Rema, Ckay, Asake, Nasty C and More On New Music Friday.
New Music Friday hit different this week.
It’s not every day you wake up to fresh Rema. Excluding that earlier collab with the piano wizard, Sofiane Panmart, “Tea” is Rema’s first proper solo single of 2026.
Meanwhile CKay is fully leaning into his Banger Boy era, Asake and Darkoo linked up for pure chemistry, and the rest of the lineup arrived with big feel-good energy.
Did New Music Friday deliver on those grand promises? Let’s pour a cup and find out.
Rema – “Tea”
Rema said when you hear his voice it’s party time, then spent the next three minutes and twelve seconds proving it. Produced by Mustard with additional work from longtime collaborator London, “Tea” sits right in that sweet spot of Rema’s sound; hypnotic high-pitched chorus, heavy log drums, and an infectious rhythm that feels made for warm nights and even warmer bodies.
He flips the playful “body like tea” idea into a full celebratory ode to curves and feminine beauty. That sticky “tea tea tea tea” refrain nods to the bounce of P-Square’s “Busy Body” and more recent dancefloor earworms. It’s pure feel-good medicine. By the time the track ends you know exactly what Rema intended: leave the dance floor and head straight somewhere more private. The cover art is… eye-catching, let’s just say. Some are calling it Minecraft-adjacent or a little chaotic, but it’s Rema, so we call it art and keep streaming.
Darkoo & Asake – “That Girl”
Darkoo and Asake’s chemistry is undeniable on “That Girl”; smooth, sweet, and effortlessly catchy. It’s a feel-good record that makes you want to move the second the beat drops. Asake slides in with that signature energy and flow that lifts everything higher, while Darkoo’s husky delivery keeps it grounded and cool.
The official video (directed by Perliks) matches the vibrant and slick vibe of the song. lt aready sounding like a strong contender for song-of-the-summer rotation. One in a million, really.
CKay & Maleek Berry – “Sexy”
CKay might have left the “Africa’s boyfriend” title behind, but he clearly can’t leave romance. “Sexy” (a standout cut from his third studio album Banger Boy, which also dropped today) finds him firmly in that lane, only this time with noticeable flair and dance-floor energy.
Maleek Berry brings his usual sweetness and polish, making the whole thing glide. It’s romantic but ready for the club, the perfect bridge between the soft CKay we fell for and the banger-boy era he’s stepping into. The full Banger Boy project (12 tracks featuring Mavo, Phyno, King Promise, Kidd Carder and more) is stacked, and “Sexy” is one of the sweetest entry points.
Nasty C & Tellaman – “Natural”
Probably the calmest joint on this lineup, and that’s a compliment. The synergy between Nasty C and Tellaman is so seamless the song moves from one voice to the other without ever losing momentum. Together they paint the picture of a beautiful lady who’s simply… natural.
It’s smooth, reflective, and full of that easy chemistry these two have built over years of collaboration. Part of the rollout for their joint album T’s & C’s Apply (due September 1), “Natural” feels like a deep breath in the middle of a high-energy Friday. Commendable synergy all the way through.
Kimilist – “M3n Di”
Starting with a smooth, almost deceptive intro, “M3n Di” (produced by iykeparker) quickly blossoms into a high-energy fusion of Hiplife cadence and edgy Afro-swing rhythms. The production strikes a satisfying balance between melodic warmth and infectious bounce, layering crisp percussion with grooves that are impossible to ignore.
Kimilist leans into effortless charm, delivering a performance that feels confident without trying too hard. His melodies glide comfortably over the beat, while the catchy hook gives the record the kind of replay value that sticks after just one listen.
It’s the sort of song that works in multiple settings. It slips naturally onto romantic summer playlists but feels equally at home on a crowded dance floor. Smooth where it needs to be, bouncy where it counts, “M3n Di” is an easy, feel-good addition to this week’s New Music Friday lineup.
Wemy – “Salsa”
Wemy’s “Salsa“ does exactly what the title promises and keeps the party going. Built on vibrant percussion, infectious rhythms and an instantly catchy hook, it’s the kind of song that demands movement from the very first beat.
Wemy brings confident, feel-good energy throughout, making “Salsa” an easy addition to weekend playlists, house parties and dance floors alike. Sometimes a song doesn’t need to be complicated to work. It just needs to make people move, and this one absolutely does.
So… did this New Music Friday deliver? Absolutely.
From Rema’s party-to-the-bedroom invitation to the undeniable chemistry on “That Girl,” the romantic-dance balance of “Sexy,” the calm beauty of “Natural,” and the dancefloor readiness of the rest, the week came through with the goods.
Queue them up, turn it up, and let the good vibes carry you into the weekend:
