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.
Olamide unveils tracklist for his 10th studio album, Unruly.
The album features Fireboy DML, Lojay, Fave, Phyno, Wizkid and Asake.
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.
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.
Back in the day, TV adverts were usually so good that parents would buy the advertised product just to know what the fuss was about. As kids, we knew the melody, drama and almost every line delivered in these ads.
But they didn’t just promote products. To boost your nostalgia, we compiled 14 of the most unforgettable Nigerian ads from the early 2000s and the moral lessons behind them.
Mama Do Good — Indomie
In October 2010, Indomie launched the Mama Do Good campaign with a jingle so good that if they remade it in 2023, millennials would still eat it up. In a campaign to display the mother-child bond, Little Miss Do Good asks why they’re the Do Goods. In response, Mama Do Good extends love to all the children in the market. They all hail her as she shares plates of the instant noodles she prepared. It was such a fantastic feast that they surprised her with a sing-and-repeat song: “Mama too good o (she too good). She cook us Indomie (Indomie). Indomie good well well (Indomie).” But what can Mama Do Good do in these agbado times than jejely sit in her house and face her front?
Bam Bam La La — Honeywell
This advert begins with a guy swaggering in the middle of the road with headphones on, no road safety or fear of speeding vehicles. He must be a cool egbon adugbo because all the kids begin to follow him down the street singing: “Bam bam la la.”
We still don’t know what “bam bam la la” means, and this guy’s shakara and chaotic dressing was a little too much, but the ad was still better than the product, which soon left the market. But you know what hardly fades? The love children have for nice and friendly adults.
I Wish — Skye Bank
Before I knew this jingle was from a Skye Bank commercial, it was my dad’s old Motorola ringtone. A touching, motivational song about investing and making better financial decisions, it was melodious and easy on the ears.
Even though Skye Bank said they were there to say yes to our dreams, the song now feels like their cry for help. By 2018, CBN had revoked their banking license and delisted them. But at least, their jingle still lives on in our minds.
Sky — Guinness
This jingle is recognisable from its first words, “My friend Udeme is a great man.” The inspiring African epic — the story of Udeme, a delivery service worker with dreams of flying planes — captured the country’s attention. The narrator, Udeme’s friend, didn’t care to show or explain to us how, but Udeme got his jet sha. And that’s what matters. Udeme flew across Africa, delivering goods and mail. He even had a stopover to eat and chat, “And at the end of the day, friendly lights guide him home” to have some chilled bottles of Guinness with his friends. With that great line and others like: “And so we gather at the bar… Let the beer see the sky, he says…” and “My friend is a great man, but then, there’s a drop of greatness in every man”, this ad remains an aspirational classic.
COWEBELLOCRAZY (OYOYO) — Cowbell
Adapting the concept of a street talent show, a Cowbell truck pulls up to a recreational pitch, calls everyone around and sets up the makeshift stage to display talents. The most captivating are the guys who turn the occasion to a promotional performance for the brand. Singing in English and pidgin, the ad visually represents all the Nigerian regions, preaching unity. But what the hell is “COWEBELLOCRAZY”? And “milk of the people”, what kind of Abraham Lincoln wannabe slogan is that? They should’ve just stuck with “Oyoyo”.
Don’t Do It — Royco
If you were there when Royco was the baddie of seasoning cubes, you’re not a new cat like them Chicken Flavour kids. This advert opens with a man who ignores his wife welcoming him back from work for reasons unknown to us and her. Oya, take juice, he said no. Ah, okay. She senses he wants to cry because of food, so she enters the kitchen to cook efo-riro and many other meals. While his inflated ego was pushing him to take his car key and go outside, an aroma from the kitchen stops him and takes him to a seat at the dining table. He shamelessly smiles at the sight of food — the feast his wife laboured to make just to please his lordship. Anyways, we learnt that food is indeed the only way to a man’s heart.
When life was easier and the dream of becoming a footballer was all the average Nigerian child had, this Nwankwo Kanu advert was a huge motivation. A young Kanu is so in tune with his football that one day, he applies his skill to save a Peak milk tin from hitting the ground, to the wonderment of the milk seller. Then she delivers the classic line: “Papilo, I know say one day, you go make us proud.” Decades later, he did make his community proud. Papilo returns home a football champion, and reminds his mum who he is with the same milk-saving stunt he showed the milk seller. The message: Don’t give up on your dreams.
Kanu and Son — Peak Milk
In this TV commercial, Kanu returns with his son, who beams with pride as he goes through an album of Kanu’s iconic football moments. In his response to the boy’s commentary, Kanu shares the heart disease story that almost killed him and his football dream. Even though medical care and rest was what he needed, he said he was “de-tah-meened” and kept working harder. You can overcome life’s biggest challenges with determination, and apparently that’s what worked for Kanu. For you, it’s not advisable to play with your health like it’s football. Keep your health intact while chasing your dreams. Remember all Nigerian doctors have almost japa. A word is enough for the wise.
Boom Sha Sha — Mimee Noodles
A cultural reset for Nigerian ads, Boom Sha Sha came on the scene and became a viral tune every kid loved to sing and dance along to. The advert follows a family at their daughter’s matriculation event. Friends and family are gathered, everyone is proud. The party is going well until they receive an unwanted guest. But hunger doesn’t make them weak like it should. Instead everyone (daddy o, mummy o, grandma too) started singing and dancing a choreography about a rumble in their tummies. But what’s more surprising is who the hell eats noodles at a party in this Nigeria?
Baba Blue Justice — Vicks Blue
This funny advert took place in a local magistrate court of law. While the defendant’s lawyer was addressing his Lord, sore throat began to worry him, prompting a Blue Vicks cough mint seller — who just happens to be in court that day — to give the lawyer one Baba Blue (can you believe it sold two for ₦5?). Immediately, he licked it, he regained his voice and spoke for his client. The seller then reminds us that proper preparation prevents poor performance. And thanks to the Baba Blue mint sweet, the magistrate “discharged and acquitted” the defendant.
Sunrise (Ooh Jerry) — MTN
Before Jerry turned to idan and Ada became a baddie, they were soft at heart, talking sweetly, dreaming of a perfect future as a couple and dropping mad pickup lines for four hours (12 a.m. – 4 a.m.) over the phone for free — courtesy of MTN Xtra Cool (free night call) plan. Although Jerry capped when he said he wanted to give her a gift as priceless as she is. How can he give her what’s not his? Jerry can lie o. Anyways, she went to her balcony as Jerry asked and what did she see? Nothing but the sunrise that’s available to everyone else in the world. This ad is dedicated to making one’s partner feel special and the importance of communication in relationships.
I Don Port — MTN
It was such a moment when MTN unexpectedly hit us with the I Don Port advert that featured Nollywood actor and comedian, Saka. It was the perfect timing for Saka to be the face of MTN Port, as he was an Etisalat ambassador before MTN pouched him. Saka ceremoniously performs the popular jingle written by Nigerian creative director, Chuka Obi. The subtle message is: Don’t stay stagnant. Go where the grass is greener if it’s beneficial.
To Me, To You — Indomie
How can you make little kids wait so long for food at a birthday party? What manner of unpreparedness is that? The kids eventually got tired of waiting, and without minding that their food was ready, they ran across their street to sing with a street musician. Their voices began to project across the blocks, calling other people’s attention, who joined in with music speakers. Before long, the street singing had become a bigger party. People gathered to appreciate and donate to the musician, while the birthday girl’s mum serves everyone Indomie noodles. And guess what. She’s Mama Do Good from the last Indomie ad.
Obesere recorded and performed this jingle for Yemkem International’s herbal product, so of course, it was iconic. Circa 2002 to 2005, almost all the Yoruba Nollywood films had the advert. I used to buss moves and sing along whenever I heard “Kilo mumi ta ponpon? Energy 2000” (translates in English to “What’s making me strong and bouncy? Energy 2000). The advert was so popular that some churches in South-West Nigeria substituted the “Energy 2000” with “Oruko Jesu ni (it’s the name of Jesus).” It’s 2023, and if I hear this anywhere, I’d still dance to it.
Nigerian Islamic music, AKA Asalatu, is quite popular in South-West Nigeria, often performed in Yoruba sprinkled with Arabic quotes from the Quran. The genre features autotune-filled danceable tunes with lyrics on everyday themes like spirituality, current affairs, family, self-discovery and marriage.
If you live in Nigeria, you’ve probably heard Asalatu music around you and have jammed to it. So maybe it’s time to finally create your own Jumat playlist.
Saoti Arewa
With over 15 albums released, Saoti has built a huge fan base at home and in the diaspora. Like your typical African dad, he drops proverbial gems to guide you from missteps, yet manages not to be judgmental. Since he came into the scene in 2012, he hasn’t gone a year without feeding his audience. His latest album, Igbeyawo, is loaded with wedding tunes for new couples.
Aminat “Obirere” Ajao
Aminat Ajao walked into fame after releasing her fifth recording album, Obirere (2013). The album title has since stuck to everyone’s lips and is now her nickname. With themes revolving around marital relationships and parenthood, she’s built a sustainable following. And in 2022, her discography of 19 albums became available for streaming on all digital streaming platforms.
Bashirat Iya-N-Ghana
Born Bashirat Seyidat Ogunremi, “Iya-N-Ghana” refers to her place of birth — Ghana. She started her career making fuji music as a kid over two decades ago, before veering into what she calls “Zikiri”, an Arabic term meaning “spiritual”, singing soulfully in Arabic and Yoruba.
Tekunbi
“Tekunbi” is Yoruba for “born of a leopard”. Often mistaken for a secular artist because of his dyed hair and earrings, Tekunbi approaches his music with a fusion of soul, alternative and afro-pop sounds. In 2020, he released his debut EP, Amal (Hope), after three years on the scene. The moment I heard the single, Badr, I had to listen to the entire seven-song tracklist. It was worth it.
Awiye Agba
Artist, Awiye Agba, is one of the most exciting asalatu voices you’ll hear in 2023. With a penchant for Nollywood-esque music videos and collaborations with his colleagues, he’s expanded his fanbase and garnered a large following on social media over the last three years. He’s just put out an album, Ileya Special, to celebrate the just concluded Ileya holiday.
Aminat “Omotayebi” Babalola
Alhaja Aminat has been active in the music scene for almost two decades. A one-time backup singer for veteran artist, Alhaji Odunlami Aiyeloyun, Omotayebi has also become an icon in her own rights. A strong representation of family, Islamic faith and women’s rights in her music, unforgettable stagecraft and iconic albums like Ile Eko and Ota, have cemented Omotayebi as a masterful musician in the local scene.
Mistura Aderounmu
She’s popularly known as Temi Ni Success, a nickname she’s had since her introduction into the limelight as a 14-year-old, with her debut album of the same name. In her music, you can distinctly hear her vast knowledge of the Islamic religion, making her one of the go-tos for undilated spiritual messages. Her discography boasts several collaborative albums and seven solo albums. To get into her, start with Osu Aponle, her classic.
Electronic dance music (EDM) isn’t new in Nigeria but it’s not a popular genre. Around 2017, the scene began working its way back up. Though slow but steady, it’s multiplying and gearing up to capture the mainstream and Naija music industry at large.
Buzzing with great talents right now; from producers to DJs to recording acts. If you love it, or just enjoy exploring different sounds or dancing, these are some of the Nigerian EDM artists that should be on your radar.
Sigag Lauren
He’s a known DJ, music producer and songwriter-singer who’s been building his rep since he entered the industry in 2018 after he put out his debut single, Party Night. Since then, he’s made numerous notable EDM remixes of popular hits songs like Joeboy’s Baby, DJ Neptune’s Why, etc. Beyond his remixes, Sigag has released original singles such as Jollof and Silver Lining and an EP, Sounds From The Internet. Although his sound is primarily EDM, he fuses afrobeats to achieve a percussive and electronic rhythm. Sigag Lauren is doing really cool stuff in the EDM space; no wonder cosigns have been coming in left and right from popular artists and producers like Adekunle Gold and Major Bangz. In June 2023, he featured Ric Hassani on his single, Minds Already Made Up.
Sensei Lo
She’s a DJ and Afro-EDM producer that’s actively present in the Lagos nightlife. She’s been playing DJ sets for over nine years, but started producing EDM in 2019. Since then, she has gone on to perform at Eko Electro, Asa Baako (One Dance) Festival (2019 and 2020), Major Lazer Live, etc. As a producer, she has featured on Moto Kiatu’s Yele, Chike’s Insecure remix. Sensei Lo has cemented herself as one of the top women and biggest players in the Nigerian and West-African EDM movement.
Maze x Mxtreme
These talented EDM duo are instantly recognisable; with their to-match fashionable hats, nose masks and attires. Their uptempo music and electrifying performances transform legs on the dancefloor. While they’re pure EDM musicians, their sound has slight fusions of afrobeats, dancehall indie, house and future bass. Their music has taken them to places like the South-South Music Awards Opening 2016 (the same year they started making music), Jamrock Easter Fiesta and Club Cubana. Recently, they produced the Fast Lane Motorsport theme soundtrack. Just like their slogan, they didn’t come to play, they came to play!
Jamie Black
Jamie Black’s Afro-EDM remixes set him apart among his peers — his high energy, unique reimagination of songs are unparalleled. He has remixed songs like Wizkid’s Bad To Me, Burna Boy’s It’s Plenty, Rema’s Calm Down. As a producer, he worked on Roju, off Chike’s Dance of The Booless, Vol. 2. When he’s not remixing or producing, he’s putting out singles and collaborations with the likes of Sigag Lauren and CALIX who he featured on his latest song, FELA IN IBIZA.
Tony Koya
Apparently, Tony is a music producer that got into EDM after a friend introduced him to the sound. From that moment he knew music production was inevitable for him. His style spreads across chill lo-fi productions to bass heavy electronics inspired by other ranges of sound. There’s a unique thing in Tony Koya’s music; it can feel really chill when that’s your mood, but also fits right into rave His new single, Norturne explores trap metal and jersey club sounds, producing a nostalgic vibe of old video game soundtracks and the modern energy of rave dance music.
CALIX
He started DJing in university in 2015, but quickly got bored of the monotonous sounds that played everywhere, so he went back to the drawing board and fleshed out another plan to set himself apart among peers and in the industry. Some time between 2016 and 2017, he came across EDM and hasn’t looked back. In 2018, he shared a stage with the likes of DJ Snake and Major Lazer. In the same year, he started Village Sound System group with three other DJs (Sensei Lo, A and Isimo).
