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  • New month, new music. As March rolls in with the heat, it comes with a fresh wave of tracks worth adding to your playlist. From Afrobeat bangers to soul-stirring street jams, this week’s lineup of new releases is all about versatility, passion, and pure fire.

    Here are our picks of the top 10 new songs released in the first week of March 2025. 

    10. “Energy” – Rose May Alaba

    Rose May Alaba is feeling good. “Gimme Hennessy, make I shayo,” she commands as she takes over the night with her girlfriends. She takes charge, subtly calls out her haters and drives away insecure men with big egos. The newcomer has her own money and is in the mood to splurge. “The lifestyle no go finish” she confidently sings.

    9. “Calling (Bless Me)” – Limoblaze

    Gospel artist Limoblaze turns up the bass on this new single. He counts his blessings and worships in gratitude, expressing all the enticing benefits of serving his God. If you’re in search of worship songs with turn-up vibes, here’s one that’ll have you dancing like David danced.

    8. “DIFFERENT PATTERN” – PsychoYP

    Rapper PsychoYP slides on a cranking production, switching flows and bragging about his standards and lifestyle. Adding an aggressive edge to the track, YP confidently leans into his tough-guy persona. He also name-drops some of his artist friends, giving a nod to their brotherhood.

    7. “Blame U” – Odeal (feat. DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy)

    Singer Odeal links up with South African DJ-producers DJ Maphorisa and XDuppy for a soulful Amapiano mix version of his sleeper hit, “Blame U”. At the heart of this reimagined version, Odeal aches and croons about a diminished love that he clearly isn’t ready to let go of. 

    If you also feel this way, maybe it’s time to eat shame and call the ex. Or better still, drown in this sound of Odeal.

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    6. “Must Have Been” – TAR1Q

    TAR1Q tables the matter of his heart. In the first verse, he’s a hopeless romantic. On the chorus and the second verse, he has relationship woes and he’s not the big loverboy that he once was. His heart couldn’t take what befell the romance. 

    His tears are now dry, but he struggles with love. Even if the kind of love he desires never finds him, at least, he tried.

    5. “AEROPLANE” – Oladips

    As a young Nigerian, you might feel like you’re being held back, struggling to reach your full potential. Frustration is at its peak, but deep down, you believe it’s only a matter of time before you secure your green card, process your visa, and japa to your “promised land”. This feeling is exactly what Oladips captures in this song.

    If this song were an Instagram carousel, it’d be three photos: Oladips at the Muritala Muhammed Airport before he departs Nigeria, Oladips at Heathrow Airport when he lands in London, and the meme of “Welcome to a new dispensation.”

    4. “New Taker” – Rybeena

    “New taker” is a street term for a person who can be considered new money or the hottest person in town. Some people used to be the rave of the moment, Rybeena cautions new takers. He advises them to leave the rugged street life, and rather focus on making money, saving for the rainy days and spending on their looks. Though he’s a 1999-born kid, he speaks wisely beyond his years. This is the type of knowledge impacted due to hard upbringing and early introduction to street OT. But this song and its lyrics are relevant for everyone.

    He who has ears, hear Rybeena.


    3. “Bere Mi (Reimagined”) – ID Cabasa (feat. Zlatan & T.I BLAZE)

    Veteran music producer ID Cabasa adds “Bere Mi (Reimagined),” a reimagination of 2Phat and 9ice’s “Bere Mi”, to his upcoming album titled Unfinished Business. “Bere Mi” (“Ask me about me” in English) looks back at hard times and celebrates being in a better position. T.I BLAZE handles the chorus, 9ice harmonises in the background and Zlatan lays a reflective verse. If you’re looking for a new song that’s giving all eyes on me when I entered the party, here it is.

    2. “Majekaja” – Kunmie

    Loneliness creeps up on Kunmie. He looks back at old relationships and muses about the moment he finally finds cupid. Despite his daydreams about love, he finds himself in an imaginary argument with a lover where he interpolates Musiliu Ishola’s “My Dear”. Kunmie sings about love being brutal, though he — no thanks to his loneliness — seems to be doing the most to himself. For a better chance at love, he may need to stop living in his head first.

    1. “Taxi Driver” – Joeboy

    The heartbreak phase sucks. You had a good run, but the sting of its ending feels like regret. You start questioning yourself—who sent you to chase after love? How did you forget that heartbreak is a dish served without a timetable? For Joeboy, it seems he got his served cold. In this new single from his forthcoming album, he’s heartbroken and desperate to escape the mess of a failed relationship.

    Listen here:

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  • January 2025 has come and gone, but the soundtrack remains. This month’s Nigerian song releases have been a smooth ride from sultry slow jams to captivating rap tracks.

