This week's New Music Friday delivers a flood of fresh releases, with major artists dropping lead singles for upcoming albums, EP tracks, and label collaborations. The roster spans Afrobeats, dancehall crossovers, Afro-Brazilian fusion, and R&B, making it one of the most varied Fridays of the year. While quality is mixed, several genuine standouts demand attention.
Llona - Masculine Love
The seventh track off Llona's sophomore album On The Road is a highlight. 'Masculine Love' leans into his introspective style with soulful, soothing vocals over contemporary Nigerian rhythms. It's understated and well-executed, particularly appealing to listeners who gravitate toward the R&B end of Afro-fusion.
Rema - Tea
Produced by American hitmaker Mustard alongside long-time collaborator London, 'Tea' arrives as the lead single for Rema's upcoming third studio album. The beat switch is the track's most interesting technical moment, shifting between hard-hitting production and an infectious Afrobeats rhythm. Rema's distinctiveness remains intact, though the record feels like it could have landed harder than it does.
Ckay - Shege
The fourth track on CKay's 12-track album BANGER BOY draws from Nigerian slang for hardship and filters it through his signature Emo-Afrobeats storytelling. The emotional terrain—love, trust, resilience—is familiar CKay territory. Whether it finds the TikTok traction it appears engineered for remains to be seen.
Fireboy DML ft Masicka - CLAAT!
The lead single for Fireboy's upcoming fifth studio album ZUKO marks a deliberate sonic departure. Pairing with Jamaican dancehall heavyweight Masicka on an Afro-dancehall record that commits fully to the genre crossover, the shift is noticeable for an artist known for melodic Afropop. He handles it better than expected.
Darkoo ft Asake - That Girl
Darkoo taps into the ongoing 'That Girl' cultural conversation for a sun-drenched Afro-fusion track that bridges London's Afroswing energy with Lagos street-pop. Asake's presence gives it immediate credibility. The result is average but carried by a genuinely catchy chorus that justifies repeated listens.
Ruger ft Mc Morena - Private Chef
Part of Ruger's new EP Raw & Unfiltered Vol. 1, 'Private Chef' blends Afrobeats with Brazilian funk influences and features MC Morena. The cross-cultural production is the record's most interesting element. However, the lyrical territory revisits familiar Ruger themes around relationships and women in ways that feel well-worn rather than fresh.
Chocolate City ft Blaqbonez, Noon Dave - 2Margaritas
A label collaboration that keeps things light and energetic without demanding much from the listener. The chemistry between Blaqbonez and Noon Dave is the consistent draw on these Chocolate City ensemble records, and it holds here, even if the song itself is unremarkable.
Zlatan - Italawa
Zlatan's first solo single of 2026 is exactly what his audience expects: heavy log drums, fast-paced percussion, Zanku bounce, and unrestrained street energy. 'Italawa' does not reinvent anything but delivers what is expected in the way it always has.
TiMi ft Ric Hassani, Timi Dre, Lovn, Morello, BENSH47, Kpee - Do or Die
The most ambitious production on this week's list. TiMi coordinates six distinct vocalists across a spacious, warm mid-tempo arrangement without losing cohesion. Ric Hassani's soulful R&B presence anchors the record, while the remaining features handle contrast and texture effectively. A strong ensemble effort.
Zhus Jdo - E Never Choke
From the seven-track EP Wahala Pikin, 'E Never Choke' is a statement of relentless ambition across a blend of Afrobeats, Afro-drill, and street-hop. Compact and direct.
Kemuel ft DJ Tunez - Seki
The opening track from Kemuel's Borokiri Boy EP sets a reflective tone, built around vulnerability and timing in romance. The Afrobeats and R&B blend is smooth, and the DJ Tunez production gives it polish.
