Press Play: New Music From Olamide, Kida Kudz, Elaine & More

Your weekly dose of the best new sounds on the continent!

We're still living in a pandemic and its endless resulting effects, but at least we've had an ample serving of tunes to keep us company. Each week, the B.Side staff will round up a guide to the hottest songs on the continent. Dig in and enjoy.

SuperSmashBroz x BUJU x Moliy - “Sweet Body”

The Brixton-born and raised Nigerian American DJ/production duo, better known as the SuperSmashBroz, delivered the deluxe edition of their excellent 2020 offering, Black Soap, this week and nestled in the first three tracks is the incredibly subtle “Sweet Body”. With BUJU producing a trademark melodic hook and songstress Soliy doing her best Amaraae impersonation, the product is an infectious sleeper, achieved by a blend of inflections the brothers create so consistently.

Kida Kudz (feat. Bella Shmurda) - "Ball Till We Fall"

This surprisingly potent attempt at slick lyricism over a percussive-led bounce works exceptionally well in the favour of Kida Kudz, whose feature selection has to be given praise for the sheer amount of versatility he possesses. Very few artists have the street appeal to make a song with Bella Shmurda and have a two-year-old underground hit with Santi at the same time. The upbeat rhythm provides enough room for both artists to shine with Bella Shmurda afforded a full verse to express satisfaction with his recently acquired fame and success, stunting on haters bilingually.

King Promise - "Slow Down"

Showing off his diverse R&B influenced palette, the Twi and English-performed “Slow Down” has an uptempo, arguably pop feeling to it, eliciting King Promise’s innate ability to find his feet in most dynamic sounds. Powered by Killbeatz’ percussion-heavy approach, the introduction of a violin shortly before the drop displays the level of intricacy put into the record, which is why it is our Afro-R&B pick of the week.

Elaine - "Right Now"

Savvy South-African R&B songstress Elaine marks her return to the scene with a polished slow burner titled “Right Now”. Off the back of her impressive 2019 debut record, she sticks with her favored blend of the R&B that made her an instant success, presenting a clearer picture of exactly what message has in store for audiences. Proclaiming her need for focus, she shakes