Quizzes

Stacks

Shows

Podcasts

Newsletters

Naira Life

Love Life

Hustleprint

Love Currency

Sunken Ships

What She Said

My Bro

So You Don’t Have To

Interview With…

Zikoko Memes

Jollof Road

Cholera Outbreak Update

Follow our socials

  • While the global spotlight often shines exclusively on Nigerian Afropop hits, 2025 has been quietly rich with exceptional projects that thrive outside the mainstream orbit. This is not the sound of the radio; it’s the sound of alternative genres, intricate lyricism, and experimental production.

    This list curates the essential non-Afropop albums and EPs, spanning hip-hop, R&B, alternative, and fusion genres that might have slipped under your radar. Discover 10 of the best, most underrated Nigerian music projects of 2025 that deserved more love than they got from fans.

    10. Greatly Exaggerated — Damon Grass

    It’s been over a decade since rapper Damon Grass emerged as the winner of Don Jazzy’s Enigma Rap competition. Afterwards, he temporarily hung up the mic to focus on school, a day job and financial stability. Now in 2025, he returns to the game with his official debut album, Greatly Exaggerated.

    Damon finds himself rhyming and swinging between smug braggadocio, baller lifestyle, limelight ambitions and street orientations. He announces himself as one of the rising Nigerian rappers to look out for.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    9. God’s Engineering 3 (The Beginning) — A-Q

    A-Q brings his trilogy to a close with God’s Engineering 3 (The Beginning), an album defined by its sharp lyrical precision and unwavering personal conviction. Across eleven focused tracks, GE3 serves as a profound examination of the rapper’s journey.

    He delves into his past, paying homage to his roots on Ramlat Timson Street in Surulere, Lagos, while simultaneously launching a pointed critique against the superficiality of today’s rap scene. With this album, A-Q commands absolute attention.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    Subscribe to Zikoko Pop newsletter, The Feed, for the most important pop culture news

    8. Sweet Songs 4 You — Lasmid and TML Vibez

    Singers Lasmid and TML Vibez collaborate on a project defined by raw emotions and seamless melodies. Their artistic connection is palpable, and this shines through in their styles and verses.

    Sweet Songs 4 You champions emotional honesty and transparent lyricism, paired with minimalist yet soulful production. The project uses space and silence as key elements, allowing them to perfectly underscore the deep sense of longing, ache of hope, and vulnerability poured into every single note.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    7. This One Is Personal — Tiwa Savage

    On her candid latest album, Tiwa Savage exchanges the funfair of pop music and spectacle of fame for clarity. She examines her innermost emotions, unpacking the complications of affection and the inherent power that comes from choosing self.

    The production leans closely towards atmospheric R&B sounds, allowing moments of unvarnished strength and brutal honesty. This One Is Personal delivers on its title, giving us Tiwa at her most intimate and musically evolved.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    READ NEXT: The 10 Best International Collaborations in Nigerian Music

    6. Healers Chapel — Wizard Chan

    Healers Chapel is a well-crafted sonic sanctuary made for a world grappling with pain and uncertainty. Across 14 tracks, Wizard Chan seamlessly weaves his Ijaw cultural roots and heritage, with threads of reggae, hip-hop and Afro-fusion in ways that feel ethereal.

    This album is a detailed map of the emotional terrain of faith and hope. It offers reflection as much as quiet solace and commentary on societal issues. It’s a layered, shared and deeply human experience, where finding peace means recognising the power of your community and your past. With Healers Chapel, Chan invites listeners into a journey of healing.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    5. Detox — Sewà 

    If you’re looking for music that blends R&B, folk and fusions of other soulful sounds, Sewà’s music should be on your radar. Her debut album, Detox, explores introspection, longing, love, heartbreak, patience, ambition, and resilience in a deeply personal way that remains relatable to the general human experience.

    Her lyricism employs English, Pidgin English and Yoruba. It’s in this witty command of language and her soulful delivery, that Sewà cements her place as a globally relatable artist who’s rooted in her heritage. Detox is more than a debut album, it’s emotional cleansing.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    4. I Wish I Had More Time — Braye

    Braye’s brilliant EP, I Wish I Had More Time, is a statement on the fragile state between intimacy and ambition. He addresses this ubiquitous struggle with compelling honesty and graceful musicality.

