Blaqbonez, BNXN, Lojay, TML Vibez and More On New Music Friday

New Music Friday came with a little bit of everything this week.

Blaqbonez and Asake are busy making asses a public emergency on “IKEBE 3000,” BNXN is asking a very simple question — if you like, will you actually let me love you? — while Lojay has apparently decided that money is the only language worth speaking.

TML Vibez takes the street-pop route with “Gentleman,” and Mr Eazi and MOLIY remind us that sometimes all you really need is a fine person, a slow whine and enough money to turn Lagos-to-Accra into a casual commute.

Basically, nobody came here to be emotionally responsible.

Here are five songs from this week’s New Music Friday that deserve a spin.

Blaqbonez ft. Asake – “IKEBE 3000”

“IKEBE 3000” arrives with one butt joke and absolutely no intention of behaving.

Blaqbonez and Asake have reunited for another collaboration following “Chanel,” and this time they have made something considerably more unserious. The song is the latest preview of Blaqbonez’s forthcoming NOMADINHO: 4TH PRIME, which is scheduled for October 16. It also had already built momentum before release, thanks to snippets, dance clips and CapCut templates circulating online.

“IKEBE 3000” is basically a celebration of a very specific kind of distraction: you have money to make, places to be and a life to live, but then one beautiful woman walks past and suddenly your entire schedule needs restructuring.

Blaqbonez opens with the eternal struggle of a man trying to maintain focus while a woman’s backside is apparently conducting its own FaceTime calls. He tells us he is on a paper chase, but her ikebe keeps calling. Sir, stand up.

The repeated “nwayọ, nwayọ” hook is ridiculously simple, but that simplicity is exactly what makes it work. It gives Asake plenty of room to turn a phrase into something that feels almost percussive.

Then he comes in with “baby, save me,” which is hilarious because there is clearly no saving happening here.

This is Blaqbonez leaning fully into his ability to make a record that feels like a joke between friends and a proper Afrobeats banger at the same time. The production is built for movement, the hook is practically begging to become a dance challenge, and Asake's presence gives the record enough melodic weight to stop it from becoming a three-minute Twitter joke.

BNXN – “If You Like”

BNXN's Still In Charge EP ends with a gentle proposition; I want you, but I'm not going to force you. If you like.

The song is built around the simplest romantic premise imaginable. BNXN wants to be someone's baby. He is offering the solo trips, the nice places, the wine, the whole soft-life package but ultimately, the decision belongs to her.

“If you like” becomes less of a throwaway phrase and more of the song's entire attitude.

Rather than ending the project with another huge statement, BNXN winds things down with soft guitars, a relaxed rhythm and a lovely vocal performance. Contemporary coverage of the EP specifically highlights the song's unhurried feel and the way the guitar-led production gives his melodies room to shine.

There is no desperate pleading here. Even when he admits that another person could break his heart, the song keeps its shoulders relaxed. He'll take you to Mykonos, he'll order the wine, he'll give you his attention but you have to actually like him first.

It is romance with a shrug.

Lojay – “Money Lingo”

Lojay has entered his money-is-a-love-language era.

“Money Lingo” is the kind of song that would probably make a financial adviser develop a headache. Lojay, however, sounds perfectly at peace.

The record opens in the middle of a party, with girls everywhere, VIP treatment and Louboutin glasses firmly in place. Underneath all the flexing is Lojay's philosophy. "I have no interest in unnecessary drama. I am here to make money, enjoy myself and move accordingly."

Lojay goes from divine prayer to paper almost immediately, essentially presenting financial success as a combination of faith and hustle. The line of thought is very Nigerian; pray hard, work hard, make money, enjoy yourself, and please don't bring unnecessary enemies into the equation.

There is also a particularly funny contradiction running through the song.

Lojay says he isn't chasing enemies anymore. He wishes them “peace and love.” Very mature. Very evolved.

Then, almost immediately, he is asking somebody for their Paystack login.

Sir?

The production is upbeat without being frantic, and Lojay's silky vocal runs slide comfortably through the percussion.

The song isn't asking you to contemplate capitalism.

It is asking you to make money and look good while doing it.

And honestly, fair.

TML Vibez – “Gentleman”

TML Vibez has spent much of his recent run proving that street-pop does not have to mean sacrificing melody.

“Gentleman,” from A Street Kid's Diary (Disc 2), continues that approach with a smoother, more polished Afrobeats sound. The album arrived with 16 tracks and features artists including Victony, Ayo Maff, Shoday, Lasmid, Blaqbonez and Mavo, with “Gentleman” sitting at track six.

The most standout thing about this song is that TML Vibez is comfortable letting the melody do some of the work.

There is still that familiar street sensibility underneath the record, but “Gentleman” has a softer edge. It feels like something you play while you're outside, looking good, talking to somebody you like and pretending you aren't checking your phone every thirty seconds.

The production from Demmy gives him enough space to glide rather than fight the beat.

Is it the loudest song on A Street Kid's Diary (Disc 2)? No.

“Gentleman” is the kind of record that reminds you that not every song needs to be the main character.

Some songs are perfectly happy being the attractive guy leaning against the wall.

Mr Eazi ft. MOLIY – “Comfort”

Mr Eazi has returned to familiar territory, but he has brought MOLIY with him.

“Comfort” is a flirtatious, cross-border Afropop record that sits comfortably between Afrobeats, dancehall, R&B and the breezy rhythmic style Mr Eazi has long associated with Banku Music. It was produced by RAGEE and released on October 2, with Mr Eazi describing the sound as an updated version of his signature style.

The song itself is basically two people flirting while pretending they are having a normal conversation.

They are not.

Mr Eazi is openly fascinated by this woman's body. He is promising attention, money, trips and loving. MOLIY's presence gives the record another layer of attitude, making it feel less like a man delivering a monologue and more like a flirtation happening in real time.

Mr Eazi has spent years sitting comfortably between Ghanaian and Nigerian musical cultures, while MOLIY has become one of the most recognisable newer voices in that broader African pop conversation following the global success of “Shake It to the Max (FLY).”

But the real selling point is the mood.

“Comfort” sounds like somebody who has already decided that tonight is going to be enjoyable.

The beat bounces. The bass is warm. Mr Eazi sounds completely at ease. MOLIY brings brightness and flirtation.

It is gyal-dem music, exactly as Mr Eazi described it: sweet, flattering and easy.

So… what are we listening to this weekend?

This week's five picks occupy very different corners of the Afrobeats universe.

“IKEBE 3000” is pure mischief. “If You Like” is soft romance without the emotional hostage situation. “Money Lingo” is Lojay choosing money, prayer and peace over unnecessary drama. “Gentleman” gives TML Vibez room to breathe, while “Comfort” is Mr Eazi and MOLIY flirting their way through one of the week's smoothest cross-border collaborations:

Queue them up. The weekend is waiting.