Nigeria: Burna Boy, Davido and Mavins release singles

13 May 2022 - 12:17

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Nigerian music this week witnessed a flurry of song releases from some of the country’s leading names, notably Burna Boy, Davido, and the Don Jazzy-led Mavins collective.

Burna Boy, Don Jazzy and Davido.

The singles, which herald new albums and are available for streaming and download across all major streaming platforms, tackle themes of love and perseverance.

Burna Boy’s submission, titled ‘Last Last’ rides a flip of American artist Toni Braxton’s 2000 single ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough'. The Afrofusion singer first performed ‘Last Last’ during his Maddison Square Garden show on 28 April, announcing that the song is taken from his upcoming album Love, Damini, due on 2 July.

Davido’s ‘Stand Strong’ features The Samples Choir, best known for performing with Kanye West during his Sunday Service sessions. Also taken off Davido’s next collection, the song preaches resilience in the face of adversity. Davido teased the song on social media on Wednesday, explaining that its “conception has been different.” He added: “I know you love it when I make you dance, but now I want to make you feel. This one is for everyone out there holding it up. I know what I’ve experienced over the past 10 years, and a lot of you have been through it all with me. But have you really? For the first time, I want to bring you into the other part of my world.”

For Mavin Records, the just-released ‘Overdose’ kicks off a series of events commemorating the label’s 10-year anniversary. Produced by label head Don Jazzy, ‘Overdose’ features a number of artists on the Mavin roster, including Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx, and Boy Spyce. The song also heralds a compilation LP marking the record company’s decade-long stay in Nigerian pop.

Other songs by Nigerian acts released today are Zinoleesky with the Niphkey-produced ‘Loving You’ and DJ Spinall’s ‘Palazzo’ featuring Asake.

Today’s mainstream release adds to the growing success of Afrobeats, whose global ascent over the past few years continues to reach new heights. This week, US rapper Future’s ‘Wait For U’ featuring Drake and ‘Essence’ singer Tems debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart. Fellow Nigerian CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ has also now surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify across all versions.