Nigeria: Fireboy DML, JAZZWRLD and Thukuthela release ‘IMALI’

Produced by JAZZWRLD, the track combines Fireboy DML’s melodic songwriting with elements of South Africa’s emerging 3-Step sound. The collaboration brings together artists from Nigeria and Southern Africa around themes of money, ambition and the pursuit of success.

“Southern Africa has an incredible musical energy, and I’ve always admired how its producers and artists continue to shape sounds that travel across the world,” Fireboy DML said. “Working with JAZZWRLD and Thukuthela on ‘IMALI’ was an organic creative experience, it’s different cultures meeting through music and creating something bigger than borders.”

JAZZWRLD said: “Music allows us to connect beyond geography. Creating ‘IMALI’ with Fireboy and Thukuthela was about finding a shared rhythm between our worlds and letting the production speak to Africa, to home.”

Thukuthela said the collaboration reflected the growing interaction between African music scenes.

“This record is a celebration of African creativity. We each brought our own identity into the studio, and the result is something that feels fresh, emotional and represents how connected our music scenes have become,” he said.

The single was released alongside an official music video directed by Gabriel OBE. The visual explores the song’s themes of ambition, perseverance and the pursuit of success through a cinematic aesthetic.