    This EP offers a deep dive into internal conflict, carefully navigating themes of self-doubt, profound yearning, and the silent tug-of-war between romantic connection and life’s larger purpose.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    3. SPIRAL — Tim Lyre

    SPIRAL, Tim Lyre’s double-sided album, mirrors life’s cyclical nature. It’s a 16-track project that moves fluidly from deep introspection to renewal, transitioning smoothly between moments of melancholy and uplift. Lyre dissects core human experiences like personal development, relationships, loss and professional drive.

    Whether he’s adrift, examining financial freedom or having thoughtful closure, he makes his album feel simultaneously vast and intensely private. SPIRAL is genre-fluid, emotionally relatable and brilliantly curated to stir the soul.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    Get More Zikoko Goodness in Your Mail

    Subscribe to our newsletters and never miss any of the action

    2. Goodgirl — Goodgirl LA

    On her bold self-titled EP, singer-songwriter Goodgirl LA flips the script on what it means to be a “good girl.” With sultry vocals and unapologetic lyrics, she invites Nigerian women into a world where desire, power and authenticity reign.

    She also embodies sexual liberation with confidence, showcasing her ambition and resilience. This six-track EP isn’t just a statement; it’s a celebration of women who want more, feel more, and claim more. Goodgirl is sexy, fearless, and it’s Goodgirl LA at her most confident and honest.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    1. Paradise Now — Obongjayar

    Paradise Now finds Obongjayar traversing an musical territory marked by nervous energy, immediate necessity, and dense, complex production. It’s a rich canvas for dissecting everything from personal friction to systemic failures.

    His singular voice carries the album, guiding listeners through the diverse sections of his boundary-pushing alt-R&B, Afro-dance, punk, disco, and indie rock. From longing to self-assertion, optimism to resistance, Obongjayar makes strong statements that put his album among the year’s best releases.

    Apple Music | Spotify

    ALSO READ: The 20 Best Nigerian Lyricists, Ranked By Fans

    [ad][/ad]

  • With a career spanning over a decade, Kizz Daniel has churned out some amazing music that has showcased his growth, versatility, and dedication to his craft.

    From his early days as Kiss Daniel to his current status as a top-rated Afrobeats superstar, Kizz Daniel has consistently contributed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Nigerian music. He had the most Shazammed song of 2022, “Buga (Lo Lo Lo),” performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and made Audiomack’s top trending and most streamed artists of 2023 alongside Asake.

    Below we’ve ranked all of Kizz Daniel’s projects from the ones that are just ‘meh’ to his greatest of all time. 

    6.

    Thankz A Lot (TZA)

    This EP is packed with four songs. Kizz Daniel drops ready-made hits that easily captivate the TikTok algorithm for users in party mode. This EP offers a little narrative that’s beyond having a good time. Perhaps it needs more time to make an impact.

    5.

    Maverick

    “Buga (Lo Lo Lo)”, “Shu-Peru”, “Rich Till I Die (RTID)” are on Maverick, Kizz Daniel’s fourth studio album. These bops opened him up to TikTok virality and the listening ears of older Nigerian people. The production is colourful, but the stories on this album are underexplored, putting the commercial appeal in front.

    4.

    Barnabas

    Kizz Daniel gets intimate and experimental, too, on his 2021 EP Barnabas. But compared to his other projects, Barnabas is short (seven tracks) and slow-paced. He sings about intimacy, his dreams, his faith, and his addictions. This project fully marks the beginning of his Owambe-inflected sounds and continues the adlibs—heavy music. 

    3.

    King of Love

    This album is Kizz Daniel’s third. It takes a different route from the formulaic “New Era” and “No Bad Songs” album—King of Love is experimental. It came out in 2020, and although it didn’t enjoy the attention it deserves, the album’s hands down one of the best Afropop projects that’s come out of the 2020s. Play “Jaho,” “Pak ‘n’ Go,” “Boys Are Mad” and “Fvck You”—the stories of love, intimacy, heartbreak at wedding parties and self-praise are unparalleled.

    2.

