This week's New Music Friday releases in Nigeria are headlined by Blaqbonez previewing his upcoming album with a catchy Asake collaboration, while BNXN closes out his Still In Charge EP and DJ Tunez continues his cultural partnership with Terry Apala. The list of new releases is relatively quiet with a few standout moments. Blaqbonez and Asake's 'Ikebe 3000' is a dance-ready Afrobeats record driven largely by its chorus.
Blaqbonez ft Asake - Ikebe 3000 is the lead single for NOMADINHO: 4TH PRIME, due October 16. The chemistry between Blaqbonez and Asake holds throughout the track, even when the verses lose some coherence. The song is catchy enough to do its promotional job ahead of the album. This collaboration is a notable release in this week's lineup.
BNXN - If You Like is the closing track on Still In Charge, and it is quintessential BNXN, being smooth, unhurried, and putting melody first. Soft guitars and a relaxed rhythm give his vocal phrasing room to shine in a way the EP's higher-energy tracks do not. This track is a strong way to close a project, showcasing BNXN's ability to create laid-back music.
Lojay - Money Lingo is an upbeat Afro-fusion record built on silky vocal runs and conversational Pidgin over driving percussion. The song is at its best in the background, rewarding passive listening more than active attention. This limits how far it travels, but it does not undermine what it is - a well-crafted record with a specific appeal.
Other notable releases this week include Tml Vibez - Gentleman, track six from A Street Kid's Diary Disc 2. The execution is competent, but the record does not assert itself strongly enough to stand out within the broader project or the week's list. DJ Tunez ft Terry Apala - Apala Groove is a direct continuation of the sonic partnership that produced Apala Disco, blending DJ Tunez's contemporary electronic framework with Terry Apala's indigenous Yoruba vocal cadence and traditional lyricism.
The cultural collision in DJ Tunez ft Terry Apala - Apala Groove works because both artists are fully committed to it. The song rewards listeners with an appetite for Fuji and Yoruba musical traditions. Txmmyily ft Famous Pluto, Zaylevelten - Lalakula is built on weeks of TikTok snippet teasers, delivering a fast-paced club groove that will find its audience on the same platforms that built the anticipation.
SHON ft Abefe - Lekki Epe (OLOMBE) II is an expanded second rendition of SHON's July release, pairing a steady Afrobeats drum arrangement with smooth vocal melodies. It improves on the original without dramatically redefining it, making it an enjoyable listen for those already familiar with the first version. These new releases mark a notable week in Nigerian music, with various artists contributing to the vibrant Afrobeats scene.
Key points
- Blaqbonez and Asake collaborate on 'Ikebe 3000', a catchy Afrobeats track and lead single for Blaqbonez's upcoming album.
- BNXN releases 'If You Like', a smooth and melodic track that closes out his Still In Charge EP.
- DJ Tunez and Terry Apala team up for 'Apala Groove', a unique blend of electronic and traditional Yoruba music.
