The end of the year is always a busy season for music releases. Here are 10 new entries to our Top Video list, ranging from Afrobeats to cumbia to contemporary jazz. Lots of inspiration to fuel one through the holidays!
Check out the full Afropop Top Videos playlist for all our recent selections. And remember, if you have suggestions of videos our fans would love, send them to info@afropop.org with the subject line “Top Videos 2025.” Enjoy!
Noura Mint Seymali: “Guéreh”
The Mauritanian griot vocalist extraordinaire is riding high on the acclaim she’s receiving for her third album, Yenbett. This track, with its rolling triplet groove, spikey guitar backbone and Noura’s gale-force vocals, is a prime example. But the real payoff of this video maybe its gripping images of landscape, dance, social life and celebration in a land few of us will ever experience.
Omar Sosa: “Heartwarming Night of Crickets”
One never knows quite what to expect from maverick Cuban jazz pianist Omar Sosa. He’s collaborated widely, including with musicians from West and East Africa. His new album, Sendas, returns to the solo piano format, and showcases his intensely introspective touch, with all sorts of echoes from his wordily adventures. The music here is quite subdued, but the imagery in this Afro-futuristic video is as eye-popping as anything we’ve seen this year! Salvador Dali would be proud.
Djékady, feat. Balla Kouyate and Mike Block: “This Must Be the Place”
Djékady is a new, six-piece band out of Boston, but one with history behind it. It’s the latest collaboration between maverick global cello maestro Mike Block and Guinean balafon master Balla Kouyate, joined by four superb collaborators, including longtime veterans of Boston’s Afropop scene. The band’s debut album, Benkan, is just out and a real gem. This lovely performance needs no introduction…
Wesli: “Ayayay”
Haitian-Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist/bandleader is one prolific guy. His epic new album, Makaya, has 24 tracks! The one featured here is based on a ebullient Kongo rhythm, and one can hear a link to Congolese soukous, as well as Zouk. It’s a party song full of joyful imagery of Caribbean, seaside bliss—perhaps the Haiti we’d all wish to see!
Shizzi & Taylor: “Famous”
Shizzi is the Grammy-nominated, platinum selling Nigerian producer and songwriter. Taylor is a rising talent with sweet, boyish voice oft compared with Rema’s or Bieber’s. Here, a minimalist computer groove, all starts and stops, makes a strong bed for Taylor’s playful vocal. He’s a charismatic front man, celebrating here how stardom gives him a way with the girls—no doubt!—but he still remains loyal with his true love.
Mohammed Alidu and Kotoko Brass: “Keshin Zo”
The spirit of Tamale, Dagomba country in northern Ghana, is alive and kicking in…Boston! Kotoko Brass is a smooth, punchy horn-led band and here they join forces with singer and percussionist Mohammed Alidu for a spirited romp filmed in a funky, barn-like rehearsal space. The track feels closer to cumbia than Ghana’s highlife, but this the music of the north, a part of Ghana we hear from far less often. You can tell it’s Dabomba by the big, deep talking drums featured near the end of the video.
Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson on “What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow”
These two veterans of the Black folk revival band The Carolina Chocolate Drops have deep chemistry forged through years of delving into hidden American roots music. That chemistry was evident when they performed at City Parks Summerstage in June. Here they reminisce and share music they perfected with the late Joe Turner. Afropop is seeking an interview with these fine folks. Stay tuned!
Humbe: “Morfina”
Humbe is a 24-year-old Mexican singer/songwriter whose career is blowing up this year. With over 500,000 streams, and having recently sold out a 26,000 stadium in Mexico City, he has wind in his sails. But this introspective ballad might be more at home in a warmly-lit salon than a stadium. From silky to soaring, his effortless voice takes us through a lifetime in under six minutes, all depicted in a wordless, heartstring-tugging visuals without the camera moving once.
Herencia de TImbique: “Apostando X Ti”
You may never have heard of this 11-piece, Colombian powerhouse band, but they’re celebrating 25 years in action. In this cumbia/salsa track, the subject is the anguish of unrequited love. The title translates “Betting on You.” Beautifully choreographed, the video showcases lively street life in an Afro-Colombian town, most likely their hometown, Cali.
Donald Dogbo Ft. Rémi Cormier: “Yako”
Montreal-based drummer Donald Dogbo of Cote D’Ivoire toured Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi before settling in Canada. But his direction now is contemporary jazz. This live track from his excellent 2025 album, Ségui Sô, moves from introspection to frenzied rhythmic ferment and back again. A journey worth taking!
Related Audio Programs
