Who Get Ear Vol. 78: Here are the 10 songs you need to play this week

Who Get Ear is Pulse's weekly compilation of the best songs from Nigeria's music underground.

In a week that sees Burna Boy continue his endearment to the American mainstream, we have Aiinem, SamvssTheKids, Dashey, Odubanj and so forth grace this list.

Last week, the list featured Muyiwa Akhigbe, Tems Baby and other act. You can see that list HERE.

This week, our picks might be a little substantiated and take the form of an actual playlist. Here are the featured songs for week 78;

Aiinem - Suicide 

Apologies if this is depressing music. Some of the greatest music the world has seen came from a dark place. Aiinem cries for help.

You might say he sounds like Paybac, but that’s not the point. He cracked this list with this three-month old number for how authentic and raw his story feels.

He talks about the loss of his sister, how his parents told him to go pray when he told them about his mental state at 13, he talks about finding solace in herb and how the weed no longer seems enough to tame him.

A lot of people will say dark music is depressing, but guess what this is also another shade of reality. This is impressive music.

SamvsTheKids - Suicide

We will bring this one back as SamvsTheKids recently released his four-track EP. On this one, Samuel becomes himself and discusses the pressures of chasing a path in music as well as constant doubts that trail him. This is not weakness, openly discussing your strains is the ultimate show of strength.

With the struggles come contempt - even on the home front. But like most others, Samuel cries out to his parents that he needs the one thing most men won’t admit they need; love.

ChuksProfound - White Elephant

On another realistic note, Chuks tells the story of a girl troubled and hunted by the unsavoury elements of her background. 

She experiences abuse and hurt amongst other things. Presumably, he is romantically interested in this girl. The storytelling is incredible and so is the beat Chuks goes on.

Dashey - Billionaire

Dashey says, “My debut single explores the dynamics of a generation living in denial and the consequences that ensue. I’m so excited to share this song with you and I hope it inspires new light on experiences we have as individuals and as society.”

One thing she fails to capture is the incredible beat she goes on - Motown blues. This is the pick of the week.

Adeoluwa - Old Ways

A kind reminder of something we constantly forget - change is constant as it is human, but old ways die hard. It's worse when the old ways are bad. Apologies, the introspect overkill is starting to choke, don’t worry. We change course soon.

Fresh off releasing his new album, After Bells and Whistles, Adeoluwa is not the smoothest with the delivery, but he always has something worthwhile to say.

Odubanj - Ori

A sentimental ballad delivered in Yoruba and English. It discusses the hustle as Odubanj calls on luck to shine on him and for life to favour him.

On the relatable side, this speaks more to the Lagos transplants who left other states to find greener stable.

Dr Barz - Vibe

Released a month ago as part of the Something Else EP, Port Harcourt-based Dr Barz drops the gems on this one to appraise the beauty of a woman. He sometimes mixes it up, but the vibe is the most important thing.

Catch it.

Chris Akinyemi - Olowo

Vibes. This is the second best pick of the week. Chris A not only picks a good beat, his hook is wonderful and his words slightly dwell on this usual bland braggadocio attached to money-based dance records in Nigeria.

However, he strikes a realistic chord, “Olowo l’aye mo.” In English, this roughly means, ‘Money makes the world go round,' and truer words have never been said. More importantly and if properly promoted with a good video, this is could become a sleeper hit.

Emmanuel Best - Top Boy

The second track on his newly released EP, Beast, the self-produced track oozes what it means to understand the use of bass legatos on any beat.

The trap sound has something to it. It can sway.

Olajuwon - Monalisa

We should end this week on a good note. Olajuwon’s flow and deliveries feel unattractive, but give the music a chance - you might be swayed.

The beauty is always in his beats that keep you around for long enough to focus on his actual strength; his songwriting.

‘Monalisa’ is getting a lot of duplicates, but this is definitely one of the good ones.