As the weekend rolls in, the latest New Music Friday lineup brings a fresh wave of sonic brilliance, with artists tapping into nostalgia, refining familiar sounds, and setting the tone for 2025. From Rema’s creative rework of a Sade classic to Joeboy’s Y2K-inspired storytelling, this week’s releases reflect the ongoing evolution of Afrobeats and its intersections with global influences. Yemi Alade celebrates love in the spirit of Valentine’s, while Cassper Nyovest fires up the rap scene with a track that’s already making waves. Here’s a roundup of the hottest drops you need on your playlist this week.

Rema — Baby (Is It a Crime)

Over the past year, Rema has been a persistent voice calling for a shift in the soundscape of the music industry. He has personally put in conscious effort to effect this change, particularly with his sophomore album ‘Heis’. Emphasizing the need to revisit the past as a collective, the industry has gradually been shifting away from borrowed sounds like South African Amapiano, which doesn’t reflect Afrobeats at its core.  

For his first single of 2025, ‘Baby (Is It a Crime)’ Rema samples the iconic ‘Is It a Crime’ by Sade Adu, the opening track from her 1985 album ‘’. First teased in November 2024, the snippet received a tremendous reception, with fans hoping he would close out the year with this golden sample of the legendary singer.  

On the track, Rema sing-raps over a minimalist hip-hop-style production, layered with Sade Adu’s rich vocals from the original song. His creativity strikes again as he flips a classic, making it appealing to both his Nigerian and global audience. In the days leading up to the release, he was spotted walking out of a vinyl store with Sade Adu’s ‘Promise’ album in hand and shooting the official music video.

Joeboy — SMH

The sonic reset of the Nigerian music industry has been evident in recent releases, with many artists reaching into the past and refining nostalgic sounds. Joeboy’s first single of the year, ‘SMH’, which is possibly also a lead single from his forthcoming studio album ‘Viva Lavida’, feels like a throwback to a distant era.

Produced by Tempoe, ‘SMH’ showcases Joeboy narrating a relationship on the verge of collapse over Tempoe’s sample of Backstreet Boys ‘, flipping it to a Y2K-inspired production—reminiscent of soundtracks from old Nollywood movies. The duo who have collaborated earlier on ‘Better’ off Joeboy’s sophomore album continue to showcase a profound chemistry together as creatives, a streak most music lovers would hope continue. What sets Joeboy apart is his ability to infuse melodies into every lyric and word uttered, making even heartbreak sound intoxicating. 

Yemi Alade — Keys To My Heart

Shortly after stunning at the Grammys in a traditional red Igbo attire as one of the nominees for Best African Performance—alongside fellow African artists like Tems—Yemi Alade kicks off 2025 on a love note with her first single of the year, ‘Keys To My Heart’.  

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Mama Africa gifts her fans a track that celebrates the beauty and devotion of love, set against an upbeat, groovy production by Valentino Ogbonnaya. Yemi Alade’s delivery reflects her cultural roots, with lyrics predominantly in Igbo and melodies that echo her heritage.  

Cassper Nyovest — Kusho Bani

In his latest release, South African rapper Cassper Nyovest taps deep into his hip-hop bag, kicking off the new year with ‘Kusho Bani’, a track that has already sparked its own challenge across South Africa and beyond.  

With his signature unforgettable lyricism and commanding delivery over a fire beat produced by Young Pepo, Cassper Nyovest starts the year on an impressive note. Though ‘Kusho Bani’ sees him rapping non-stop for almost four minutes, the groove is undeniable, pulling listeners in with an infectious rhythm and lyrics that stick with them—even if they weren’t paying attention at first.

Peruzzi — Mad Me

keeps the love season in focus with a smooth Afro-R&B cut, ‘Mad Me’, a song that sees him completely enchanted by his muse. With little prior notice, the singer-songwriter delivers a sultry, heartfelt tune that fits seamlessly into the Valentine’s mood.  

Co-produced by Sensi and Irock Classic, ‘Mad Me’ is built on lush melodies and infectious rhythms, perfectly complementing Peruzzi’s expressive storytelling. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, confessing his overwhelming love with lyrics like “Mad me, fine girl you dey mad me, you put your hands all over my body.”

Following his last drop, ‘Jah Love’ with Olamide, this new offering keeps the momentum going as Peruzzi reminds fans why he remains one of Afrobeats’ most skilled songwriters. With romance in the air, Mad Me’ is positioned to become the soundtrack for lovers this season, and a must-add to every playlist. 

ODUMODUBLVCK ft. Victony — Pity The Boy

The hype is real, and the wait is finally over! ODUMODUBLVCK has unleashed ‘Pity The Boy’ featuring Victony, a track that had already taken over TikTok before its official release was produced by Niphkeys.

This mid-tempo banger finds ODUMODUBLVCK in his storytelling bag, laying out a narrative of deep infatuation so deep that even when his girl is running through his pockets, he remains helplessly devoted. His signature delivery, playful yet commanding, makes every lyric feel like a moment.  Victony, as expected, slides in with finesse, adding his signature melodic touch and elevating the song’s appeal. The synergy between both artists is seamless, making ‘Pity The Boy’ an instant fan favorite.  

With a catchy hook, groovy production, and undeniable chemistry, this record is already shaping up to be one of the standout collaborations of the year so far.