Nigerian music has blown at all fronts, but what about its history and documentation? We have to record our own history, we can’t afford to sit and wait for foreigners to do it. Screaming “Afrobeats to the world” won’t write the story for us. Thankfully, there are a few people who are doing the work.
So, if you’re looking to learn about Afrobeats, its history, significant moments and events, these are the people that are currently working on documenting that rich history:
History Made: The Most Important Nigerian Songs Since 1999
Instead of low-hanging popular songs, this 173-page book, authored by Jide Taiwo, looks into 21 of the most important songs in Nigeria since 1999. This is no casual selection; these songs had massive impacts on the music culture; with history, rare interviews and personal insight tied to them. For anyone who’s loved Afrobeats since The Remedies’ Shakomo, “History Made” is a must-read.
The Sample Axis Podcast
This podcast started in December 2020 and is hosted by Gboyega Adeoya, and Nwaenie Nelson. They travel through time with music and decipher old songs sampled by Nigerian artists today. Each episode focuses on each featured song with the artists’ profiles and impact. To bring the knowledge closer to the masses, The Sample Axis Podcast made its radio debut on Crest 91.1 FM, Ibadan on April 17, 2023.
Afrobeats: The Backstory
This is a docuseries created and produced by Nigerian filmmaker Ayo Shonaiya. On 29 June, 2022, Afrobeats: The Backstory premiered and became Netflix’s first-ever Afrobeats documentary. With 12 episodes, this project clearly distinguishes between Afrobeat and Afrobeats. It also gives up close and personal highlights of the development of the latter, from the golden age of R&B to the Hip-Hop of the 1990s that has a huge influence on it.
Journey Of The Beats
This is another docuseries, produced by music industry executive and entrepreneur, Obi Asika. Its ten episodes explores the origin of afrobeats while going back in time to the black artistic expressions of the transatlantic slave trade days. Nigerian historians and writers like Ed Keazor and Jide Taiwo worked as part of the team that examines the history of afrobeats from times before colonialism. This docuseries is an effort that celebrates current Nigerian music and times before it.
This is founded and operated by Nigerian pop culture journalist, Joey Akan; started in March 2020. From a popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence has expanded into a podcast that talks about the Nigerian music industry, its ecosystem and culture of music. With broad interviews, diverse perspectives and sneak peeks into the industry, it digs into the past, present and future of Nigerian music.
A Music In Time Podcast
This is produced by Global Village and hosted by popular and respected Nigerian entertainment journalist, Osagz Alonge. Taking a break from his other Nigerian music podcast, Loose Talk, Osagz started A Music In Time in July 2022 to focus on Nigerian artists and their music over the years.
Afrobeats Weekly
An educative Afrobeats podcast, also produced by Global Village, is hosted weekly by Tunde and his co-host ShoWontStop. From song and album reviews to conversations around music politics, gatekeeping and cultural appropriation, Afrobeats Weekly informs on the current climate of the genre and offers insights into its future.
On June 22, 2023, these ten Nigerians were among 3700 music creators and industry professionals who achieved the enviable Grammy membership.
The recording academy membership is usually given to those who contribute significantly to Nigerian music. And popular or not, these chosen Nigerians are an invaluable part of the Nigerian music movement.
Dolapo “tGM” Amusat
tGM uses his WeTalkSound Agency, an arm of WeTalkSound (the biggest creative community in Nigeria), to provide creative strategy, marketing and promotion services to brands and artists (Reminisce, Dice Ailes, Teni, Ladipoe, Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), Aristokrats Record, EMPIRE, etc). Dolapo is also an assistant product marketing manager at Google and a multidisciplinary personality who successfully launched projects like the LOFN album collection, Insert Nights (a networking hangout for creatives and techies) and CampNova (a residential bootcamp for African creatives). tGM is a shining example for young African creatives.
Mariam Aduke Abass
Mariam worked as a pipeline engineer before she delved into fashion styling, setting up Luxe Reloaded — a talent management business, Malc Agency for brand partnership. Her companies are run by women-only staff, boasting clients like Cilla Purple, Mugler, Meta, Spotify and Joeboy. She’s one of the few women making a killing in the men-dominated industry of Nigerian music, and we celebrate her.
Fliptyce
He’s a Nigerian veteran songwriter-singer, composer and music producer behind smash hits like Chop My Money (P-Square), Kissing (Yemi Alade), Ile Ijo, So Many Tinz (May D) and Igbeyawo (Oritse Femi). While he hasn’t been active in the mainstream for a while now, we can’t say he doesn’t still deserve the honour of a Grammy membership.
Osi Suave
Osi is a Nigerian on-air personality who launched his career at Rhythm 93.7 FM Benin in 2008 before he joined The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos in 2010. He’s currently the director of programmes at The Beat 99.9 FM. During the course of his career, he has cemented his name in the Nigeria music industry, establishing important professional relationships and interviewing A-list celebrities such as Fabolous, Wale, Burna Boy, Migos, Angelique Kidjo, etc.
