This week's New Music Friday list in Nigeria features a diverse range of tracks from various artists. The list includes a collaboration between Rema and Tiakola, marking a cross-continental fusion. Niniola returns to her Afro-house roots with her new track, Tika. Additionally, Wizkid's son, Champz, debuts with his own unique sound, Groove, which is a UK drill and Afroswing-influenced record.
Young Jonn's new track, Glass in the Air, has been pulled from his Dear London project. The song features a jiggy-inflected Afropop style with an up-tempo dancefloor beat, produced alongside Yung Willis. The track sits comfortably within Young Jonn's sonic world, but its similarity to his previous work may be seen as both its strength and limitation.
Tiakola's collaboration with Rema, Best, is a French-Nigerian crossover from Tiakola's WpointM album, produced by London. The track combines Tiakola's melodic rap delivery with Rema's Afrorave cadence, creating a natural fit. Shoday and Magixx also team up for Che, a commercial Afrobeats record built around a TikTok-ready hook.
Ayo Maff and Zinoleesky collaborate on Malaria, a track produced by Shallythechampion. The song compares falling in love to catching an unexpected illness, but the metaphor lands better in concept than execution. Fido's For Me is a stripped-back romantic Afrobeats record that focuses on melodic storytelling.
Niniola's Tika marks a welcome return to her Afro-house roots. The track is fast-paced, dancefloor-ready, and anchored by her signature lively delivery. The return to form feels earned rather than forced. Limoblaze and Johnny Drille collaborate on Already Loved, a gospel Afrobeats and alternative soul record that benefits from Johnny Drille's guitar-driven vocal style.
Cheque's Andale blends trap-house and Afropop in a high-energy melodic record. However, the production is busy, and the record struggles to settle into a clear identity. Champz's Groove is a notable entry, not only for its quality but also because of Champz's age and his deliberate attempt to create a sound separate from his father Wizkid's legacy.
Myron's Favourite Song, featuring MAGE, is an introspective record about loving someone through uncertainty. The track's production gives Myron the space to sit with the vulnerability of the subject matter, resulting in one of the more emotionally honest records on the week's list. These tracks and more make up this week's New Music Friday list, showcasing a range of styles and talents in the Nigerian music scene.
Key points
- Niniola returns to Afro-house with Tika.
- Champz debuts with Groove, a UK drill and Afroswing-influenced record.
- Rema collaborates with Tiakola on Best, a French-Nigerian crossover track.
