If there’s one thing evident in Nigerian music this year, it’s the surge of rising artists with distinct sonic identities and personalities. These artists aren’t just creating new sounds but reinventing indigenous sounds with contemporary and futuristic elements. And Solana’s latest offering to the industry, “Okunkun,” in collaboration with producer-artist Killertunes, is yet another testament to this.

Born Abibat Busola Ogunlana, the rising star first disrupted the internet with snippets of the track, gaining traction and earning co-signs from industry voices including Mr. Eazi, D’ija, and Brymo. And with its official release, Solana has given the industry one of the most exciting releases of the year. Listeners have scrambled to label the sound, pitching tags like “Electronic Ibile” though Solana herself terms it “YoruPop.”

“Okunkun,” which translates to darkness in Yoruba, is a track that explores themes of faith and emotional resilience in the face of uncertainty. Its unique composition of Yoruba sound and language, while blending contemporary sonic elements, is a nod to culture and upholds a novelty in the minds of listeners.

Produced by Killertunes, Solana’s “Okunkun” flips the script on conventional contemporary music by clashing a high-energy electronic dance and indie-pop backdrop with raw, gritty rock elements. Over this electric, fast-paced canvas, Solana sings entirely in Yoruba, creating a striking juxtaposition that sounds deeply indigenous yet completely futuristic.

The song’s lyricism pivots around vulnerability, making a quiet appeal for light, protection, and direction. While the production feels kinetic and dancefloor-ready, Solana leverages her vocal delivery to face inner shadows, using darkness as a central metaphor for navigating pressure, instability, and life’s struggles as she finds the ultimate light.

With the surge of rising artists taking over the scene with unique sounds, Solana’s “Okunkun” positions her as one of the promising acts for the year.