Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer 1da Banton, born Godson Ominibie Epelle, has dropped his latest single, Woza, via Squareball Entertainment, under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment France. The track, produced by DJ Lewis, follows the release of his 2025 EP Walk With Me and marks a vibrant addition to his growing discography, reinforcing his reputation as a genre-blending artist who seamlessly fuses reggae, dancehall, Afrobeats, and traditional sounds from his native Rivers State.
Woza, which means “come” in Zulu, is an infectious Afrobeats track that showcases 1da Banton’s dynamic range and knack for crafting songs that resonate on the dancefloor. The song features a captivating hook and lyrical verses, driven by the vibrant pulse of talking drums that add a rich, melodic core to the production. Every instrument in the mix is meticulously placed, ensuring clarity without sacrificing warmth, a testament to DJ Lewis’ production finesse. 1da Banton’s delivery is smooth yet commanding, blending rhythmic flow with raw storytelling, a hallmark of his style since his breakout hit No Wahala in 2021, which later gained global traction with a 2022 remix featuring Kizz Daniel and Tiwa Savage, surpassing 200 million streams on Spotify.
The single’s rollout was strategic, with 1da Banton teasing its release on April 23 via X, sharing a throwback clip and announcing its availability with the caption “WOZA🧨 OUT NOW!!” The track’s promotion got a significant boost when Davido, amidst his own album 5ive rollout, shared a supportive post on April 24, which 1da Banton acknowledged with gratitude, noting Davido’s gesture as a rare act of camaraderie in the industry. This kind of endorsement underscores 1da Banton’s growing influence, especially as he continues to carve a unique space in Afrobeats, a genre often dominated by high-energy street anthems.
Woza builds on the momentum of 1da Banton’s recent releases, including Walk With Me and other 2024 singles like Digest and Paid in Full, which showcased his versatility across Afrobeats and dancehall. With a career that began in Port Harcourt and took off after his 2014 move to Lagos under Squareball Entertainment, 1da Banton has consistently pushed boundaries. His debut EP The Banton EP in 2017 featured Way Up, the theme song for Big Brother Naija’s third season, and his 2021 album Original Vibe Machine solidified his global presence. Collaborations with artists like Kranium, Stonebwoy, and Zlatan, as well as No Wahala’s feature in the 2023 season of Ted Lasso, highlight his international appeal.
