Every week, we highlight the best music videos that came across our desks, which you can also find in our Songs of the Week playlist on Spotify and Deezer.
This week selections: Onipa, Show Dem Camp, Buju and Burna Boy, Sauti Sol, Oxlade, Falz, Rahman jago with Jamo Pyper and Zlatan Ibile, Popcaan, Nuru Kane and Dj Lag.
Onipa – Promised Land
Shot in Accra, Ghana by K.O.G’s old school friend Kofi Badu, “Promised Land’ challenges the notion that if we follow the ideologies of the establishment and capitalism then we will find happiness. The song features Onipa’s close friend Jally Kebba Susso, who brings his masterful Kora playing to the track as well as his vocals in the chorus. His words ‘a mutaje’ translate to ‘hold it there’, mirroring K.O.G’s words ‘hold on’, encouraging people to hold tight through challenging times.
Oxlade – Away
From his real name Ikuforiji Abdulrahman Olaitan, the Nigerian, Oxlade delivers Oxygen, a very accomplished first EP which includes six tracks. The production of this EP goes to the Nigerian beatmakers Echo, Spax, Lush and Dera. The title “Away” remains the most surprising project with a metaphor about the importance of music in the life of a singer.
Rahman jago, Jamo Pyper, Zlatan Ibile – Of Lala
King of Legwork, Rahman Jago, enlists Jamo Pyper and Zlatan for the party banger titled “Of La La”, produced by Mansa Jabulani. this colourful and fun music video has the special guest appearance of Burna Boy.
Dj Lag – Uhuru Dis
Directed by Chris Kets and takes up the plot of the classic Romeo and Juliet, placing it in Durban with Gqom lifestyle references. Moonchild Sanelly uses a fearsome flow on a simplistic and explosive instrumental of which DJ Lag, the self-proclaimed Gqom King, has the secret to. “Uhuru Dis” is a pioneering video that gives hope for a future between the genre and cinema.
Show Dem Camp ft. Buju – Do Me Nice
Extract from The Palmwine Express, the prolific Lagos based indie hip-hop duo composed of rappers Tec and Ghost shares the music video of Do Me Nice featuring rising Afro fusion artist Buju. Show Dem Camp is using the calypso and Yoruba folk melodies to create a Nigerian alternative that explores modern hip-hop, afrobeats, and R&B with creative precision.
Nuru Kane – Welcome
The Senegalese singer and composer Nuru Kane – who is also the guitarist and bassist of the group Bayefall Gnawa – returns with the title “Welcome” which announces his new album, Mayam which means “resources” in Wolof. In the video clip, Nuru Kane invites the world to come and visit Senegal, “the country of solidarity and fraternity” in collaboration with Xalam’s singer and poet, Souleymane Faye.
Sauti Sol ft. Soweto Gospel Choir – Brighter Days
Kenya’s famous group Sauti Sol, who have just signed to Universal Music, have released another song from their fifth album Midnight Train which contains around twenty tracks. The new track “Brighter Days” is a collaboration with the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa and carries a message of encouragement for a better future especially in this delicate time of pandemic.
Buju ft. Burna Boy – Lenu Remix
The young Nigerian, Buju, collaborated with the international Afrobeat star, Burna Boy on the remix of the single “Lenu” released in October 2019. Directed by the young and talented TG Omori, the colourful and lively video clip features Buju at school with his classmates before Burna Boy gets behind the wheel of a red luxury car to set the dance floor on fire.
Falz Ft. Ms Banks – Bop Daddy
Rapper, songwriter and actor, the talented Nigerian, Falz, unveils the new video for his first hip-hop single of the year, “Bop Daddy”, in collaboration with British-Nigerian rapper Ms Banks. The singer has been a sensation in British rap since the release of her mixtape The Coldest Winter Ever Pt. 2 and the track “Snack” with Kida Kudz.
Popcaan – Numbers Don’t Lie
Taken from Vanquish, the latest mixtape by Popcaan and shot in Jamaica and produced by Jakob Owens, the clip “Numbers don’t lie” tells the story of an artist’s career in three parts. “Growth” is the first chapter which shows a boy trying to haggle his way out, then “Hustle” illustrates the difficult beginning of his career and finally “The Come Up”, which shows the success.
