Fola, Reekado Banks, Jorja Smith, Joshua Baraka and More on New Music Friday
Every Friday arrives with its own soundtrack, but the best releases do more than fill playlists—they reveal where music is heading. This week, familiar stars return with fresh ideas, rising voices continue their ascent, and unexpected collaborations add new colours to the conversation. From Afrobeats and R&B to soul and contemporary African pop, these records capture different moods, stories, and ambitions. Here’s our selection of the standout releases that deserve a spot in your rotation this New Music Friday.
FOLA & Ayra Starr — “TREAT U RIGHT“
There is a noticeable confidence in the way FOLA has approached every release over the past year. Rather than chasing loud moments, he has gradually built a reputation around melody, emotional songwriting and records that feel lived in. “TREAT U RIGHT” continues that trajectory, but with an even bigger statement: his chemistry with Ayra Starr feels two artists naturally finding each other’s musical language. The record arrived shortly after Ayra Starr’s own prior collab with FOLA providing background vocals on “Tornado.”
From the opening seconds, ‘TREAT U RIGHT’ settles into an easy-going Afropop groove built on soft percussion, warm chords and an understated bounce. The instrumental leaves enough breathing room for both vocalists to glide comfortably through the record. FOLA is the emotional anchor, his songwriting leaning toward reassurance rather than flamboyance, and here he makes simple promises sound believable. Singing partly in Yoruba, Pidgin and English, he frames love as consistency, every melody feeling conversational, almost like he’s thinking aloud.
That restraint which distinguishes his discography becomes one of the song’s greatest strengths.
Ayra Starr glides in straddling the atmosphere. Rather than arriving with an explosive vocal run, she slides effortlessly into the record, matching FOLA’s softness while adding her own unmistakable personality. Her verse carries the confidence listeners have come to associate with her, balancing flirtation with emotional self-awareness. Her delivery carries an elegance in that prevents the collaboration from becoming another predictable Afrobeats love duet.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of ‘TREAT U RIGHT‘ is how naturally both artists complement one another. Their voices mesh seamlessly herewith Ayra Starr’s ‘Tornado’ being a sneak peek of the possibilities in their chemistry. FOLA’s tender tone allows Ayra’s slightly sharper vocal texture to shine, their voices meeting somewhere in the middle, creating harmonies that feel organic.
Lyrically, the song revolves around reassurance, emotional availability, and treating a partner with care. These aren’t groundbreaking themes within Afrobeats, but FOLA and Ayra Starr make them engaging through conversational writing and believable performances.
‘TREAT U RIGHT’ succeeds because it sounds intentional. The chemistry is believable, the songwriting remains focused, and neither artist sacrifices their individuality to accommodate the other. It is an easy listen on first play with its replay value lies in the melodic restraint, the conversational songwriting, and the comfort both artists have found within the same sonic space.
Jorja Smith ft. Wizkid — “Alive”
British R&B powerhouse Jorja Smith teams up with Afrobeats superstar Wizkid on “Alive”, the lead single from her highly anticipated third studio album ‘What Are The Odds’. Jorja Smith, known for her soul-stirring vocals and introspective songwriting, brings emotional depth and effortless cool. Wizkid, the global Afrobeats ambassador with undeniable melodic charm, adds his signature smooth flair, and together, they create pure magic.
Produced by P2J with mixing by Sam Harper and mastering by Prash “Engine-Earz” Mistry) “Alive” clocks in at a breezy 3:27. It’s built on hypnotic percussion, warm basslines, subtle Afrobeats rhythms, and lush, atmospheric production that feels both intimate and expansive. Jorja Smith’s velvety vocals lead the way, while Wizkid’s verse injects rhythmic bounce and playful energy—a seamless fusion that highlights their complementary styles.