    No Bad Songs

    Having a successful first album definitely boosts confidence. Two years after Kizz Daniel’s debut album and six months after his name change and record label dispute with G-Worldwide Entertainment, he put out his sophomore work. His debut proves his skills as a good singer-songwriter., This album cements his status as a hit powerhouse. “No Do,” “One Ticket” featuring Davido, and “Madu” are unforgettable jams that define the No Bad Songs era.

    1.

    New Era

    In 2016, before Kiss Daniel became Kizz Daniel, his first album, New Era, dropped to critical acclaim. The album blends Highlife and Ska music with Afropop to craft its own hits—giving us at least five certified jams like “Woju,” “Laye,” “Mama,” “Good Time,” and “Jombo.” Although New Era didn’t change the popular soundscape of Afrobeats, it announced his arrival into the game and distinguished him as a hitmaker among peers.

    We Ranked All of Wizkid’s Albums from ‘Meh’ to Greatest

  • After over 13 years since Wizkid’s Superstar debut, Starboy has given us countless hits, collaborations and moments that won’t fade away in a long time. To stretch his music catalogue, he’s announced Morayo, his sixth studio album slated to be released on November 22, 2024.

    While we wait for Morayo, we dive into Wizkid’s acclaimed music projects, ranking his works from the best to the least enjoyable. From Superstar to S2, we revisited the albums and EPs that have cemented Wiz’s status as one of Afrobeats’ legends. 

    6.

    More Love, Less Ego (2022)

    In November 2022, just a year after the debut of the deluxe Made in Lagos, Wiz released More Love, Less Ego —a mesh of pop, Afrobeats and R&B. This album feels like a drawn-out session of  Made in Lagos, repeating similar sonic templates, flows and melodies. Quit honestly it is the last in this ranking because of was not daring, was boring. It didn’t try to go outside the comfort zone of previous successful albums from Wizkid.

    5.

    S2 (2023)

    Although this dropped around the demise of his mum, Wizkid understood that variety is the spice of life on S2, a follow-up to his Starboy label’s Soundman Volume 1 project. In four tracks, Wizkid served diverse music styles that switched up his tempo from the laid-back Made in Lagos and More Love, Less Ego. S2 is very experimental and fun. As we said in our review of the project, it’s a prelude to Morayo.

    4.

    Ayo (2014)

    This is Wizkid’s second album and can be called his album with the most hits, being home to  Jaiye Jaiye, In My Bed, Show You the Money, On Top Your Matter. Though few songs in Ayo are as introspective as “Ojuelegba” and “Joy,” its general fast-tempo direction attracts party animals and young people looking for fun. We may never get this party version of Wizkid again, but the hits from Ayo will continue to turn up functions even decades from now.

    3.

    Sound from the Other Side (2017)

    There have been arguments that this album didn’t strive or gain notoriety due to its mixtape tag, R&B sonic direction, and serious lyricism (a deviation from the usually playful Afrobeats lyrics). But these qualities are what distinguish Wizkid’s third album and first major label debut among his other offerings. “SFTOS” is soft, expressive, and bold.

    2.

    Made in Lagos (2020)

    The fusion of R&B and Afropop shines bright on “Made In Lagos”, Wizkid’s special nod to his city of childhood.

    Years before Wizkid released the critically acclaimed “Made In Lagos” album in 2020, his fans begged and asked him several times for a new album. Just nine days after its release, it crossed over 100 million streams across five streaming platforms, received praise from listeners and both local and foreign media, and became the best-selling African album of all time in the US.

    1.

    Superstar (2011)

    Superstar is Wizkid’s first album, released under Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) in 2011. A year after his hit single Holla At Your Boy, his debut album came out to ground his feet as Nigeria’s contemporary music new pop star. Not only because he was the hottest kid on the block, had a sort of cool demeanour, or the star-studded features, he was at his most adventurous phase. The album explores different genres like Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggae and Fuji, and themes like romance, love, ghetto upbringing and his grass-to-grace story. A decade has passed since the release, but at least six songs on it still raise the roof anytime they’re played.

    QUIZ: Only Wizkid’s OG Fans Will Ace this “Superstar” Album Quiz

  • Many young music listeners might have heard popular Apala jams like Opon Apala Ti Sun and Ise Oluwa Ko Seni Toye, which Fireboy DML interpolated in the intro of his latest recent album, adedamola. But the culture and history of Apala music go beyond these popular jams.

