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Category: Afrobeats

  • Makaya Studios and Olawale Opayinka revisit highlife traditions on “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)”

    Makaya Studios and Olawale Opayinka revisit highlife traditions on “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)”

    Makaya Studios Ltd has released the Radio Edit of “Homecoming Lovers Lane,” featuring vocalist and composer Olawale Opayinka.

    The track combines contemporary Afrobeats rhythms with melodic elements drawn from Nigerian highlife. Built around acoustic textures, guitar-led instrumentation and a mid-tempo groove, the arrangement reflects what Makaya Studios describes as its approach to “Modern Afro-Eclecticism,” blending heritage sounds with contemporary production.

    The song opens with a restrained instrumental before Opayinka’s vocal performance draws on the storytelling traditions of Yoruba music. The Radio Edit streamlines the arrangement while retaining the song’s focus on melody and atmosphere.

    “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)” forms part of Songs of Makaya Plantation, a 17-track catalogue released by Makaya Studios in 2026 under the patronage of the 3E Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports education and cultural development across Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.

    Makaya Studios Ltd is the music and creative content division of Makaya Group Ltd.

    Featured artist Olawale Opayinka is a composer, producer and development finance professional based between Ibadan and Lagos. His contributions to the Songs of Makaya Plantation catalogue draw on Yoruba oral traditions alongside musical influences shaped by his experiences in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    “Homecoming Lovers Lane (Radio Edit)” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • MAARAY expands his dark cinematic world with “Lagos Dopamine II”

    MAARAY expands his dark cinematic world with “Lagos Dopamine II”

    French independent artist MAARAY has released “Lagos Dopamine II,” a new single taken from his project La Confiance Coûte Cher.

    The song continues the dark, cinematic direction that defines the project, blending Afro-inspired rhythms with atmospheric production, emotional storytelling and elements of mystery. Rather than following a conventional song structure, “Lagos Dopamine II” builds an immersive soundscape that reflects the broader narrative MAARAY is developing across the project.

    According to the accompanying press release, La Confiance Coûte Cher explores themes of trust, ambition and personal transformation through interconnected stories. Within that framework, “Lagos Dopamine II” serves as another chapter, combining cinematic textures with contemporary African musical influences.

    MAARAY describes his music as a meeting point between emotion, storytelling and visual imagination. His productions draw on dark, atmospheric sound design while incorporating Afro-inspired rhythms that give his work both movement and depth.

    “Lagos Dopamine II” reflects that approach, pairing moody production with rhythmic foundations that create space for both introspection and momentum.

    With the release, MAARAY continues to develop the artistic universe introduced through La Confiance Coûte Cher, using music to connect narrative, atmosphere and contemporary production.

    “Lagos Dopamine II” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Don Dala explores love, timing and letting go on “Last Dance”

    Don Dala explores love, timing and letting go on “Last Dance”

    French DJ and producer Don Dala has released “Last Dance,” a melodic Afro House track that reflects on love, separation and the acceptance that two people can move in different directions despite their feelings for one another.

    Built around organic percussion, melodic passages and a gradual rhythmic progression, the song combines emotional storytelling with a dance-oriented production. “Last Dance” centres on the idea that relationships do not always end because someone is at fault, but sometimes because life leads people along different paths.

    At the heart of the record is the image of one final dance before saying goodbye. Through its blend of melody and rhythm, the song transforms a reflective moment into one designed for both listening and the dancefloor.

    “I wanted ‘Last Dance’ to capture a feeling that many people have experienced at some point in their lives,” Don Dala says. “Sometimes, two people can still deeply care for each other, but life takes them in different directions.”

    Don Dala’s work moves between Afro House, Afropop and electronic music, with an emphasis on balancing rhythm and emotion. His productions are intended to function both in DJ sets and as standalone listening experiences.

    “Last Dance” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • LEYELA blends Amapiano and Arabic influences on debut single “Omniati”

    German-Moroccan artist LEYELA has released her debut single, “Omniati,” introducing a sound that combines Amapiano with Arabic musical influences.

    The title, which translates from Arabic as “My Dreams,” pairs the rhythmic foundation of Amapiano with Arabic-language vocals, creating a track that draws from both North African and contemporary electronic music traditions. Built around log drums, percussion and melodic vocal passages, “Omniati” explores the meeting point between regional influences and global dance music.

    According to the accompanying press release, the song reflects LEYELA’s multicultural background and introduces the musical direction she intends to develop as an artist. Rather than treating its influences as separate styles, “Omniati” brings them together within a contemporary club-oriented production.

    LEYELA’s work is shaped by her German and Moroccan heritage, with “Omniati” serving as the first release to present that cross-cultural perspective. The debut positions Arabic vocals within an Amapiano framework while maintaining elements associated with both musical traditions.

    As her first official single, “Omniati” marks the beginning of LEYELA’s recording career and establishes a foundation for future releases that continue to explore the intersection of North African sounds and contemporary dance music.

    “Omniati” is available now on major streaming platforms.

  • Lord Manny explores connection and perseverance on Afrobeats single “WIRE”

    Lord Manny explores connection and perseverance on Afrobeats single “WIRE”

    Nigerian singer and songwriter Lord Manny has released “WIRE,” a new Afrobeats single centred on connection, resilience and the determination to keep moving forward.

    The song combines contemporary Afrobeats rhythms with prominent drums, melodic passages and a recurring hook. Its central idea is about staying connected to personal goals and the people who matter, even while navigating challenges.

    “With WIRE I wanted to create something that makes people move but also feel something,” Lord Manny says. “It’s about staying connected to your goals and your people.”

    Based in Port Harcourt, Lord Manny makes Afrobeats and Afrofusion music, incorporating soul and storytelling into his songwriting. His work focuses on relatable experiences and melodic hooks.

    “WIRE” precedes Lord Manny’s debut EP, which is scheduled for release in September 2026.

    “WIRE” is available now on major streaming platforms.