Why the return of Duncan Mighty is a false narrative
Rewriting the script on Duncan Mighty's career trajectory
The size of Nigeria’s population has fostered a sustainable music industry that exists almost entirely independent of the government. Though it leaves room for new talents to emerge without the burden of competing with established artists, it can be quite an uphill challenge to cross over to the mainstream even after establishing regional support. Before music and the internet became so intertwined, entertainers discovered that Lagos had the perfect blend of business and culture code to make it a mecca for artists with a desire to cater to the masses.
Duncan Mighty was born in Port Harcourt, where he began singing and playing instruments in the church. After studying audio engineering in school, he eventually put out his debut project, ‘Koliwater’, in 2008. Though the album’s stand out tracks, “Ijeoma” and “Scatter My Dada”, enjoyed heavy rotation in the eastern parts of the country, it barely made any impact in other parts. He’d follow up with subsequent projects, ‘Ahamefuna (Legacy)’, ‘Footprints’, ‘Grace & Talent’ and ‘The Certificate’, which eventually helped push his renown across the rest of the country. But while his acclaim became increasingly undebatable with hits like “Obianuju” in 2011, he never seemed to have the same national coverage his counterparts from that golden Afropop era had.
While 2Face, D’banj, P Square and others were pulling shows across the country and bagging endorsement deals, Duncan Mighty remained in his Port Harcourt hometown, doubling-down on home base support. Even after collaborating with polarizing artists like Phyno, Wande Coal and Timaya, he remained an industry outsider, who released music from the South of Nigeria that occasionally edged into mainstream airplay.
Fast forward two years and “Fake Love” is released, shifting the status quo Port Harcourt’s first son initially seemed bent on maintaining. The song quickly became the biggest song in the country after its release in May and saw him reach a previously elusive commercial peak. The widespread acceptance of the subsequent features he released in quick succession only further emphasizes the fact. Though the public quickly credited Duncan Mighty’s resounding national popularity to the star power of Wizkid’s, it’s Duncan Mighty who should actually be getting credited for Wizkid’s indigenous allure.
To understand just how influential Duncan Mighty is to the present sound of Afropop, it’s imperative to learn how Afropop has morphed over the years. Because Afropop employs a wide range of influences, to be a fan is to be able to distinguish between the pop and the more alternative variations of the dynamic genre. Listeners must adapt to the urban-folk sound of Simi and Adekunle Gold and it’s Afroojuju highlife influences, acclimate Olamide’s indigenous sound, using the brashness of rap to create a street-fueled Afropop style, while being fully aware that the most dominant sound on the radio sounds nothing like that.
Thanks to artists like Tekno and Davido, last year saw the sound on radio shift to a more mellow highlife infused Afropop that seemed tailored to Duncan Mighty’s technique. Though Davido admitted drawing inspiration from the Port Harcourt legend for his biggest songs in 2017, “If” and “Fall”, no one could have guessed the singer would be as prominent as he has been in 2018.
It may have taken a while, but Duncan Mighty is finally getting the recognition he deserves for adapting the indigenous genre. For the most part, 2Face and Flavor have shared the credit for sustaining highlife in the mainstream Afropop, but with the mass acclaim for each new release and guest feature, Duncan Mighty is engraving his face into the Mount Rushmore of highlife pioneers. And seeing as it’s this indigenous sound that is now taking Afropop globetrotting at the hands of his successors, Wizkid and Davido, it’s selling it short to regard to Duncan Mighty’s recent string of hits as a return. Though he certainly has more spotlight, he never left.
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
You are meeting Debola at a strange time in his life. He wandered into a dream and lost his way back. Tweet at him @debola_abimbolu
ICYMI: 2Baba is having a career moment like no other artist from the last two decades
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...