Titi Adesanya
Titi is a Nigerian journalist and EMPIRE Africa’s director of operations — handling its distribution, recording and publishing — with a roster that includes superstars like Kizz Daniel, Fireboy DML and Black Sherif. In February 2023, Titi was named one of Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music. Previously, she was a digital sales and product manager at AFRICORI Music Group and founder/creative director at We Soko Africa. She’s one of the women pushing Nigerian music at the frontline.
Bugo Arinze
He’s the founder of Measurable Accurate Digital Solutions (MAD Solutions), a Nigerian digital music distribution company working at the intersection of creative content and technology. With operations in Nigeria, U.S, South Africa and Canada, Bugo’s MAD Solution has been exporting, aggregating and licensing African music content to the world through digital service providers (DSPs) like Apple Music, YouTube, VEVO, iHeartRadio, Amazon, TikTok since 2017. His company has recorded more than three billion plays, providing services to artists like Ric Hassani, Asa, Simi, Reekado Banks, Okey Sokay, Protek Illasheva. He is a true afrobeats evangelist, so addition to this class comes as no surprise.
Joey Akan
A multi-award winning pop culture and music writer, journalist and podcaster, Joey has been a consultant for musicians, actors and major record labels for over three years, providing professional advice on A&R and PR strategies. Today, he’s the entertainment and culture editor for News Central TV, The Conversations Africa, and founder of Afrobeats Intelligence. With this new position, he can push Nigerian music even further to an ecosystem that aligns with Nigerian music.
Bigiano
While he hasn’t been in the Nigerian music conversation for a long time, in 2022, he broke his music hiatus with an Amapiano refix of his popular 2008 hit single, Shayo, with Jaybreeze. A year before, he launched Connect Core Magazine, aimed to be a well-packaged celebrity journal according to him. Although Bigiano only has one album to his name, Shayo remains a popular Nigerian party hit.
Deola Jayesimi
Deola is a senior label manager (West Africa) at The Orchard. With previous roles in The Zone Agency, The 400 Media Company, Noah’s Ark Communications and Boomplay, he has been able to create a niché that ties music and content creation with advertising and marketing.
Kolapo Oladapo
He’s a lawyer and business and strategic manager at Apple (Platoon) since September 2022. Before then, he worked as head of digital at several radio stations like Wazobia FM, Nigeria Info FM, Arewa Radio and Cool FM Nigeria, and as head of business development at Clout Africa. His podcast, Cold Purewater, Cold Mineral, creates conversations around relevant industry topics with the music industry’s key players. As a new member of The Recording Academy, we hope to see him extensively usher African music, tech and youth culture into the global forefront.
Adekunle Gold has been on an incredible musical run this 2023. Just six months into the year, he has three hot tracks (Party No Dey Stop, Omo Eko and Do You Mind) that came in a 3-song pack called Tio Tequila — his latest alter ego.
From Adekunle Gold to AG Baby, we’ve witnessed different phases of his musicianship. Right now, it’s the tequila phase and he wants everyone to be part of it. We know the party isn’t stopping, and much more about his coming album. Drink walk with me.
What’s T.E.A?
Before you start wondering if AG has started selling beverages or herbal tea, it’s an acronym for: Tequila Ever After — the title of his upcoming album. He decided the title for his album after he drank some tequila for the first time and recorded a hit in the studio thereafter.
I am exactly who I think I am. It has taken me time to get here but now that I am here, there’s no looking back. I have unlocked a different level and potential. I am finally celebrating my growth, my wins. I’m living life to the fullest and enjoying my success. I invite you to… pic.twitter.com/VKU14P4wri
Like he has been saying in his tweets and from the sounds of the snippets, Tio Tequila is bringing all the drinks and jams to the yard this summer. Summer body or not, I’m ready to throw down some jiggy moves to the new album.
14 tracks
His first and second albums have 16 tracks. On his third album, Catch Me If You Can, he switched to 14 tracks. His forthcoming fifth album, Tequila Ever After also has 14 songs on it. A consistent king. More songs to rock concerts, right?
There’s no release date for Tequila Ever After yet, despite reminding us everyday on socials, his newsletter and through snippets. This is just like a fowl looking at bottled corn, the closest it’ll get to tasting it is staring at it. Adekunle Gold has been busy appearing at fashion shows. Can this guy put the album out already?
There’s no tracklist either
Since he’s sure it’s 14 tracks, what’s the delay? Are album cover artists scarce? Or he’s stalling the release because he truly wants to handle his album art himself?
I guess I'm forever going to design my own album covers.
He was signed for two years to Olamide’s YBNL record label, I wonder how AG and Baddo didn’t make a song together. I hope AG will surprise us on the new album.
A Timbaland production on “TEA”?
Sometime in April, 2023, popular American music producer, Timbaland, was jamming to Adekunle Gold’s Something Different and saying they have to work together.
Fast-forward to June, 2023, Tio Tequila is previewing Tequila Ever After for Timbaland. We can feel just how crazy the album is from Timbaland’s reactions to the music.
