AFROPOP — A catch-all term casting a wide net over the diverse musical approaches originating and dominating from Africa — has long been a center of the Black diasporic experience, from which so much of pop culture borrows. Every year, though, social and technological ingenuity and curiosity has made the world a little smaller and the influence of Afropop a lot greater. Rolling Stone’s inaugural list of Afropop’s top songs scans West, East, and Southern Africa for singles that defined seasons, scenes, moods, and movements all over. Yet rather than recognizing global impact alone, this list also serves as a celebration of what mattered to folks in the cars, clubs, and subcultures on the continent.
40
Lojay, DJ Maphorisa, and Kabza De Small, ‘Canada’
LOJAY/YOUTUBE
On his breakout 2021 hit “Monalisa,” Nigerian vocalist Lojay teamed up with acclaimed producer Sarz for an amapiano-influenced soundscape. But for “Canada,” he went to the source: the Scorpion Kings, the famed South African duo of DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. Over the backdrop of a thundering beat co-produced by Herc Cut the Lights, Lojay and DJ Maphorisa (a.k.a. Madumane) promise to fly out their love interest to the Great White North, a fitting theme for this cross-cultural collaboration. —M.M.
39
Jovial x Marioo, ‘Mi Amor’
MARIOOOFFICIAL/YOUTUBE
Tanzanian artist Marioo dropped this gem back in February, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The song, which also features Kenyan songbird Jovial, is an ode to all lovers, as the two artists confess their undying affection to their muse. —T.W.
38
9umba, TOSS, and Mdoovar feat. Sir Trill, Sino Msolo, Lady Du, Young Stunna, and Slade, ‘uMlando’
9UMBA 9UMBA/YOUTUBE
Viral dance challenges are omnipresent fixtures in amapiano, and the dance to this song, which requires the swinging of the waistline sideways, became a social media phenomenon. The popularity of an initial clip and snippet posted by lead vocalist TOSS, a newcomer, made established acts like Sir Trill, Sino Msolo, Lady Du, and Young Stunna want to jump on this thumper. The refrain “lolusuku olukhulu, senz’umlando” (which loosely translates to “this is a big day, we’re making history”) instantaneously reached iconic status. —M.M.
37
Nomfundo Moh, ‘Soft Life’
NOMFUNDO MOH/YOUTUBE
In the South African context, the term “soft life” is sometimes used to refer to an affluent, luxurious, and aesthetically pleasing existence. On her aptly titled record, talented singer-songwriter Nomfundo Moh aspires to and manifests a life of comfort and fun. In the hook, she playfully knocks on the doors to prosperity and asks that they unlatch. “Ngifis’ ukuphil’ impilo engcono, ngivulele ngicela ung’vulele (‘I wish to live a better life, please open for me’),” she pleads. —M.M.
36
Davido, ‘Stand Strong’
DAVIDO/YOUTUBE
A gorgeous and peaceful hymn marrying African percussion with the sweet harmonies of the Sunday Service Choir, which rose to prominence performing with Kanye West, “Stand Strong” introduced the era of Davido’s next album, a project he told Rolling Stone was basically complete in July. “A lot of bangers on there,” he said at the time. However, in November, Davido met unthinkable tragedy when his three-year old son drowned at his Lagos home. “Stand Strong,” released six months prior, was Davido’s answer to previous losses — the deaths of his mother, his close friend known widely and affectionately as “Obama,” a security guard, and a photographer. “My steps are guided by Jehovah,” he sings hopefully. “And 44 looking over.” —M.C.
35
Cruel Santino, ‘Final Champion’
Before releasing his second album, Subaru Boys: Final Heaven, Cruel Santino was already priming his eager fans for an epic comeback. It began with the promise of “Final Champion,” the uptempo single that he teased endlessly on social media, hinting at what lay in store — a kaleidoscopic snapshot of new and familiar sounds and self-written anime characters. On “Final Champion,” Cruel Santino employs a mix of glossy synths and familiar Nigerian references, alongside a frenetic vocal delivery that ensures each lyric never leaves listeners’ heads. “E be like say this weyrey dey touch my body,” he chants, conjuring images of otherworldly opponents. —T.M.
34
AKA feat. Nasty C, ‘Lemons (Lemonade)’
AKAWORLDWIDE/YOUTUBE
It was no shock when AKA — one of the most well-regarded artists in South Africa’s thriving hip-hop scene — recruited the similarly sterling Nasty C on this amapiano-infused number. While 2022 has been a hard year for AKA following the untimely passing of his partner, he used this opportunity to bounce back, making it clear that love blossoms even in a battlefield. Nasty C, in his usual fashion, delivered a braggadocious verse — but it’s undisputedly one of his best yet. The two rappers are easygoing as their voices ebb and flow between spitting verses and seductively singing the chorus. While this was AKA’s first single of the year, it quickly reestablished him as one of South Africa’s greatest rappers. —T.W.
33
Somadina, ‘Citrus Tears’
Netherlands-born singer Somadina, 22, is one of the most magnetic voices to emerge from Nigeria’s alté scene. Two years after a strong debut with her anti-love anthem, “I Hate You,” Somadina is growing more secure with herself and her talent. In 2022, few artists emerged with a vision for their craft as cohesive as the one she displayed on “Citrus Tears” — a solemn track about moving on from unrequited love — and the rest of her first EP, Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable. Oscillating between disappointment and anger, Somadina sings evocative and poetic phrases that sound like a trusted friend examining the source of the scar. —T.M.
32
Adekunle Gold, ‘5 Star’
ADEKUNLE GOLD/YOUTUBE
Adekunle Gold had quite the year on the airwaves and on the road. After dropping his fourth album, Catch Me If You Can, in February, he toured the U.S. and capped 2022 with a jubilant homecoming show in Lagos on Dec. 18. While onstage in the States, he previewed “5 Star,” which made its way to streaming services in July. “I roll deep with the Almighty,” Gold sings after reflecting on his battle with sickle-cell disease in the song’s first few moments. He performs “5 Star” with a cool confidence, the kind only a man who bet on himself and beat the odds can possess. —M.C.
31
NATIVE Sound System feat. MOJO AF, PsychoYP, Fresh L, Zamir), ‘Pim Pam’
Brisk and urgent, “Pim Pam” is a standout from NATIVEWORLD, the debut album from NATIVE Sound System, a collective of West African musicians brought together by the Nigerian media group NATIVE Networks (with which four of the five contributors to this list are affiliated). If NATIVEWORLD is a diverse showcase of African music’s present and future, “Pim Pam” is a testament to rap’s dynamism in the diaspora. Fresh L and MOJO AF are especially electric as they run through the importance of the wealth, power, and women they’re accumulating. “See I don’t wanna hear shit from an internet boy just talkin’/Seen your shawty online, just stalkin’,” Fresh L teases. —M.C.
30
Venom and Shishiliza feat. Yumbs, Raspy, Blxckie, Riky Rick, and Tshego, ‘Sondela’
For their second collaboration, Venom and Shishiliza teamed up with Yumbs, Raspy, Blxckie, Riky Rick, and Tshego to deliver an intimate number calling for love and affection. The duo had been working on “Sondela” since 2021, employing the vocal prowess of the South African heavyweights featured on the track with an interpolation of Jennifer Lopez’s classic “If You Had My Love.” —T.W.
29
Amaarae, ‘A Body, A Coffin’
KI PRICE/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES
Since the international success of “Sad Gurlz Luv Money,” Amaarae has continuously proved that this is her world; we’re just existing in it. Her silky, sultry vocals are enchanting and euphoric. In “A Body, A Coffin,” which appears on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Prologue EP, her signature high-pitched croons cascade over lush production that features Afro-fusion percussion and flutes. —T.W.
28
Omah Lay, ‘Woman’
OMAH LAY/YOUTUBE
Omah Lay’s recent arrival on the mainstream stage of Afropop has been a genuine breath of fresh air. With a pen among the best of his generation, Omah Lay sounds influenced by Alté pioneers like Tay Iwar and Odunsi (the Engine) while working with more traditional production and melodies. With these elements, he’s created refreshing R&B-tinged mood music, best exemplified by “Woman,” the lead single from his long-awaited debut album, Boy Alone. Welcoming producer P.Priime into his universe where less is more, Omah Lay spends the song crooning about all of the things he does for his girl — a loverboy anthem, if there ever was one. —S.S.
27
Crayon, ‘Ijo (Laba Laba)’
CRAYON/YOUTUBE
Crayon’s “Ijo (Laba Laba)” is one of Nigerian pop’s brightest takes on amapiano — and that is by design. After making up a dance for the “Overloading (OVERDOSE)” music video with his peers from Mavin Records, the 24-year-old wrote a new song inspired by it, particularly its fluttering hand movements, reminiscent of a butterfly — which laba laba signifies in Yoruba. “Ijo (Laba Laba) is a cultural festival, a youthful anthem; it’s for everyone that loves being happy,” Crayon told Culture Custodian. Crayon and his colleague Embryo penned the lyrics after top producer Sarz shared the chords and percussion for what would become “Ijo” with Cray in April. “I thought it had a happy feel and sounded like a festival,” he said. —M.C.
26
Ruger, ‘Girlfriend’
RUGER OFFICIAL/YOUTUBE
Since his arrival on the scene with “One Shirt,” featuring his label boss D’Prince and Rema, Ruger has solidified himself as an inimitable talent with a voice of gold. After playing with bold splashes of dancehall and Afropop across his EP The Second Wave, Ruger released “Girlfriend,” a catchy song that earned the singer new levels of recognition due to a viral clip of him doing the über-popular uMlando dance, which originated in South Africa. If his follow-up EP, The Second Wave (Deluxe), is a statement of Ruger’s continued evolution, then “Girlfriend” is its legitimizing force. —T.M.
25
Wakadinali, ‘Mc Mca’
WAKADINALI/YOUTUBE
Often referred to as the cardinals of rap music in Kenya, Wakadinali — a trio consisting of Scar, Mad Munga, and Sewer Sydda — immediately inspired comparisons between Mad Munga and the Wu-Tang Clan’s late Ol’ Dirty Bastard when they dropped this single. The loose cannon, off-kilter raps of Mad Munga (also known as Domani and Munga Mkadinali) punctuate the song. His charisma shines through in his animated cadence and playfully gross lyrics. “Mc Mca” calls out haters at large while giving a specific middle finger to anyone who questions Wakadinali’s position in music. —T.W.
24
Rema, ‘Calm Down’
REMA/YOUTUBE
Along with tracks like “Soundgasm” and “FYN,” “Calm Down” is one of the many standout moments on Rema’s debut album, Rave & Roses. In the song, which has a hypnotic guitar loop and a rhythmic bounce as the bedrock, Rema narrates a tale about a romantic connection he has with a girl he first met at a party. Now boasting a Selena Gomez-assisted remix, “Calm Down” continues to unlock new career highlights and milestones for the Mavin Records wunderkind. Another banger! —M.M.
23
Wizkid feat. Ayra Starr, ‘2 Sugar’
STARBOY TV/YOUTUBE
While the origins of Wizkid and Ayra Starr’s “2 Sugar,” one of the most memorable songs from the Starboy’s fifth studio album, More Love, Less Ego, may be reminiscent of his smash “Essence,” with Tems, the newer track stands on its own as a brilliant meeting of the minds, vibes, and voices. Though Ayra said she was nervous before meeting Wiz at an L.A. studio at the behest of DJ Tunez, the long-standing Afrobeats star made it easy. “I remember going to record the song, and I only did my bit once — it was like a freestyle,” Ayra told Fault Magazine. “I didn’t know he was going to like it. But Wizkid is the type of person that when he makes something, he makes you believe that the first time you do it is the best time because you’re not thinking, you’re just making music. After I recorded, I remember asking to correct my mistakes, but he was like, ‘Nope, it’s perfect.’” —M.C.
22
K.O feat. Young Stunna and Blxckie, ‘SETE’
MRCASHTIME/YOUTUBE
Amapiano has taken the world by storm, so it’s no wonder South African rapper K.O felt the need to bring something different to the table. With a catalog of hits and his immense impact on his country’s hip-hop scene, he jumped on an Afrobeats-indented instrumental he initially found on the internet to make “SETE.” K.O’s side added production to it and called on Young Stunna, a key figure in amapiano, and Blxckie, who has played a significant role in local hip-hop, to help execute the smash hit. This song about spoiling and celebrating your partner achieved gold-certification status (more than 1.2 million streams) in under two weeks. With this record time, “SETE” made history as the fastest single to do so. —T.W.
21
Blaqbonez, ‘Back in Uni’
BLAQBONEZ/YOUTUBE
When Blaqbonez announced his sophomore album, Young Preacher, he did it with his usual style and pomp. Filled with cheeky theatrics, braggadocious lyrics, and cadence switches over a minimalist beat by award-winning producer JAE5, the Young Preacher single “Back in Uni” is fit for Afropop’s hall of fame. As if that was not enough, its buzzy accompanying music video that paid homage to Nigerian pop stars and influencers marked Blaqbonez’s directorial debut (with help from Perliks). —T.W.
20
Fireboy DML and Asake, ‘Bandana’
FIREBOY DML/YOUTUBE
Fireboy DML and Asake, labelmates at YBNL — Nigerian rap icon Olamide’s independent outfit — had massive years on their own. Asake’s debut album, Mr. Money With the Vibe, broke records on the charts and in streaming, and Fireboy set off on his first headlining tour of the U.S. ahead of his successful third album, Playboy. “Bandana,” his collaboration with Asake, is one of the project’s most popular tracks. Filled with gratitude and self-assurance, “Bandana” is the pair taking stock of their blessings and wins five months before 2022 would even come to a close. “Music chose me,” Fireboy coos smugly. “Just know this and know peace.” —M.C.
19
CKay feat. Davido, Focalistic, and Abidoza, ‘WATAWI ’
CKAY/YOUTUBE
Evading commitment has never sounded better than “WATAWI” (read “What are we?”). Inflected with sexy amapiano elements by South African producer Abidoza, the song finds “Love Nwantiti” singer CKay exploring darker emo-Afrobeats sentiments. “She whisper things inside my ear/Me tell her things wey she wanna hear,” he lilts on its seductive hook. “WATAWI” also includes the dynamic duo of Davido and Focalistic, whose “Champion Sound” and “Ke Star” remix likely ushered in the year’s wave of naijapiano. —M.C.
18
Camidoh feat. Mayorkun, King Promise, and Darkoo, ‘Sugarcane (Remix)’
CAMIDOH/YOUTUBE
Before Ghanaian singer Camidoh updated his 2021 single “Sugarcane” with a remix featuring Nigeria’s Mayorkun, King Promise, and British Nigerian breakout star Darkoo, the singer already had a handful of singles and a debut EP to his name. However, “Sugarcane (Remix)” placed the artist securely on the map and set him on the path to superstardom. Thanks to TikTok, Camidoh was inescapable, quickly becoming the soundtrack to African weddings, day parties, and gatherings in the summer. Now, with a digital edge over his contemporaries, Camidoh is setting a vast scope for where he can go next. —T.M.
17
Buruklyn Boyz, ‘Pree’
BURUKLYNBOYZ/YOUTUBE
As drill continues to reverberate around the world, Buruklyn Boyz are finding new ways to ensure that the genre remains as relevant as ever. The Kenyan duo had already seen a rapid rise to success, and this year they’ve continued to inspire the younger and newer generation of artists in the country. On “Pree,” their rags-to-riches story expands as they brag about their popularity on the streets. Ajay’s cheeky, punchy rhyme scheme and Mr. Right’s laid-back cadence spice up the song as they spit. —T.W.
16
Young Jonn, ‘Xtra Cool’
YOUNG JONN/YOUTUBE
In the past few years, prominent Nigerian producers have been spreading out their talents and showcasing their once-subdued vocal abilities. Young Jonn is one such artist. After having crafted multiple hits for others, “the wicked producer” (as his tag goes) scored his own as a lead recording act with “Dada” and “Xtra Cool.” On the latter, the musician takes cues from amapiano’s ever-present log drum to tell a story of a soured romance. “You know I love you, but I’m always on the road,” he gently croons in the hook. —M.M.
15
Victony and Tempoe, ‘Soweto’
VICTONY/YOUTUBE
In just two-and-a-half minutes, Nigerian singer Victony conveys on “Soweto” a lust as expansive as the Sahara and the thirst one might develop trudging through it. Though it’s named for a South African township, the twangy guitar and ominous flute of producer Tempoe’s soundscape give it the air of an American Western. It’s one of several gorgeous songs on Victony’s May EP, fittingly titled Outlaw. It’s the follow-up to his debut, Saturn, released two years prior. —M.C.
