Afro-pop, R&B & Krio Fusion

MUSIC

From Morravey’s emotional Afropop single “You,” to ApreeL’s latest track, Mr Eazi’s collaboration with King Promise, and more, our September 2025 monthly playlist brings you the best Afrobeats, Afro-R&B, and Krio fusion hits.

This month’s best songs from West Africa run through Sierra Leone’s Krio fusion, Nigeria’s Afrobeats, and Ghana’s breezy Afropop.

Mr Eazi & King Promise “See What We’ve Done” (Ghana)

In “See What We’ve Done,” Mr Eazi and King Promise team up for a track that’s part success roll call and part club banger. A blend of amapiano kicks and classic Afropop percussion, “See What We’ve Done,” released ahead of Eazi’s upcoming EP Maison Rouge, is a track that doesn’t aim to be anything else but fun, but it also manages to capture strong moments of reflection on the journey and doubts that have led them here. It’s a song that’s also doubly meaningful for Mr Eazi, who recently announced his marriage to actress Temi Otedola in a splashy, multi-continent ceremony. In that way, in “See What We’ve Done,” two of Africa’s brightest stars are finally eager to sit in and show off their blessings, whether that be material or conjugal.

Candy Bleakz “Reality” feat. Terry Apala (Nigeria)

“Reality” by Candy Bleakz and Terry Apala samples “Cash Madam” from fuji legend Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, setting the tone for the song’s sonic agenda before shifting into an uptempo amapiano-laced bounce. Unlikely, inventive, and an instant ear worm, “Reality” sees Candy Bleakz following in a rising trend of Nigerian artists sampling and reaching back to the formative years of Nigerian music for inspiration, and to deepen their cultural connections. What “Reality” does well is maintain a strong sonic connection to the origins of its sampling. Thematically, the song runs through braggadocio and a strong call to the dance floor, with catchy calls and responses.

Nonso Amadi “Dive In” (Nigeria)

Nonso Amadi’s “Dive In” veers off slightly from the slow, soulful flow of his signature sound. In this latest track, the Nigerian Afro-R&B artist brings a bounce and groove to the table. A classic story of love and devotion, “Dive In” blends the sparse but playful lyrics of contemporary Afrobeats with the languid, easygoing sensibility of a ballad. Nonso Amadi made a name for himself as an artist capable of working just at the edge of the mainstream; never quite on the fringe, nor completely immersed in it. It’s what lends his work an unpredictable and continuously surprising edge.

Morravey “You” (Nigeria)

In “You,” Nigerian songbird Morravey has her eyes set on one object of affection. The groovy Afropop track is furnished with talking drums, apala sensibilities, and Morravey’s signature soulfully vulnerable writing. With a line of memorable hit singles behind her, Morravey no longer has to assert her star power; tracks like “You” confirm that it’s very much present and that she has so much more in store for her.

Deblyn “Batty Gyal” (Sierra Leone)

Although Sierra Leonean singer Debyln might be fresh on the Afropop scene, she arrives armoured with an infectious, authentic self-assuredness. Her latest “Batty Gyal” is a classic, club-ready mix of early 2000s Afrobeats with an unmistakable R&B flavor. Deblyn, who is also American, brings a global, transatlantic energy to her music. Her sound combines dancehall with Krio fusion, a popular Sierra Leonean genre that blends traditional sounds like gumbe and bubu with Afrobeats, rap, and other contemporary sounds. In Deblyn’s music is a meeting of worlds, a melding of once disparate identities, and ultimately, a singer who simply wants to have a great time.

ApreeL “Control” (Sierra Leone)

“Control” by ApreeL is a masterful marriage of bubu music and R&B. In what is a bouncy, instantly enjoyable track, ApreeL surrenders to a potent love. The track is brilliantly produced and packed with an infectious lightheartedness. One gets a sense, listening to ApreeL, that he understands the power of music as an avenue for release and uncaged sonic explorations. For listeners looking to get into the fascinating world of contemporary Sierra Leonean music, let ApreeL be your guide. Let the cherry sweet warmth of his lyrics guide you through energetic beats filled with soul and disarming tenderness.

King Paluta “La Vida Loca” (Ghana)

If you’re looking for a high-energy pick-up on a sour day, turn King Paluta on. In this motivational yet danceable number “La Vida Loca,” the Ghanaian singer, rapper, and one of OkayAfrica’s African artists to watch in 2025, paints a picture of a life where prayers are answered and worries are things of the past. King Paluta’s motivational energy can be traced back to a life that has known and risen from struggle. And the message in his latest track is to refuse to be defined by the struggle. Up ahead, blessings and joys are beckoning.

Esoterica “She Said” (Nigeria)

Indie and alternative Nigerian musician Esoterica is a master of sharp-toothed storytelling. In her latest “She Said,” she unthreads a dizzying series of events and existential ponderings over deceptively simple guitar strings and writing that’s alive and intensely evocative. “She Said” is a gut-wrenching track that reveals its true meaning in several listens. Dense with meaning, rich with wise reflections, and delightfully experimental. On a structural level, “She Said” is a triumphant rebellion against classic narrative form, allowing itself to meander, lose itself in its own plot, escape within its own themes, and finally return to where it began on its own terms — defiant, unlikely, and deeply beautiful.

Raevin, Kelvyn Boy, Kojo Blak “Fever II” (Ghana)

For the remix of his instant hit “Fever,” sensational Ghanaian artist Raevin tapped fellow Ghanaian superstars for an equally exciting “Fever II.” The single is classic modern Afropop ready-made for the early hours of a memorable night out or a long, nighttime car ride. Kelvyn Boy and Kojo Blak bring a well-aligned mix of pomp, confidence, and groove. In a world where remixes are sometimes found wanting, “Fever II” stands alone, emerging as its own complete piece.