{"id":2339086,"date":"2026-03-20T19:19:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2339086"},"modified":"2026-03-20T19:19:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T19:19:25","slug":"the-african-music-you-need-to-hear-this-week-mar-20-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-african-music-you-need-to-hear-this-week-mar-20-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The African Music You Need to Hear This Week \u2013 Mar 20, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-element-guid=\"ecba85ea-e183-4c01-9b99-9238afc4d66f\">\n<p class=\"kicker \" style=\"\">MUSIC<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subtitle \" style=\"\">Stream the best African music this week and listen to new releases from DESIREE, King Promise and Mr Eazi, DJ SPINALL, ZENA and more.<\/h2>\n<p><figcaption itemprop=\"caption\" class=\"\">DESIREE pays homage to a Nina Simone classic on her latest release.<\/figcaption><figcaption itemprop=\"author\" class=\"\" data-byline-prefix=\"Photo\">by Zipho Sebati<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-element-guid=\"b8399c72-cd88-4d71-9049-77f20d5f5d6b\">\n<p>Every week, <span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">OkayAfrica<\/span> highlights the top <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/tag\/african-music\">African music<\/a> releases \u2014 including the latest <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/okayafrica.com\/tag\/afrobeats\">Afrobeats<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/tag\/amapiano\">amapiano<\/a> hits \u2014 through our best music column, <span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">African Music You Need to Hear This Week<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Read ahead for our round-up of the best new African music tracks and music videos that came across our desks this week.<\/p>\n<p><!-- placeholder(#1) --><\/p>\n<h2>K.O &#8211; &#8220;20 Summers&#8221;<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"e6936a33-32d5-466f-92f9-1a7a8da8ff7b\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/fA4-qKKTrAM\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">K.O<\/span> has one of the most <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/kos-20-best-verses-ranked\/196374\">solid discographies in South African music<\/a>. He has perfected the art of curating a sound and an identity, and seeing it through from ideation to execution. His impact is undeniable, and on &#8220;20 Summers,&#8221; he supplements that legacy with wisdom and hard-earned lessons while celebrating his many milestones (<span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">&#8220;whole lotta ice in my veins, whole lotta ice in my jewellery,&#8221;<\/span> he raps). The flow he employs pays homage to AKA\u2019s cadence on their generational collaboration, &#8220;Run Jozi.&#8221; Consistent and constantly innovating, he\u2019s a model artist for anyone studying longevity.<\/p>\n<h2>bees &amp; honey &#8211; &#8220;When the Party&#8217;s Over&#8221; feat. FOLA<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"660fb126-03bd-4c20-99c2-90a5db129525\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/WCn6GP5S21U\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">bees &amp; honey<\/span> are on a roll, proof that they\u2019re consistently working even as their peers sleep. With production credits on songs by <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Tyla<\/span>, <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Ruger<\/span>, and <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Craig David<\/span>, their profile is already foolproof. They follow up the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/the-african-music-you-need-to-hear-this-week\/1424680\"><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Moliy<\/span>-featuring &#8220;Party Gyal&#8221;<\/a> with the introspective &#8220;When the Party\u2019s Over,&#8221; where <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">FOLA<\/span> makes a case for being one of the most exciting Afrobeats artists right now.<\/p>\n<h2>ZENA &#8211; TEMESGEN [EP]<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"f6e7b804-04fa-404e-985a-fcd8f31474d3\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/XsqKd5OcDoQ\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">ZENA<\/span> are <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/how-kokorokos-tuff-times-never-last-turned-a-meme-into-a-musical-healing-mantra\/238154\"><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Kokoroko<\/span><\/a> keyboardist-producer <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Yohan Kebede<\/span> and bassist-producer <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Menelik<\/span>. <span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">TEMESGEN<\/span> is their first EP, a carefully considered entry following months of jamming, releasing singles, and putting out arresting visuals that would give the Windows &#8217;95 interface a run for its money. The music is exploratory, an updated take on the Ethiopian pop and jazz that raised them. &#8220;ZENA!,&#8221; the intro, is heavenly; &#8220;MY LOVE YOUR LOVE,&#8221; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/the-top-african-songs-you-need-to-hear-this-week-january-23-2026\/1421755\">which we\u2019ve covered<\/a>, gets better with every listen, a kick drum and bass groove that gives way to synth-heavy euphoria; <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Meron T<\/span>\u2019s vocals are the centrepiece on &#8220;IT\u2019S YOU (ANTE NEH)&#8221;; and the title track wraps it all up with a psychedelic warmth that is sweet and gentle. There are rich moments in between; worlds to chew on over time, to savour and remember.<\/p>\n<h2>DESIREE, Nina Simone &#8211; &#8220;Four Women&#8221;<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"b7374359-3a86-4b01-81ff-68dab3bd9dfa\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/GJevwZgU8VI\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Nina Simone<\/span>\u2019s music found a new audience some 25 years ago, and various artists, such as <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Reflection Eternal<\/span>, have offered their own interpretations, particularly of &#8220;Four Women.&#8221; South African DJ and producer <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/the-equity-model-why-charging-foreigners-more-is-a-care-practice-for-african-festivals\/1421393\"><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">DESIREE<\/span><\/a> gives the song an Afro-house bounce while maintaining the spirit of the original. &#8220;Four Women&#8221; explores the vast emotional and social worlds women occupy\u2014their internal struggles and their beauty in an unforgiving world. DESIREE\u2019s version affirms these multiple lenses, bringing a refined sensibility to the dancefloor while adding another star to her growing discography.