New Music Friday: Releases you need on your weekend playlist

New Music Friday rolls in again with a fresh batch of sonic gems, setting the tone for the weekend and beyond. This week, we’re met with a lineup that spans soulful confessions, high-energy anthems, and experimental blends that push the boundaries of sound. With hart-topping heavyweights delivering long-awaited projects and emerging voices staking their claim, there’s plenty to dive into. This week’s drops have something for every listener. Let’s get into it, shall we.

Panic — Ayo Maff

A painter of stories with words, communicated through melodies, fast-rising star Ayo Maff has released his first single of the year. Teasing Panic in previous weeks via his social media accounts, Ayo Maff reflects on his musical journey, unpacking how his experiences have shaped his life. While he makes it clear that he’s deeply in love with his craft, the weight of his personal experiences fuels a lingering anxiety—one he copes with through temporary escapes. For Ayo Maff, the only true solace amid the struggle is the happiness of a loved one, a happiness he wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice his own for.

I Am The Blueprint — Qing Madi

Finally, it arrives! The rollout journey, which began in October 2024, now reaches a major milestone as Qing Madi releases her debut album, ‘I Am The Blueprint’. For fans, this has been a thrilling ride, with the 19-year-old rising star offering more than just a glimpse of what’s to come by dropping four lead singles ahead of the 13-track album. Making a bold statement, Qing Madi revealed a guest-free tracklist—an uncommon move in the Nigerian music scene for a debut project. ‘I Am The Blueprint’ stands as a unique vault of love ballads, arguably one of the best from the new generation of artists.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Feeling Alright, Pressure, Gimme Your Love, Favorite Girl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

So It Goes — Black Sherif ft. Fireboy

Ahead of his sophomore album ‘Iron Boy’, set to drop in April, Black Sherif releases another potential lead single featuring Nigerian superstar Fireboy. Like many of his records, ‘So It Goes’ is a testament to persistence and an unshakable, laser-focused pursuit of success. Over an upbeat, grime-influenced hip-hop beat, he details the highs and lows of both his personal and love life. His choice of collaboration proves to be a masterstroke, as Fireboy stays well within Black Sherif’s sonic universe, effortlessly aligning with the song’s emotive depth.

Management — Smur Lee ft. BIGKHALID

Building on the success of her previous smash hit ‘Juju’ featuring Odumodublvck—which organically took off on TikTok—Smur Lee sticks to the formula that earned her initial success: a dense, intricate production that pairs well with her freewheeling pen. ‘Management’ carries the same groove-driven appeal as ‘Juju’, once again immersing listeners in the world of fraud and its spoils—a reality that resonates deeply with many youths in the country. Given its theme and sonic appeal, ‘Management’ is poised to connect with a wide audience, potentially replicating the chart success of ‘Juju’.

Lose My Mind — Brown Joel

Brown Joel, a core member of the “Ogechi Boys” collective, takes center stage on Colors Studios, delivering a raw, passionate performance of his new single, ‘Lose My Mind’. The groovy Afro-R&B record sees Brown Joel crafting an impassioned love ballad, embodying the spirit of a hopeless romantic. On ‘Lose My Mind’, he finds himself utterly consumed, lost in an intoxicating love that feels inescapable—yet strangely welcome. “For you I don loose my mind, For you I don loose my sense, For you I don mara.”