Radr Essentials Vol. 3.: Bella Alubo, Maaza Mengiste, Tyla and More

February kicks off on a Monday and the Radr team wishes you a happy new month. The long month of January is over and we couldn’t be happier to get into the treasure of the new month. On this week’s Radr Essentials, the team shares their fave songs ranging from Zarion Uti to Tyla to Bella Alubo.

Music

Soft- Zarion Uti & BLAKBOYKAY

This track is a soft melding of soulful runes with reggae influences. Written by BLAKBOYKAY, this song toasting to the beauty of their love interest is enthralling as it is entertaining. The artistes sing about showing the right king of loving to their love interest because she’s ”soft” and in February the month of the lovers’ holiday, is there a better track?

The Don- Mr Eazi

The afrobeat/afropop hit maker, Mr Eazi is arrogant and owning it on this track. A bit slower paced than some of his past songs, this track shines with his vocals and the breathy harmonizations in the chorus. Truly a don, Mr Eazi didn’t miss with this song either, and that’s why you should check it out here;

Pretty Things- Bella Alubo

Off her ”Popstar” ep that dropped last year, the first beat drop at the start of the song is the first indication that listeners will enjoy this bop. Bella charges in with her crisp vocals on this catchy tune and hits every note perfectly. This afrobeats track is perfect for a friday night no matter where you are.

Godly- Omah Lay

Does Omah Lay miss? Well, he certainly didn’t on his last project ”What Have We Done?” which this song is a part f. The track is a powerful opening to a stellar project and the replay quality is fantastic.

Getting Late- Tyla

South African belle, Tyla creates an amazing high tempo vibe on this track. This techno/electro-influenced song is catchy and fast paced yet relaxing. The visuals of the song are equally as beautiful leaving listeners enjoying the work of a true entertainer.

Books

The Shadow King- Maaza Mengiste

The book tells the story of Hirut, a young Ethiopian woman who goes from being a lowly servant to a proud warrior. She begins the novel as an orphan who works alongside an unnamed cook in the household of a man named Kidane and his wife, Aster. There she is in conflict with the family and endures pain and acts out in interesting ways. Hirut also fights in the second war between Italy and Ethiopia in a narrative beautifully crafted by Maaza Mengiste.

Zikorah- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Zikorah is a short story by Chimamanda Adichie about womanhood and some of the experiences that surround it. This story follows Zikorah a successful woman turned abandoned pregnant woman. Reeling in pain from abandonment by her lover, she must still navigate her seemingly strained relationship with her mother as well as her own introduction to motherhood and the complexities that follow.