LiGi’s latest offering “Loco” feels like discovering a hidden gem in an already rich musical landscape.
The Lagos-based artiste has carved out something truly special with this track, and it’s the kind of song that demands multiple listens to fully appreciate its layers.
What strikes you immediately about “Loco” is how effortlessly LiGi weaves together different sounds without losing the thread of her story. She’s clearly learned from the best – you can hear echoes of Rihanna’s fearless experimentation and Destiny’s Child’s emotional depth – but this isn’t imitation. This is an artiste who’s found her own voice and isn’t afraid to use it.
The collaboration with Necta adds something magical to the mix. Where LiGi’s vocals carry the raw emotion and vulnerability, Necta provides this smooth, almost ethereal counterpoint that makes the whole thing feel like a conversation between two parts of the same heart. It’s the kind of musical chemistry that you can’t manufacture – it either happens or it doesn’t, and here, it absolutely does.
Big Prom’s production deserves special mention. He’s created this hypnotic soundscape that somehow manages to be both intimate and expansive. The AfroPop rhythms pulse underneath layers of R&B smoothness and alternative edge, creating something that feels both familiar and completely fresh. It’s the kind of production that draws you in on first listen and reveals new details every time you return to it.
Lines like “Carry me dey go where I no know” capture that terrifying, exhilarating feeling of falling so hard that you lose yourself completely. There’s something beautifully honest about admitting that love can make you feel completely out of control, and LiGi doesn’t shy away from that vulnerability. The pepper metaphor in “Pepper me for body atarodo” is particularly striking – it’s playful but also speaks to how love can literally set you on fire.
But what makes this track special is how it captures something universal through a distinctly Nigerian lens. The Pidgin English feels natural and conversational, never forced, while the musical arrangements blend global influences with local flavour in a way that feels authentic rather than contrived.
If there’s any criticism to be made, it’s that the song occasionally feels like it could push even further into its own madness. There are moments where you want LiGi to completely let go, to match the emotional intensity of her lyrics with even more vocal experimentation. But perhaps that restraint is part of the song’s charm – it mirrors the push and pull of the love it describes.
“Loco” positions LiGi as an artiste to watch seriously. In a music landscape often dominated by either pure commercial appeal or artistic pretension, she’s found a sweet spot that feels both accessible and genuinely creative. This is music that works whether you’re looking for something to move to or something to feel to.
For fans of contemporary African music or anyone interested in hearing how traditional sounds can be reimagined for today’s global audience, “Loco” is essential listening. It’s the kind of song that reminds you why music matters – not just as entertainment, but as a way to make sense of the beautiful chaos of being human.
“Loco” is available on all major streaming platforms and LiGi is on Instagram & X.