    In Nigerian music, Apala stands tall as a genre that proudly wears its Yoruba heritage on its sleeve. The music style is born from the rhythmic beats of traditional Yoruba sounds, a unique blend of percussion, melodic chants, and soul-stirring harmonies that have captivated audiences for generations.

    But what makes a great Apala album?

    From the body of work of Haruna Ishola to Ayinla Omowura, over the years we’ve created great Apala albums that have continued to be mainstays at parties. See below our greatest Apala albums of all time:

    Oroki Social Club — Haruna Ishola

    By the time Haruna Ishola released Oroki Social Club, his arguably biggest-selling album to date, with his Apala Group band in 1971, he was a big shot in the local music world. He reportedly sold five million copies under Decca Records, a British music company. His music applies deep Yoruba, Quranic citations, and adulation to high-profile people. In his music, which has been the dominant Apala sound for decades, the percussion is present but minimal, and the music is backed up by sonorous male vocalists.

    The album title gives a specific nod to a popular social club in Osogbo, where Haruna and his band frequently performed. 

    One of the most memorable lines from the album’s titular track is “Students, come and dance / Our music, Apala is easy fenikeni (meaning “for anybody”).” The album’s huge success popularised the club and its founding members. Haruna Ishola is regarded as the father of Apala music today.

    Ina Ran —Haruna Ishola

    This Ina Ran (meaning “Fire has spread”) album came out under his Star Records Company Limited in 1974. It has six tracks that run for thirty minutes, singing about God’s might, the underworld powers, his musical superiority, soaring success, and his must-haves: peace, well-behaved children, and money. 

    Odun Orin Jo — Alade Ligali Mukaiba

    Although Ligali sang majorly in proverbials and gave praises to high-profile individuals like his peers, this Odun Orin Jo album states clearly that he has stepped up and no one can get on to his level. This point becomes even clearer on Kos’Olode Tole ‘ibon P’Eja Lomi (meaning, “There’s no hunter that can kill a fish in a river with a gun”). Unlike his contemporaries, Ligali’s music is solemn and devoid of abuse, but his superpower was how he wielded language deeply. His music is filled with bars-on-bars that need deciphering.

    Ebi Ki Pagun D’ale — Ayinla Omowura

    “Ebi ki pagun d’ale” means “a vulture never hungers till night.” This album is Ayinla’s Volume 18 project, one of the five albums that he allegedly recorded in less than eight months (October 1979 to May 1980). In the album he begs the Gods for wealth, riches, popularity and universal blessings. To date, Ayinla remains one of the genre’s biggest players. A biopic of his life was released in 2021.

    E Lewure Wole — Fatai Olowonyo

    One of Fatai Olowonyo’s hit albums is E Lewure Wole (Vol. 9) (meaning “chase the goat back into the house”). It became very big due to the titular diss track directed at his contemporary and rival Ayinla Omowura. Fatai took a shot at Ayinla’s facial features. This album became Fatai’s most popular work. In the Apala world today, E Lewure Wole is a cult classic that reverberates Fatai Olowonyo’s name as an Apala music OG.

    Eni Fibi Su Olore — Kasumu Adio

    Kasumu Adio hailed from Ijebu-Igbo, the unofficial mecca of Apala music. He wasn’t as big an Apala musician as his contemporary and rival, Haruna Ishola, but he held his own in his time. He may sound similar to Haruna Ishola, but when they were both in the heat of their beef, they challenged each other, sparring with deep usage of Yoruba.

    One of his outstanding albums is Eni Fibi Su Olore, a statement directed at ingrates or people who make their benefactors regret offering help. If you’re looking for Kasumu’s impact on Apala music, it’s in his lyricism.

    Soyoyo — Musiliu Haruna Ishola

    Almost three decades after Haruna Ishola mentioned “Soyoyo” in his Ina Ran record, his son, Musiliu Haruna Ishola, released the Soyoyo album in 2000. This album refreshed Apala music in a younger and more contemporary climate. It produced hits like Ise Oluwa Ko Seni Toye and Opon Apala Ti Sun. Although Musiliu Haruna Ishola is not as deep and lyrical as his dad, he knows how to craft catchy rhythms and slogans that tempt both young and old people.

