Interview
Photo courtesy of Sony Music West Africa.

Mayorkun Is Back In Office

We speak with Mayorkun about his sophomore album, Back In Office, and why he had to step away from the scene for a while.

Mayorkun says he held down the lockdown — and he sure did. During the thick of the pandemic, the Nigerian star flourished, feeding the appetites of bored, music-hungry listeners whose favorites shied away from releasing new music in a period of uncertainty.

During that time, Mayorkun dictated music conversations and dominated charts with a slew of singles like "Geng," "Of Lagos" and "Betty Butter." He also provided the activation energy when called upon by colleagues for collaborations, fleshing out his dominance through various means.

At the turn of the new year, the Mayor of Lagos — as he’s fondly called — stepped away from the music scene to divert attention to his sophomore album. Back In Office comes three years after his debut and the new record showcases an elevation in Mayorkun’s artistry. The sonic framework is a cohesive blend of melodic flourishes and laidback drums with Mayorkun opening up about his struggles on songs like "Soldier Boy" and "Piece of Mind." One of the visible differences between his debut and this new record lies in the Nigerian artist's vocals and songwriting which have grown smoother, richer and deeper.

“I'd like to say growth,” Mayorkun tells me about what has changed about him in the last three years. “Because I wouldn’t have made these types of songs at that time. At that time, I wasn’t trying to experiment and I feel if you don’t, you won’t grow.”

Below, we talk about his hiatus, his new album, and the pressures that come with fame.

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Music
Photo courtesy of the artist

The 8 Songs You Need to Hear This Week

Featuring Simi, Stromae, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz, Rema, Tiwa Savage, Mayorkun and more.

Every week, we highlight the top releases through our best music of the week column.

Here's our round up of the best tracks and music videos that came across our desks, which you can also check out in our Songs You Need to Hear This Week playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

Follow our SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS WEEK playlist on Spotify here and Apple Music here.

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