Rema, FOLA, T.I Blaze, Pheelz and more on New Music Friday

Another Friday, another fresh batch of music. This week’s batch of new drops finds Afrobeats stars flexing in different lanes, together, they paint a wide-angle view of where Afrobeats currently stands. Different corners, different flavors, but all part of the same ecosystem pushing the culture forward.

Rema – FUN

Every few months, Rema throws a record into the ecosystem that feels less like a release and more like a reminder: he’s still in the driver’s seat. ‘FUN‘ is exactly that — an upbeat, sun-soaked single produced by London and AoD, built to dismiss chatter and celebrate joy. He’s confident enough to quote his critics mid-song (“people dem must to talk”) yet flip their doubt into another chant you can dance to while shrugging critic with charisma. The record arrives on the heels of “Baby (Is It a Crime)” and “Bout U“, keeping his 2025 streak alive after the success of ‘Heis‘ in 2024. Where some artists pause after an album, Rema doubles down, feeding his global audience with music that travels as easily as “Calm Down“. The percussion is vibrant, the melodies bounce with sunshine, and the hook makes it clear Rema is enjoying himself, and daring listeners to do the same.

Shallipopi – Na So

If anyone knows how to weaponize slang into soundtracks, it’s Shallipopi. ‘Na So‘ is his latest offering, drenched in Amapiano log drums and Bini-inflected bravado. The hook, “Na so, na so”, is simple but infectious, proof that repetition is his ritual for crafting sticky records. His delivery carries the same mischievous streetwise charm that turned “Elon Musk” and “Ex-Convict’” into crossover anthems, only now with an even sharper production edge courtesy of Producer X. Where “Laho” stretched his reach, “Na So” brings it back to his Edo roots with witty lines, hustler confidence, and a groove designed to travel from Benin City blocks to Lagos clubs.

Adekunle Gold ft. Lojay & Shoday – Bobo

Adekunle Gold has mastered the art of bending Afrofusion into whatever shape suits him, sometimes smooth, sometimes gritty, but always stylish. On ‘Bobo’, he invites Lojay and Shoday into his orbit, creating a three-man weave of swagger and melody. Produced by Niphkeys and Seyifunmi, the record balances amapiano percussion with Lagos street bounce. AG anchors the track with his seasoned delivery, while Lojay slides in with his velvet tone, and Shoday adds a street-pop bite that grounds the song. The title ‘Bobo’ — slang for a stylish or confident guy — sets the mood, and together the trio live up to it. With Adekunle Gold’s upcoming album ‘Fuji’, around the corner, “Bobo” it signals the range of collaborators AG is ready to spar with.

FOLA – catharsis

Every so often, a debut project arrives that feels less like a full statement, and FOLA’s new project, ‘catharsis’ is one of those. Across 11 tracks, he turns his own healing process into music, blending Afrobeats, R&B, and street-pop into something deeply personal. From the urgency of “gokada” to the vulnerability of “healer” and the celebratory release of “it’s going”, the album moves like a therapy session you can dance to. The features are deliberate, Victony on “golibe”, Kizz Daniel on “lost”, Gabzy on “robbery”, Young Jonn on “disco”. None overshadow FOLA instead they amplify him, letting his sharp storytelling and soulful voice remain at the center. Social chatter has already flagged tracks like ‘caricature’ and “eko” as standouts, proof that his writing connects as much as his melodies. For a debut, ‘catharsis‘ is strikingly assured, a release that marks a bold starting point in FOLA’s career.

Pheelz – Jamming / Growing Pains

Pheelz shows two sides of the same coin with his double release. “Jamming” is the easy play. It’s a buoyant, dance-ready, full of feel-good bounce that will no doubt soundtrack parties and playlists. It’s Pheelz in his natural element as both producer and artist, crafting a vibe that feels universal. But paired with it is “Growing Pains”, a stripped-down, almost confessional piece that runs under two minutes but cuts deep. Here, Pheelz trades swagger for raw honesty, reflecting on late-night doubts and the uphill cost of ambition. It’s anchored by warm strings and bass, his voice carrying the weight of someone fighting battles beneath the gloss of success. Together, both tracks preview what’s coming with ‘Peace By Piece’, his joint project with Fireboy DML, hinting at both joy and vulnerability.

Shallipopi, BOJ, ID Cabasa, Kizz Daniel and More on New Music Friday

T.I Blaze – Porsche

T.I Blaze has built his name on pairing street grit with aspiration, and Porsche keeps that streak alive. The production from Okizy Beatz is percussive and urgent, leaving space for Blaze’s direct flow to command attention as he slides over talking drums and Afrobeat rhythms with the confidence of someone who knows the grind but won’t settle for less. It’s a continuation of the story he’s been telling since “Sometimes”. A story of resilience, survival, ambition except only now sharper, sleeker, more precise. As he builds toward his next project, “Porsche” positions him as one of street-pop’s most reliable voices. His lyrics balance luxury dreams with the grind it takes to reach them, painting a picture of survival dressed up in confidence. It’s a sharp follow-up to ‘Brother 2.0’ and a clear marker for his next project. For an artist who’s made resilience his calling card, “Porsche” fits perfectly into his catalog.