Nigeria: Zinoleesky unveils visuals for single Ayamase ft. Ms Banks

Riding from the success of Gen Z, which debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, topped Nigeria’s Official Top 100 Albums Chart for two consecutive weeks, and surpassed 100 million global streams, Zinoleesky continues to solidify his status as one of the continent’s most exciting young artists.

‘Ayamase’, a fusion of melodic rap, street pop, and Afrobeats, explores themes of love, desire, and mutual respect from a distinctly Nigerian perspective. Produced by Niphkeys (known for work with Stormzy, Rema, and Asake), the track finds Zinoleesky in a vulnerable, confessional mode, expressing unwavering devotion to a love interest. Ms Banks counters with a confident, assertive verse that reclaims the narrative, asserting her value and boundaries.

The song’s title pays homage to a beloved Yoruba delicacy, used as a metaphor for romantic longing and commitment. This culinary symbol is cleverly woven into a narrative about emotional authenticity and relational power dynamics.

The accompanying music video, shot on location in Lagos by Mediakid, with creative direction from Dir. Ley, captures the energy and cultural pride of the track. Set on a sun-drenched Lagos street corner, the visuals depict a stylised face-off between two confident crews, Zinoleesky and his men, and Ms Banks with her squad, visually mirroring the lyrical back-and-forth. The video celebrates West African street culture with cinematic flair and stylised realism.

“‘Ayamase’ simmers with tension, humour, and chemistry. It’s a modern love story rooted in Nigerian culture, and the visuals bring that to life with Lagos grit and glamour,” Zinoleesky said.

The track is among several fan favourites from Gen Z, which has drawn acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Dazed, and Notion. The album explores themes of identity, escapism, resilience, and innovation, blending Afropiano, Afroswing, and Afrobeats influences. It also reflects Zinoleesky’s interest in gaming and virtual realities, offering a futuristic take on African youth culture.