The majority of the conversations around Afrobeats music this year have evolved around producing smash hits and breaking-out superstars. Most agree that we’ve had none in 2024, but some would argue and mention a couple of songs and new artists.
Though the year isn’t overflowing with anthems, as the industry knows it, many gems and excellent music came out this year, and they’re undeniable. Whether they flew under your radar, weren’t the biggest hits, or just weren’t your cup of tea, they locked it down this year.
In no particular order.
OZEBA — Rema
As playful and disruptive as OZEBA may sound and present itself, what separates it from an ordinary noise amp is its protector-of-the-realm lyricism. Rema scales over boundaries, exerts flexibility, slips past gatekeepers, recognises himself as the leader of his era, and he’s assured that he has the smart to keep finessing and breaking the industry rules. “You wan gatekeep who sabi jump fence?” is a stopper statement.
Risk — Victony
One of this year’s Afrobeats novel releases is Victony’s Risk. He sings of superficial frivolities: showers of funds, fresh clothes, baddies with big bums — he wants them by any means. The song is simple, yet he brings substance to it. The beat is bouncy and unorthodox and vibrates deeper at every chant of “Risk, risk, risk.” Victony pushed his limits in multi-dimensional flows and unsubscribed from the usual uniform approach of Afrobeats.
Bad Vibez — Ayra Starr feat. Seyi Vibez
Ayra Starr grabs Seyi Vibez for a feature on this song about avoiding people with bad spirits and channels her energy to what pays her: money. The baseline snatches waists, and the defiant lyrics, with sprinkles of good time and protective energy, are the mantra of living life from stress.
Iseoluwa — Fireboy DML
This is the album opener of Fireboy DML’s new album, “adedamola”. Iseoluwa, meaning “the work of God” in Yoruba, sees Fireboy humble and filled with gratitude for numerous things that surpass his knowledge, albeit divine: the gift of existence, a high-flying career (six years deep in the mainstream), and an affluent lifestyle. Whether it’s at a church, mosque, club, or a pensioner’s party, this song has an audience everywhere.
Morowore — Olamide
On one hand, Olamide throws gratitude to his creator in the air. On the other, he interpolates the 2002-released Play Paul Dairo song titled Mo Wa Dupe
I Go Nowhere — Dwin, the Stoic
Not many people can be simple and calm in their language and tone yet be intensely captivating with every vocal release. In this song, Dwin promises unrelenting and ever-present love to his lover. In a year with numerous hyper-fast and hard-hitting produced music, Dwin orchestrates a ballad that muses more passionately and intentionally about love when the noises are down and the head in one place.
Are You There — Ayo Maff
The woes of loneliness and walking the road of greatness or despair alone is enough reason for anyone to muster up and humbly ask, “Are you there?” Rising star Ayo Maff pours his life story and experiences from the street into a minimalist but bouncy production that holds the song from slipping into total melancholy.
Active — Asake feat. Travis Scott
Asake is active, which in urban interpretation means he’s lit, ready to go, or focused. He samples Jazzman Olofin’s Raise the Roof, featuring Fuji maestro Adewale Ayuba, whose voice is taped around Active. Asake sings of having a good time, while Travis Scott’s verse expands on that with a rap star pizzazz. It’s for the city boys and girls. Turn up!
Crown Bounce — Leather Park & Odunsi (the Engine) feat. Minz & Elias Slay66r
This is a sexy record for early morning musings into your lover’s earlobes, sweet nothings in breezy evenings and sultry confessions in the seductive darkness of the night. The artists sing about all they’d do to keep their desire burning. While they leave a reminder that they have girls around the world, there’s a focus on that one gorgeous lady.
mo de ma — Minz
Looking back at his impressive journey and recognising that this is only the beginning of what he’s set out to achieve, Minz locks in more than before. He’ll try to push out his dreams rather than rot in his comfort zone. Minz is focused on breaking down barriers and leaving marks on the game when all is said and done.
