RADR Essentials Vol 34: Tems, Juls, Fireboy DML and more

This week, we are in the peace of mind and zero stress zone. Whether you’re dissociating from toxicity, or basking in the euphoria of your love for someone, we’ve got you covered with music from burgeoning Afrobeats superstars Tems, Fireboy DML, Juls, Superboy Cheque and more.

Crazy Tings – Tems

Following her traversing into the global market and a recent appearance on Drake’s CLB album, Tems releases the first single ahead of her highly anticipated EP. On the groovy Afrobeat and dancehall fusion backed by guitar strings, Tems demands for space from a toxic situationship she finds herself in. She kicks off the record by calling out her man for always lying and manipulating her, but she eventually asserts that he’s not worth the stress and kicks him to the curb.

Chance – Juls ft Tay Iwar, Projexx

A delicately concocted track filled with sensual, seductive pleas from two yearning souls to their lovers. Juls built this record on African music elements that make you want to forget the real world and get lost in the beautiful symphony of drums and sultry melodies that smell like summer. Juls knows his onions. Give that man his flowers now.

Go Away – Fireboy DML

Beginning with ominous sounds that perfectly convey the melancholic sentiments that Fireboy DML projects in his lyrics, ‘Go Away’ is the perfect song for those that hide away from intense emotions. 

LOML – Cheque ft Olamide

“You give me love o, wey me never see before”….Cheque serenades his woman, expressing how she makes him feel and painting an apt picture of what he wants to do to her in return. Olamide also delivers a quick verse, maintaining the subtle, gruff, and romantic demeanour that he evolved into on his UY Scuti album.

Medicine – Jaywillz

On the topic of ponpon sounds, Jaywillz understands the assignment. He expresses his helplessness to the emotions that he feels for his woman, and the healing effect she has on him that no one else does. A beautiful love song in its entirety. However, people are not talking about this song enough. 

Aleluya Meje – Brymo

Brymo dropped many gems wrapped in celestial melodies on this genre-bending track. Pay attention to the lyrics or the in-depth stuff might elude you. 

Babylon – Picazo

We’re stuck on Picazo’s new sound, again. On this record, he goes on a soul-searching and self-realization journey away from the people who do not understand his struggles. The evolution of his music is not discussed enough and we really think you should give this song a listen.

Solace – Ajebo Hustlers

Ajebo Hustlers reminisce about their escapades with a woman—someone else’s woman, and they weave an interesting story with details of the experience. Although it is a song about a cheating partner, Solace is feel-good music and all that comes with it. You would find yourself lost in the rhythm and forget what it’s really themed on. The streets is cold, please hold your partners tight.

Kamasi Washington – Truth

Truth kicks off with a pensive melody and segues into a volcano of drum rolls and saxophone sounds. Some jazz music addition for your playlist this week. You’re welcome.

High – Adekunle Gold ft Davido

Adekunle Gold hopped on the Amapiano train with the Davido-assisted High and we love it for him. It’s okay to kick back, relax and just have fun sometimes, and that’s what they did with this track. Keep the same energy while listening to this song too.

Yebo/Sema – Masego

We can all agree that Masego makes soulful, therapeutic bops. Yebo/Sema is a Jazz fusion, RnB track laid on Amapiano beats, on which Masego recounts the story of his performances in South Africa and Kenya. During these performances, he had the crowd chanting Yebo as he made a song from scratch on the stage in South Africa, and did the same in Kenya, chanting Sema.

RADR Essentials Vol 33: T’neeya, Nviiri The Storyteller, Peruzzi and more