy is an independent Afrobeats artist based in Spain with Nigerian roots.
The track is now available on streaming platforms.
Miraz Tha Great has released “Shayo,” a new single that combines Afrobeats melodies with the log-drum-driven rhythms associated with Amapiano.
The track is built around a club-oriented production, with smooth vocals set against a heavier rhythmic foundation. Its lyrics and overall theme focus on celebration, with the title “Shayo” referencing drinking and having a good time in Nigerian slang.
Miraz Tha Great describes the song as an attempt to bring together elements of West African and Southern African dance music. “Music is a universal language, and with ‘Shayo,’ I wanted to create a bridge between genres that naturally move people,” he says.
The London-based independent artist and producer works across Afrobeats, Amapiano and Afro-fusion, incorporating African rhythms with contemporary electronic and club influences.
“Shayo” is out now on major streaming platforms.
Suki Salaam has released “Body,” an Afrobeats track that incorporates elements of jazz and saxophone into its production..
The song is built around an Afrobeats rhythm, with saxophone melodies appearing throughout the arrangement. The jazz influence comes primarily through the instrumentation, while the percussion keeps the track grounded in an Afrobeats structure.
It focuses on rhythm and melody, with the saxophone providing one of the defining musical elements of the record.
“Body” is now available on major streaming platforms.