After a quiet stretch, Nigerian singer Mayorkun is back with his third studio album “Still The Mayor”, a 12-track offering that reaffirms his place in Afropop.
Though his last album “Back In Office” dropped in 2021, and he only released a few singles since, the self-styled “Mayor of Lagos” clearly isn’t done yet. With minimal promo and a subtle rollout, the new project, released on June 13, shows an artiste who knows his worth and doesn’t need to beg for attention.
From the jump, “Still The Mayor” carries a distinct tempo. There’s no doubt Mayorkun’s lyrical skill and catchy melodies are still in play, the same fire that gave fans “Eleko” and “Holy Father”.
Unlike his past albums stacked with industry names, this one leans more personal. He features just a handful of acts: Fireboy DML, Davido, King Promise, Rotimi, Dremo, Olivetheboy, The Flowolf and Michii.
Since its release, lead tracks “Innocent” and “Reason 2 Japa” have already pulled in over five million Spotify streams. On YouTube, views passed 60,000 within 15 hours.
The highlights
“Keep on Rockin’ kicks things off with party energy, name-dropping Lagos and Santorini. It sets the mood, good vibes only.
“On Konko Below”, Mayorkun pulls nostalgia, referencing the old-school phrase “go go below” and name-checking Sikiratu Sindodo to push listeners to the dance floor.
Love gets layered treatment across the album. “Innocent” and “Diamonds” (both featuring Fireboy) are sleek and flirtatious. While one admits they’re “not celibate,” the other lays down emotional rules for staying real in relationships.
“3:45” and “Hold Body” mix affection with opulence. Rotimi and King Promise bring their flair, but the message is clear: love me or leave me, and do it fast.
“On Woman”, Mayorkun returns to romantic basics, showing admiration without crossing into lust. On “Would You” with Olivetheboy, he gets more vulnerable, asking for clarity and openness.
Real talk
One of the standout tracks, “Reason 2 Japa”, touches on a familiar Nigerian reality, the urge to leave the country. Mayorkun doesn’t sugarcoat his reasons: bad governance, economic hardship, and a better life abroad. In a clever twist, he calls his promised land “Jerusalem”.
The Interlude (Industry Girl), featuring Dremo and others, offers comic relief. But even with the banter, there’s a subtle message about the casual sex culture in the industry, and the refusal to play along.
The Davido effect
On “Blessings on Blessings”, Mayorkun links up with his former label boss Davido. The track bumps with gratitude and flexes success, from money to family wins. It’s a mature celebration of growth and grace.
He closes with “Jiggy”, a confident send-off. Here, Mayorkun reclaims his title with bars like “You know I am still Mayor… Bad energy can fade off.”
Verdict: 7/10
Mayorkun may have taken his time, but Still The Mayor proves he never really left. It’s not packed with commercial bangers, but it’s deliberate, clean, and confident, a reminder that he’s not chasing trends, he’s just doing his thing.