There’s no better name for the promotional tour of his new album than TEA Party. He’s touring the UK and North America later in the year. While we wait for the album and when it finally drops, drink tequila ever after or responsibly. You can still jam AG’s album without fucking up your livers. Cheers.
According to the Department of Film Censorship and Classification, Nollywood has produced only 280 movies in the first quarter of 2023. Quite a drastic reduction for a film industry that releases movies like NEPA withholds light. We weren’t the world’s second largest film producer for nothing.
There’s more focus on improving quality and reducing output now — we’ve been blown away, thrilled and dipped in all sorts of emotions due to the highly impressive movies Nollywood has produced in 2023 — full-length and short films, these are the best ones so far.
Gangs of Lagos
If you’re looking for an original Nigerian crime and thriller flick, this is the one for you. It’s in the same collection with the likes of Saworoide, King of Boys and others with underlining of social commentary. You’re in for a story about family, loyalty, leadership and filled with packed action. Hope the sight of blood and gang activities won’t scare you away sha?
The Trade
Inspired by true events; a tale of greed and terror. As the story unfolds, we witness the high-stakes game of cat and mouse, set in Lagos, between a determined law enforcement officer and a cunning kidnapper terrorizing the Southern parts of Nigeria. Word on the street is The Trade is a movie adaptation of a popular Nigerian kidnapper who was arrested in 2017.
There are no lacklustre fight scenes, just intense suspense, believable Naija violence and a gripping story. The film earns Blossom Chukwujekwu a top contender spot for best actor of 2023.
Sista
https://youtu.be/LhDCxb3z4k0
This movie made me shed a few gangsta tears when I watched it. A single mom zealously fights for her two kids when their deadbeat dad tries to win them over after being absent in their lives. Using his wealth and influence to entice the children instead of seeking penance and establishing connection with them, their furious mother swings into action to detach them from a man who never loved them in the first place.
The acting performances by our faves like Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Bisola Aiyeola, etc. were striking. Many people say it’s the best Nigerian film they’ve seen in a while.
Love In A Pandemic
In 2020, COVID-19 shut down everywhere and kept us in our homes. Even though the lockdown curbed our movements, it didn’t stop some people from finding true love. Bolanle (Nancy Isime), in an attempt to apologise to her boyfriend about a fight , dialled a wrong number belonging to Alex (Deyemi Okanlawon). The call to a stranger becomes a routine and feelings get involved but the pandemic is in their way. If you need something to convince you that your boyfriend shouldn’t stop you from meeting your true love, Love In A Pandemic is the answer.
This experimental short film closely follows Musa, a 15 year old lad who had a terrifying, life-changing experience with a young girl on a bus. Boy Meets Girl is filled with undertones of the abducted Chibok Girls, underperforming government and failed security system. Shooting the movie in Gamboru, Borno State, feels intentional and noteworthy, hitting too close to home. You can’t miss out on this one.
Nkemakonam
Nkemakonam has an incredible storyline and captivating themes of motherhood, premarital pregnancy and castigation, creating more conversations around this common issue that has minimal social awareness. A young girl is cast aside by her community after getting pregnant, leading her to deliver her baby herself. This is one of the best Nollywood productions so far this year, the acting, pacing and cinematography are nothing short of amazing.
Omozi
In a bid to japa from Nigeria to Belgium and give herself and her daughter a better life, Omozi falls into the trap of human traffickers. The people she was supposed to link with and travel together turned out to be the traffickers, shipping her to Malaysia and Joyful, her little daughter to Libya. Although quite intriguing and sad, Omozi is an important watch.
My initial plan was to wait till the weekend, get cozy and enjoy Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper, a movie that’s brought out the vicious critics in its viewers. But I had zero self-control and bowed to internet pressure. I’d rather have nothing to watch on the weekend than have the whole experience spoiled by Twitter comments. So I ran to Netflix and hit play.
The movie starts with drums and the voices of a group of Ifá women dressed in white, with beads to match, singing in remembrance of a late fellow Ifá initiate.
Enters someone with dreads so long, she has a person packing it for her. I start to ask who this Damien Marley wannabe is. Turns out it’s just Asabi (Toyin Abraham). She sits and the Ifá women welcome her. I’m quite surprised these Nigerian mamas didn’t even comment her hair isn’t part of their culture. Also, I’ve never seen a rasta with Yoruba tribal marks before. This is a discovery.
She enters a room and stands in front of a calendar that tells you it’s a funeral. She stares at it and leaves. On a day she’s allowed to be vulnerable, she chose stoicism.
Next, she’s at what appears to be her mother’s tombstone. She puts one 2006-ass rubber flower on it. No one’s mad at it sha. The dead can’t touch flowers, and real flowers will wither anyways.
The title card quickly comes and goes. Asabi is now on a mountain, touching the rock and having flashbacks of her younger self lying on the same mountain, in pain and covered in blood.
