It is a quieter Friday than usual, with just six releases making this week’s list.
The smaller selection comes with plenty of variety. A cross-continental collaboration leads the way, while Alté, R&B, indigenous hip-hop and Afrosounds also feature.
Here are some of the songs worth adding to your playlist this weekend.
Bees & Honey ft Omah Lay, BEAM, Gyptian – As We Get High
As We Get High stands out as the strongest release on this week’s list.
Production collective Bees & Honey builds the song around an interpolation of Gyptian’s 2010 dancehall hit, Hold You. The track blends the familiar Jamaican melody with smooth Afrobeats production.
Omah Lay and BEAM add their own styles to the collaboration. Their contributions give the record a contemporary feel without taking away from the character of the original.
What makes the song work is its treatment of the source material. Rather than completely changing Hold You, Bees & Honey retain its recognisable elements while giving the track a fresh direction.
Omah Lay brings his soulful vocals, while BEAM adds another layer to the cross-continental collaboration. The result is a relaxed and melodic record that connects Jamaican dancehall with modern Afrobeats.
Fans of the original Hold You will likely find something familiar in the new release.
BOJ & Ajebutter22
BOJ and Ajebutter22 bring together two familiar voices from Nigeria’s Alté scene.
BOJ’s husky vocals sit over mellow, jazzy production. Ajebutter22 complements the sound with his conversational rap style.
The combination gives the song an easy-going feel. It is the kind of record that works well in the background without demanding too much attention.
However, the release does not quite reach the heights both artists have achieved individually.
There is still enough chemistry between the pair to make the track an enjoyable addition to the Alté catalogue. It may not be an essential listen, but it fits comfortably into a laid-back playlist.
Darkua ft TAR1Q – Know You
Darkua and TAR1Q take a softer approach with Know You, a smooth mid-tempo R&B record centred on romantic tension and cautious affection.
The song establishes its mood early and maintains it throughout. Its understated production allows the vocals to remain at the centre of the record.
Darkua and TAR1Q complement each other well. Their performances create a track that feels accessible without becoming overly complicated.
That accessibility could also make Know You appealing to listeners who do not usually gravitate towards R&B.
CDQ
CDQ remains in familiar territory with a release rooted in indigenous hip-hop and street-pop.
The rapper delivers Yoruba-language verses filled with local slang, punchlines and his usual energy.
His confident delivery works well with the production. It gives the track the street-focused character associated with his music.
The song does not necessarily introduce a new side of CDQ. Instead, it builds on the sound and style he has established throughout his career.
For listeners who enjoy indigenous hip-hop and Nigerian street-pop, the release offers another opportunity to hear CDQ in his comfort zone.
Syemca
Syemca takes a more atmospheric route with an electronic Afrosounds record built around moody synths and mid-tempo production.
Her expressive vocals carry the emotional weight of the song as she explores heartbreak and vulnerability.
The production gives the record a distinct texture. It also separates the track from some of the more familiar sounds on this week’s list.
It is an enjoyable listen for anyone looking for something different from the dominant Afrobeats and Alté sounds.
With only six releases making this week’s New Music Friday selection, there is less to explore than usual. Still, the range of sounds makes the list worth a listen.
From As We Get High’s blend of Jamaican dancehall and Afrobeats to Know You’s smooth R&B approach, the week’s releases offer different sounds for different moods.
Whether you want something mellow, atmospheric or rooted in Nigerian street sounds, there is enough here to keep your weekend playlist fresh.