    In Case You Missed It, We Compiled the 10 Greatest Fuji Music Albums of All Time

  • Take the quiz:

  • Ayra Starr and Tems released their new albums, “The Year I Turned 21” and “Born in the Wild”, in the last two weeks and have since dominated most conversations in the Nigerian music scene.

    Inching close to being the hottest Afrobeats artists of 2024 (so far), their new albums are meant to offer something rewarding. Here are nine subtle lessons that listeners draw from their long-awaited albums.

    Dodging bad energy is serious work

    You can’t avoid bad-belle people entirely. The only way to become a no-nonsense pro max is intentionally and consistently telling them off like Ayra Starr and Tems did on their new albums (“The Year I Turned 21” and “Born in the Wild”). From Ayra’s Birds Sing of Money, Goodbye and Bad Vibes songs to Tems’ Wickedest and Unfortunate, they set a big “fuck you” tone for bad energy dealers. 

    Rollout is MOTHER!

    Your business service is a product, and to attract target users and customers, you need engaging content that not only attracts but also gets them talking. That’s what Ayra Starr and Tems did. They were in everyone’s faces. Ayra’s album appeared on Chowdeck and some Nigerian bank apps, and users were urged to listen. Tems put out announcement visuals and even threw a party for music listeners and industry players a day before her album release. These babes put their new albums on everyone’s lips.

    Good kids make happy parents

    Ayra’s and Tems’ mums appeared on their albums to contribute to their process and album narratives and motivate them. These emotional features prove that parental support is just as crucial as making parents proud.

    Always enjoy yourself

    You don’t have to be told this, but you need a reminder to enjoy what you work hard for and have a good time sometimes. Somebody play Ayra’s Commas, Control, Jazzy’s Song and Tems’ Wickedest, Turn Me Up and T-Unit and turn the fuck up.

    Never leave your squad behind

    Carrying all your real ones with you (including sharing opportunities) shows that you value your friendship and are proud of it. This is how Ayra Starr feels in Woman Commando.

    Women are the biggest gangstas

    On Bird Sings of Money, Ayra says her past experiences have toughened her up in the trait of a gangster. She even made Woman Commando, and Tems made Gangsta. When the other gender is back on top, you’ll get the memo or not. For now, new lords are in town.

    Never hesitate to throw toxic lovers away

    Don’t wait for your toxic partners to fly their red flags before you throw them out like bath water. You better get necessary updates from Tems’ Unfortunate and Ayra Starr’s Goodbye (Warm Up).

    You’re your biggest motivator

    It’s okay to be sad or cry. But when a horse knocks you to dust, pick yourself up and push yourself to be better until you can ride it with a flex like Ayra on Last Heartbreak Song and 1942 and Tems on Burning and Hold On.

    Forever be a dream chaser.

    Ayra wanted to be a pop star before 16, but it only happened when she turned 19. Now she’s 21 and global. Tems had a 9-5 for a while but didn’t let her music dream die.

    Album Review: Tems Finds Optimism After the Wild

  • 2023 came with numerous album releases, from heavy hitters to upcoming acts. We expected some of our biggest stars to join the wagon, but instead, they gave us dust. Here’s a short list of artists who owe us a feast in 2024.

    2Baba

    It’s been four years since Warrior. But on January 3, the veteran singer took to Instagram to announce his 2024 plan to release a new album. Motivated by the vim and excellence of new-gen artists, 2Baba said, “Na so we no dey gree for anybody this year o.”

    Tems

    She dropped two singles towards the end of 2023, and it’s been over a month since she teased her album on X. Let’s have it, please.

    Image source: Premium Times

    Victony

    This guy made noise in 2023 with bangers like My Darling, Angelus and Ohema. We heard him. Now, he needs to put his artistry into a full-length body of work. We’re ready for Victony.

    Image source: BellaNaija

    Tiwa Savage

    Tiwa Savage may be killing features up and down, but she needs to drop a new album. Water & Garri, an EP, came out in 2021. That’s a long time to be stuck with only groceries. Maybe banga soup and starch-type albums this year?

