Holding the lead spot for this week’s Fresh Out is Leading is artist-producer Young Jonn with his highly anticipated victory-lap project, Dear London. Released as a 7-track celebration of his triumphant return to the UK—coinciding with his massive headline show at the OVO Arena Wembley—the EP leans into bright Afropop, pop, and African dance music.

Shifting from London to a massive cross-border connection, French-Congolese melodic rap star Tiakola has joined forces with Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema for their stellar collaboration “Best”. Tucked into Tiakola’s sophomore album WpointM, the London-produced banger seamlessly weaves fluent French bars with Rema’s unmistakable Afrobeats cadence. Street-pop hitmaker Shoday links up with Mavin Records’ vocal maestro Magixx for their infectious new collaborative single, “CHE”, matching smooth rhythms with elite vocal delivery.

Rising act Champz returns to the scene with “Groove”, an absolute masterclass in Afroswing and UK-drill-influenced rap percussion. The thematic depth grows even richer with LOVN, who drops his cohesive, alternative-facing body of work, the SoundBender EP. While queen of Afro-House Niniola shakes up dancefloors with her new 115-BPM single, “Tika”.

Rounding out this week’s curation, Afro-gospel pioneer Limoblaze delivers a 4-track uptempo EP, Father’s Love. Featuring elite assists from Johnny Drille and Marizu, the project marks the first instalment of a massive monthly rollout series. Street-hop sensations Ayo Maff and Zinoleesky collide for the raw street anthem “Malaria”. While emerging acts Scottymusiq and Naka each deliver their entry for this. Check them all out below!

Young Jonn – Destiny (Dear London EP)

Tiakola, Rema – Best (WpointM Album)

Champz – Groove

Shoday & Magixx – CHE

Lovn ft. Ayanfe – Over The Night (SoundBender EP)

Ayo Maff, Zinoleesky – Malaria

Niniola – Tika

Taylor Swift – Patient Zero (The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore Album)

Limoblaze ft. Johnny Drille – Already Loved (Father’s Love EP)

Scottymusiq – October 17

Naka – Biawala