NEW NIGERIAN MUSIC FRIDAY: SKALES, QING MADI, PORTABLE AND OTHERS DELIVER BANGERS IN FRESH RELEASES
Written by Oluwaseyi Amosun on September 12, 2025
The Nigerian music industry has once again proven its resilience and global dominance as some of Afrobeats’ most respected names and promising new voices dropped fresh tracks this week, offering fans across the world an exciting blend of sounds that reflect the genre’s diversity and depth. Afrobeats is not merely a sound, it is a cultural force constantly evolving, drawing from local traditions while embracing global influences, and this week’s releases show exactly why Nigeria remains at the heart of the worldwide conversation on contemporary music.
Leading the pack is Iyanya, who continues to show why he has remained relevant in the ever-competitive industry. The Kukere crooner returned with a brand-new single titled “Sorry” off his 2025 project, a track that combines lively instrumentals with melodious vocals. On the song, he teams up with rising act Fido, and together they deliver a seamless collaboration where neither voice overshadows the other, creating a balance that has been praised by early listeners for its pleasant and well-blended appeal.
In the same vein, Rybeena, one of the new voices steadily rising in the Afrobeats space, made a strong impression with his latest effort “Adunni” featuring hitmaker Joeboy. The song has been described by fans and critics as a catchy, soulful piece with an infectious tempo, while the vocal chemistry between the two artistes has been widely applauded as an example of how old and new wave talents can create magic together.
Another highlight of the week is the release of “Scumbag” by Qing Madi, a singer who has been hailed as one of the most powerful young voices out of Nigeria. With this track, she not only showcases her vocal dexterity but also extends her influence beyond local boundaries. Coming shortly after her impressive cross-continental collaboration “LOCA” with Ivorian rapper Didi B and Tanzanian star Jux, Qing Madi continues to prove that she is not just a Nigerian star but an African voice with global potential. Her ability to merge different styles while keeping her unique sound intact has been a recurring theme in the positive reactions trailing the new release.
Meanwhile, street-hop sensation Portable has once again captured the spotlight in his usual dramatic fashion with “Sandra Benede,” a record that has already gone viral and is trending across digital platforms. The song, which features Terry Apala, fuses Portable’s raw street energy with Apala’s unique style, resulting in a collaboration that fans have described as both unexpected and refreshing. The single has been making waves on social media, with listeners hailing it as another example of Portable’s ability to stay unpredictable yet impactful.
To crown the week, Skales delivered what is arguably one of the most ambitious music projects of the year with a 16-track album that perfectly blends nostalgia with innovation. The album includes a Spanish remix of his 2014 global hit “Shake Body,” alongside remixes like “Jogo” and fresh singles such as “Mental” and “Dance Like Lamine Yamal.” Skales also enlisted a host of stars including FAVE, Faze, Magnito, Joshua Baraka, Nasboi, Yinka Ayefele, Kvng Vinci and Innoss’B, weaving together a body of work that showcases both his maturity as an artiste and his ability to adapt to changing industry trends. The project has been praised for its bold mix of styles and features, affirming Skales’ place as a seasoned musician still very much in tune with the pulse of contemporary Afrobeats.
Altogether, the wave of releases from Iyanya, Rybeena, Qing Madi, Portable and Skales underscores the unstoppable momentum of Nigerian music. From the streets of Lagos to global streaming charts and international concert halls, Afrobeats continues to grow stronger, with each new track adding to the rich cultural tapestry that makes the genre a worldwide phenomenon. This week’s music drops are a testament to the fact that Nigeria is not just participating in global music trends—it is setting them.