    Image source: Premium Times

    Odunsi (the Engine)

    The three-track SPORT EP he dropped in December 2023 was just a tease. We see he’s come out of ghost mode and has been appearing on his socials lately. He also produced Jazz Up off Pan African Rockstar (Lady Donli’s latest album) back in September 2023. We hope he’s back to feed us with another innovative album like rare. (2018).

    Image source: GQ Middle East

    Peruzzi

    Peruzzi has shown himself to be a brilliant singer-songwriter and composer. With three albums in his catalogue and over 252 songwriter credits on hits like Nwa Baby, Risky and Unavailable, he’s defining himself as one of Afrobeats’ top writers. But it’s been over three years since Rum & Boogie, or is he not doing singing again?

    Image source: Viberate

    Ayra Starr

    Sabi Girl had a successful 2023 taking her music around Africa, Australia and North America, and featuring on everything from Girl Next Door with Tyla to Big FU with David Guetta. We love these records, but a new album will bang differently.

    Image source: www.ayrastarr.com

    READ NEXT: New Cats We’d Have Loved Albums From In 2023

  • 2023 has been a busy year for the Nigerian music industry, particularly Afrobeats. As artists like Burna Boy and Rema aggressively sell out shows and arenas, get nominations and win awards, they’re also in the studio to cook jams and feed their fans new music. 

    Over the past few years, the new generation artists have held our attention and climbed up to new, noticeable heights. After a series of releases and commercial success, one would expect these artists to present to us their full-length musical projects this year, but we’re still biting nails with no hope they’ll serve us.

    These are the new school Nigerian artists we expected to drop an album in 2023.

    Tems

    In the last two years, Tems has trailblazed her path and registered herself as a global brand. She has worked withartists like Brent Faiyaz (Found), Drake (Fountains), Rihanna (Life Me Up), and Beyoncé (MOVE), showing her musical range. After the releases of two EPs (For the Broken Ears in 2020 and If Orange Was A Place in 2021), we’re due for an album.

    Although the release of Me & U may be a step closer to Tems’ debut album, we don’t know how many steps are left to get us there. On November 20, 2023, Tems tweeted on X that she’d leave the internet and lean more into the background after her debut album drops. There’s no pointer it’s coming out in 2023. Temilade, see you in 2024.

    Oxlade

    We anticipate an Oxlade album, but he’ll also take the time to get back in the right headspace. The falsetto-singer mentioned in an interview this year that he went through a lot mentally and Ku Lo Sa was one of the expressive pieces that came out of this situationl.

    Ku Lo Sa is now one of Oxlade’s biggest songs ever. Also, he just released a two-song pack which has a very emotional single, KATIGORI, which addresses backbiters andfolks sabotaging his brand and business. In all that, he still found a pocket to remind his peers and detractors he’s far above them. Honestly, this type of confidence sounds fresh from him and gives the let-me-talk-my-shit vibes. With his current energy, he needs to give us the album ASAP!

    Victony

    Victony has had an incredible run in 2023, defining the year with hits like Soweto (original and remix), Jolene, My Darling, Angelus, Jaga Jaga, No Joke, and the latest, Ohema, which has over 14 other artists on it. Though it’s an incredible idea and execution, I’m wondering why he can’t just make an album and feature each one of them.

    Magixx

    We heard the ATOM EP in 2022, and we were sure it was the next direction after Magixx’s self-titled debut EP. Fast forward to 2023, only three songs (Colors, Loyal and Maria) have come out from the artist. Yes, they’re great titles but we exist in a period where almost all his new-cats colleagues likeCrayon, Rema, Ruger, Teni, Blaqbonez etc., have dropped their albums.But we’re patient and looking forward to his 2024 plans. Hopefully there’s an album in it.

    Fave

    Honestly, we are tired of getting only singles from Fave. It’s like giving a kid a piece of biscuit but never the whole pack. Don’t you want us to get filled? If that’s Fave’s intention, releasing a few songs and doing some features here and there, then she wins. Maybe in 2024, we’ll get a full experience of her talent and artistry in an album.

  • It’s easy for albums to easily get lost in the pile of the singles 2023 has been choked with. So we went digging into the Nigerian music released so far to discover and rediscover the bodies of work women have blessed us with this year.