The song has that late-night, lights-low vibe: sensual but never over-the-top, celebrating the honeymoon phase of attraction with the confident lyrics Jorja opens with: “All night, you make me feel so alive/Don’t stop, oh, you’re doing it right/You make me feel so alive/We be up all night, her verses expressing longing and commitment. Wizkid arrives exactly where the song needs him; his melodic cadence is understated, almost conversational, floating over the production with the effortless calm that has become one of his strongest artistic trademarks, reinforcing the mood the song has already established. Their performances feel collaborative in the truest sense, each creating space for the other. Jorja provides emotional texture while Wizkid brings rhythmic fluidity, resulting in a record that feels cohesive from beginning to end.
Alive focuses on emotional presence, companionship and finding peace in another person. Those themes are expressed with enough sincerity to feel believable, even if they aren’t particularly groundbreaking. The song understands that not every love record needs high emotional stakes; sometimes comfort itself is compelling. Its minimalist approach leaves plenty of room for silence between melodies, allowing the vocals to breathe naturally. Every element feels intentionally placed, from the soft drum patterns to the understated bassline and ambient textures. Nothing fights for attention, making the listening experience feel immersive.
Reekado Banks — “Worthy Challenger” (EP)
Reekado Banks drops his new 5-track EP ‘Worthy Challenger’. Clocking in at just under 13 minutes, the project serves as a concise, confident return to form for the Afrobeats veteran, packed with catchy melodies, dance-ready grooves, and a clear nod to his chart-dominating prime.
Reekado Banks (Richard Isong) burst onto the scene in the 2010s with massive hits like “Ore Mi,” “Beamer,” and Mavin-era anthems that made him a household name. After a period of relative quiet, ‘Worthy Challenger’ feels like a deliberate reassertion inspired by responding to Burna Boy’s 2020 “not a worthy challenger” comment while delivering music that prioritizes vibes, replay value, and club energy over lengthy introspection.
The EP is short and sweet, leaning into polished Afrobeats with melodic hooks, percussive rhythms, and Reekado Banks’ signature smooth, emotive delivery. The EP opens with “Samankwe”: an energetic opener with infectious rhythms and playful lyrics, “She Is Mine” is a smooth and romantic, while “Mathematician”: carries clever wordplay and rhythmic flow, showcasing Reekado Banks’ lyrical side alongside the grooves. “Mercy” is a mid-tempo plea or celebration, blending emotion with danceability. “Nobody” with Libianca is the emotional closer and standout feature. Libianca’s soulful tones pair beautifully with Reekado Banks for a heartfelt, anthemic finish that elevates the project.
Production keeps things tight with vibrant percussion, warm melodies, and layered vocals that echo Reekado’s golden era while feeling fresh for 2026. It’s purposeful hit-making designed to remind everyone why he was once untouchable on the charts. The title is a direct, cheeky response to past jabs with a humorous hint at a follow-up called “Clout Animal” referencing old Wizkid drama. “Worthy Challenger” is Reekado Banks doing what he does best: delivering polished, hook-heavy Afrobeats that moves bodies and hearts. And at just five tracks, it avoids bloat and focuses on strengths.
Frenna, Odeal & Wizkid — “Cocoa Body”
On paper, Frenna, Odeal, and Wizkid sound like an effortless combination. All three artists thrive in music that prioritizes melody, groove and understated charisma over excess, making “Coca Body” feel less like a surprise collaboration and more like one that was always waiting to happen. The result is a smooth, late-night record that comfortably blurs the lines between Afrobeats, Afro-R&B and contemporary soul.
Coca Body wastes little time establishing its mood. The production settles into a silky rhythm driven by mellow percussion, rich basslines and soft guitar textures that immediately evoke warmth. Rather than chasing the high-energy bounce that often defines Afrobeats, the instrumental leans into sensuality, creating a laid-back atmosphere where every vocal performance has room to breathe.
Frenna sets the tone with confidence. His delivery carries the relaxed swagger that has long defined his music, approaching romance with effortless charm instead of exaggerated bravado. He glides through the production with melodic ease, making the opening feel inviting without trying to dominate the record. His performance establishes the song’s central mood before handing it over naturally to his collaborators.
Odeal feels right at home. Few artists in the current Afro-R&B space navigate intimacy as comfortably as he does, and “Coca Body” gives him another opportunity to showcase that strength. His voice introduces a gentle vulnerability that balances Frenna’s confidence, adding emotional texture without slowing the momentum. His phrasing is smooth, his melodies feel instinctive, and his presence deepens the song.
Then comes Wizkid. He folds seamlessly into the existing chemistry with his signature melodic cadence, subtle vocal inflections, and understated delivery reinforcing the song’s relaxed energy. There are no attempts to overpower and like his collaborators, he understands that Coca Body works best when every performance serves the atmosphere first.
That collective restraint becomes the song’s greatest strength. All three artists move through the production with remarkable cohesion, passing the record between themselves as though they had been performing together for years. Their contrasting vocal textures complement one another, giving the collaboration enough variety while maintaining a consistent emotional tone.
Lyrically, Coca Body embraces familiar themes of attraction, admiration and romance. The writing succeeds through personality and delivery. The title itself celebrates beauty with warmth while the verses maintain a flirtatious, organic confidence.
For Frenna, “Coca Body” highlights his ability to bridge European Afrobeats with the broader global sound. Odeal continues to cement his reputation as one of the most compelling voices operating between Afrobeats and alternative R&B, while Wizkid once again demonstrates why he remains one of the genre’s most reliable collaborators.
“Coca Body” appeal lies in its atmosphere, polished vocal performances and the effortless chemistry between three artists who understand that sometimes the strongest records are the ones that never try too hard.
Joshua Baraka — “What Do I Know?”
New Music Friday brings emotional depth courtesy of Ugandan talent Joshua Baraka and his new single “What Do I Know?”. The track marks an introspective solo return for the rising star following collaborations and his debut album Juvie. Few artists in East Africa have experienced the kind of upward trajectory Joshua Baraka has enjoyed over the past two years. From Nana to Wrong Places and his debut album Juvie, the Ugandan singer has steadily built a reputation for writing emotionally transparent records that blur Afro-pop, R&B and soul. “What Do I Know?”, his latest release, continues that introspective streak, trading grand statements for quiet self-reflection.
From the opening moments, the record establishes an atmosphere of vulnerability. The production is deliberately restrained, built around warm chords, soft percussion and subtle rhythmic textures that leave plenty of room for Joshua Baraka’s voice. Rather than leaning on infectious hooks from the outset, the instrumental unfolds patiently, inviting listeners into the emotional space before the melody fully settles.
Joshua Baraka sounds remarkably comfortable in that space. His greatest strength has never been vocal acrobatics but emotional honesty, and “What Do I Know?” leans heavily into that quality. His delivery feels conversational, almost as though he’s processing his thoughts in real time. Every line carries a quiet uncertainty that makes the songwriting feel believable. That uncertainty becomes the song’s central theme. Instead of presenting himself as someone with all the answers, Joshua Baraka explores the confusion that often accompanies love, growth and self-discovery. The title itself captures that tension. It’s less a rhetorical question than an admission that not every emotion arrives with clarity.
Melodically, the record is understated but memorable. Joshua Baraka avoids overcrowding the song with unnecessary vocal runs, allowing simple melodies to do the emotional heavy lifting. Every element feels intentionally placed. The percussion remains gentle throughout, while ambient textures and carefully layered harmonies create depth without distracting from the vocal performance. The arrangement gives the song an intimacy that many contemporary Afro-pop releases often sacrifice in pursuit of bigger moments.
More importantly, the single reinforces why Joshua Baraka continues to emerge as one of Africa’s most compelling young songwriters. And while “What Do I Know?” may not be designed for instant viral moments, but it possesses the qualities that often give songs a longer shelf life. It is thoughtful, emotionally grounded and quietly captivating—another reminder that Joshua Baraka’s greatest asset is his ability to make uncertainty sound beautiful.
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