I still don’t understand what’s going on, but she’s now in her house, looking at data of different babes. I’m thinking two things:
She’s a pimp
She’s into women
It turns out she’s neither. But she has her eyes on one of the girls — a Sharon from Uganda. And even though Asabi’s workers urged her to pick another babe, Sharon is her choice for an extraction mission. This is a stressful scene. But Asabi money has to waste, why not hire from Uganda?
Next scene is in a church. Singing and dancing, everywhere. Then the pastor, Olujide (Kunle Remi), comes to the altar to scam believers of their dollars.
After service, Mary (Lolade Okusanya), the church’s chorister, comes to seek financial help, but Pastor Olajide turns her to God for support. Mo’fucker wants to eat all the dollars alone. Smh.
Then, we find out that Jide is a pastor by day, crime syndicate member by night. And… the syndicate is his church’s investor.
What’s this world coming to?
He faces the syndicate.
He’s spending their money, buying properties, but he explains he’s not stealing. They aren’t having it.
The syndicate boss (act by Bimbo Akintola) vexes, reminds Jide she’s his god and blasphemy won’t be allowed. But what’s the effect of her Scorpion-from-Mortal-Kombat-ass voice? Not even Jide in her presence is afraid. Lol.
Pastor Jide, angry at the elders still talking to him like he hasn’t leveled up from the Jide that came from Abeokuta, heads straight to the strip club to calm his nerves. He sees Sharon with a big bum bum — yes, the same Sharon that Asabi (from the beginning) chose — and he’ll do anything to get her.
Jide starts to force himself on her, and when she won’t let him have his way, he removes her masks but mistakes her for Mary, his church choir mistress. The creep pastor frightens the babe off. He heads home with that horniness and delivers a hot fok to Mummy G.O.
Another day, another morning, another direction. In typical Nigerian man fashion, he starts being nice to Mary.
Still confusing her for Sharon.
Next, we find out what Asabi and Sharon are up to. The mission is to get Sharon close to Jide and steal a thumb drive from him.
While Jide keeps drowning in lust for Sharon, Asabi remembers her late herbalist father and how he fortified her before he died at the beginning of the film — remember the Ifa ceremony? She also flashes back to the nice romance she shared with Jide before his pastor days, how he left her after tasting small money.
Jide’s at the strip club with Sharon again, but this time, Sharon will do anything to get his thumb drive. She did it. I don’t know how, but the thought I hold is they’ve been inside each other, so why can’t she be inside his pockets? Anyways, she presented the drive to Asabi, and it turned out to be the wrong one.
Jide a.k.a. always on the road, is already at the syndicate’s meeting house. Warmer temperament from their last meeting. Money is rolling in; everyone’s happy.
Surprisingly, Sharon calls Jide that afternoon for hot knacks and insists it must be in his house. Though he’s a married man, the mf is not the type to turn down sex.
After rounds of satisfying coital meet-and-greet, Sharon shares a bit of her life trajectory. Jide Jendo recollects his history with Asabi; he broke her heart, poisoned her and even left her for dead… isn’t he insane?
His syndicate boss’ call snaps him out of his memory lane. He rushes out, leaving Sharon alone at his home. She finally gets what she came for; the real thumb drive.
Been a long time coming.
Asabi discovers billions of dollars in Jide’s thumb drive and turns Robin Hood, distributing the money to people Jide and the syndicate have duped. Sharon gets paid and plans to return to Uganda. But only an unserious person will think they’ll escape unscathed.
Burning with anger, Asabi remembers her dad once more, and he tells her she’s destined to have only one child. Because she wasted her one child on Jide, she vows revenge.
In other words, the thumb drive isn’t the end of the fight. She confronts Jide at the funeral of one of his syndicate members.
He insults her and reminds her that her face looks like she fought a lion. Asabi’s response was that she’s proud of her tribal marks (she should’ve stopped here), culture, heritage and Nigeria. I’m lost. How did this become a patriots and custodian matter?
The statements Asabi made that she’s behind Jide’s successes haunt him in his sleep. He wakes up just in time his boss calls to tell him the syndicate has been exposed, and she’s fleeing.
Without caring to wake his wife who’s sleeping beside him, Jide speeds to his backyard and escapes police arrest on a boat.
Jide still thinks Mary is Sharon, so he and the syndicate kidnap and torture the poor church girl for the stolen drive. He’s about to shoot her when Wale, Jide’s younger brother, calls to tell him he has the real culprit.
While in the booth of Wale’s car, on the way to Jide’s location, Sharon miraculously manages to untie herself and texts Asabi that she’s been held hostage. Wale didn’t collect her phone? Didn’t tie her hands tightly? This movie plot keeps losing me.
At the kidnapping lair, Mary meets Sharon, the troublemaker that has complicated her life. Then it gets quickly confusing for the viewers. What’s this sudden family reunion? How did these ladies become blood sisters? What’s that Ugandan accent? Writers of this movie, how?