    KOLLIDE – Kold AF

    On KOLLIDE, Kold AF’s vocabulary oozes of admirable bluntness and confidence. They hold stead and still leave one open enough to admit that “I’m a hard guy, but I hurt sometimes too.” The EP offers six songs that explore romance, being broke and keeping heart on the sleeve.

    Kold AF is an amazing singer and overall, KOLLIDE is clear afropop and r&b fusion. With a platform like Aristokrats Records (Burna Boy, LeriQ, Mojeed, Novemba) behind her, it’s only up. We’re rooting for her.

    Heaven Has Come – TY Bello

    TY Bello invited other artists she loves together on Heaven Has Come. Listening to the album comes with a feeling that suggests that it’s more than just an album of MP3s and WAV. files — it’s transcendental experiences of worship and praise. The production is excellent, catchy and modern, but won’t make you lose your home training and start throwing legwork anyhow.

    Grey Choir – Christtie Jay

    Christtie as Jay is an innate storyteller and spoken word artist. Her newly-released EP, Grey Choir, beautifully blends spoken word and music,explores self-love, sexuality, relationships, melancholy, grief, and japa themes.

    The sonic palette of the project is just as broad as the array of emotions and topics she explores. On Story Story, guest artist Mo’Believe’s book builds a commentary around Lagos-living.One could almost hear Christtie Jay burst into tears on Hello/Goodbye, the track before the last. Poetry-music projects require attentiveness, including Grey Choir.But you never know what the next track will sound like. Every song is unique and captivating.

    Angel On The Run – Rukmani

    Rukmani’s  EPis Pop-inflected R&B at its finest. Angel On The Run opens with guitar strings that usher in Rukmani. From the first track, Purpose, a song about reconciling past mistakes, to the seventh track, Softies Vibes, a vulnerable expression of self-love, Rukmani’s silky voice keeps calling to her listener.

    Angel On The Run is the music to get cosy to, especially when emotional waves crash over you.

    Winny – WINNY

    On her self-titled debut music project, Winny, a Nigerian reggae artist,  turns her love tales and heartaches into songs. Winny’s voice can quickly become a rude gyal’s weapon, full-blasting in patois. At the same speed, she can be very soft and begs a lover not to leave. WINNY is an exciting body of work; the seven tracks promises that the Nigerian music scene will soon become very fluid and accessible to all styles and genre

    Anger Management – Bloody Civilian

    Beyond being a super producer and sound engineer, Bloody Civilian isn’t your average artist. Check her collaborative effort with Native Records and Marvel’s Black Panther. Even her name. Then check her Anger Management EP. But don’t stop there — dive into the music project and enjoy her brilliant brand of storytelling that’s rare in our popular music scene. Parental supervision, poke-nosing family members, and anti-misogyny are some of the stories Bloody Civilian lays bare in the project. If you’re not jamming to this for enjoyment, don’t forget it anytime you fume angry.

    Kaleidoscope – Lindsey Abudei

    In Nigeria, where niché music isn’t as widely accepted, Lindsey Abudei continues to polish her brand of Neo-soul, alternative R&B. Her new project, Kaleidoscope, is recent proof. 

    The music on Kaleidoscope is cinematic. Asides from her lyricism, the drums are softly tapping, guitar strings jumping and giving Jazz vibes. On days that emotions are high and running, or there’s just stillness — Lindsey’s got us.

    Also, film production companies and theatres need to holla at her and cut her cheques for movie soundtracks ASAP.

    dear diary – RnB Princess

    In five songs, RnB Princess lifts the things that usually stay in a diary to the recording studio,spilling her heart out about unreturned love, jilt and the relationship woes that trouble a Gen-Z lady. The EP features new R&B babes Tsuni and Keziah Mallam — one can liken their collaboration to a girl’s night out, in group support of a heartbroken friend that shouldn’t be left by her pain or loneliness. Nothing is actually hotter than women supporting women.

    Elevated – Mercy Chinwo

    In just six tracks, Mercy Chinwo performs worship songs that’ll put you in thanksgiving mode and waving your hands in the air. But these are not only church songs; they are personal testimonies and declarations many Gospel or Christian music lovers will passionately sing along to. The instrumentals are vibrant, exciting and comforting — she beautifully sings of her belief and spirituality.

    Mercy Chinwo isn’t one of Africa’s most prominent gospel artists for nothing.

