There’s a quiet but growing wave of Nigerian producers stepping out from behind the boards to release their own projects. VINKAY, the songwriting and production duo of Busayo Vincent Balogun and Oghenekome Otokumor, is the latest to take that step.
Their debut EP, “Groove,” released on May 1, 2026, is a two-track instrumental project available exclusively on Audiomack and YouTube, with a wider rollout across all platforms expected soon. The project is short, focused, and confident, the kind of opening statement that knows exactly what it wants to be.
VINKAY built their reputation working as songwriters and producers on tracks for some of Nigerian music’s most distinctive voices. Their credits include “Carry” by Tmaro, a melodious Afrobeats single with sweet, easy-listening energy. “Woman” by Tmaro and Drexbeats, an upbeat Afropop record carrying a sensual, hypnotic pull. And “Omotena” by Tmaro and PapaRazzle, a romantic Afropop collaboration between two heavy-hitters where the production lets both vocalists shine. Across all three, the compositional DNA is consistent. Strong percussion, and arrangements that breathe.
“Groove” applies that same sensibility to instrumental territory.
“Market Dance” is the EP’s opener and the more energetic of the two. The arrangement is built on a heavy bass guitar foundation with thick drums, a percussive melody that keeps the track moving forward, and trumpets that enter to give the song a celebratory top layer. It’s upbeat, dance-ready, and complete enough to stand alone without vocals. The kind of instrumental you’d expect to anchor a future Afropop hit, except VINKAY has put it forward as a finished work.
“Palmwine Bounce” shifts to a more relaxed feel that lives up to the title. The percussion stays dense, but the pocket loosens. The shekere joins the mix, adding a traditional textural element. The trumpets return, this time executing a beautiful upward jump. The track has a pop bounce that pairs Afrobeats sensibilities with traditional instrumentation, and the result is phenomenal work.
As an introduction to VINKAY as artists rather than collaborators, “Groove” works on every level. Two tracks. No filler. Full creative control. The duo is also reportedly preparing a longer EP for the future, which suggests “Groove” is the opening chapter rather than the full statement.
