New Music Friday Naija: Featuring Davido, Omah Lay, Obongjayar and more 

By Chinonso Ihekire

Spinning off the second music weekend of October, Nigerian superstars are back with another laudable display of talent in their songs. 

From soft-funk to African pop and Hip Hop, these acts from across the motherland and in the diaspora have dropped these hard-hitting keepsakes. 

Serotonin – May 10th 

Africa’s latest loverboy, Serotonin, who’s been causing a stir on social media with his amazing covers of neo-soul fusions from Ckay, Davido, Rema, among others, has finally debuted with his official song, “May 10th”. The love anthem sees him profess his affections to his lover with a soothing highlife-pop groove. The song ranks highly for its cathartic effect indigenous fusion, and soothing delivery. 

Jay0 x Popcaan  – Hmm

Nigerian-British singer JayO returns with a sizzling carribean love riddim on “Hmm”, a rather short but powerful love bop. Tapping Jamaican popstar Popcaan, the song bounces over thumpy bass and twerk-friendly percussion. It glides through with a rather monotonic feel, but overall is a soothing playlist filler and also a generally feel-good vibe. 

Odeal -Temptress

Nigerian-British maestro, Odeal, one of the vibrant new voices shaking up the soul/rnb scene across the UK and Nigerian markets is back with another summer closer, “Temptress”. Flourishing with a dramatic loop of log-drums and hollowed backing vocals, the moody jam sees Odeal reflect on a love gone sour with a rather psychedelic/psychodramatic delivery. The song thrives for its zen appeal and strong replay value. 

Teni x Fridayy – Malaika 

Sampling popular Yoruba Christian gospel act, Tope Alabi, Nigerian songbird Teni outdoes herself on “Malaika”, the Christian worship-pop jam that’s also her official first release for the year since 2023’s Tears Of The Sun album. The song, featuring American Grammy-nominated singer Fridayy, lushes with strong harmonies and an overall cohesive feel. Save for the scratchy audio mix, the song ranks with strong replay value and also a vibrant addition to Christian Afrobeats jams this year. 

Obongjayar – Just My Luck / Tommorow Man 

Starting off the year with a double release, MOBO-winning Nigerian-born singer Obongjayar causes quite the stir with his soft-funk “Just My Luck”, a contemplative tune about life and perseverance, that blushes with his soft altos and bouncy disco programming. The second release, “Tomorrow Man” follows suit with his 2021 African alt-rock bop, “Message In A Hammer”, with hypnotic thumb pianos and airy programming as he satirises the condition of the procrastinating man, subtly exploring the social constructs of labour and gratification. The song is a bold futuristic jam that’s an ear candy for rave lovers. 

Shallipopi – Free Service 

‘Daybreak everywhere burst/ Everywhere stew, money dey rush,’ Naija Delta’s Shakespeare Shallipopi, the latest indigenous pop star from Nigeria’s south-south axis, returns with another Naijapiano jam dubbed, “Free Service”. The Benin-boy discourse is extended on the song, rehashing his Benin-to-the-world mantra that coloured his Presido La Pluto album debut last year. Thriving for its dance-worthy groove and strong replay value, the song serves as another prime Shallipopi gbedu! 

Omah Lay x Francis Mercier – Moving 

Reworking his latest pop-soul jam, “Moving”, with an electronic house feel thanks to the brilliance of Haitian disc jockey and producer Francis Mercier. The song continues the groove of Omah Lay’s melancholia, adding a layer of carefree repetitive electronic percussion that makes it a rave-worthy bop. 

Pharoah 47 x Ice Prince – Bless Me 

Nigerian-born rapper Pharoah 47 returns with a sizzling Hip Hop hustle anthem dubbed, “Bless Me”. Enlisting fellow Jos-town native Ice Prince, the record is soaked in humble supplication to God for guidance and providence, as the UK-bred rapper makes a dash for notable charts. Definitely a song with a strong replay value, with its relatable thematic direction.

Darkoo x Davido – Right Now 

Ghanaian RnB act Darkoo returns to Afrobeats radar with a powerful love bop dubbed, “Right Now.” While Davido’s stretched verse elevates the groove of the song, Darkoo equally matches up the moment with her poetic songwriting and brilliant delivery. The song is definitely spinning with a high replay value.  

Bella Shmurda x Boj x Kriz Beatz – Mentali

Afrobeats beloved street-pop act Bella Shmurda returns with a soft groove in the Boj-assisted “Mentali”. The song carouses about a woman’s beauty, buttering its appeal with Bella Shmurda’s fuji-toned delivery. It’s another rave-of-the-moment type of jam, albeit with a weaker replay value. Overall, it’s a feel-good vibe and that’s also quite alright. 

Did we miss any other important releases? Mail us your forthcoming releases to be featured in the New Music Friday Playlist every weekend at Deosartista@gmail.com 

Cheers to the weekend! Tell us what songs have you on lock this weekend!