    Lifesize Teddy – Lifesize Teddy

    At a time we can count Nigerian female mainstream rappers on one palm, Lifesize Teddy shows up as Mavin’s last signee with her titular EP. She raps and sings well in English and Pidgin English. The PH dialects you hear in her lines are pointers to her home-base, City of Garden. Get in tune with Teddy.

    Pan African Rockstar – Lady Donli

    After a four-year album break, Lady Donli’s sophomore album, Pan African Rockstar comes out and gets on our rotation,blasting funk, percussion and electric guitars. 

    Many considered her first album Enjoy Your Life a classic, and her latest has materials and the making of a classic, too. We’ll give it some time, but this is an album we won’t stop jamming for a while.

    All of Eniolaa – Eniolaa

    She’s a singer who does afropop and other sounds like Amapiano and R&B. Her EP combines these sounds with her girly side and street consciousness. When not moulding Arya Starr and Fave on King Kong, she’s a neo-Fuji star like Asake on Iyele or a blue c-note, worried and gloomy, on Holy Days.

    Lagos 101 – Bella Alubo

     Although Bella Alubo came from Jos, she’s handing us a guide to navigate Lagos. 

    The growth of Bella Alubo has been interesting to see. She went from being a straight-up rapper to becoming an all-around artist. Lagos 101 is a commendable effort. It may be the direction she feels is next for her career, but we still struggle to connect to the music.

    In Lagos 101, she’s singing about having fun and not rushing into love. Even though we found some details about the widespread belief that finding love in Lagos might be the hardest; either you’re the hunter or end up the target.

    More – Grace Idowu

    Grace Idowu is a gospel artist with a commanding voice. One vocal cord moves, and it grabs your attention. 

    More, her second body of work, is a choir-backed seven-track that focuses on eulogising God, strengthening her relationship with the spiritual being and speaking positively into existence. The beats are very hard, but Grace Idowu even goes harder with her rap verse on Joy, our favourite track on the EP. GIf there are love songs to God, this is what they sound like.

    Listen to them:

  • This 2023, Olamide made his grand return to the music scene as a recording artist with singles Kpe Paso, Trumpet and New Religion. And two years after dropping his last album, UY Scuti, he announced via Album Talks HQ’s tweet that he’s releasing a new one on August 10, 2023.

    He’s spent the last few years supervising the success of his label signees, but it’s about time he fed his own fans. So here’s everything you should know ahead of the release.

    It’s titled UNRULY

    From Rapsodi to Baddest Guy Ever Liveth to Eyan Mayweather to UY Scuti, Olamide has the most unconventional album titles. But the common themes have always been street orientation, the hustle spirit and his confidence in his own supremacy. With UNRULY, are we getting a wilder version of Baddo? We hope so.

    New album release date

    Originally, he announced UNRULY would drop on July 12, 2023, but due to reasons unknown, he’s moved the release date. We’ll just have to trust Olamide’s process and timing.

    The tracklist

    Olamide hasn’t released a tracklist yet. So ignore the fake ones, like this one that’s been flying around Twitter as if it’s the gospel.

    Two snippets dropped today

    Two snippets connected to UNRULY are being circulated on the internet by The Upper Ent account. First snippet is a laid-back rap song.

    The other one, NATI, is pure Amapiano, produced by Asake’s go-to producer, Magicsticks. Olamide previewed it in August, 2022, but he’s been hoarding it. We hope it makes it to the UNRULY, the demand is high.

    The album cover is out

    In what appears like a framed picture, Olamide is in a suit, a cigar and looking like an Italian mob boss. The Unruly album art gives absolute unfuckwithable vibes.

    UNRULY is for baddies only

    In his Threads post — on the day the new social media app launched — Olamide warns critics that his album is only for bad bitches and those who love them. He called it strictly “bo pata” (“remove your pants”) music. Looks like he’s about to give double of what he served on Story For The Gods. Baddies stay winning.

    It’s his 10th studio album

    UNRULY will become Olamide’s tenth solo album when it drops in August. 13th, if we include his EP and collaborative projects. Olamide’s work-rate is insane. With every music release, he’s demonstrated dedication and consistency. But please, Baddo, let August 10 be August 10.