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Released Aug 29, 2025AFROVERSE
- 1. Alive
- 2. Japa
- 3. Colomemtality
- 4. I owe nobody
- 5. Echoes of the ancestors
- 6. Akata
- 7. Forever Green
- 8. Aiye
- 9. Levels
- 10. Gentleman
- 11. Òríkì Ìgbéìn.
- 12. Òríkì Ìgbótàkó
Description
Afroverse is a bold new project from Baba Kuboye that reimagines Afrobeat as a universe of sound — blending funk, jazz, highlife, Yoruba tradition, and urban innovation. The album serves as both an homage to Afrobeat’s roots and a leap into its global future. Highlights include: • Gentleman — a bold anthem of male confidence, intimacy, and self-expression. • Japa — captures the tension of migration, as young Africans navigate the difficult choice of leaving home in pursuit of better opportunities abroad. • Akata — reclaims a term with layered history. In my oríkì, it signifies the wild leopard, a symbol of strength, speed, and wisdom. Across the diaspora, the word has taken on other meanings, sometimes used in a derogatory way toward African Americans. In this song, I confront that tension and reframe Akata as a bridge: honoring its Yoruba roots while reflecting on how language and identity evolve across the African world. • Forever Green — celebrates Africa’s abundance, kingship, and eternal resilience. • I Owe Nobody — a message of independence and wisdom: focus on your own path, despite jealousy or distractions. • “Colomentality”, a fusion of Afrobeat, amapiano, and R&B, featuring Latin Grammy winner Roger Velasquez and longtime collaborator Fliptyce. The song is a vibrant anthem about faith, gratitude, and fearless ambition. • “Alive”, a genre-bending track that shifts mid-song from contemporary Afrobeat into traditional Afrobeat instrumentation, mirroring the layered evolution of the genre itself. Much like Drake’s Nokia, its structure surprises listeners and bridges generations of sound. • “Aiye”, winner of Best Afro Jazz Song at the 2025 InterContinental Music Awards, featuring Mercy Alu and produced by Mehran Matin. • Yoruba Òríkì (ancestral praise poetry) woven into tracks such as Òríkì Ìgbéìn and Òríkì Ìgbótàkó, preserving heritage while introducing it to new audiences. With contributions from Billboard-charting producer Victor Phazz Clark, Tunday Lawal (Lush), and Baba’s own self-production, Afroverse stands as a work of cultural preservation, boundary-pushing artistry, and global collaboration.
Credits
- ALBUM:
- AFROVERSE
- PRODUCERS:
- Baba Kuboye, Ayotunde Tundaylawal Lussh, Fliptyce Folorunso Busayo Philips, Victor Phazz Clark
- ENGINEERS:
- Baba Kuboye, Victor Phazz Clark, Chike Nneli
- MIXERS:
- Uwejeyah Efeoghene Obedience, Chike Nneli, Fliptyce Folorunso Busayo Philips,
- MASTERING ENGINEERS:
- Uwejeyah Efeoghene Obedience, Chike Nneli, Fliptyce Folorunso Philips,
- RECORD LABEL:
- Down 4 Whateva Entertainment
- MUSIC PUBLISHER:
- Racomms LLC
- ART DIRECTOR:
- Terra Carti
- GRAPHIC ARTIST:
- Casmir Emmanuel
- PHOTOGRAPHY:
- Sam Whyte
- a. Musicians and Creatives
i. Tunda Kuboye – background vocals and composer
ii. Kofo Kuboye – Background vocals
iii. Jai Humble – Lead vocalist
iv. Babalola Banwo – featured vocalist
v. Joseph Tamu Rogers – featured vocalist
vi. Tia Falls (Salako Music) – Background vocalist
vii. Jia Foster – Background vocalist
viii. Gaika James - Trombone
ix. S-Ankh Rasa – Baritone Saxophone
x. S-Ankh Rasa – Percussions
xi. Gabriel Parker - Trumpet
xii. Reggie Terrel - Trombone