Wizkid, Asake, Shatta Wale, NSG and More on New Music Friday

This Friday lands with a swagger, from Afrobeats royalty to UK diaspora narratives and Ghanaian fire, a sonic smorgasbord that makes one truth unavoidable: African music is back from holiday and pushing forward. Fresh sounds from the continent and its diaspora are ready to take over your weekend playlists. Whether you’re craving smooth Afrobeats romance, gritty dancehall declarations, uplifting anthems, or sharp Afroswing synergy, this week’s drops deliver pure replay value and undeniable energy.

Jogodo — Wizkid & Asake

Surprise drops are the best kind of chaos, and Wizkid and Asake just delivered one. “Jogodo”, the lead single from their upcoming joint EP REAL, Vol. 1 (out January 23), landed quietly yesterday and is already climbing charts. If Afrobeats had its own gravitational pull, “Jogodo” would be the collider on this week’s New Music Friday release. Wizkid and Asake finally bless the weekend with a groove that already feels timeless. Jogodo is a mash of laid-back swagger and kinetic energy that seduces both body and spirit. It’s the lead single off their forthcoming Real (Vol. 1) EP, and right from the pulsing percussion to the call-and-response vocal synergy, the track is a project and vibe manifesto. Asake sets the tone early with his infectious street energy, weaving playful Pidgin and Yoruba lines about tipping back ogogoro, bodies moving “pololo” and “tongolo”, and chasing that carefree, heady high. Wizkid’s effortless cool interlocks beautifully with Asake’s textured Fuji-infused delivery, all wrapped in a lyrical embrace of nightlife, celebration, and cultural cadence that feels at once deep and infectious.

Sounds of the Diaspora — NSG (Album)

East London’s finest, NSG, are back and kicking off 2026 with a bang. NSG’s new 9-track project Sounds of the Diaspora, clocking in at just under 30 minutes, arrives as a compact yet wide-ranging statement on identity and energy. This is the UK Afroswing collective at their most focused, celebrating roots and movement by bridging UK street sensibilities with African rhythmic DNA, featuring heavyweight collaborators that include Nasty C, King Promise and fast-rising acts like Ayo Maff and Mavo, among others.

NSG leans fully into their signature blend: infectious Afrobeats rhythms, dancehall swagger, UK rap grit, and those smooth, layered harmonies that make them stand out in a crowded scene. The album is equal parts club-ready and culture-deep, a soundscape that refuses genre constraints while staying warm at the core of Afrobeat’s infectious rhythms.

The production, largely helmed by 4Play, is crisp and vibrant; log drums bounce, guitars shimmer, and brass hits land just right. It’s summery even in January, built for cruising, parties, or late-night vibes.

Standouts come early and often. The features elevate everything: King Promise brings that Ghanaian melody magic, Nasty C adds sharp hip hop flair, Bien (from Sauti Sol) delivers effortless cool, Ayo Maff injects raw street energy, and Mavo rounds it out with fresh vibes.

Tracks swing between high-energy bangers (perfect for the function) and smoother, reflective cuts about identity, hustle, and good living. The group chemistry shines—Kruddz, Papii, Mojo, Dope, Mxjib, and OGD trade bars and hooks seamlessly, their accents and flows weaving that true diaspora tapestry.

NSG’s Sounds of the Diaspora is a concise, confident statement that reaffirms NSG’s spot at the top table. Essential for any Afrobeats/Afroswing playlist this year.

EVERYDAY — Magixx

Magixx taps into something both universal and intimate with “EVERYDAY”. One of Mavin Records’ smoothest voices, Magixx, opens 2026 strong with a brand new single that feels like his most heartfelt release yet, turning gratitude and everyday love into pure melody. The track leans into themes of gratitude, resilience, and self-belief, framed with a smooth, uplifting melody that underscores his evolution as an artist whose words mirror the breath of the moment. It’s a reflective groove that sits perfectly in playlists that cross from morning motivation to evening introspection, a quiet yet powerful reset that demands repeated listens.

The beat comes in soft and warm, mid-tempo Afrobeats with gentle log drums, subtle trumpets, shimmering keys, and subtle guitar licks that feel like sunlight filtering through. Production gives Magixx all the room to do what he does best: he opens reflectively, singing about appreciating the little things, waking up to the same person, the daily wins, and the quiet blessings. Lines about loving “every day, every night” and giving thanks hit gently but deeply.

The chorus, layered harmonies, and production all sync in a way that forces a listener to hum without realising, that signature Magixx tenderness effortlessly shining through.

Boss A Di Whole Place — Shatta Wale

The African Dancehall King, Shatta Wale, wastes no time in 2026 as he kicks off with “Boss A Di Whole Place”, the explosive opener from his freshly dropped EP ‘Echoes Of The Ghetto’, and it’s already taking over the streets. Pure, unfiltered dancehall fire from the SM general himself.

“Boss A Di Whole Place” is a track that comes across to a listener like a declaration of territory. With heavy bass and militant energy slapping from the first bar, this is the Ghanaian dancehall king talking his truth.

MOLIY, Priesst, KOJO BLAK and Major League DJz on New Music Friday

The rhythm hits hard from the jump with heavy distorted basslines, sharp snares, and minimalist but urgent percussion that screams classic dancehall yard energy. Shatta comes in raspy and commanding, declaring dominance from the gate: “Mi a di boss of di whole place / When mi step out every road straight.” He mixes boastful flexes with ghetto resilience: talking about system barriers, building his own gate, and rising anyway despite the pain. The repetitive “one life, one crown, one way” line in the hook solidifies “Boss A Di Whole Place” as straight anthem material.

Dream Big — Akuvi feat. Stonebwoy

Norwegian-Ghanaian songstress Akuvi links up with one of Ghana’s dancehall kings, Stonebwoy, for “Dream Big”, a brand new single that is already spreading pure motivation across DSPs. This cross-continental collab feels like the perfect uplifting start to 2026. The production opens bright and breezy with mid-tempo Afro-fusion rhythms, shimmering guitars, subtle log drums, and warm synths that build into an infectious, feel-good groove. It’s soulful yet energetic, blending contemporary Ghanaian sounds with universal pop appeal.

Akuvi leads with her emotive, soaring vocals that are silky clear with a heartfelt delivery on themes of ambition, resilience, and chasing dreams no matter the odds. Her tone is empowering and vulnerable at once, pulling a listener in immediately.

Then Stonebwoy slides in with that signature BHIM fire: raspy flow, motivational bars, and uplifting energy that adds serious depth and grit. His verse is pure inspiration, talking about overcoming barriers, believing in yourself, and going all in. The chemistry is effortless; they trade off like they’re hyping each other toward greatness.

The chorus is the standout, with “Dream big” chants layered with harmonies that stick instantly, built for sing-alongs, stadium vibes, or just personal motivation on your morning run.