14
Aṣa, ‘Show Me Off’
Aṣa — the Nigerian French singer-songwriter whose award-winning, self-titled debut arrived 15 years ago — delivered her fifth studio album this year, a stunning collection of smooth meditations on love and self. “Show Me Off” is one of V’s most hypnotizing tracks, all buoyant drums and sunny guitar. Though the album features stellar contemporary guests including Wizkid, the Cavemen, and Amaarae, the minimalist “Show Me Off” is a solo showcase, Aṣa’s heavenly falsetto effortless as she sings with the quiet assurance of someone who knows music is their calling. —M.C.
13
Kizz Daniel and Tekno, ‘Buga (Lo Lo Lo)’
KIZZ DANIEL/YOUTUBE
There were few songs this year as inescapable as Kizz Daniel’s single “Buga (Lo Lo Lo),” a summery standout off the Nigerian singer’s album Barnabas. Arriving with a feature from Nigerian pop star Tekno and a technicolor TG Omori-directed music video featuring an accompanying dance, “Buga (Lo Lo Lo)” quickly rose to prominence, bolstered by its catchy production and über-quotable hook. The track, which became one of the year’s most-Shazamed records, is a celebratory call-and-response imploring listeners to stand tall. —T.M.
12
Asake, ‘Joha’
ASAKE/YOUTUBE
Asake’s name rang resoundingly around the world this year. Arriving at the start of 2022 with the eruptive Olamide-assisted single “Omo Ope,” Asake asserted himself with relatable lyrics and anthemic choruses. The rest of the year would find him dominating with ease, especially after dropping his debut album, Mr. Money With the Vibe. With its strength and charisma, “Joha” became an early fan favorite off the project, armed to the teeth with evocative poetry and memorable melodies. Since its release, Asake has continued to collect musical successes including TikTok virality and sold-out shows across the U.K. and U.S. All hail the king of sounds and blues. —S.S.
11
Unco JingJong, ‘Dancehalling’
UNCO JINGJONG/YOUTUBE
In 2018, a new sound dubbed gengetone took over the streets of Nairobi, displacing the international hits that dominated the Kenyan airwaves at the time. Four years later, artists like Unco JingJong are keeping the sound alive on their own terms. Combining kapuka music and dancehall beats, Unco JingJong’s “Dancehalling” immediately invites you to party with its weighty percussion and cathartic call-and-response hook. —T.W.
10
Kabza De Small feat. Msaki, ‘Khusela’
Due to his ongoing influence and impact on the genre, Kabza De Small is often lauded as the king of amapiano. The pioneering and highly inventive producer-DJ opens his latest LP, KOA II, Part 1 — the sequel to the seminal I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweat & Dust — with “Khusela.” On the spiritual track, Msaki’s ethereal vocals rest comfortably on the multilayered production as she earnestly prays for protection. —M.M.
9
Mavins (Crayon, Ayra Starr, LADIPOE, Magixx, and Boy Spyce), ‘Overloading (OVERDOSE)’
MAVINRECORDS/YOUTUBE
Nigerian label Mavin Records is a rarity in its combination of global star-making and independent status. Founder, CEO, and renown producer Don Jazzy’s latest roster of talent includes Ayra Starr, Crayon, Ladipoe, Magixx, and Boy Spyce, who all appear on the hit single “Overloading (OVERDOSE).” The song comes from Chapter X, the compilation album marking the label’s tenth year. “Overloading” is bright, youthful, and lovelorn, with each artists’ distinct voice shining and melding at once. Amassing over 200 million streams across platforms, it proved addictive. —M.C.
8
Uncle Waffles feat. Tony Duardo, Sino Msolo, and BoiBizza, ‘Tanzania’
As Uncle Waffles, the 22 year-old DJ Lungelihle Zwane became synonymous with a good time. She broke through in 2021, when a video of her spinning Young Stunna’s “Adiwele” at an incredibly lit party went viral; her command of the crowd with her slick dance moves is impressive and infectious. The Swaziland native has since been embraced as a global ambassador for amapiano, selling out shows around the world, including a 10-stop tour of the U.S. Her debut single as a producer, “Tanzania,” enlists three performers from South Africa — where she made a name for herself. It’s a deep, mystic dance track, where soft vocals brush against its knocking log drums. “I tried to capture the hyped, fun feel of my sets and performances, but also bring in the soulful ‘piano that I enjoy and love,” Waffles said of the song. —M.C.
