Blaqbonez updates ‘Sex > Love’ with a deluxe editon
Two new songs and three remixes
Blaqbonez is one of the most fascinating characters working in Afropop today. Around the time of his 2018 project, ‘Bad Boy Blaq’, he leaned into a promotions strategy that was as aggressive as it was imaginative, merging the wide reach of social media with an identifiable brand of self-aggrandising humour which he has sustained since then.
On the back of one of his many tenacious and whimsical campaigns, Blaqbonez scored his biggest song yet earlier this year with the bubbly pop single, “Bling.” The Amaarae and Buju-assisted cut made a run in the top ten of the TurnTable Top 50 charts and also climbed its way to the top spot of the local Apple Music charts in Nigeria. It also set the tone for Blaq’s official debut album, ‘Sex > Love’, a musically colourful affair where he exalted hedonism over heartfelt romance. Adopting “Emeka The Stallion” as the alter ego, the album continued his knack for creating conceptually amorphous projects while emphasising his commercially-driven fusion of Afropop and Rap.
The rapper/singer is currently working on its follow-up for 2022, tentatively titled ‘Young Preacher’. However, ahead of this, he’s shared the deluxe edition of ‘Sex > Love’, which includes five new songs. The additions are an interesting mix of entirely new songs and remixes. One of the new songs is “4 Door Jeep,” an ebullient display of affluence and desirability over Telz’s welling guitars and speak-rattling bass. The other original addition, “Medicine,” reunites Blaqbonez with Oxlade, his collaborator on breakout hit “Mamiwota.” The DJ Coublon-produced song is an explicitly carnal song over a Dembow-inflected groove, as Blaqbonez vividly details the ins and outs of his sexual prowess. Oxlade follows suit, but in his trademark fashion, adds a romantic touch to his contributions.
The remaining three tracks are remixes, but only one of those is for a track off ‘Sex > Love’. “Okwaraji,” a lustrous highlight produced by the recently late Beats By Jayy, receives an update via a new verse by Bella Shmurda, who plays into the song’s original theme by vaguely detailing his life of excess. For the other two remixes, Blaqbonez reaches back into his catalogue, reviving 2019 hits from his EP, ‘Mr. Boombastic’.
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(@blaqbonez)The lead single “Shut Up” gets the pan-African remix treatment with guest features from Ghanaian rap artist Kwesi Arthur, Ghanaian pop star Kuami Eugene, and South African R&B singer Tellaman. The Alpha Ojini-produced track finds Blaqbonez taunting his detractors over a soulful boom-bap beat. The deluxe additions are rounded out by a remix of ‘Mr. Boombastic’ intro, “Run My Race,” with features from Kida Kudz and Prettyboy D-O. The trio tag team across the breezy and thumping beat produced by CKay, creating a full-circle moment, considering both guests were influential to the EP—D-O famously called out Blaqbonez shortly after the EP release.
With its approach of mixing the old and the new, ‘Sex > Love (Deluxe)’ ensures a form of continuity in Blaqbonez’s catalogue, something he’s been keen on since entering the mainstream view with ‘Bad Boy Blaq’ and its ensuing “Re-Up.” As much as it falls firmly into the modish practice of repackaging projects, the attached caveat is that Blaqbonez is unabashedly emphasising his status as one of the most vibrant and acclaimed hybrid Afropop/Rap artists on the continent.
Listen to Sex > Love (Deluxe) here.
ICYMI: WURLD TALKS US THROUGH ‘AFROSOUL (DELUXE)’
T.I Blaze Updates ‘Shakur’ EP With Deluxe Version
Following the success of “Trenches Luv,” the street-pop star is back with seven new songs on the deluxe...
Over the last few years, street-pop, a guttural version of afropop, has surged to mainstream popularity, birthing stars like Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi. On the homefront, a generation of younger stars also put unique spins on the sound. Singer, T.I Blaze, has been a notable star in the sub-genre since his 2021 single, “Sometimes,” and a subsequent remix with icon, Olamide, launched him into a different stratosphere.
Since “Sometimes,” Blaze has established his profile as a reliable source for songs that reflect the pulse of the streets while archiving his come-up story across a debut album (‘El Major’) and three extended plays like ‘The Fresh Prince Of Lagos’ and ‘Dangerous Wavy Baby.’ His 2024 EP, ‘Shakur,’ further underscored his evolution as an artist, featuring slippery numbers about escapism, his thoughts on life in the fast lane, and brotherhood with features from rising stars like Tml Vibez and BhadBoi Oml.
In 2025, the singer has picked up where he left off last year, releasing “Trenches Luv,” a balmy February release that examines the dynamics of romance from his point of view as a young adult moulded by the hard realities of life on the street. The success of “Trenches Luv” has led to a deluxe version of ‘Shakur’ with the singer adding seven new songs to the original version of the project. Impressively, on the new version of the project, TI Blaze taps up Ayo Maff and Ghanaian star Arathejay on “My Brother” and “Mario Remix,” respectively.
Led by a galala-inflected opener, “Track 1,” ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ is both raw and complex with the singer sounding refreshed on songs like “My Brother,” “Dodge,” and “Introduction.” In many ways, this project is an invitation for listeners to explore the many facets of T.I Blaze’s artistry as well as a portent to celebrate his roots and offer a glimpse at his evolution.
Listen to ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ here.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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South African House Duo, Black Motion, Return With Rhythmic “Khululeka”
The SA house music pioneers are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release.
South African house music pioneers, Black Motion, are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release titled “Khululeka.” True to its meaning in isiZulu— “be free” or “find peace”—this track is an anthem of liberation, urging listeners to let go, embrace love, and heal through the power of music.
With their signature percussion-driven melodies and the soul-stirring vocal chants of King Monopoly, “Khululeka” transcends the dancefloor. It is a spiritual and emotional journey, carrying an energy that is both uplifting and transformative. Whether in personal reflection or in the collective movement of a crowd, the song invites listeners to surrender to its message and rediscover love—both within and around them.
Since their formation in 2010 in Soshanguve, Black Motion—made up of Murdah Bongz (born Robert Mahosana), and Thabo (born Roy Thabo Mabogwane)—has become a dominant force in global house music. Their debut single, “Banane Mavoko,” put them on the map, and their albums, including the gold-certified Fortune Teller and the platinum-selling Ya Badimo, have cemented their status as pioneers of the genre. Their collaborations with artists like Oskido and Black Coffee, along with accolades such as multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs), have solidified their place at the forefront of African electronic music.
Over the years, Black Motion has partnered with brands like Ballantine’s, Sony Xperia, and Coke Studio, and they are looking to partner with more under their new label Intascore, expanding their influence beyond music. With a combined social media reach of over 2.2 million followers, their music resonates with audiences worldwide, uniting people through rhythm, culture, and movement.
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