<\/p>\n<h2>SPINALL &#8211; When Lagos Sleeps [EP]<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"f16f75ea-10ec-47fc-a372-19a9c0340d2b\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/zQSn8kXsKD4\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Earlier this week, a clip surfaced online of <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">SPINALL<\/span> playing his new music for top industry executives in the United States. In the audience were <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Mary J. Blige<\/span> and <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Dr. Dre<\/span>, who nodded along with visible excitement. When Lagos Sleeps is jazz-inflected, borrowing from the era that defined <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Miles Davis<\/span>\u2019 <span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">Kind of Blue<\/span>. &#8220;Metric Rules&#8221; stands out in the way it brings that format into the heart of Lagos, infusing undeniable Afrobeats and highlife influences with something sharper and more electronic.<\/p>\n<h2>Nvcho, BlessKeyz, Mkeyz &#8211; &#8220;Mzali&#8221;<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"29b2082b-50c8-4dae-8b25-2f547ee74342\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/z9JzUOIOzq4\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Nvcho<\/span> has a lot to unpack on his debut album, <span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">Letters I Didn\u2019t Send<\/span>. There\u2019s a sense of immediacy to the songs, like he\u2019s been aching to realize them; like he\u2019s always known what he wants to say. &#8220;Mzali&#8221; addresses <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/the-best-amapiano-songs-right-now\/1424023\">the recent loss of his father<\/a>, and is a sobering blend of grief and a groove so locked in you can\u2019t help but move\u2014even while empathizing. &#8220;<span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">Angithi bengazi ukuthi impilo inzima ngaso<\/span>&#8221; (I didn\u2019t know that life is so tough), he sings, the heaviness of loss laid bare. He finds comfort in the music, immersing himself in it, layering his approach over <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">BlessKeyz<\/span> and <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Mkeyz<\/span>\u2019s textured production.<\/p>\n<h2>Nyota Parker &#8211; &#8220;Confused Admiration&#8221; feat. A-Reece and Jay Jody<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"87c2bac7-38c5-4d70-87d2-e73eab4d25b4\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/z2r8Z7k46j8\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Nyota Parker<\/span> has been consistent with her raps, taking time to apply herself and fully commit to learning the craft of emceeing. She\u2019s a devout student of the art, and &#8220;Confused Admiration&#8221; feels like an ascension to a higher plane.<\/p>\n<p>Featuring <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Jay Jody<\/span> and <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">A-Reece,<\/span> she holds her own, employing a <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Bahamadia<\/span>-nodding flow, multilingual lyrics, and an attitude that cuts clean through the speakers.<\/p>\n<h2>Kotrell &#8211; &#8220;Easy for You&#8221; feat. Amaeya<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"70df791e-8de8-458c-b1d9-b4f21524a93e\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/TdrrIOy2kDM\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Kotrell<\/span>\u2019s &#8220;Easy for You&#8221; harkens back to the pop\/R&amp;B sound that made groups like <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">P-Square<\/span> legendary. His command of his voice is assured, and he writes with a sharp, thoughtful sensibility. <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Amaeya<\/span>\u2019s presence is complementary, a welcome delicacy that enhances an already solid offering.<\/p>\n<h2>Mr Eazi, King Promise &#8211; &#8220;Mariana&#8221;<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"8b0fe2a6-3120-40f8-b7a0-834e93ef1fc5\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/UOJNNnXiA9k\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Mr Eazi<\/span> and <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">King Promise<\/span> build on the momentum toward their forthcoming collaborative album, following up <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.okayafrica.com\/mr-eazi-and-king-promise-sample-the-backstreet-boys-in-that-way\/1422700\">&#8220;That Way&#8221;<\/a> with &#8220;Mariana.&#8221; It leans on a guitar riff that gives the track an island feel. The countdown is officially on.<\/p>\n<h2>Tessi Nandi &#8211; &#8220;Missing Part&#8221;<\/h2>\n<div data-element-guid=\"0b570507-4366-469d-9a04-97d880de33ad\" class=\"column youtube small-12 large-12 small-abs-12 large-abs-12\">\n<div class=\"content \" style=\"\">\n<div>\n<p>\n                    <iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/6m_8UCyu2Vk\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>From the first word she sings, it\u2019s clear <span data-lab-font_weight=\"font-weight-bold\" class=\"font-weight-bold m-font-weight-bold\">Tessi Nandi<\/span> is special\u2014a rare talent that arrives to reset the palette, to restore faith in feeling. &#8220;Missing Part&#8221; is disarmingly honest: &#8220;<span data-lab-italic=\"italic\" class=\"italic m-italic\">How can you love something you\u2019ve never even had\/ I\u2019ll leave by the morning with a backpack slung over my left shoulder,<\/span>&#8221; she muses. It\u2019s in the detail: her vivid descriptions give the song a rare intimacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.okayafrica.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MUSIC Stream the best African music this week and listen to new releases from DESIREE, King Promise and Mr Eazi, DJ SPINALL, ZENA and more. DESIREE pays homage to a Nina Simone classic on her latest release.by Zipho Sebati Every week, OkayAfrica highlights the top African music releases \u2014 including the latest Afrobeats and amapiano [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2339087,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2339086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774034364_The-African-Music-You-Need-to-Hear-This-Week-\u2013.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2339086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2339086"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2339086\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2339088,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2339086\/revisions\/2339088"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2339087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2339086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2339086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2339086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}