After turning heads with “Trouble” in 2025 and following it up with “Billion Boy” earlier this year, Cookie is back with “Party Don Start,” his latest single released today via Oluwe Records. The high-energy single is positioning him as a potent voice among the new generation of musicians rising from Nigeria.

 “I love to get turnt at the party. I think of myself at the party like a party starter,” Cookie says on the inspiration behind the record. It’s a pretty straightforward idea, but that’s exactly what makes the song work. There’s no overthinking it. “Party Don Start” is made to get people moving.

Produced, mixed and mastered by OYB, the record sits comfortably between Afrobeats bounce and trap-heavy production Cookie describes it as “an energy-raving song,” and the song carries that energy from start to finish. Even before its official release, the song had already started picking up momentum on TikTok, crossing 800 creator videos and giving the record a life of its own before it even landed officially. That early buzz says a lot about how quickly the song gets stuck in your head, with its catchy energy that gets everyone moving.

Cookie is pulling from a wide range of influences. Gunna, Playboi Carti, Burna Boy, Rema and Don Toliver all have a little something to do with the sound he’s shaping but “Party Don Start” doesn’t feel like an attempt to recreate any of them. Instead, their influence shows up in the single; the trap influences and the bounce of Afrobeats. That balance is part of what makes Cookie’s current run interesting. He’s still early enough in his career to experiment without having to explain every move, and instead of forcing himself into one box, he seems comfortable letting the music figure things out with him. Each release adds another piece to the picture.

OYB has been a big part of Cookie’s sound so far, and that’s clear on his latest release. From the beat to the final mix and master, he handles the whole record without sanding off the rough edges that give it its character Cookie thekid has already started establishing himself as a live performer. His performances at Chunesday have given him a chance to show what he can do with a crowd in front of him and his energetic performances have left audiences wanting more. With the support of his team and a growing catalogue behind him, Cookie is taking his time, building intentionally, and finding his place within a new generation of Nigerian music.

Listen to “Party Don Start” here.