New Music Friday is back with a stacked lineup of sonic flavors and genre blends. From Rema’s smooth Afro-R&B cut to Reekado Banks’ log drum-led groove, and Kizz Daniel’s melodic collaboration with Angelique Kidjo, this week’s releases offer a refreshing dive into the evolving soundscape of Nigerian pop. Add Lil Kesh’s street-rooted rap album and Bella Shmurda & Fola’s dance-ready duet to the mix, and you’ve got enough tunes to soundtrack your weekend right.
Bout U – Rema
For this week’s New Music Friday, Rema takes the lead with his new R&B-leaning single “Bout U,” which he teased a week ago across his socials. The release comes less than a month after his first single of 2025, “Baby (Is It A Crime),” which sent fans into an absolute frenzy and held the internet in earnest anticipation. The track, which sampled Sade Adu’s iconic vocals on her song ‘Is It A Crime’, has gone on to accumulate over 34 million streams on Spotify alone. But Rema wasn’t done making a statement about his artistic ambidexterity.
Having just released a polarizing album built heavily on upbeat Afrobeats percussion reminiscent of the 2010s—the previous year’s sophomore project ‘Heis‘—Rema’s second official release of 2025 offers a clearer hint at the direction of his sound. Known for his audacious approach to music and his knack for unconventional sonics—a reputation that has followed him since his 2019 debut—it’s no surprise the Nigerian pop star is switching things up and embracing the lover boy lore and R&B exploration.
“Bout U,” like his first single this year, revisits earlier glimpses of this side of Rema seen on his debut album, except now, they’re refined Afro-R&B offerings distilled for a more inclusive global audience. The track opens with an electric guitar riff that immediately lights up the listener’s ears and sets the tone before a love-consumed Rema serenades his muse with an uncanny delivery of desire and devotion. On a hip-hop-esque production, with guitar riffs adding a romantic tinge, Rema dwells on the physique of his muse with high hopes for what they could share, gliding between singer and rapper with the signature flair his longtime collaborator London brings: “this love affair got me living in the clouds, living in the clouds.”
Unlike the first verse, which comes with a rap flow and rhythmic jabs, the second verse leans more melodic and reassuring, as he makes heartfelt promises to his lover—clearly hoping to make what they share worthwhile—as he croons, “There’s something about you.” Beyond Rema’s braggadocious tracks like the big four-proclaiming “Hehe” his 2025 releases demonstrate artistic superiority among peers, largely through sheer range.
Mukutu – Reekado Banks
The culture of snippets is great for gauging fan reception and getting insights into how well a release might perform. But what’s even better is when those snippets evolve into strong, full-length records—rather than being just another case of a great snippet, terrible song.
A week ago, Nigerian singer and 2015 Headies Next Rated award winner Reekado Banks teased “Mukutu,” a song marking his first release of the year. Its catchy rhyme scheme, infectious chorus, and the masterful improvisation of log drums instantly struck a chord with fans across his social media platforms—culminating in its New Music Friday drop.
“Mukutu” is a product of creative freedom, with Reekado Banks exploring different flows that feel almost detached yet cohesively tied together within the lush ambience of log drums. On this track, he expresses a desire for an easy-going life, hinting at a hedonistic lifestyle while making clear his preference for chasing wealth over chasing trouble.
Police – Kizz Daniel ft Angeliue Kidjo, Johnny Drille
After postponing his ‘Uncle K‘ album originally slated for November 2024 due to undisclosed reasons, Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel has made a comeback. He returned by pulling earlier rollout posts from Instagram and announcing a new release date: May 24. What was initially meant to be a four-track EP featuring Victony, Runtown, and Phyno now appears to be expanding into a full-length studio album.
According to updates from his camp, Kizz Daniel plans to release a new track every week leading up to the ‘Uncle K‘ album drop—roughly seven lead singles—with “Police,” featuring Angélique Kidjo and Johnny Drille, as the first.
Over a dance-inducing, mid-tempo production helmed by M.O.G Beatz, Johnny Drille, and Blaisebeatz, Kizz Daniel and his collaborators explore themes of devotion and love in his signature rhythmic style that resonates effortlessly with mainstream audiences. “Police” is a heartfelt ode to commitment, with “Abena”—an Akan name for females born on Tuesday—symbolizing the love subject across the three verses.
The track opens with a brief choral harmony before Kizz Daniel and Johnny Drille confess how everything else becomes secondary when their lover is around, tapping into the emotions of a hopeless romantic amid layered percussions, shakers, and log drums. Angélique Kidjo’s contribution, though brief, is striking—her powerful vocals add gravitas. As ‘Uncle K‘ approaches, lead singles like “Police” are essential to the storytelling arc, offering glimpses of what’s to come.
Forever Getting It (Album) – Lil Kesh
Bred and nurtured by the streets, Lil Kesh’s rise to fame and success has been due to many things—but above all, his talent and connection to the street. Since his emergence under the YBNL imprint, courtesy of indigenous rap legend Olamide, Lil Kesh has built a reputation for crafting anthems that reflect the raw, sometimes immoral, but always relatable realities of the streets.
With ‘Forever Getting It (FGI)‘—his third studio album and a titular nod to his debut Young and Getting It (YAGI)—Lil Kesh revives familiar elements with the same artistic vibrancy that marked his YBNL days. The seven-track project showcases hunger-fueled rap styles centered around introspection, hustle, fraud, and women—all executed with his decade-old flair for hit-making.
The album kicks off with “More Money More Life,” a reflective track on his journey and rise in class, attributing his wealth to internet fraud: “More money more life, everyday we online.” On the upbeat, dance-commanding “No Disorder”—a lead single—Lil Kesh shines, interpolating “Shele Gan Gan,” which he reprises again on “Lifestyle” as the album progresses.
FGI could mean many things to Lil Kesh, but to the music scene, it’s a reminder that his greatness hasn’t waned. Features include Reekado Banks, Monaky, Fireboy DML, and Ayo Maff.
Dangbana Riddim – Bella Shmurda ft Fola
Is a label project brewing? We certainly wouldn’t mind. For the second time, FOLA and his label boss Bella Shmurda showcase their undeniable chemistry on “Dangbana Riddim.” As the name implies, this lively track is made for both outdoor parties and at-home vibes.
Bella Shmurda and FOLA deliver compelling performances, their vocals standing out as the track’s highlight. They muse about all they’ll do to secure the bag and enjoy life. Beyond the synergy in their delivery, the production arrangement is airtight, featuring synchronized tom-tom drums and melodic guitar lines that make “Dangbana Riddim” the perfect soundtrack to your weekend.
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