IT’s another weekend where Nigeria’s electricity grid failures will plunge more people outside for some cool air, perhaps, drinks, and most likely good music. 

Afrobeats mavericks are at their A-game once again this Friday, with soothing new drops from Fave’s new EP, Dutty Love, another heavy-hitting Nigeria-America collaboration with Olamide and Russ, as well as new controversy between P-Square on a song that’s supposed to be about family. 

Check out some of these Afrobeats’ drops you should not skip on your radar this weekend! 

Nigerian rapper Olamide comes back with another sleek version of his recent smash hit, this time with American rapper Russ. The Arabian-themed Street Pop love song sees Russ flow effortlessly with different cadences, so much that Olamide’s second verse felt like a new song entirely. A very good example of a Hip Hop duet, with strong chemistry, cinematic cues, and fusion-driven melodies. 

Wizard Chan – Time Traveller

Award-winning folk-fusionist Wizard Chan is back with another proverbs-laden gyration track. The song is off his latest EP of the same title, which bares his strong highlife vocals, percussion and his reggae-toned Ijaw lyrics. It’s a moody listen, but with an overall calming feel.

Off with another bouncy-pop feel, Fave is back with another lyrical love jam. It’s still dotted with the same hollowed harmony, and catchy chorus that made “Kante” and many other songs a household fave. However, there’s something hauntingly familiar, almost too monotonous with other similar pop songs. It’s lacking the right punch for replay value.

Young Jonn – Sooner

Chocolate City singer Young Jonn is back with his high-pitched rhyme schemes, and breezy melodies in this love song. Among all those who swear by love as their muse in Afrobeats circles, Young Jonn is a strong devotee and the diverse ways he tells the same stories always bring the replay value to a brim with most of his drops. The RnB song is lush with strong replay value and an overall relaxing feel.

Lil Kesh – Vex For U

Lil Kesh and Fireboy DML, who were both mentored by Olamide, join their heartfelt vocalisation on this love song. They blend with Ayo Maff’s enthusiastic vocals which mid-fields the record for Fireboy’s emotive finish. It’s a warm and gentle song, with lo-fi programming. 

The Therapist – Informate (FYI) 

Sierra-Leonian by birth, Nigerian by association, The Therapist is one of the new mavericks making strong statements within the African dance music scene with his Amapiano smash hits. Produced by Magicsticks, the song roars with an exciting ring that only gets better with The Therapist’s soulful chorus and pidgin lyricism. Although, it’s still with a weak replay value. 

Apex Village – Been A Minute 

Abuja music label, Apex Village drops another riveting rap collaboration with Psycho YP, Laime, Aguero Banks, and MarvOTM where their collective braggadocio glowed through the feel-good bop. Aguero Banks brought strong balance with his Igbo rap verse, and Laime’s Trap-leaning chorus was clearing for YP and Marv’s UK-type cadences. 

After his last hit, “Awolowo” brought in the nostalgia of what Afro Pop can sound like without log drums, Fido’s continuing the streak on the song. It’s a distinct tune, and a harmonious composition. It’s one with a strong replay value. 

Mr P – Winning

This morning Mr P released a song dubbed, “Winning”. The song talks about world curiosities like, ‘Tell me why you dey hate on your brother?’ and offer hope that ‘You suppose to stick with your brother…and when I see you winning, I am winning.’ Hours later, his twin Rudeboy calls him out on social media, accusing him of stealing the song from him. Both of them sound exactly alike on both versions of the song, which was actually produced by the same person under the moniker Vampire Craze. It’s actually a very soothing and melodic motivational song, but its owner(s) tend to like out-of-the-box marketing, it seems. 

DEELA – Big Deal

One of the few daring alternative pop queens in Afrobeats, Deela returns with another fluid twist to her electronic pop/dance music on this song. She tag-teams UK rapper BXKS on Genio Bambino’s blaring synth-y programming, making another self-affirming, vanity-driven, dancefloor-destined alternative pop.