Press Play: New Music From Tiwa Savage, Mayorkun, Oxlade & 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.

“Let Me Know” - Mayorkun

Two nights ago, announcing his first solo release in months, Mayorkun tweeted, “‘The Mayor of Lagos’ is ‘Back In Lagos’”. While this might be a play on the titles of his debut and forthcoming album, it’s still incredibly apt. Mayorkun had the last year in a chokehold, releasing bangers after bangers while also going on an insane feature run, culminating in many nominations at the 2020 Headies Awards. This year, however, has been relatively quiet for the 27-year-old pop star, appearing only on a handful of singles. But with the release of “Let Me Know”, Mayorkun is ready to resume where he left off last year.

Buoyed by Clemzy’s syncopated drums and plush horns, “Let Me Know” finds Mayorkun in his comfort zone. He’s pledging his unfailing love to his love interest and his love interest alone. “To everybody else, I’m a bad guy / To my baby boo I’m the right guy / But to my therapist I’m a sad guy / and to my ex hard guy,” he sings. Amid his lofty promises and heartfelt lines, he still sneaks in the “Oya listen to your new national anthem,” line confidently reminding everyone he’s well and truly back.

“Love Me” - Juls ft Niniola

A certain warmth comes with almost every Juls release, and “Love Me”, the second single from his forthcoming album, is not any different. His impressive instrumentation is still as potent as ever; this time, expertly combining soft percussions, spine-tingling strings, and horns to good effect. Niniola also brings her A-game, delivering irresistible melodies and slightly scatterbrained lyrics about a man that must love her in return.

“Harmonies” - Wavy The Creator ft WurlD

Since her debut back in 2017, Wavy The Creator’s musical journey has been a stop-start. After impressing with several singles between 2017 and 2018 and penning a deal with Disturbing London, fans were excited and eagerly expectant of what was to come. Months would, however, come and go, and nothing concrete would materialize. Even though she would eventually release a couple of singles after much anticipation, she never really got any momentum going. But the recent release of the sultry, WurlD-assisted “Harmonies” feels different. It’s the best she’s sounded in a while. “ it’s okay if I hit you up / baby, I’ll take you up on your offer baby lick you up,” she sings with her paper-thin voice, nicely setting the tone for the sensual number. The blue-haired vocalist is no stranger to records like this; he also goes in, delivering incredibly raunchy lines, perfectly complementing Wavy.