Nigeria: CKay shares ‘African Girls’ ft. Kidd Carder

The track follows the release of ‘BADAMINTON’ earlier this year and introduces a shift in musical direction for the Nigerian artist, moving away from the emotional style associated with his self-described Emo-Afrobeats sound towards a more dance-focused approach influenced by Nigerian nightlife and street culture.

According to information released alongside the single, African Girls draws heavily from Mara, a high-energy subgenre emerging from Nigeria’s street-pop and club music scene.

The song centres on themes of celebration and appreciation of African women, while also reflecting CKay’s evolving creative direction.

“This song is first and foremost a celebration of African women, their beauty, energy, and the way they light up every room they walk into,” CKay said. “I wanted women to hear this record and feel confident, appreciated, and uplifted.”

CKay also described the release as part of a broader shift in his artistic approach.

“At the same time, this marks a new creative chapter for me. I introduced the Emo-Afrobeats sound, and now I’m exploring something with more energy, movement, and a stronger connection to the culture of Nigerian club music.

“Mara is a sound that deserves global attention, and ‘African Girls’ is my way of bringing more people into that world.”

The single offers an early indication of a forthcoming project expected later in 2026, according to the artist's team.

CKay gained international recognition through songs including love nwantiti (ah ah ah), emiliana and WAHALA. He has also collaborated with artists including Davido, Olamide, Ayra Starr, Amaarae, PinkPantheress and Janelle Monáe.

The track is now available on digital streaming platforms.