Juls, Dremo, Jay O Choke Boi and More on New Music Friday
The first New Music Friday of the year arrives without easing us in. And today’s playlist, however few, ranges from heritage-rich instrumentals and unfiltered rap confessions to sultry dancefloor records and transatlantic R&B introspection. This week’s releases feel like early statements of purpose. It’s music that understands the weight of a fresh calendar: reflective, restless, culturally rooted and forward-leaning. If January is about setting the tone, then these records aren’t whispering; they are choosing their moments carefully and speaking when it matters.
Juls — Roots
British-Ghanaian beat architect Juls dropped “Roots”, the lead single from his forthcoming ‘Jigi Jigi Vol. 1 EP’, slated for January 30, 2026. Unlike his 2024 album’s constellation of eclectic features, “Roots” is a bold creative pivot: scanty vocals, no guests, just Juls’ production genius taking centre stage, and a deliberate choice to spotlight his identity as a producer first and foremost.
At its core, Roots is an instrumental riddim that feels like a sonic embrace from the continent’s ancestors. Layered percussion rattles like conversation between tribes; warm highlife guitar flickers and deep Afrobeat basslines tickle the senses; subtle rhythmic nods to genres across Africa coalesce into one cohesive groove. This isn’t Juls solely making a beat but harnessing musical storytelling rooted in heritage and lineage. The track is essentially a riddim that combines elements of different African genres, and you can hear that intention in every note.
Roots to a listener is soothing yet hypnotic, like sitting by a fireside where every instrument speaks. The production is immaculate: crisp, warm and richly textured in the way only Juls consistently delivers. His decade-plus career, from crafting vibey cuts for Afrobeats heavyweights to introducing global audiences to West African colors, has always balanced rhythm with soul, and this track feels like the distilled essence of that journey.
Dremo — “Man2Man”
Dremo wastes no time in 2026, dropping “Man2Man” as his first single of the year on January 9th. The bold, unfiltered track is a PSA to the Nigerian music industry that feels like a group chat leaked over a moody beat.
Produced by The Kazez, the instrumental is minimalist and brooding: deep bass, subtle synths, and a steady trap-inflected rhythm that keeps the focus squarely on Dremo’s words. Without the flashy hooks, Dremo holds a cadence of a raw rap delivery with that signature confident flow he’s honed since his early days.
“Brother man / If we get issue make we iron am / Whether na artiste to artiste / Or man to man / So if you hear your name don’t take it personal / Just want to say my mind.”
It’s an invitation to clear the air directly, not as subliminals, but in the form f a heart to heart “man2man” conversation. What follows is a roll call of grievances, anecdotes, and olive branches. Dremo name-drops heavily — Olamide (for dodging a verse), Phyno and Phenom (over past misunderstandings), Oxlade (a resolved Miami babe drama), Odumodublvck for not liking him, Ajebo Hustlers, Sarz (that Mortal Kombat bet for a free beat), CKay, BNXN (with a retractable jab about being a “bowling pin”), Davido (a cheeky reminder about promised money), Sarkodie, even touching on the endless Wizkid-Davido saga where he felt unfairly dragged.
On first listen, it’s equal parts cathartic and chaotic, but like a true artist, the vulnerability stands out. Dremo sounds exhausted by rumors and politics, pleading for spiritual cleansing while airing it all publicly. Lines like “Make FC free me na, I don tire” hit with relatable frustration, and there’s humor sprinkled in to keep it from feeling too heavy. His pen is sharp as ever; the storytelling is vivid, the bars land cleanly.
Is it a diss track? Not quite. It’s more reconciliation rap which is quite risky in an industry quick to take offense, but refreshingly honest and vulnerable. For a first release, “Man2Man” is bold, necessary, and undeniably engaging. Dremo reminds us why he’s one of Naija rap’s most underrated technicians.
Choke Boi, Fido, Ruger — “Bend Am”
Choke Boi recruits Fido and Ruger for “Bend Am”, a mid-tempo sultry single that feels like the soundtrack to a prolonged December party, with an imposingly crispy production that tugs at a listener from Choke Boi.
The beat is pure Afrobeats-dancehall fusion with its slightly bouncy log drum basslines, shimmering synths, and that irresistible mid-tempo groove that makes you move before the vocals even kick in. Production is crisp and club-ready; no overthinking, just vibes engineered for instant rotation.
Fido opens the record with his signature melodic flow, smooth and infectious like a veteran, adding that emotional pull and a catchy chorus that makes a listener hum and bop along even on first listen. The floor is quickly open for Ruger as he continues with a charismatic, lady-focused narrative delivered with that effortless swagger. His verse is cheeky, confident, perfectly timed to elevate the energy and perhaps the standout. Choke Boi’s “Bend Am” is repetitive in the best way, the kind that organically turs into a mainstream anthem.
The track is unapologetically hedonistic fun, with the both artists willfully syncing with Choke Boi’s production. Ruger’s feature run continues strong, Fido proves again why he’s underrated, and Choke Boi holds his own as the host.
Jay O feat. Jordan Adetunji — History
On January 8, 2026, North London’s rising R&B heir JayO teamed with buzz-worthy British-Nigerian artist Jordan Adetunji to deliver “History”, a smooth, atmospheric single that feels like the perfect late-night companion for the year’s opening chapter.
From the jump, “History” unfolds as a lush alternative R&B groove built on soft keys, subtle bass, and layered harmonies, a soundscape that doesn’t shout but gently envelops. It’s understated yet immersive, marrying JayO’s emotive warmth with Jordan’s introspective tone in a way that feels effortless and exact. The track’s 2:31 runtime at ~130 BPM knits energy with intimacy, giving both voices the space to shine without over-processing or crowding.
Lyrically, the song sits in that pivotal romantic moment where vulnerability meets possibility. Lines like “We could make history / Or just be another mystery” are emotional fulcrums, delivered in haunting harmonies that stay with you even after the track fades.
JayO’s melodic leadership on the hook carries a sincerity that feels lived-in, while Jordan Adetunji, fresh off his global breakout and Grammy-buzzy ascension, adds an incisive edge that elevates the narrative.
What’s notable here isn’t bravado, but chemistry, two distinct vocal textures converging in a transatlantic vibe that bridges R&B sensitivity with UK melodic sensibilities. JayO’s smooth delivery complements Jordan Adetunji’s airy, nuanced flair, making “History” feel less like a feature track and more like a genuine musical conversation.
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