Solana’s ‘Okunkun’ Is Bringing YoruPop to a Wider Audience

Nigerian singer Solana is developing YoruPop, a contemporary sound that brings Yoruba language and musical traditions into modern pop, drawing from Afrobeats, electronic music and other genres. Her single, ‘Okunkun’, has attracted interest from international music stars, including SZA, Little Simz, Diplo and Tyla, since she began teasing it on social media in June 2026.

Produced by Killertunes, ‘Okunkun’ takes its title from the Yoruba word for ‘darkness’. Solana describes the song as a reflection on overcoming difficult moments and finding the courage to embrace a better phase of life.

Photo: Instagram/@solana_tii

‘Okunkun’ was written in 2023, several years before its eventual release. In an interview with NME published on November 4, 2026, Solana revealed that people within her music circle initially resisted the song. Their reaction affected her confidence and made her question her creative direction. She eventually chose to release it on her own terms, trusting her instincts instead of allowing other people’s opinions to shape her decisions.

For Solana, YoruPop is more than pop songs performed in Yoruba. The language shapes her melodies, vocal delivery and rhythms. Because Yoruba is tonal, pitch can change a word’s meaning, a feature she incorporates into her songwriting and musical arrangements. This gives Yoruba-speaking listeners a familiar point of connection while allowing others to enjoy the music without understanding every word.

Solana’s music career began long before ‘Okunkun’. In 2020, she joined Mr Eazi’s emPawa30 initiative, where she received support and mentorship. Her earlier releases include ‘Far Away’, featuring Joeboy, and ‘On My Way’, featuring Victony.

Photo: Instagram/@solana_tii

In October 2026, Spotify named Solana its EQUAL Africa Artist of the Month, featuring ‘Okunkun’ in the campaign. The initiative supports female artists across Africa and introduces their music to wider audiences. That same month, Solana announced that the single had crossed one million Spotify streams.

Solana has continued developing her sound with releases such as ‘Dide’ and ‘O Rí Mi’. Both songs will feature on her forthcoming EP, Girl From The West, scheduled for release on November 13, 2026, through Since 93. The project marks a step towards establishing YoruPop as a more defined part of her musical identity, moving beyond individual singles to a collection built around her Yoruba songwriting and contemporary pop influences.

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