Sokid’s “SOKID” EP Delivers Sultry Afropop That Moves the Soul
Sokid, born Adediran Adeyemi, has long mastered the art of conveying emotion through music. From the earliest hints of his artistry, it’s clear he understands the delicate alchemy of voice, sentiment, and melody, the kind of subtlety that allows a love song to linger long after it ends. His latest EP, SOKID, is proof that he’s articulating a confident, nuanced Afropop narrative that balances heart and groove with unforced ease.
Listen to SOKID EP on SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC
The EP opens with the title track,“Woman”, a mid-tempo Afropop record that’s sultry and guitar-laced. At first listen, it seduces with simplicity: a tender vocal delivery paired with a restrained but melodic guitar that accentuates every inflection of Sokid’s voice. But the brilliance behind the song is not just Sokid’s performance; it’s Queensley’s pen. Her co-writing here elevates the track from a standard love song to a study in emotional precision. Every line captures longing without cliché, while her understanding of phrasing ensures Sokid’s voice lands with intimacy and weight.
Things take an energetic turn on “Picture”, an amapiano-infused romp powered by the hypnotic pulse of log-drums. Sokid sings of an infatuation with a woman named Vero, but it’s the production that steals the show. The track moves like a conversation between body and beat: you can’t sit still as the logs drive forward, creating a tension between desire and danceability that is rare in mainstream Afropop.
On “Do”, he continues the EP’s exploration of romance with a groovy, mid-tempo sway. Sokid navigates the tension between restraint and desire effortlessly: “Orente, you steady causing migraine and me no go fit to abstain, na your place me I wan dey,” he sings, before giving way to the chorus, “Girl no body, do me as you do.” There’s a clever interplay between lyrical vulnerability and musical vitality here; the song could be a quiet ballad, yet it bounces with life. Then, just when you think it’s peaked, an electric guitar solo slices through the track, transforming it into an emotional climax. This is the subtle genius of production meeting performance, the solo completes the narrative, adding texture and emotional depth.
Versatility, often an overlooked quality in Afropop, is Sokid’s domain. On “Losing”, featuring JordanxBell, he ventures into trap-tinged hip-hop territory. The track’s chorus, “Girl, I am losing losing all my cool”, anchors a story of a love that turns sour. JordanxBell flows with confident bravado, but it is Sokid’s voice that holds the emotional core, proving he can navigate different genres without losing the intimacy that defines his artistry.
Listen to SOKID EP on SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC
The EP closes with the second iteration of Reflex, this time a mid-tempo beachside bop. It’s a track that balances romance with rhythm, the hard kick providing a steady, undulating heartbeat for the song’s narrative. Sokid’s lyrics — “All of my guys talk about you all the time. And I hope you gon' decide… You be my peace or the peace of my mind. Girl, I kinda like this life. You make me want grace anytime you hot undress” — are delivered with warmth and sincerity. Queensley’s songwriting here is again unmatched; every phrase feels lived-in, every line hits with precision, painting scenes of desire and playful longing.
At its core, the SOKID EP is a statement of intent. Sokid has always understood the power of emotional resonance in Afropop, the way a note, a pause, or a simple phrasing can linger long after the music fades. But what elevates this project to another level is the synergy between him and Queensley Agharese Okoro, whose co-writing work is nothing short of masterful. Queensley’s genius lies not only in her ability to craft lines that are clever, poignant, and emotionally arresting, but in her intuitive understanding of Sokid’s vocal strengths. She knows how to write a lyric that feels effortless when sung yet resonates with a depth that demands reflection. The result is songwriting that never overshadows the performer but amplifies his voice, guiding listeners into the intimate emotional landscapes Sokid inhabits.
Production, too, plays a pivotal role in shaping this EP’s narrative. From the sultry guitar lines of the EP opener, “Woman”, to the hypnotic log-drums of the outro track, “Reflex”, to the trap-tinged urgency of “Losing”, that JordanxBell’s feature adds a sharp, compelling edge; the soundscape is consistently clean, crisp, and deliberate. Each track is sculpted to highlight Sokid’s vocal expression, allowing the listener to feel both the movement of the music and the weight of the emotions within it. There is a sense that each song flows naturally into the next, creating a cohesive story of desire, longing, playfulness, and heartbreak.
What makes SOKID EP particularly exciting is how it pushes Afropop forward without abandoning its roots. In the end, the SOKID EP is a blueprint for the future of Afropop: one where lyrical depth, sonic precision, and heartfelt performance coexist. Sokid is staking his claim as an artist capable of balancing the craft of songwriting, the art of performance, and the science of production.
Listen to SOKID EP on SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC
Written by Abioye Damilare Samson published by Notjustok
