by Adaora Nwangwu

Chocolates, fancy candlelit dinners, and flowers are great, but nothing sets the mood like pleasant, sensual songs on your February 14 date night. Occasionally, we may not have the right words to communicate our thoughts and feelings. Luckily, there are songs that can do the talking for us, and sometimes, a lot better than we could. We’ve curated some of the hottest Afrobeat songs to soundtrack your Valentine’s Day. Whether you want to snuggle with your special person or indulge in steamy sex, these songs will make a perfect backdrop for the occasion. From Grammy-Award winner, Wizkid to Ayra Starr to Tiwa Savage and Rema, here are our top picks.

Wizkid Ft Tay Iwar, Projexx – True Love

Two years later, Wizkid’s 2020 Made In Lagos album is still relevant, and True Love remains one of his biggest records. Enlisting Tay Iwar, who delivers a spine-chilling verse reminiscing about his partner’s addictive, warm and satisfying love, the song sets the tone for Wizkid to express the loyalty and mutual love he and his lover share. If you’ve ever fantasised about Tay Iwar in your bedroom, play this song that sees the musician weave intense thoughts with sparse sexual chants.

Omah Lay – Bend You

An incredibly sexy yet vibrant track for nasty sexxions, it’s nearly impossible for this sweet tune to not muster dirty thoughts. Switch on this Boy Alone track, and all you will imagine is getting intimate with your lover. This single is packed with smutty lyrics, and Omah Lay does not fail to slip in a few quirky metaphors too: “I hit that pussy, motor accident.” It’s almost impossible to resist Omah Lay’s sensual, silky tones, and the reason is evident in this record, Bend You.

Ria Sean – Stamina 

Ria Sean’s seductive lyrics were a constant theme throughout her 2021 Fluid EP; however, Stamina stands out because of its intense, sultry nature. Between the singer’s smooth vocals and obscene verses, Stamina is a no-brainer in terms of experiencing a spine-tingling, piquant moment. This track lets you know that Ria is ready to go all night long and satisfy her object of desire. The suggestive come-ons and instructional place the songstress in complete control: Ria is in charge now. 

Fireboy DML – Tattoo 

Tattoo, the fourth track off the 2020 Apollo album, opens with a fusion of baritone keys and twinkling guitar strums, which makes way for Fireboy’s trembling falsetto: “make I be like tattoo for your body.” The song features direct, inviting lyrics and stellar melodies that will ferry you into an ethereal space you can relish with your lover. Unleashing intense desire and passion, Tattoo is the perfect song for loving and making love. 

Lojay, Sarz – Tonongo

More of a lap dance tune than a romantic Afrobeats number, Tonongo is a hip-hop-influenced track about a stripper. Though the lyrics pine after a seductive, voluptuous stripper Lojay meets at a club, its composition and rhythm make it an excellent song for lovemaking. With its soothing melodies, persistent thudding kicks, ticking hi-hats, and pillowy vocals, no other tune about strippers has aroused more erotic moments.

Ruger – Snapchat 

If you want to get busy to Ruger, you can’t go wrong with Snapchat. Regardless of his gruff persona, his sex narratives are tender. After the dirty talks and nude exchanges on Snapchat, Ruger lusts after his lover’s body. With irresistible confidence wrapped in his soft voice, Ruger expresses his cravings: “mi wan fuck your pum-pum now.” He passionately closes the track with a question: “girl, are you coming now?”—a witty pun.

Tiwa Savage Ft Amaarae – Tales By Moonlight 

A bulk of Tiwa’s hit songs are up-tempo and love-themed, but the heat gradually increased when she took things down a notch. For the Tales By Moonlight music video, the singer ditched her modest and chaste style for a more erotic feel. The visually enticing montage features lewd Tiwa Savage and Amaarae surrounded by a bevvy of toned men. Still sonically, this duet off her 2021 Water And Garri album oozes sexual desire throughout. Their sensual, velvety vocal runs draped on the slow beat make Tales By Moonlight hot and nigh on narcotic.

Rema – Ginger Me 

Rema exudes a sexy feeling in this sweet ballad as he swoons over his love interest. Ginger Me opens with a tinkling yet soothing guitar and a gentle piano. Rema’s vocals express vulnerability and rejuvenation from his partner’s love, with lyrics like “I dey do like mumu/ girlie na your love wey dey ginger me/ You dey give me the love and the energy.” The sheer cadence of the beat, plus Rema’s buttery voice, make this a luscious, utterly satisfying tune.

Mr. Eazi Ft Efya – Skin Tight 

Mr. Eazi and Efya make a beautiful tandem on this sultry song, which fuses Afrobeat rhythm and Banku music. On Skin Tight, Mr. Eazi taps into his emotions to express his devotion and loyalty to his love interest. Efya, in the same vein, delivers a sweet-sounding riff: “Love to, love to, love ya/Forever baby.” As the visuals suggest, Skin Tight is a song for newlyweds, but it is also fantastic for a Valentine’s romp. 

Magixx Ft Ayra Starr – Love Don’t Cost a Dime {Re-Up}

So Magixx’s Love Don’t Cost a Dime Re-Up isn’t about stripping, lusting, or ruffling your sheets, but it doesn’t matter. Two and a half minutes of fiery love erupt as Magixx shows off his vocal skills, and that’s very hot. In the same breath, his label mate Ayra Starr lends her euphonious, brittle vocals to this upbeat song about their love affair. As much as the duo stirs enough flames in this song to melt the gadget it’s playing on, this track is suitable for any activity.