The Best West African Songs Right Now

This month’s Best New Music From West Africa features sounds from Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana.

Gyakie poses in a promotional shot wearing grills in her mouth and sporting blue hair.

Gyakie’s new single “Sankofa,” a song about finding home and a sense of permanence in love, is one of our Best West African Songs of the month.

Photo by Gyakie/Sony Music.

With only a month to go until the halfway point of the year, this month’s Best New West African Songs is a refreshing and exciting collection of sounds filled with heart and strong narratives.

Niniola “Ginger Me (Alum)” (Nigeria)

In “Ginger Me,” Afro-House queenNiniola delivers a track that is both fun and intriguingly dark. On the surface, “Ginger Me” reenacts the complexities of living a fast life, but really, the song is just concerned about relishing the moment and having the kind of fun that’s hard to forget. And that feeling is infectious. The beat is classic Afropop, with a touch of house influences.

Gyakie “Sankofa” (Ghana)

ForGyakie, the best lyrics are driven home by repetition. It’s a skill she effortlessly employs in her new single “Sankofa,” a song about finding home and a sense of permanence in love. It’s a beautiful, heartfelt song that flows with the ambiance of a poetry performance. Gyakie has mastered the ability to maintain a narrative thread throughout her songs, leaving Easter eggs across her discography, which is inspired by highlife classics and redefined by Afropop influences. Make sure to check out our new episode of Afrobeats Intelligence with Gyakie.

Yaw Tog “Asem Ben” (Ghana)

In “Asem Ben,” the message fromYaw Tog is simple: he’s protecting his space and shielding himself from shifty forces. Despite the edge in his tone, this track lends itself to a surprising gentleness. The trills on the guitar evoke a lazy afternoon at Labadi beach, staring out at the ocean as the song soundtracks a meditative and deeply reflective moment, playing loudly from the speakers of a beach tent.

Jeeba “Ki la Bagn” (Senegal)

One of the most important voices in modern mbalax music, Jeeba, is known for rethinking the form a traditional mbalax song can take and what it can say. But in his latest track, “Ki La Bagn,” that sensibility is still firmly present. “Ki La Bagn” is groovy and soft but assertive about what it wants to say and how it wants to say it. If anyone is looking for a primer on contemporary mbalax, this song is a great place to start.

Nick Silver, Iss 814 “Lonely” (Senegal)

In “Lonely,” Congolese R&B and pop artist Nick Silver teams up with Senegalese artist Iss 814 for a reflective, sultry track. As the title implies, “Lonely” looks over the flow of one’s affection and a solitary state of mind. Dense with feeling and aware of its needs, “Lonely” is an unforgettable track from a fast-rising act.

Tekno “Alhaji” (Nigeria)

In his early days, Nigeria’sTekno was known for his stellar production and incredibly witty lyrics. In his latest single, “Alhaji,” Tekno makes a clear nod to his mid-2010 sound, one defined by quick, fast-paced beats, percussion, and the markings of a classic Afropop track. “Alhaji” is a simple but club-ready declaration of affection. It’s easy on the ears, playful, and incredibly nostalgic. At a time when artists have tried to return to the sound that facilitated their rise, Tekno takes things up a notch by revisiting an old sound through a mature and well-developed perspective.

SuperJazzClub “Wicked” Remix feat. Cruel Santino (Ghana)

It’s not often that an already perfect song gets an even more perfect remix. The remix of “Wicked” by SuperJazzClub featuringCruel Santino is one of those few exceptions. Santino takes cues from the sharp-edged groove of the original song and interprets it with even more teeth. This remix brings a fresh take to a beloved song.

Fimi, SGaWD, WeTalkSound “Hei God” (Nigeria)

“Hei God” is driving down Lekki Phase 1 on a Friday at 2am with the windows down, speakers blaring, and the car full of your favorite people in the world. Featuring rappers Fimi and SGaWD, the track is a sharp-tongued, no-nonsense fun ride enlivened by effortless bars delivered by newcomer Fimi and OG SGaWD. In “Hei God,” both women, at crucial stages of their rap careers, are in a transportive conversation, swapping experiences and sampling energies. It’s a fun, eclectic song that sticks with minimal effort.

Seyi Vibez “Pressure” (Nigeria)

In “Pressure,” Nigerian street-pop championSeyi Vibez leaves out the heavy percussion and heart-racing beats for a sleek, sultry bounce. In this refreshing new track, reminiscent of his 2023 hit “Different Patterns,” Vibez is tender, open, and full of desire. It’s a sharp and much-welcome shift away from the gritty, mind-bending style Vibez is known for. “Pressure” is a journey through settling into a kind of love that compels one to let go but also be inventive about giving love. Present at the core of Seyi Vibez’s approach to discussing desire is his particular and deeply personal interpretation of what it means to love and be loved.

Ayo Maff “Lazy Baby” (Nigeria)

In “Lazy Baby,” Ayo Maff wants to spend the day doing nothing. A la Bruno Mars’ “The Lazy Song,” Maff wants to press a hard break after the incredible and dizzying year he has had so far. Over an experimental, sparse beat, Maff reminisces on the past (a maths teacher he didn’t like very much, his hustle) and admits to a state of mind that’s all ready for a break. While the song might have an unmistakable groove, “Lazy Baby” is at once a victory lap for a fast-rising star with several hits under his belt and growing notoriety, and a vulnerable look in the mind of an artist adjusting to the rush and chaos of fame.

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