In this week’s episode of The New Music Friday Top Picks, we bring your refreshing music from chest-thumping Street-hop bop to Afropop sounds from Ghana, Pan-African music, and more! Here are our top picks this week:
Lady Donli – Keep On Loving Me (Biko Biko)
On Thursday, March 19th, 2025, Lady Donli shared her first single of the year, and we can’t get enough of the song. The latest track, Keep On Loving Me (Biko Biko), blends mid-tempo pop, rock, funk, and afrobeat elements laced with northern strings, drawing themes of desire and unrequited love. On the new song produced by Yinka Bernie, the Pan-African Rockstar scolds her muse on their unrequited love despite the inefficiencies. Yet, she gently begs for love, with the chorus, can you keep on loving me, keep on loving me, (biko biko). This is another sensational song from Lady Donli, as it instantly connects with core fans of the Cash crooner.
Ejoya, OluwaMillar, Candy Bleakz, Arieenati – Idan
Ejoya Class of ‘24 is out, and it’s a burst of excitement for fans who have highly anticipated their 2024 album, Flow State. Off the latest project is this contemporary Hip-hop track Idan, which features Nigerian rappers OluwaMillar, Candy Bleakz and Arieenati. The track title Idan, a slang term from the Yoruba language, translates to an extremely powerful or exceptional person and is a popular reference in the streets, usually connoting a person with extraordinary abilities.
The Arieenati-produced track with traditional Yoruba drums sees OluwaMillar and Candy Bleakz deliver chest-thumping and braggadocio lines as the trio blends into the infectious beat. OluwaMillar, who has notably delivered hard-core lyrics on his previously released Agbalagbi, a similar contemporary hip-hop track, attacks the track with punchy Yoruba lines and wordplay. At the same time, Candy Bleakz intercepts with her chest-thumping street-hop-infused lyrics, and Arieenati rounds up with self-assertive and bravado lines.
Tiphe – For Days
In a time where gbedu music is incessantly released in the music industry, rising artiste Tiphe is carving a name for himself with refreshing music across his discography. In his new single for the year, For Days, he shares a reflective track that draws themes on pressures, resilience, and hope.
Tiphe sings further on his journey from the inception of his artistry until now. He reflects on the challenging moments while counting on the memorable times he shared with his friends and the good moments he has encountered. But despite the odds, the Tension crooner continues to live in the moment while surmounting the battles that may arise. Tiphe displays another side of his artistry with this new song as he delivers soft, melodic verses.
Darkua – Tori
Following her pre-released track in February 2025, On My Way, Ghanaian-Nigerian singer-songwriter Darkua releases her sophomore EP Never Too Late with the outstanding track Tori. The mid-tempo track laced with a slightly pop bounce produced by C-TEA blends Afrosoul elements with R&B on the themes of unrequited love.
She sings, When I needed you the most, you disappeared—starting to feel like you do not care. Drawing from the title, she narrates on the bridge how her muse incessantly delivers inexplicable stories about the commitment of their relationship. Using her melodic verses, the underlying pain of a brokenhearted hovers, even though she still yearns for reciprocal love. It’s a song that connects deeply to listeners who have experienced the pain of unrequited love.
LadiPoe – I No Be God
Nigerian Hip-hop act and rapper LadiPoe unveils his first single for the year, I No Be God, and it’s a blend of Afrobeats and Hip-hop. On the Duke-produced track, the Mavin signee narrates his wavering commitment to his muse in a long-distance relationship that stemmed from chasing his dreams and a better life for her.
In his defense, he sings on the chorus, I no be God, I be somebody son. I no fit to answer whenever you call me, only because I’m in love. Yet LadiPoe professes his assurance to always run back whenever she calls on the line: when you call my name, yes, I’ll be there in a hurry. LadiPoe highlights the complexities of relationships pulled by the weight of one-sided desires.
Zlatan, FOLA– Get Better
Nigerian street-hop rapper Zlatan is back with his first single for the year, Get Better, and is teaming up with fast-rising artist FOLA. The latest single is an introspective ‘afro-adura’ track that delivers themes of resilience, hustle, and hope. FOLA, who has been on the street-hop wave, begins the track with an introspective line: Sometimes when e no dey, shebi na you I call when e no dey. And I no say for die-minute you go show face.
While Zlatan, known for his reflective lyricism fueled by trenches-related issues, stirs up the track, delivering lamba like Dangote still strike hin deals, Adeleke just buy new private jet, and you say make my grind reduce. This is a reference to wealthy Nigerian personalities amassing more wealth despite the accumulated ones. He follows up with another saying, I don see person who dem use money collect hin babe, Baba Jago go fit relate. As Zlatan delivers punchy lyrics, FOLA’s mellifluous melodies make up for the song. While the Chechdaproducer-produced track will deeply resonate with ‘afro-adura’ fans, it also connects with listeners who have tasted the ills of societal pressures.
Odeal, DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy – Soh-Soh (DJ Maphorisa & Xduppy Mix)
In 2024, Nigerian London-based artiste Odeal had social media in a chokehold when he released the viral sensation Soh-Soh off his Sunday At Zuri’s EP. In 2025, Odeal teams up with South African acts DJ Maphorisa and Xduppy to deliver a House-laced track, Soh-Soh (DJ Maphorisa & Xduppy Mix), following the hit song. Unlike the previously released mid-tempo track, which blended laid-back Afropop and R&B sounds, this mix blends House and Ampiano elements, inviting House music listeners into the world of the global sensation. The mix is smoothly blended, as Odeal’s vocals brilliantly sync with the song despite its up-tempo sound.
Khaid – For You
Having been on a series of collaborations in 2025, Nigerian fast-rising singer Khaid shares his single for the year, For You. The Jolie crooner is back with another groovy love song that dwells on connection and desires. When delivering catchy love songs, the 20-year-old act brilliantly takes the frontlines. And on For You, he doesn’t miss in dropping catchy hooks and lyrics on an infectious beat produced by David Fisayo Sunday. In the song, Khaid sings to his muse about his unwavering desire and commitment to do anything for her love. It’s a song that instantly connects with listeners, especially the TikTok sect, as he also plays on words to deliver captivating listening.
Siicie, Lasmid – Do You Know?
Rising Ghanaian artiste Siicie is ready for the music industry as he shares his first single for the year, Do You Know? He beacons on his Ghanaian colleague, Lasmid, this time on the Afrobeats track. Lasmid, who recently dropped his first single for 2025, Olivia, delivers exceptional melodic verses in collaboration with singer Siicie. The duo vocals brilliantly blend on the catchy beats produced by Mirakilouz Beatz, where Siicie delivers smooth melodies accompanied by lyrics drawn from themes of love and desire. The title follows the chorus, where they ask their muse: Do you know that I need you? The track is groovy and immerses fans in an uplifting mood while highlighting the desire for a lover.
Enjoy our new music Friday top picks and more on our weekly new music playlist, carefully curated for your listening pleasure:
