Essentials: Laime’s ‘If Summer Happened’ Is A Reminder Of Lost Times
Music from the summer we missed.
There has never been a time quite like the present. The new vanguard of Afropop hitmakers have eschewed the old guard and constantly seem to be reinventing themselves and their sounds at every given opportunity, a repeated reminder that the future of music is in great hands with Gen Z. It’s among this genre-defying landscape that burgeoning artist, Laime finds himself operating in good company amongst a refreshingly unfiltered spate of talent.
Back in 2018, Laime made his official entrance on the scene with the release of his debut EP titled ’21’, a collection of Afropop cuts that first introduced us to his undeniable star power. Since then, he’s continued to serve up a handful of singles and features that have only served to further make a case for his growing artistry. While he’s certainly managed to keep the attention on him and his rapid-fire flow, even serving up the 2019 follow-up EP ‘From Laime With Love’, the multi-genre artist hasn’t been able to step into his big break and distinguish himself extensively, that is until now.
Spitting a mix of menacing bars and romantic lyrics with unmistakable technical skill and enviable wordplay, the artist has just released his third EP in four years. Aptly titled ‘If Summer Happened’ to represent the irreplaceable loss of a summer affected by seismic change, Laime has just served up a worthy reintroduction to his superstar abilities.
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On ‘If Summer Happened’, the artist addresses matters such as love, stacking paper, self-confidence and self-growth. Clearly inspired by the summer we missed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, the artist delivers a collection of mid-tempo cuts that will have you running them back to catch all the intricacies. He teams up with a bunch of old friends and some new ones, employing some of the most talented beatsmiths and artists in these parts including Grammy award-winning record producer Telz, Mike Misan, Dami Rore, Zlatan, Psycho YP, L.A.X and more.
Over 6 beautifully produced tracks, Laime digs deep into the most frustrating parts of his life and spins tracks that will certainly soundtrack the lost summer of our lives. Already, the project is clinching closer to the top 5 on the Apple Music Worldwide charts in Nigeria as it currently holds the 6th position in good company of artists such as Bella Shmurda, Killertunes, Blaqbonez and more.
‘If Summer Happened’ runs a span of different moods, at one moment delving deep into matters of the heart and at another movement, meticulously working in the intricacies of his life as an artist. The music veers from the EP opener and lead single, “Money Medicine”, a dancehall-inspired track that finds the artist trying to prove himself to his love interest while still focusing on what really matters, the money. This track already sets the mood for what to expect on the tape and sure enough, on the preceding track, the Zlatan Ibile-assisted “Wellsfargo”, the singer bares his heart out to a muse who he likens to the American multinational bank of the same name. “Wellsfargo” also finds both artists making love confessions to their respective muses over the bouncy production of the Mike Misan-produced track. On the chorus, he sings “I know you know I need you baby, make you give me your Wellsfargo”.
Psycho YP-assisted “Big Up Yourself” quickens the EP’s pace, ostensibly showing Laime’s ability to score mainstream hits while retaining all the hallmarks of an experimental artist. Here, he showcases a unique mixture of versatility, dexterity and style as he braggadociously talks up himself and his abilities alongside one of Apex Village’s fiercest lyricists. With quippy lines and sticky beats, both artists deliver a number that naturally lends itself to streaming and radio platforms. As the project builds up, it’s clear that Laime’s husky cadence and sharp rebuttals radiate the mischievous energy that is needed in today’s saturated industry. Laime uses the trusty formula of aspirational lifestyle lyrics and the dreaminess of romance to garner all the attention, which as we’re clearly witnessing have earned him new levels of recognition.
Stream ‘If Summer Happened’ below.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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