The Global Hitmaker Celebrates African Women While Championing the Rise of Mara, Nigeria’s Fast-Rising Club Sound
Global music sensation CKay returns with his highly anticipated new single, “African Girls” featuring Afrobeats artist Kidd Carder. Arriving as his second release of 2026, the infectious uptempo anthem signals the beginning of a bold new era for CKay. This era expands beyond the emotional soundscapes that earned him worldwide acclaim as the pioneer of Emo-Afrobeats and moves into a more energetic, club-driven direction rooted in Nigerian nightlife and street culture.
Following the momentum of his January release “BADAMINTON,” “African Girls” finds CKay leaning heavily into Mara, a high-energy subgenre emerging from Nigeria’s street-pop and club music scene. While global sounds like Amapiano continue to dominate dance floors worldwide, CKay is helping push Mara to the forefront.
At its core, “African Girls” is a celebration of African women and their unique beauty. Through infectious melodies and irresistible rhythms, CKay creates a record designed to make women feel seen, celebrated, and empowered while simultaneously delivering the soundtrack of summer nightlife across the globe.
Speaking about the record, CKay shared, “This song is first and foremost a celebration of African women, their beauty, energy, and the way they light up every room they walk into. I wanted women to hear this record and feel confident, appreciated, and uplifted. At the same time, this marks a new creative chapter for me. I introduced the Emo-Afrobeats sound, and now I’m exploring something with more energy, movement, and a stronger connection to the culture of Nigerian club music. Mara is a sound that deserves global attention, and ‘African Girls’ is my way of bringing more people into that world.”
“African Girls” showcases CKay at his most liberated and carefree yet, revealing a vibrant new side of his sound while maintaining the melodic songwriting and sonic richness that have defined his music from the beginning. The single also serves as an exciting preview of what’s to come in 2026, offering fans an early glimpse into a forthcoming project set to expand the depth, energy, and range of his ever-growing discography.
CKay continues to cement his position as one of Nigeria’s most impactful musical innovators, continuously redefining his sound through fearless experimentation and genre fusion. Internationally recognized for his hits love nwantiti (ah ah ah), emiliana, WAHALA (feat. OLAMIDE), and BODY(danz) feat. Mavo, the singer-songwriter has amassed billions of global streams while cultivating a devoted international fanbase through chart-topping releases and boundary-pushing collaborations. His artistry has led to collaborations with acclaimed artists including Davido, Olamide, Ayra Starr, Amaarae, PinkPantheress, Janelle Monáe and more solidifying his role as a globally influential creative shaping the future of African music.
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