Naira Marley Releases The Video For ‘Jo Dada’

Nigeria’s most notorious artist continues to build momentum since the recent release of his highly anticipated album, God’s Timing’s The Best in May 2022. Back with a sultry, yet lively and uptempo jam titled Jo Dada, we find Naira fully in his element reveling in the Marlian lifestyle. The record, produced by Niphkeys, fuses indigenous Yoruba sounds, such as talking drums, with elements of Hip-Hop. 

‘Jo Dada’ is a Yoruba phrase which translates to “dance well” and the phrase, ‘to ba jo dada, o ma gba dollar,’ translates to ‘if you dance well, you’ll get sprayed with cash.” An act so ubiquitous with Nigerian culture, cash “spraying” can be seen at Nigerian weddings, parties and clubs, and no matter who you are – adult, child, or elderly person – if you dance well, you’ll get the money. The Jo Dada video leans into this offering a sexy twist for exotic dancers.

After years of solidifying his reputation as both the pioneer of Afro/Hip-Hop and a prominent voice of the streets, Marley has continued to develop his music, marrying the raw, unpolished tones of UK rap, the Yoruba language, and the sounds of the diaspora as seen on God’s Timing’s The Best for a debut that features an uncompromising and unpredictable sonic palette in stark contrast to the saccharine commerciality of the Nigerian AfroPop mainstream.

Earlier this month, Marley gave his debut performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk as part of their Black Music Month series alongside FKA twigs, Usher, Monica, Denzel Curry, and Ravyn Lanae. Marley is also set to feature on WizKid‘s upcoming new album, More Love Less Ego (MLLE), due out August 5th.