Another Friday, another wave of sonic statements, and this week’s drop feels particularly charged. From heavyweight linkups to emotional pivots, today’s releases cut across braggadocio, vulnerability, and dancefloor intent. Burna Boy ropes in Travis Scott for a cross-continental banger built on swagger and syncopation, while Seyi Vibez trades his usual grit for something softer, more intimate. Gyakie enters her introspective era, Tekno leans into his loverman playbook, and newcomers like Fido and BoyPee make compelling cases for why they’re not just riding the wave. Whether you’re chasing catharsis or chasing a vibe, there’s a track here that’ll catch you.
Seyi Vibez – “Pressure”
“Pressure” sees Seyi Vibez turning the volume down but dialling up the emotion. Stripped of the streetwise grit that’s defined much of his output, this is Seyi Vibez in silhouette—softer, steadier, but no less gripping. The production is featherlight, floating between alté and highlife elements with muted drums and spacious keys giving the lyrics room to breathe
There’s no heavy flex here; instead, Seyi’s talking about love’s quieter intensities, the kind that builds in silence, in the way someone watches or waits. His voice, still raw but more measured, carries the sentiment without overloading it. The songwriting reflects an artist trying to stretch, not abandon, his comfort zone.
From Billion Dollar Baby to Children of Africa, Seyi’s catalogue has shown range, but this feels like a true pivot. “Pressure” is the kind of track that doesn’t beg for a hit; instead, it sits with the listener.
Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott – “TaTaTa”
Burna Boy continues his global crossover campaign with ‘TaTaTa’, enlisting Houston’s psychedelic hitmaker Travis Scott for a transatlantic club record that hits with both force and flair. The track’s co-production, helmed by Chillz Chilleaux and Onome Ojoboh, is a rhythmic firestarter; percussive in its Afrobeats base but layered with funk carioca bounce and trap-driven textures that give it continental range.
Lyrically, Burna Boy leans into braggadocio, flexing with mythic references (“Badder than Baltasar Engonga”) and playful dominance. There’s a cocky ease in how he rides the beat like he’s smirking through each bar. Travis Scott, as expected, warps the atmosphere. His auto-tuned warble isn’t so much a contrast as it is a spectral lift, letting the track ascend in tone without losing its foot-stomping momentum.
The hook (“ta-ta-ta-ta-ta”) is designed to drill into the skull. A pure call-and-response fuel for dancefloors. With ‘No Sign of Weakness’ on the horizon, this one feels less like a sonic outlier and more like Burna Boy warming up the room for something huge.
Tekno – “Alhaji”
Tekno’s “Alhaji” is a breezy, drum-led flirtation track; slick, sweet, and unmistakably his. Ranson Beatz crafts a production that plays like a dancefloor daydream: thudding percussion, winding synths, and that familiar Tekno bounce that always feels built for a woman’s waist movement.
Lyrically, Tekno’s still the loverboy, caught in the spell of a woman who’s clearly running things (“She hold me for work”). There’s the playful desperation of a man happily losing himself to romance. And it’s that sincerity, masked as mischief, that keeps Tekno charming after all these years.
Tekno’s “Alhaji” is a groove-first record, light on complexity but heavy on replay value. With visuals by Dammy Twitch amplifying the energy, it’s a reminder that Tekno understands the assignment: don’t overthink, just move.
Fido – “Money Moves”
Fido returns with “Money Moves,” a track that trades in aspiration and hustle with a celebratory edge. Producer Tudor Monre laces the beat with crisp hi-hats and bright synth layers, giving the song the feel of a motivational anthem disguised as a party starter.
The lyrics are bold but grounded, “Money, money, money, money moves” Fido chants on the chorus. There’s a nod to divine intervention too (“Dem become dey wonder as he God he do”), which adds a bit of soul to the sheen. Fido’s delivery is relaxed but focused, gliding across the beat with a mix of ease and intent reminiscent of the iconic Wande Coal, who considers himself an industry blueprint.
If ‘Joy Is Coming’ was his breakout, “Money Moves” is him testing the waters of mainstream longevity. It plays well with the streaming era’s love for catchy affirmations, but there’s enough real hunger in it to avoid sounding hollow.
Gyakie – “Sankofa”
In anticipation of her debut album, ‘After Midnight’, Gyakie has released her first official single for the year titled, “Sankofa.” Rooted in Ghanaian symbolism and spiritual memory, the song leans heavily into introspection, anchored by restrained production and a quietly aching vocal performance.
Co-written with Afrolektra, the lyrics feel handwritten, steeped in nostalgia, faith, and quiet strength. “Sankofa” isn’t about going back but about healing by confronting what’s behind you, getting some sort of closure. The subtle arrangement—bare piano chords, ambient layers—lets her storytelling breathe, creating a heartfelt stillness that feels sacred.
“Sankofa” is assuredly a delicate setup for Gyakie’s debut album ‘After Midnight’, and if this is any indication, it’s that she’s leaning into a late-night, soul-searching palette. Gyakie’s “Sankofa” is not a song you play to turn up but the kind that finds you when you’re alone and honest.
BoyPee – “First Sight”
BoyPee’s “First Sight” is heartbreak with a pulse. Built around tender guitar plucks and ambient textures, the production leaves space for BoyPee’s voice to carry the emotional weight. And he doesn’t waste it.
The lyrics chronicle the descent from promise to pain, capturing that moment when love, once blinding, turns brutal. His delivery is calm, almost resigned, which makes the storytelling hit harder. Coming off the high of ‘Ogechi (Remix)’ and ‘Constantly’, this feels like a reset, less about streaming numbers and more about emotional clarity.
LISTEN TO THE FULL NEW MUSIC FRIDAY PLAYLIST BELOW
Leave a comment