New music from Korede Bello, Toby Grey, Pelumi Deborah, others

From Afropop and street-pop to gospel and alté fusion, Nigerian artists deliver a stacked selection of new releases — spanning debut EPs, joint projects, and a full-length album, all arriving in time for the weekend.

Korede Bello returns with feel-good love song ‘High Me’

Since arriving on the scene with a guitar in hand and a voice full of soul, Korede Bello has consistently refused to follow the crowd. His blend of Afropop charm and boy-next-door sincerity carved out a space that is both stylish and warm-hearted, and he now returns to that territory with his new single, “High Me.”

The song is a celebration of the kind of love that lifts you higher – being lost in the rhythm of a partner’s movement, tuning out outside noise and rumour to focus solely on the moment. He sings of wanting to be wherever she is, carrying her close and refusing to let go. It is a track built for warm weather and good company, and a welcome return to the sound that first won him hearts.

 

Toby Grey returns to faith and surrender on album ‘Homecoming’

Toby Grey first came to attention in 2015 with a viral cover of Kiss Daniel’s “Woju.” A multilingual singer-songwriter who has evolved across Afropop, R&B, and soul, she is now based in Birmingham, UK, and in recent years her music has taken a markedly faith-centred direction. Her new album, Homecoming, is the fullest expression of that turn, nine tracks shaped by reflection, surrender, and spiritual renewal.

The album opens with “Sound of Joy,” a moment of longing for divine presence, and unfolds through songs including “The Name of Jesus,” “Endless Treasure,” and “Revelation 21:4,” the last of which meditates on holding on through uncertainty. “Eden” imagines closeness with God in simple, personal terms, while “Teach Me” finds Grey admitting her struggles and asking for guidance. “Jesus Take The Wheel” is an act of full release, “I Am Free” carries the tone of testimony, and closer “Take It” looks back on the entire journey with clarity and gratitude.

Throughout, the production remains soft and steady, keeping her voice and message at the centre. Homecoming is, at its core, an album about returning to faith with honesty, speaking to growth, doubt, and the decision to trust again.

Pelumi Deborah and TY Bello deliver intimate prayer on ‘Baami’

Pelumi Deborah has long drawn on her Yoruba heritage to shape a sound that sits at the intersection of cultural identity and contemporary worship. She refers to herself as “Omo’ba,” meaning child of a king, a title that finds its clearest expression in her new single, “Baami” (My Father), on which she is joined by veteran gospel artist TY Bello.

Rooted in the promise of Psalm 91:2, the song frames trust as an act of total surrender, an admission that navigating life’s challenges alone is impossible. The two artists sing of handing over emotions, will, and soul entirely to God’s care, while also pleading for divine protection over reputation and destiny, asking for grace to have the final word in every situation.

The collaboration marks a generational bridge in Nigerian gospel music, with both voices united by a common desire to seek refuge in God

Jiggy YB and Mahgi explore love’s many faces on joint EP ‘Sad Affairs’

Nigerian producer and artist Jiggy YB has spent years shaping the hip-hop and alté scene in Abuja, moving fluidly between trap, drill, Afro-swing, and Afropop. Rising Afro-fusion talent Mahgi has built steady recognition through covers and live performances, earning appearances alongside Oxlade and Joeboy. The two now come together for Sad Affairs, a four-track joint EP that moves through love, longing, vulnerability, and joy.

The project opens with “100,” in which Mahgi’s vocals carry the weight of giving more than you receive, set against Jiggy YB’s polished production. “Assignment” shifts into desire and the search for someone who can match energy and intention. “Darling” moves into softer territory, grounded in commitment and reassurance, while closer “Chop Am” lifts the mood entirely, focusing on enjoyment and the rewards that come after persistence.

The title Sad Affairs reflects love’s dual nature, the weight and the lightness that so often sit side by side. It is a short but cohesive body of work that finds two artists meeting at a point of alignment, each bringing their own strengths into a focused collaboration.

‘All Shades of Blacksnow’ reveals the many sides of a rising star

Though raised in Lagos, Blacksnow identifies strongly as a Northern artist – his roots in Bauchi remain central to his brand and to his sense of what his music represents. His sound draws on the rhythmic storytelling of Fela Kuti and the templates of modern Afro-fusion, and his new EP, All Shades of Blacksnow, captures several different sides of that identity in a single project.

“Owónikókó” opens with a reflection on his mother’s advice and the drive to reach boss level. “Billions” shifts into celebratory mode, counting wins across the North. “Baddie” introduces a darker thread, a warning about dangerous love, while “Shayo” and “Shakara” return to party energy, the former a release from sorrow, the latter an impatient rebuke to anyone wasting his time.

Through it all, the project holds to a single central truth: money is the koko, the main thing, and settling is not an option. All Shades of Blacksnow is a compact but layered statement from an artist carving out space in a competitive industry.

Small Singer balances pain and joy on debut EP ‘Stubborn Goat’

Small Singer is a rising Nigerian artist whose street-pop and Afrobeats sound draws directly from lived experience. Having built his profile through collaborations with Small Doctor and Oritse Femi, he now steps forward with his debut EP, Stubborn Goat, a four-track project that charts a path from hardship to celebration.

The EP opens with “Show Me Love,” in which Small Singer recalls months without money, the absence of family support, and the pressures of street life, yet holds on to faith and resilience throughout. “Hope” continues in the same spirit, expressing belief in a future where the struggle will be worth it. “Invite Me” shifts the mood toward recognition and enjoyment after the grind, while closing track “Omooge” brings a romantic angle, focusing on connection and companionship.

Across all four tracks, the storytelling is simple and direct, supported by upbeat, street-driven production. Stubborn Goat is a personal debut that speaks plainly and honestly about the journey so far.

The songs are available now on all major streaming platforms via ONErpm.