For Your Ears Only is a weekly music column here on FEMME MAG exploring the different sounds, range and depth from women across the continent. Check back here every Wednesday for our curated 5-track list of what we’ve specially picked for you!
If you’re like me, music is not what you listen to. It’s who you are. I can think of a few songs and artists that have soundtracked some of the best and worst moments of my life, and sharing those songs and artists with other people is kind of my love language. For Your Ears Only is kind of a love letter to the FEMME MAG family, our way of saying “Hey, I know you’ve been listening to the same three songs over and over again, and I’ve got you”. Each week, I’ll be rounding up five songs that I think are must-listens, and hopefully exposing you to new African women in music that you may not have known about, or genre’s you would never have considered. This week our theme is “Good Vibrations”, some songs to put you in a good mood. It’s a new month and what better way to start February off than with some positive energy? You can play these while you dance around your room in the morning, or on your drive to work, and just let go for a couple of minutes.
Amaarae – HELLZ ANGEL
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Amaarae dropped “THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW” late last year, and it’s still in heavy rotation for me. Obviously, when it comes to making music that makes you feel like the baddest bitch in the world, she’s fully in her bag, and HELLZ ANGEL is no different. The production is clean, the instrumental is as light and sweet as a marshmallow, and Amaarae flows over the song so smooth you can’t help but bop along. I think her airy adlibs in the background really make the song (when she sings “Oh baby you sexy”, I feel it every time…sometimes I even play the song just for that bit)
SomaDina, SGaWD – Kno Me
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There’s a theme here. If you don’t know about SomaDina, it’s time to get to know her. A rising star in the Nigerian indie-pop scene, her music is perfect for the carefree black girl. “Kno Me” is one of those songs you put on when you’ve forgotten just how bad you are. It’s a “dance in the mirror” kind of song that hits hard any time of the day, but it’s especially good as a getting ready song while you pre-game with the girls. But let’s not forget about that SGaWD feature. You can’t rap along without feeling yourself. Trust me, I tried it. When she says “who’s gonna check me? you?” I feel a surge of energy because really, who? A confidence booster that is an ode to claiming your space, time and being.
Ayra Starr – Away
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We dropped a piece about Ayra Starr’s debut self-titled EP, so you already know we at FEMME MAG are big fans, but I cannot stress this enough: “Away” is such a good song. It’s feel-good, it’s bold, everybody will be tweeting “stutter…stutter like a motherfucker” for weeks to come. I think the instrumental is an instant mood lifter. It has a really nostalgic quality to it, like one of those really good summers that’s full of love. Sidenote: remember summer holidays? The lyrics in “Away” leave no room for self-doubt. Whether it’s a person or a situation that no longer serves you, when that chorus hits, you really feel like you can just let it all go.
Lady Donli – Rockstar
Lady Donli is a real-life rockstar, and I’m not just saying that because the song is literally called “Rockstar”. Donli has a real talent for making songs that feel easy, instantly classic. I don’t know how to explain it, but sometimes I listen to Lady Donli and I feel like the song could have always existed. Like something I could have listened to when I was younger, but still exuding that fresh, modern vibe. “Rockstar” especially has that quality about it. It’s a song about letting loose, not getting caught up in someone else’s nonsense and just filling up the space with your energy.
Niniola – Squander
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You can’t have a Good Vibrations playlist without Niniola, it’s just not possible. I feel like Good Vibrations is actually the genre of music she makes. It’s music that captures the best parts of living in Nigeria, the energy and colour and flavour of this crazy country. “Squander” is a really good example of what is so good about a Niniola song. It’s bright, it’s funky (those horns flowing in and out of the song? Magic), an instant mood-lifter. Plus you can play it around your relatives of all ages and they won’t have any complaints.
