It’s the end of June in Lagos, which means two things: the sky’s crying more than your ex after Detty December, and the music’s getting moodier, grittier, and groove-primed for rainy rides and reflective evenings. This week’s playlist is built for the season—equal parts puddle-jumping bounce and introspective haze. Whether you’re stuck in traffic watching the wipers dance, headphones on during a power outage, or vibing through weekend chills with the gang, these are the drops that soundtrack the moment
Jeriq – ESCAPE PLAN
Nigerian indigenous rap standout Jeriq just dropped “ESCAPE PLAN”, a high-octane street anthem powered by razor-sharp Igbo bars and electrifying production. Sampling P‑Square’s hit “Alingo” on both the intro and outro (a nostalgic nod fans are vibing with), the track sees Jeriq painting vivid scenes of survival and strategic hustle. He silences doubters, shares ten-step-ahead swagger, and wraps it in punchlines delivered with cinematic urgency. The production, crafted by Evandrillist, mirrors his aggressive flow and clever wordplay. The nostalgic P‑Square sample grounds the track in street culture, yet Jeriq refreshes it with his distinct cadence. “ESCAPE PLAN” isn’t just a southeastern motivational anthem; it’s Jeriq crafting a blueprint out of hardship and reaffirming his rise in Nigeria’s rap circuit while doing so.
Jeriq’s “ESCAPE PLAN” sets the tone for where he’s heading next post‑“Out the Mud” and collabs like “Osusu” and “Achalugo”.
Mr Eazi – Attention
Afrobeats giant Mr Eazi channels Formula 1 vibes in “Attention”, a sleek, high-octane love cut featured on the upcoming “F1 The Album” soundtrack for the 2025 film F1 The Movie. The track marries his laid‑back delivery with a polished blend of Afrobeats rhythms and electronic textures—riding like a race car on a circuit. Produced by Mr Eazi, Kel‑P, and Joshua Moszi, it’s the perfect sonic pit‑stop before the roar of burnouts. Mr Eazi’s “Attention” tones down the typical dancefloor punch for a more restrained, purposeful energy—like the calm before a race start. The song is one of the tracks from a global soundtrack with contributions from Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, Rosé, and others.
J Hus ft. Asake – Gold
UK rap titan J Hus reconnects with his streets and heritage on “Gold”, tapping Nigerian breakthrough star Asake for a cross‑continental fusion. Over P2J’s production, J Hus glides and raps with grit while Asake injects melodic heat clad in his typical neo-fuji style. Together they craft verses about hustle, heritage, and lavish triumph. The hook—“Every ring I’m wearing is gold; they calling me Gadaffi”—isn’t ”just a witty punchline but a mantra that sticks easily to the listener. “Gold” marks J Hus’s first release since ‘Beautiful And Brutal Yard’ in 2023 and perhaps hints at an upcoming fourth studio album.
Gabzy ft. Fireboy DML – So Much Sense
Nigerian‑UK singer Gabzy steps into the spotlight with “So Much Sense”, featuring Fireboy DML in a blend of smooth UK tone and Afro‑R&B soul. Gabzy’s velvet vocals float effortlessly, while Fireboy brings that distinctive honey-laced chorus. Produced by AOD and The Elements, the track follows his single, “30 Degrees”, released in May 2025, and arrives just in time for his upcoming After Summer tour across Africa, Europe, and North America. Gabzy’s collaboration with Fireboy DML is the UK–Nigeria match made for streaming success with its soulful, groove‑driven, and playlist-friendly attributes.
Bayanni ft. Qing Madi – Namipa
Mavin’s rising star Bayanni links with Qing Madi for “Namipa”, a sultry late‑night R&B‑Afrobeats ballad produced by Sparrq and Swankii. Bayanni’s silky tenor and Qing Madi’s distinctive smoky tone weave together in intimate vocal interplay—a dance of desire framed with raw emotional honesty. A follow‑up to Bayanni’s Love & Hustle EP, the track is poised to swim deep into summer playlists. On the record, Bayanni and Qing Madi’s chemistry sounds crafted for listeners seeking soulful confessionals that still carry that Afrobeats warmth.
Diamond Platnumz ft. Xman Rsa, Lintonto & Masterpiece_Yvk – Down
Tanzanian heavy-hitter Diamond Platnumz unleashes “Down”, an over 5-minute Afro-house/Amapiano record featuring South African artists Xman Rsa, Lintonto, and Masterpiece_Yvk. Led by log‑drum grooves, Diamond’s melodic strides meet gritty verses—and the result is a border-spanning club anthem embroidered in Swahili and South African street flair. They all glide on the production with much ease, like a music collective that’s been dishing out records like that for years
Ayo Maff – Prince of the Street (ALBUM)
Fresh off the viral lead singles “Lazy Baby” and “Panic”, Ayo Maff drops his debut studio album ‘Prince of the Street’. The 13-track project showcases Ayo Maffs lived street-pop flair and hard-earned ambition. With features from BNXN, Seyi Vibez, Chike, and more, the album is a blend of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and highlife under the creative lens of producers like Magicsticks and Larrylanes. Ayo Maff, staking his claim as a gritty storyteller with melodies that stick and with a delivery as daring as his debut album title, hopes to claim his spot in street-pop.
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