I was still thinking how that’s possible when Asabi’s men burst the door open with a grenade. BOOM!
Gunfight ensues; men flying up and down, left and right.
See Jide and Wale in action. Jide is many things: a pastor, whore, murderer, crime syndicate member and fighter too.
Finally it’s time, Jide and Asabi meet for their last face-off. He isn’t here for long talk, so he shoots her straight. But odeshi. Asabi controls the bullets and turns them back to paralyse him, eventually causing his death. E be juju, e be things.
But the display I find the maddest, that bursts my head is when she sends Wale floating in the air then tears him into cosmic dust.
Unfortunately, the innocent Mary dies at the scene.
The movie ends with Asabi and her bodyguard on her favourite mountain top. And honestly, it’s giving budget Eniola Salami and Ade Tiger. Now that her enemies are destroyed, is Asabi satisfied or is there another conquest coming?
Hmm.. some questions you should be asking too.
Why’s there “born again stripper” in the movie title?
Any reason Asabi has dada that’s longer than wire for drying clothes?
She’s always riding in black SUV and handing out crisp naira notes. What’s her actual job aside from being an ex-babalawo’s daughter?
Is her hair stylist in Lagos?
Does the syndicate have spiritual powers? Their meetings have people carrying calabashes and give shrine vibes, so how come they didn’t go spiritual when their members started dying? What was the “disease” sef?
Not exactly a question, but Sharon’s overacting when she eventually found the thumb drive killed my brain.
How did Asabi’s bodyguard know with just one look that the thumb drive he got was empty?
This may just be me, but Jide is supposedly the pastor of a mega church. How come he doesn’t even try to preserve his reputation? Guy whipped off his mask because he saw his church member. What if she decided to leak his secret? What kind of fake pastor talks explicitly so casually over the phone?
Why did Asabi sacrifice her men in the last fight when aunty knows she has odeshi?
ATTENTION.
We’re looking forward to receiving your contribution.
It’s another new music Friday in Nigeria and not a single log drum or Amapiano whistle to be heard. Is the music industry slowly shifting from Amapiano and returning it back to the South Africa it came from? Well, these top Nigerian songs that dropped today are making a case for that.
Yawa — Fireboy DML
A groovy afropop song far removed from the Jersey sound experiment on previous single, Someone.
Fireboy DML teamed up with music producers, Magicsticks and Telz, to make a statement about not minding haters and busybodies. He reveals a new smoking habit, and you can even hear Olamide smoothly backing him up at the end, but the clearest takeaway from the whole song is that it’s very much for the Nigerian audience.
Angelus and My Darling — Victony
Victony finally served us the singles he’s been teasing since June 11, 2023. On Angelus, Victony went back in time to pick inspiration from sounds reminiscent of Oliver De Coque. My Darling, produced by Ghana’s Juls, Victony continues to admonish to be in his life. No wonder Victony has been dancing in his promotional videos, these songs are groovy af.
Sittin’ On Top Of The World (Remix) — Burna Boy ft. 21 Savage
Burna Boy first released this single on the 2nd of June, but it didn’t pick up as you’d expect. Today, he re-released Sittin’ On Top Of The World with a verse from British-American rapper, 21 Savage. Hip-hop’s influence is clear on this remix; another proof Burna doesn’t miss when he links with foreign rappers.
My Own — Major AJ ft. Blaqbonez
Major AJ tapped his labelmate, Blaqbonez, to collaborate on this song. They’re saying what most people already know: finding love in Lagos is the hardest. My Own is a chilled bop with choral backup and serenading trumpets. It sounds inspired by Burna Boy’s Last Last, but with it, Major AJ shows he’s a versatile artist who can’t be boxed.
Sokoto — Minz ft. Zinoleesky
Apparently, Minz is now in a better position compared to the pre-release of Wo Wo, and he’s less-concerned about what detractors have to say about him and his music. His new single, Sokoto, is a party jam that explores his sexcapes. Coming from the success of Wo Wo single, Minz links with Zinoleesky to bring this sensual song to life. It’s afrobeats with a sprinkle of house music, produced by Babybeats and Mike Bgrz.
Chasing Wind — Tim Lyre
There’s nothing like staying original to your sound as a musician, perfecting it while dropping quality projects. Alternative singer-songwriter and producer, Tim Lyre, has made himself a standout among peers with his unconventional approach and reggae-influenced tone. On his latest single, Chasing Wind, he details the burden of dream-chasing.
Pariwo — Mohbad & Bella Shmurda
Since Adura came out in 2020, these two have returned with Pariwo, an uptempo song, telling whoever cares to listen that they’re unavailable for stressful conversations. Mohbad warns that he’s not in a playful mode, and no one should step on his toes. Pariwo is a testimony to the trajectory of their careers and how far they intend to go.
Eleyele — Taves
Taves is BNXN, fka Buju’s, new signee. His debut, Eleyele, is a laid-back fusion of afropop and r&b. On it, Taves bares his feelings about longing for a faraway lover.
