After a nine-year gap, Reekado Banks breaks his album drought with The Game Needs You, a 15-track statement that proves some waits are worth it. The Nigerian Afrobeats star’s sophomore effort is a reclamation of his space in a genre that’s moved mountains since his 2016 debut Spotlight.
Reekado Banks has spent nearly a decade watching Afrobeats explode globally while staying strategically quiet on the album front. The Game Needs You feels like the product of that patience, a mature, carefully constructed project that blends his signature smooth vocals with a sound that’s evolved alongside the genre itself. The album’s title reads like a manifesto, suggesting Banks believes his voice has been missing from the conversation.
The feature list alone tells a story: Phyno, Mayorkun, Lil Kesh, Skiibii, Terry Apala, Kashcoming, and Winny bring different energies to Banks’ vision. Production heavyweight Don Jazzy joins Del B, Andre Vibez, and others to create a sonic canvas that feels contemporary and timeless. Standout tracks like Glamorous with Mayorkun and My Woman featuring Phyno showcase Reekado Banks’ versatility, balancing high-energy tunes with introspective moments.
The album’s production shines brightest on tracks like Jamie Black’s Maami and December (So Beautiful), where lush instrumentation meets Banks’ heartfelt delivery. These moments prove that his strength lies not just in riding beats but in creating genuine emotional connections.
The Game Needs You succeeds as a comeback album because it doesn’t try to recreate 2016. Instead, Reekado Banks offers something rarer: growth. While some tracks lean too heavily on vibes over substance, the album’s authenticity and sonic range confirm that his hiatus was strategic, not desperate. After nine years, Reekado Banks sounds like an artist who knows exactly why he’s here.