7
Black Sherif, ‘Kwaku the Traveller’
BLACK SHERIF MUSIC/YOUTUBE
Ghana’s take on drill, asakaa, has been one of the most exciting new sounds from the continent. Many promising acts and hits have emerged from the scene, and thanks to songs like “Second Sermon” and “Soja,” Konongo-born rapper Black Sherif has risen to be an emotive and relatable torchbearer. “Of course, I fucked up/Who never fuck up? Hands in the air! No hands?!“ — the accountable rumination which he chant-raps with conviction on “Kwaku the Traveller” — traveled around the globe. Beyond the viral line, though, the track is a vulnerable and honest account of a young and determined hustler. —M.M.
6
Daliwonga feat. Mellow and Sleazy, and M.J, ‘Abo Mvelo’
DALIWONGA/YOUTUBE
On “Abo Mvelo,” vocalists Daliwonga and M.J catch a vibe. With a hard-hitting instrumental from the duo Mellow and Sleazy, the dance-floor-ready song captures a party and a fun time; the title stems from one of Daliwonga’s lines about chilling with his collaborators. (After a snippet started doing rounds on social media, some users misheard the reference to Mellow as “Mvelo.”) In his opening line, the amapiano vocalist references Lebo Mathosa’s 2005 hit “Magasman,” before the track builds up and the immersive percussion knocks when the listener least expects it. —M.M.
5
Pheelz feat. BNXN fka Buju, ‘Finesse’
PHEELZ/YOUTUBE
“Finesse,” one of Rolling Stone’s Songs You Need to Know last spring, became an Afrobeats anthem, building momentum through the summer with its impossibly catchy hook. In the digital realm, it spawned the #FolakeChallenge on TikTok, where a chunk of users depicted sticky financial situations in the spirit of the song’s pidgin lyric “If I broke na my business.” Other TikTokers played on the song’s titular lyric, with one celebrating his use of self-checkout to ring up a bag of Krispy Kreme donuts as an (assumedly cheaper) bag of carrots. IRL though, “Ahhh, finesse!” echoed from dance floors and concert halls around the world as the sweet, sweet sound of enjoyment. —M.C.
4
Ayra Starr, ‘Rush’
AYRA STARR/YOUTUBE
Ayra Starr has quickly become Nigeria’s It girl. From her daring fashion sense to her chart-smashing singles, she is the moment — and she’s enjoying it, too. Her knack for confidence-boosting serenades shines in her hit “Rush,” as she sings, “Me no getty time for the hate and the bad energy/Got mi mind on my money.” It’s a good reminder that the only thing we should be chasing is the bag. —T.W.
3
Asake feat. Burna Boy, ‘Sungba (Remix)’
ASAKE/YOUTUBE
Given Asake’s unrivaled run this year, many consider him the breakout star of 2022, and he is arguably Nigeria’s most bankable musician right now. However, his global ascendance began and was catalyzed by the Burna Boy-assisted remix of his track “Sungba.” Burna’s opening line — “Tell me what you see when you look at me” — resonated and rang through in different regions, introducing Asake, who’d already scored national hits like “Omo Ope,” to the rest of the world. —M.M.
2
Oxlade, ‘KU LO SA’
URIVALDO LOPES*
What began as an exclusive performance song for the German platform Colors went on to become Oxlade’s biggest hit yet. Charged with the singer-songwriter’s signature stacked, velvety vocals and sultry delivery, “KU LO SA” (like, “closer”) is a sensual plea for intimacy that drew audiences far and wide to Oxlade’s universe. The smash tune recently received the remix treatment from Cuban-American pop star Camila Cabello in a bid to tap into and extend the song’s reach. —M.M.
1
Burna Boy, ‘Last Last’
BURNA BOY/YOUTUBE
Burna Boy‘s crusade to the pinnacle of global music has been as inspiring as it has been unrelenting. To support the four genre-defining projects he’s released in the past five years, Burna has spent much of that time on the road, performing at venues ranging from stadiums to speakeasies, spreading the gospel of Damini. It’s fitting, then, that “Last Last,” his anthemic, inescapable song-of-the-summer turned song-of-the-year, is a cathartic recognition of the sacrifices he’s made along the way (namely, saying “Bye bye o, to the love of [his] life”). Over a truly masterful flip of Toni Braxton’s “He Wasn’t Man Enough” by producer Chopstix, Burna delivers an instant-classic Afropop breakup song that will keep us crying out for “igbo and shayo” for years to come. —S.S.
