Sarkodie, TAR1Q, Qing Madi, and Black Sherif on This Week’s New Music Friday

This week passed by swiftly, but not so quickly that Afromixx couldn’t put together a fantastic playlist to kick off the weekend. This week saw the release of singles, EPs, and albums across Africa. We’ve painstakingly tracked good records, curating and sequencing them for your listening pleasure. 

Jailer – Sarkodie, Victony

In recent years, Sarkodie has continuously tapped into the brilliance of Afrobeats artists in Nigeria with terrific hooks for his equally hard-hitting rap bars. Intersecting with Afro-R&B artists, Sarkodie has been able to express himself on the melodies of these artists. From Non-Living Thing with Oxlade to Till We Die with Ruger, Sarkodie has built a musical world that centres on heartbreak and love. Unsurprisingly, Jailer with Victony adds another notch on Sarkodie’s belt.

Bus Stop – TAR1Q, Young Jonn

Within 24 hours of the release of his second EP, TARIQ’s “Okada Airlines” started at No. 12 on the Nigerian Apple Music Albums Chart and rose to No. 9. The young artist signed to Chocolate City Label went 8 for 8 with his latest EP, which featured Young Jonn, Khaid, Killa, and Bola BMH. TARIQ’s ability to create surreal, infectious melodies of high replay value positions him for many milestones in the Nigerian music scene and beyond. Bus Stop with Young Jonn is one of the many confirmations from the EP. Other standout tracks from the EP include Living Thing, Zuko, Jigga, and Oyi Eh.

Goosebumps – Qing Madi

Armed with hit songs like American Love, Ole featuring BNXN, and Vision, just to name a few, Qing Madi continues to impress and make grand musical strides for a rising star. In preparation for her debut album, Qing Madi shares a lead single title, ‘Goosebumps’. Known for her relatable lyrics and clean, clear vocals, her new single Goosebumps reflects these traits and showcases Qing Madi’s prowess to tell love stories in the form of beautiful music. 

KUKU GOOGLE AM – 2Baba

Afrobeats legend 2baba is said to be working on a last record, possibly his last, that will bid farewell to the music industry. With his new single, which will most likely be included on his upcoming album, 2Baba taps into one of his many ranges as an astonishingly creative artist. On his new single “KUKU GOOGLE AM,” 2Baba expresses a variety of controversial narratives fuelled by comparisons in the music, influencing, humorous, and entertainment industry as a whole. Like a Fela Kuti performance, each of 2Baba’s lyrics is met with a callback of “KUKU GOOGLE AM”. 

Saint Tropez, Juls, Victony

Weeks after teasing “Saint Tropez” on his social media pages, the track is finally released on DSPs alongside 17 other songs off Juls fourth studio album, “Peace and Love.” If you’re familiar enough with Juls work as a producer, you can tell from the shakes and Caribbean-like percussions a song he worked on. And on this sonic experience, Victony thrives, conveying a lustful yearning for a romantic subject with innuendos and harmonious hints. 

Rebel Music – Black Sherif 

Clearly, Black Sherif is in album mode for his highly anticipated sophomore album, “Iron Boy.” And to further build anticipation, he has released a new single title, “Rebel Music,” a typically intense music that Black Sherif says he’d be selecting as a soundtrack for judgement day if he was ever made to choose. On Rebel Music, Black Sherif bares his life’s experiences and journey in a visceral and gritty manner that pulls a listener into not just his music but the story. 

Mr. Heartbreaker – Rose May Alaba, Odumodublvck 

Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, to a Nigerian father, Rose Mary Alaba’s R&B record “Mr Heartbreaker” intersects with ODUMODUBLVCK’s gritty and intense delivery of heartbreak from their point of view. While Rose’s verse chronicles a sad heartbreak story, ODUMODUBLVCK’s is more crude and, to an extent, hilarious. 

Lonely – Joshua Baraka

Ugandan new generation artist Joshua Baraka delivers yet another sublime piece of music to listeners. This comes five months after he released the deluxe version of his 2023 studio EP, “Growing Pains.” In yet another tale of heartbreak, Joshua Baraka poured his tender vocals on plucky guitars and consistent kicks.