The Nigerian music industry has been sizzling with the new releases, with Rema leading the conversation. Here are the five songs that made it to our New Music Friday Top Picks list:
Rema – Baby (Is it a Crime):
Weeks after he released one of the most viral snippets, Rema finally released the highly anticipated single Baby (Is it a Crime). His first single of the year takes a nod to nostalgia as it samples the Is It A Crime opening track off the 1985 Promise album by renowned Nigerian-British singer Sade Adu. While Rema’s first verse surfaced as an instant hit for listeners, the second verse sees Rema effortlessly deliver a stunning flow on the mid-tempo track produced by P.priime. Rema is in his Hip-hop and R&B season, and he’s eating it up!
Odumodublvck & Victony – Pity This Boy:
With a surprising collaboration, Nigerian Hip-hop rapper Odumodublvck and Afrobeats Act Victony have teamed up to release Pity This Boy. While the two artists have individually teased the release of the anticipated song, the full track is rapidly gaining traction as it rises to the #2 spot on the Apple Music NG Top Songs. The Niphkeys-produced track humorously depicts the incessant monetary demands of a girlfriend in a relationship. It blends Odumodublvck’s mellifluous melodies and striking lyrics with Victony’s smooth, melodic verse.
Cruel Santino – Triology:
Alté’s renowned act Cruel Santino blazes hot as he drops his latest release titled Triology. Santi, who has been on a roll in the alternative movement lately, takes another to nostalgia with the latest release, where he brilliantly samples Wande Coal’s Se Ope off his Mushin 2 Mo’Hits album. While the newest release is accompanied by another track, Top Striker, Triology is a brilliant execution from Santi where he also interpolates the Marvelous Benj’s classic “Swo.”
Joeboy – SMH:
After releasing successful tracks in 2024, Joeboy storms the year with a brand new single titled SMH. This is one must-listen track, as Joeboy teams up with hit-maker producer Tempoe to deliver a rhythmic heartbreak song. Short for “Something’s Missing Here,” this song combines elements of Indian/Middle Eastern sounds with Afrobeats.
Dai Verse – DND:
Dai Verse returns into the year with his latest single, DND, and it’s one track we can’t get enough of. Dai Verse, who gave us one of the top songs for 2024, Salt, is here again with another introspective song for your listening pleasure. The mid-tempo track narrates his trials from childhood as he journeys into life’s hustle and bustle while he tries to face them alone.
Catch these and other banging new tunes on our New Music Friday playlist on Apple Music and Spotify:
