Music
4 New Nigerian Songs to Start Your Week With.
Starting a new week with fresh music can be an easy way to discover different sounds and reconnect with artists who continue to shape Nigeria’s music scene. Recent releases have offered a mix of Afrobeats, hip-hop and cross-border collaborations, giving listeners several options to add to their playlists.
From Ayra Starr‘s reflective storytelling to Falz’s socially conscious lyricism, these four songs bring distinct perspectives while showcasing the range that exists within contemporary Nigerian music.
“Tornado” by Ayra Starr

Photo: Instagram
Ayra Starr’s “Tornado,” released on June 12, 2026, presents a more introspective side of the singer as she explores themes of confidence, self-worth and personal growth. The record combines her familiar blend of Afropop and R&B influences with polished production that allows her vocals to take centre stage. Alongside it’s energetic rhythm, she leans into storytelling, creating a song that balances vulnerability with confidence. It is a reminder of her ability to move between upbeat records and more thoughtful material without losing her identity as an artist.
“Man on a Mission” by Chris Brown featuring Wizkid

Photo: Instagram
Although led by American singer Chris Brown, “Man on a Mission” stands out for Wizkid‘s contribution. The collaboration appears on Chris Brown’s BROWN (The Chocolate Edition), released on June 19, 2026.
The song blends smooth melodies with a relaxed tempo, allowing both artists to complement each other’s styles. Wizkid’s presence adds a familiar Afrobeats influence that Nigerian listeners may appreciate, making the track a notable addition for those interested in international collaborations involving Nigerian stars.
“Ole” by Falz

Photo: Instagram
With “Ole,” Falz returns to the socially conscious approach that has defined much of his career. The title, which translates to “thief” in Yoruba, is taken from his project “Break Time”.
The rapper uses the song to address issues affecting society, choosing direct language and sharp lyricism over dance-floor trends. His delivery remains measured throughout, allowing the message to remain at the forefront. It is another example of Falz’s commitment to using music as a platform for commentary while maintaining his signature style.
“Elumelu” by Young John

Photo: Instagram
As released on May 29, 2026, “Elumelu” marked Young John‘s first single of the year. The record embraces a playful atmosphere.
Known for his work as both a producer and performer, Young John delivers a song built around catchy melodies and a light Afrobeats groove. The production remains simple enough to let his personality shine through, resulting in an easy listen that fits different moods.
These four songs highlight different directions within Nigerian music today. Whether through introspective songwriting, social commentary or collaborative efforts, they offer listeners a varied selection to begin the week with while reflecting the diversity that continues to define the industry.
Music
What Exactly Are Ayra Starr and ZAYN Singing About on “Heaven Baby”?
Ayra Starr and ZAYN take a softer musical direction on “Heaven Baby“, a romantic collaboration about the rush of falling deeply for someone and seeing that person as unusually special and attractive.
Released on August 14, 2026, the song appears as the 14th track on Ayra Starr’s third studio album, Starrgirl. Recent coverage describes the record as a piano-led pop and R&B ballad built around the voices of both singers.

Photo: Instagram/@ayrastarr
The song opens with Ayra Starr describing the immediate chemistry she feels towards the person she is addressing. Her lyrics suggest that the attraction does not remain at the level of a passing crush. Her feelings deepen as she begins to describe how much the person means to her and how difficult their absence would be.
The chorus takes that feeling further through references to heaven and angels. Ayra uses the imagery to express how highly she regards the person she is singing about.
Her lyrics also touch on the fear of losing that person, showing how quickly the attraction has grown into something deeper.
ZAYN’s verses focuses on how far he is willing to go for the person he loves, including the sacrifices he would make for the relationship. His willingness to do so reflects the song’s theme of intense devotion.

Photo: Instagram/@zayn
When their vocals meet again, the song feels like an exchange between two people who are equally invested. Ayra establishes the emotional intensity early, while ZAYN‘s section gives the record another voice within the same relationship.
Ayra Starr has also spoken positively about the record. During an appearance connected to the promotion of Starrgirl, she called “Heaven Baby” one of the best songs she had ever sung. She also praised ZAYN’s voice, describing it as both strong and vulnerable.
Unlike a song built around heartbreak, betrayal or a complicated romantic storyline, “Heaven Baby” stays with the early intensity of love. Its focus is the feeling of meeting someone who quickly becomes important and expressing that attachment without holding back.
Music
Ayra Starr’s ‘Starrgirl’: Tracklist, Features and Everything You Need to Know
Ayra Starr released her third studio album, “Starrgirl”, on August 14, 2026, through Mavin Records and Republic Records. It follows 19 & Dangerous, which came out in 2021, and The Year I Turned 21, released in 2024. The 16-track project features seven guest artists.
Dangerous opens the album, setting a bold tone before Amazing brings in British singer kwn. Wizkid joins her on Gimme Dat, a collaboration that earned Ayra a GRAMMY nomination, while Leon Thomas sings on Pressure. Tornado, a single she put out earlier in 2026, rounds off this opening run of songs.

Photo: Instagram/@Aryastarr
Midnight in New York and Hot Body keep the momentum going before French artist Theodora steps in on Ms Paper. Dance and Where Do We Go follow, and Rema shows up on Who’s Dat Girl, a long-awaited pairing for fans of both artists.
Tracks twelve and thirteen, Misunderstood and Letter to God, don’t have guest features. Song fourteen, Heaven Bab, features ZAYN. Treasure follows at track fifteen, and the album closes with a remix of Hot Body featuring Danny Ocean.
Gimme Dat, Hot Body, Who’s Dat Girl, “Where Do We Go“, and Tornado were all released as singles ahead of the album’s release.

Photo: Instagram/@Aryastarr
Ayra confirmed her move from Lagos to New York in November 2025, telling Hot 93.7FM that relocating was about broadening her sound and representing her culture on a bigger stage. She said the city reminds her of Lagos, pointing to the large Nigerian and African communities there. Weeks later, she opened up on Substack about the harder side of settling in, describing the adjustment as lonely and the cold as difficult to shake.
Coming off a 2025 that included two GRAMMY nominations, two MOBO Awards, and her first BET Award for Best International Act, Ayra Starr enters Starrgirl carrying real industry weight into this new chapter. Whether the album brings in new numbers to match remains to be seen, but the tracklist alone shows an artist stretching further than she has on any project before this one.
Music
Mr P Gives Fans a New Reason to Love ‘I Love You Because’
Mr P is back in familiar territory with I Love You Because, a song less concerned with saying “I love you” than with explaining why. It comes from his OG Forever project and centres on a woman who carries calm, maturity and self-respect rather than chasing attention, a point he underlined himself when he shared the line “I love you because you love yourself” around the release. The official video takes that same idea and gives it a striking visual form.
Rather than shooting a standard performance video, the whole thing is rendered in a painterly, almost animated style, with visible brushstrokes and swirling textures running through every frame. It gives the video a dreamlike quality from the first scene, more like watching a moving painting than a typical music video.

Photo: YouTube/@Mrp
The story stays simple: Mr P moves between intimate indoor spaces and open, romantic backdrops, with a woman appearing across several scenes as the object of affection.
Mr P looks at ease throughout, dressed in a camo-patterned bucket hat and matching jacket that stays consistent across most of the video. He performs with his usual confidence, using expression and movement to sell the song’s warmth. There’s a lightness to how he carries it, nothing about the delivery feels heavy or sad, which fits a song built around appreciating someone rather than losing them.

Photo: YouTube/@Mrp
The visuals are where this video really hits. One scene places him in a wooden interior with an old-style television playing in the background. Another takes him outdoors against a red-brick building with fire escapes running up the side. The most striking moments come at night, where he’s framed against a swirling, star-filled skyline that leans into the same painterly style as the rest of the video. the video follows other couples through scenes of their own: a library lined with bookshelves and a red curtain, where the lady appears in green, a grand hall with columns and a chandelier, and a rooftop setting at night where she wears red against the city lights.
The song and video sit comfortably together because the visuals never try to overpower the message. The painterly style gives the whole thing a soft, romantic mood that matches the lyrics without needing a complicated plot to carry it.
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