Essentials: ‘Lava Feels’ is Joey B’s assertion of his creative freedom
With features from Odunsi, Santi, M3nsah, Stonebwoy and more
Joey B fancies himself something of a rap savant. Across a sprawling discography made up of several singles, overflowing guest features and his debut project, ‘DARRYL’, the Ghanaian rapper has built up a grand artistic persona, hinged by his range and adaptability. The rapper is as adept at making chest-knocking rap cuts, as he is comfortable spinning light summery hops, and no matter the sound or collaborators, Joey B always finds a way to fit in.
On his latest release, ‘Lava Feels’, Joey continues his act of shuffling through whatever sound he feels like. In nine tracks, he completely forgoes any attempt at cohesion, using his curiosity as the project’s sole anchor while the music continuously shifts gears. When he announced the project, Joey described ‘Lava Feels’ as “just a collection of songs”, effectively adjusting the expectations for what would’ve been deemed as an official sophomore project.
In a time where one of the biggest artists in the world has successfully floated albums as mixtapes, a playlist project, an official compilation of loose singles, and very recently, a tape of leaks and demos, ‘Lava Feels’ is right at home in a liberal era where artists can describe their music as whatever they want and pretty much get away with it. To its credit, the collection maximises its low stakes billing. For the most part, it sounds like the work of an artist who knows he’s pulling a fast one, but it’s difficult to call him out on it since the songs here are high-functioning and well-executed.
‘Lava Feels’ is Joey’s assertion of his right to creative freedom. He’s never been one to be pigeonholed, but in presenting himself as an artist with several interests and his own unique agenda, the collection is radical and refreshing. “Read in between the lines, I’m a different type of guy”, he sings on the titular track, contorting his melodies into infectious passages that melt into the psychedelic strings and reverse piano samples. “Lava Feels” charts a new sonic terrain for Joey, but it’s a great showcase of his powers as a songwriter, an ability that serves as a potent through-line even when the tape threatens to unhinge.
Joey has always been a big picture guy when it comes to making music, taking cognizance of the ideal that every facet of a song, from its verses to the hook, plays an important role in keeping the listener’s attention. On the cutthroat banger, “Silicon Valley”, Joey exudes a casual irritation with a past lover on his verses, delegating the spitefulness to Bossom P-Yung, who switches between rattled couplets and helium chants on the song’s instantly memorable hook.
In all its carefreeness, the collection does a great job of lending Joey B a personable layer. On “Far Away”, Joey reminisces about the days of lean purses and constant prayers to make it big, radiating a joy in his present situation that’s unspoken but palpable nonetheless. He’s joined by M3nsa, who emphatically states his priorities as a man and a father on the song’s dazzling second verse. In addition to its affecting content, the soulful west coast bounce of “Far Away” is a sonic delight, evoking the feeling of riding top down on a road bracketed by tall palm trees, and with the sun beaming down.
While Joey’s music selection is a vehicle for emphasising his range, ‘Lava Feels’ also ropes in its multiple guests with the soundscape that best fits their voices. The ode to hustlers, “Hard Knocks” is carried along by a ‘90s rap and r&b-hybrid instrumental, acting as the perfect backdrop for Ko-Jo Cue, the Ghanaian rapper who does a lot of his best work with music that emboldens self-reflection. Odunsi (the Engine) and Santi bring their vibrant cool to the synthy ambience of “Over You”, while Joey plays the mellow foil to Stonebwoy’s animated verve on the dancehall meets Spanish guitar revelry on “Affection”.
If ‘Lava Feels’ was billed as a full-length project, it would probably represent an apotheosis of sorts—an elevation to a higher creative level, if you will. Semantics aside, the collection is a fully realised body of work, which definitely exceeds expectations. Even after recalibrating, the project’s blistering quality doesn’t wane, making the perfect case for Joey B’s delightfully arrogant and nonchalant way of showing that he’s been this level for a while.
Listen to ‘Lava Feels’ here.
Featured Image Credits: Instagram/1realjoeyb
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Dennis is not an interesting person. Tweet Your Favourite Playboi Carti Songs at him @dennisadepeter
ICYMI: LISTEN TO NEW PROJECTS FROM DRB LASIGIDI, MAISON2500, NORTHBOI, TERRI & MORE
Asake Links With Tiakola On Gritty “BADMAN GANSTA”
Another step towards ‘Money,’ his fourth
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrive before the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Listen to “BADMAN GANSTA” here.
Keep reading...
Ayra Starr Releases Her Sizzling Anthem, “Hot Body”
An 11th-hour summer anthem for the
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Listen to “Hot Body” here.
Keep reading...
Zulo Details His Evolution On New ‘Z’ EP
Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”
Listen to ‘Z’ here.
Keep reading...