    In our last #BumpThis of the month, we’re rounding up the best songs to keep your playlists and your ears happy. Think of it as your January Nigerian music recap – minus your forgotten resolutions.

    10. “Original” — Suté Iwar

    Abuja-based rapper Suté Iwar makes an Afrobeats-rap fusion focused on staying true to self. He speaks to a lady he likes and boasts of his calm demeanour. Cocky but sure knows who he is and what he wants.

    9. “Bride Price” — Terry Apala feat. Bella Shmurda

    The matter of marriage excites Terry Apala on this record. Putting his breadwinner attribute at the forefront, he sings of a love interest who melts his heart. If she wants him as much as he does, he’s capable of affording their conjugal bliss.

    Bella Shmurda, with his recognisable sonorous voice, slides into the smooth-running percussion to say a bunch of hollow sweetness for love. It’s a groovy neo-Apala song.

    8. “Hello Shola” — Punchline Amund feat. DOTTI The Deity

    “Hello Shola” is a poignant tale of the average Nigerian trapped between dreams and survival. Punchline Amund paints a vivid picture of Shola—a character suffocating under the weight of peer pressure and desperation, trying to escape his reality by turning to schemes like Yahoo-Yahoo to survive. In a society where embarrassment lurks close by, Shola’s journey represents the frustration of countless young Nigerians caught in the crossfire of ambition and the harsh truth of everyday life.

    DOTTI The Deity’s haunting chorus adds depth to the narrative, underscoring the emotional toll of living in a system where choices are slim, and consequences can be deadly. The song becomes an anthem for those fighting to stay afloat in a world that often seems indifferent to their struggles.

    7. “Nuthin’ 4 Free” — President Zik and Hotyce

    It gets jiggy as President Zik and Hotyce put on a show for the ladies on “Nuthin’ 4 Free.” Swag and confidence on 100 as they make their best sweet-and-bad boy impressions. If you’re looking for a grown, fun, Hip-Hop record for the ladies, you have a winner here.

    6. Love In Tokyo — Paul Play and Olamide

    It’s unclear if music veteran Paul Play put out this Afrobeats jam for the love of music, or the coming Valentine’s, or if we’re witnessing his comeback. Whatever it is, he clearly hasn’t lost the spark in his voice. Olamide’s verse isn’t missed. More of Paul Play, please.

    5. “SILK SCARVES” — Igho Mike and Mxps Rellington feat. Being

    Igho Mike and Mxps Rellington are holding it down for Hip-Hop. They grind rhymes that leave their verses as two of the greatest raps you’ve ever heard. In one line, Mike is resistant to the industry’s water-down antics. Next, he’s riding for pan-African freedom. Mxps stays musing silky poetry that’d make Dostoyevsky abandon his work and search for street OT.

    Maintaining the same energy, Being ends the track on a cocky point. He waves sapa bye-bye and dust off his shoulders.

    4. “Damn It All” — Qing Madi

    Qing Madi is done playing nice guy. No more giving her time and energy to people who can’t love and keep it real with her. She sings through hurt, realisation and tougher skin to preserve her energy and put herself and time first.

    3. NSNV Vibe — Tml Vibez and DJ 4kerty

    In NSNV Vibe, Tml Vibez confidently declares his rise in street credibility, a steady cash flow, and a resilience that shows no signs of wavering. You can almost feel the electrifying energy in the studio—full of hype, enthusiasm, and that undeniable swagger. Whether fueled by spirit or sheer talent, Tml Vibez cements his position as the next big voice in the street-pop scene, and DJ 4kerty’s production only elevates the vibe, blending seamless beats that keep the energy high.

    What’s striking is how authentically this track comes across, almost making you forget that it’s actually a homage to his mentor and label boss, Seyi Vibez. The influence of Seyi’s signature tone, songwriting style, and overall energy is apparent in every aspect of NSNV Vibe. The title, “NSNV” (No Seyi, No Vibe), is a direct nod to Seyi Vibez’s album of the same name, giving props to the street-pop scene’s originators while solidifying Tml Vibez as a key player in its future. Street-pop isn’t going anywhere, and with tracks like this, it’s only getting stronger.

    2. “Reverse Back” — OluwaMillar feat. Mojo AF and Bayoo

    These rappers aren’t really talking about driving or any kind of movement. OluwaMillar and Mojo AF effortlessly spit multisyllabic rhymes in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English to vividly detail their coital skills and encounters and Bayoo takes the hook. These aren’t things that please the Lord, but your babe won’t disapprove.

    1. “Blessings (Alubarika)” — Shoday and Soundz

    The absence of suffering and poverty brings Shoday and Soundz to sing about their easy lives and give thanks to their creator. Superficial as it may sound, they have something to be thankful for.

    Listen here: