It’s been far too long since we had a music break. So without too many words, we’re going to jump right in with what’s been on our radar for the last couple weeks. In a fascinating illustration of cultural appropriation, Ugandan artist Vampino presents himself as a powerful Dracula-figure, surrounded by obedient disciples.

Unstoppable in the Angolan dance music scene, DJ Djeff festively traverses the streets with TLDreamz in “Undi Da Ki Panha”.

Always pushing the visual envelope, director Clarence Peters doesn’t disappoint in “Bigger Better Best”, the new video for Port Harcourt rapper Pucado. Peters takes us for a ride with his camera as Pucado keeps us guessing with his syncopated lyrics.

Fresh off his triple win at the South African Music Awards, Khuli Chana finds a few friends as he cruises through Joburg in the upbeat video for “Mnatebawen”, meaning “it’s nice to be you.” Joined by children, churchwomen and an unexpected mapantsula dancer, Khuli, backed by KayGizm and Fifi Cooper, urges us to “do you”.

Emboldened by a dance crew that’s got his back, Naija rapper May D revisits the colonial era in “So Many Tinz” to rescue his love interest from a cruel captor with true Nollywood flair.

Attempting to fill the twisted niche in West African music left vacant with the untimely passing of Nigerian artist Goldie Harvey, Ghanaian singer Eazzy shows that she’s starting to lose it, in the best way, with her video for “Scream”.

A new Zaki Ibrahim, hot out of the editing suite.

In “Provo E Gosto”, Angolan kuduro crew Os Lambas proves there’s nothing scarier than a partner who smells infidelity. Impressively, the fear is somehow channeled into the most insanely energetic kuduro dance moves yet seen.

Always well-produced with a consistently solid flow, Kahli Abdu tells it like it is with Kid Konnect for the track “No Love”.

Lastly, we head to the beach in Tanzania with former MTV Base VJ Vanessa Mdee. She shows us just how smooth Swahili can sound in “Closer”.

Back next week!

Further Reading

Repoliticizing a generation

Thirty-eight years after Thomas Sankara’s assassination, the struggle for justice and self-determination endures—from stalled archives and unfulfilled verdicts to new calls for pan-African renewal and a 21st-century anti-imperialist front.

Drip is temporary

The apparel brand Drip was meant to prove that South Africa’s townships could inspire global style. Instead, it revealed how easily black success stories are consumed and undone by the contradictions of neoliberal aspiration.

Energy for whom?

Behind the fanfare of the Africa Climate Summit, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline shows how neocolonial extraction still drives Africa’s energy future.

The sound of revolt

On his third album, Afro-Portuguese artist Scúru Fitchádu fuses ancestral wisdom with urban revolt, turning memory and militancy into a soundtrack for resistance.

O som da revolta

No seu terceiro álbum, o artista afro-português Scúru Fitchádu funde a sabedoria ancestral com a revolta urbana, transformando memória e militância em uma trilha sonora para a resistência.

Biya forever

As Cameroon nears its presidential elections, a disintegrated opposition paves the way for the world’s oldest leader to claim a fresh mandate.

From Cornell to conscience

Hounded out of the United States for his pro-Palestine activism, Momodou Taal insists that the struggle is global, drawing strength from Malcolm X, faith, and solidarity across borders.