Nigerian Afro-Soul singer, songwriter and producer Lodù has released her debut extended play, Wine & Honey, marking a major milestone in her musical career with a project that intertwines Afro-Soul, Afro-Fusion and rich African storytelling.
The seven-track EP presents a unified narrative centred on love, identity and emotional connection. Inspired by the biblical poetry of the Song of Solomon, the project tells the story of a bride expressing devotion and commitment to her beloved, portraying love as enduring, intentional and worthy of celebration.
According to Lodù, the project was designed to explore the purity of love through an African lens.
“Wine & Honey is my interpretation of love at its purest. I wanted to tell a story that celebrates devotion, tenderness and commitment through the lens of African storytelling. Every song is a different chapter, but together they become one complete love story,” she said.
The EP represents a creative progression for the artist, expanding on the themes introduced in her earlier singles while presenting her first cohesive body of work. Each record contributes to a broader emotional journey, reflecting greater confidence in both her songwriting and artistic direction.
The project opens with Lolufé, an Afro-jazz-inspired introduction that sets the tone for the collection. It transitions into Olówó Orími, a song centred on gratitude and lifelong commitment, before moving to Moróuntódùn, which combines Afro-Soul, folk influences and nostalgic elements to reflect on finding a soulmate.
Other tracks continue the narrative with varying musical textures. The Yoruba interlude Egbe Gengen highlights themes of marriage, unity and cultural heritage, while Follow examines intentional love and personal choice. Ìfẹ́mi, featuring DOTTi The Deity, adds a collaborative dimension with contemporary Afro-Soul influences.
The release builds on the growing momentum of Lodù’s career. Her single Olówó Orími previously reached No. 32 on the Nigeria Top 50 chart, remaining on the ranking for several weeks. Alongside tracks such as Follow and Moróuntódùn, the song helped establish her as one of the emerging voices within Nigeria’s Afro-Soul scene.
Recorded in her home studio in Yaba, Lagos, the EP was produced with contributions from Phleksibu, Ojurere and Gentuu Vibe. While production involved both physical and remote collaborations, Lodù independently wrote every song on the project, describing the process as one that allowed her to remain authentic throughout the creative journey.
“Writing the songs on my own gave me the freedom to be completely honest,” she said. “I could experiment, rewrite, and keep refining every lyric and melody until each song felt exactly the way I imagined it.”
The project underwent nearly a year of refinement, spanning recording, production, engineering and release planning. Lodù said the extensive process reflects her commitment to delivering music that balances technical quality with emotional depth.
As both a singer and producer, she continues to maintain significant creative control over her work, combining Afrocentric influences, jazz, folk textures and contemporary production to create a sound that bridges tradition and modern expression.
Looking ahead, the artist hopes the EP resonates with listeners beyond its melodies.
“I hope people walk away believing that love can still be gentle, reciprocal and intentional. If these songs remind someone to cherish love or to believe in it again, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do,” she said.
With Wine & Honey, Lodù offers more than a debut project. The EP serves as a carefully crafted artistic statement that places love, culture and storytelling at its centre while reinforcing her growing presence in Nigeria’s evolving Afro-Soul landscape.
