It’s that time of year again – the leaves are falling, the air is getting colder, and winter is creeping in like an unwelcome houseguest. But fear not, because we’ve got just the thing to keep you warm through the chilliest of nights: a selection of zesty and funky tunes that will make you feel like you’re still in the sunlight. These beats will get your blood pumping and your feet moving, so you can forget about the cold and embrace the heat.

EKITI SOUND x Aunty Rayzor

Tipped as a modern slice of afrojuju and electronica, ‘Chairman’ is the first single from ‘Drum Money’, the sophomore album from Lagos/ London-based artist Ekiti Sound. Energetic and engaging ‘Chairman’ bounces in with catchy horns, pulsing bass and an overall desire to just move. Picking up the pace as if it never left, Ekiti Sound teams up with Nyege Nyege’s first lady of rap, Aunty Rayzor to deliver a snare-rattling, Harlem renaissance-eque first release from his upcoming LP. Riding on top of horn blasts and drum rolls, Leke opens the track up in pidgin, running the Chairman Checklist, swiftly followed by Aunty Rayzor carrying the verses to hammer home the point. Her sharp lyrics and rapid Yoruba flow add an electrifyingly dynamic element to a beat that is sure to get everyone up and moving.

Chairman pays musical homage to the childhood music of Ekiti Sound, afrojuju, and seemingly spiralling upwards in a crescendo of horns, fast percussive beats, dance commands, and soaring synths. Ekiti Sound brings together the best elements of afrojuju, afropop, rap, and electronica music to create a track sure to increase the anticipation of the new album ‘Drum Money’, out this summer on Crammed Discs.

DKIZZ

Looking for smooth? Something to get you out of the house in the morning? Following the success of his breakout debut single ‘Show Me’, which has amassed over half a million plays online, and after teasing this new offering on TikTok and surpassing over five million views on the platform, Birmingham-based Nigerian afropop sensation DKIZZ is excited to unveil his highly anticipated new track titled ‘MY LADY’. Serving as the lead single for his forthcoming debut EP Sabi Boy, which arrives in the summer via Be83 Music, ‘My Lady’ comes accompanied by a captivating new music video that brings the excellent amapiano-tinged offering further to life.

Written and composed by Dkizz, with production from Godfather Beats and Rufus Production, ‘My Lady’ is an exciting dance floor filler driven by lush drum arrangements and organic piano chords that highlight the song’s amapiano and afrobeats sensibilities. Underpinning the whole thing is Dkizz, with his smooth vocal delivery, and infectious melodies, as he waxes lyrical about his leading lady. The accompanying music video is a glorious visual affair that doesn’t just bring ‘My Lady’ into the world, but it also reveals more of Dkizz and his smooth style and finesse.

Maulo

Maulo is back with a glorious new single titled ‘ROLL IT’ as he begins to lay the building blocks for the release of his highly anticipated sophomore EP, which is set to arrive early next year. Produced by Specialist Moss (Shy FX, Zed Bias, Mr. Williamz), ‘Roll It’ is driven by infectious percussion drums and lush synths, over which Maulo is in flying form with his catchy flow and delivery. The crooner is in a celebratory mood as he beckons his leading lady to come and have a dance with him, in a nod to afrobeat’s massive dance community that inspired him to write the song.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Roll It’, Maulo says, “the dance culture in afrobeats was the main inspiration behind ‘Roll It’, I remember spending hours and hours on TikTok watching dancers dance to different songs, and their choreography brought these songs further to life. They inspired me to want to make something that represented me, my style, and my sound, which I could share with the dance community, and I hope people love it when they hear it. Also, when you listen to ‘Roll It’ compared to my previous records, I hope you can hear the evolution in my sound as well”.

KVO

KVO, whose name is derived from “Kevo,” is a talented singer-songwriter who specializes in Afro music. Born in the province of Besançon, he spent his formative years in the heart of Paris, where he began recording music at the tender age of 13. At that time, he focused mainly on rap music, but for the past couple of years, he has expanded his repertoire to include AfroBeats and AfroChill.

With roots in both Germany and Cameroon, KVO’s music reflects his dual nationalities, as he draws inspiration from both cultures to create a unique sound. He aims to convey his origins through his music, sharing his heritage with listeners around the world. His passion and dedication are palpable, and his sound is a testament to his commitment to his craft. His music is not just a reflection of his personal journey, but it’s also an invitation to others to embark on their own musical odyssey.