Titled God’s Engineering 3 (The Beginning), the 11-track album serves as both a capstone and a fresh declaration of intent, marking a reflective and commanding high point in his career.

A-Q, known for his razor-sharp lyricism and unwavering introspection, uses this body of work to stitch together the personal and the political.

Released under the 100 Crowns and Cordless Entertainment imprints, the album traverses his journey as an artist, entrepreneur, and man navigating the evolving landscape of Nigerian hip-hop.

The project opens on a reflective note, threading themes of perseverance, self-belief, and transformation, hallmarks of A-Q’s decade-long trajectory in the music industry.

On the haunting Friction, mellow keys and subdued synths underscore the weight of personal struggle. The mood shifts on What’s Happening, where long-time collaborator Blaqbonez delivers a playful hook that contrasts online chaos with real-life grounding, particularly in family.

A-Q invites a rich mix of voices to join him on this final lap. Qing Madi’s soulful performance injects emotional nuance, while Ajebo Hustlers bring infectious energy and streetwise charisma. Contributions from Terry Apala, Kabex, Bkay Eastgaad, and Dwin, The Stoic further elevate the project’s sonic diversity without ever compromising A-Q’s lyrical center.

 

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One of the album’s standout tracks, King Solomon, finds A-Q revisiting his early industry battles with clinical precision, paying homage to fallen collaborators like Beats By Jayy while underscoring how far he’s come.

The production fuses gritty hip-hop foundations with soul-sample aesthetics, creating a soundscape that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

While no pre-release date or formal tracklist was shared before its arrival, God’s Engineering 3 has quickly become one of the most talked-about Nigerian rap projects of 2025.

The anticipation, built on the strength of God’s Engineering (2020) and its 2023 sequel, has now been rewarded with an album that showcases A-Q at his most purposeful.

More than just a rap album, God’s Engineering 3 is a narrative blueprint proving that thoughtful, conscious music still has a firm place in African hip-hop. As A-Q signs off this trilogy, he does so not with finality, but with a new beginning that solidifies his place among the continent’s elite lyricists.

Listen to God’s Engineering 3 HERE.

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Released as the lead track off A-Q’s upcoming album God’s Engineering 3 (GE3), the song has already set the rap scene ablaze with heated debates and bar-for-bar breakdowns.

Produced by Jxses, the track strips hip-hop down to its essentials: hard-hitting bars, precision flows, and a pulsating beat that allows both emcees to flex their lyrical muscle. A-Q kicks things off with cold-blooded delivery and densely packed rhymes, firing off multisyllabic verses with the calculated focus of a veteran.

Blaqbonez wastes no time matching the energy, firing back with his signature wit, inventive punchlines, and rhythmically agile flows, cementing his place as one of the most unpredictable forces in the game.

The track plays out like a lyrical duel, with both rappers pushing each other to the edge in a celebration of raw skill.

 

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A post shared by Gilbert ‘A-Q’ Bani (@thisisaq)

This collaboration bridges two rap ideologies: A-Q’s deliberate, battle-hardened lyricism, as seen in his 2020 Headies-winning God’s Engineering, and Blaqbonez’s genre-fluid swagger, popularized through chart-toppers like Back in Uni and his 2022 album Young Preacher. Together, they strike a dynamic balance that has fans questioning: who’s really rapping?

Social media has erupted since the single dropped, with fans trading lines, rating verses, and praising the chemistry between the Chocolate City poster boy and the ever-evolving Surulere-born wordsmith, A-Q. The single’s arrival also serves as a signal that GE3 will be anything but subtle—a return to the roots of rap with modern finesse.

Now streaming across all major platforms, Who’s Really Rapping doesn’t just preview A-Q’s forthcoming project—it reignites Nigeria’s rap conversation with fiery intensity and uncompromising lyrical grit.

Listen to Who’s Really Rapping HERE.

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The eligibility period for this year’s awards spanned from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, during which numerous Nigerian artists released remarkable projects—some of which were recognized, while others were surprisingly overlooked.

However, the Headies faces unique challenges, notably its recurring scheduling delays and execution issues. In this article, we examine some of the most striking omissions from the 17th Headies nomination list.

(Note: This analysis assumes that all omitted works were submitted for consideration.)

• Best Recording of the Year

Nominated:

– TEMS—“Burning”
– SEYI VIBEZ—’Different Pattern’
– BURNA BOY—’Higher‘
– AYRA STARR & GIVEON—’Last Heartbreak Song’
– SARZ feat. LOJAY – ‘Billions‘

Notable Snubs:
– Asake—“Lonely At The Top”
– OdumoduBlvck—”Blood On The Dance Floor”

Asake’s ‘Lonely At The Top‘ was arguably the defining track from his sophomore album ‘Work of Art,’ boasting a refined composition that stood out during the review period. OdumoduBlvck’s ‘Blood On The Dance Floor’ was another masterfully crafted record, making its omission surprising.

• Producer of the Year

Nominated:

– SARZ—’ Happiness‘
– LONDON—’Ozeba’
– MAGICSTICKS—’Basquiat‘
– REMA/PRODUCER X/CUBEATZ/DEATZ/KLIMPERBOY—’Hehehe‘
– DIBS—’Different Pattern‘

Notable Snubs:

– P.Priime
– Jay Synths
– Blaise Beatz
– KZITO

P.Priime had an exceptional year, contributing significantly to Rema’s ‘HEIS‘ album. Jay Synths, who crafted Flavour’s ‘Big Baller‘ (nominated for Song of the Year), and Kizz Daniel’s ‘Ojapiano,’ also deserved consideration. Blaise Beatz’s work on ‘Twe Twe‘ and KZITO’s contributions to Victony’s ‘Pier 46′ further highlight the gap in the nominations.

• Best Collaboration

Nominated:

– Tiwa Savage feat. Asa—’Emotions‘
– OdumoduBlvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale—’Blood On The Dance Floor’
– Shallipopi feat. OdumoduBlvck—’Cast‘
– Chike & Mohbad—’Egwu‘
– Qing Madi & BNXN—’Ole‘
– Kizz Daniel & Davido – ‘Twe Twe Remix‘
– Wizkid feat. Zlatan—’IDK‘

Notable Snubs:

– BNXN & Ruger – “Poe”

The collaborative track ‘Poe‘ by BNXN and Ruger was a standout hit, making its absence from this category quite unexpected.

• Afrobeats Single of the Year

Nominated:

– Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez—’Big Big Things‘
– Kizz Daniel—’Twe Twe Remix’
– Chike feat. Mohbad—’Egwu‘
– Asake—’Remember‘
– Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido—’Ogechi Remix‘
– Flavour—’Big Baller’

Notable Snub:

– Kcee—”Ojapiano”

As one of the biggest Afrobeats hits of the eligibility period, Kcee’s ‘Ojapiano‘ had a significant cultural and commercial impact. Its omission is arguably one of the most glaring oversights.

• Lyricist on the Roll

Nominated:

– A-Q—’Mogadishu”
– M.I Abaga—’Chocolate City Cypher‘
– Blaqbonez—’Chocolate City Cypher’
– Ladipoe—’Hallelujah‘
– Alpha Ojini—’Efeleme‘

Notable Snub:

– OdumoduBlvck

With tracks like ‘MC Oluomo’ and ‘Saint Obi,’ OdumoduBlvck demonstrated superior lyricism, making his exclusion from this category quite puzzling.

• Rookie of the Year

Nominated:

– Llona
– Kaestyle
– Taves
– ZerryDL

Notable Snubs:

– TML Vibez
– Muyeez

Both artists made an impact in the Nigerian mainstream with their breakout projects, and many expected at least one to secure a nomination.

• Best Street-Hop Artist

Nominated:

– Seyi Vibez—’Different Patterns’
– Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – ‘Dealer’
– Shallipopi feat. OdumoduBlvck—’Cast‘
– Zhus Jdo—’Johnbull‘
– Mohbad—’Ask About Me’

Notable Snub:

– Kashcoming

With ‘How Low’ and his DJ YK-assisted ‘Oblee,’ Kashcoming left a mark on the street-hop scene, making his exclusion surprising.

• Song of the Year

Nominated:

– Kizz Daniel—’Showa‘
– Ayra Starr—’Commas‘
– Chike & Mohbad—’Egwu‘
– Asake—’Lonely At The Top’
– Rema—’Ozeba‘
– Flavour—’Big Baller’

Notable Snub:

– Kcee—”Ojapiano”

Given its immense popularity, ‘Ojapiano’s‘ absence is particularly notable. The track revitalized Kcee’s career and introduced the Igbo flute (Oja) into the Amapiano wave.

• Artiste of the Year

Nominated:

– Davido
– Ayra Starr
– Asake
– Rema
– Tems
– Burna Boy

Notable Snubs:

– Seyi Vibez
– Kizz Daniel

Seyi Vibez and Kizz Daniel had stellar years, with their projects delivering some of the biggest Nigerian hits. Their exclusion raises questions about the selection criteria.

• Final Thoughts

The Headies, while an essential platform for recognizing musical excellence, continues to grapple with issues of execution and timing. The lack of a fixed calendar year creates eligibility confusion, resulting in inconsistencies.

For instance, Omah Lay’s ‘Moving‘ was nominated despite falling outside the window, and Phyno’s ‘Full Time Job’ was initially listed, then removed after backlash.

Additionally, while new categories were introduced, others—such as Alternative/Traditional Song & Album—were axed without explanation, sidelining a significant portion of Nigerian talent.

For the Headies to maintain credibility and grow in prestige, the organizers must refine their processes, adhere to a structured timeline, and ensure transparency in their selections.

Only then can it truly serve as a definitive reflection of Nigeria’s evolving music landscape.

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“Purple Doesn’t Exist” is a testament to A-Q’s lyrical prowess, tackling various themes with his signature wit and intelligence. The album boasts a diverse range of sounds, from introspective songs to hard-hitting rap tracks that showcase A-Q’s storytelling ability.

The album features collaborations with a talented roster of artists, including Blaqbonez, Wizard Chan, Cheque, City Monster, Bkay EastGaad, and Evelle. These collaborations add depth and dimension to the project, as A-Q connects with a wide range of artists to create something truly special.

With “Purple Doesn’t Exist,” A-Q further solidifies his position as one of Nigeria’s most respected rappers. The album is a must-listen for every true lover of hip-hop, and it’s clear that A-Q is here to stay.

“Purple Doesn’t Exist” is a masterpiece that showcases A-Q’s growth and evolution as an artist. It’s a testament to his dedication to his craft and his ability to push boundaries. Get ready to experience the genius of A-Q like never before!

Listen up!!

STREAM AND GET HERE

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Nigerian rap veteran, A-Q has sent shockwaves through the music industry with a cryptic announcement of his new album. The rapper took to Twitter to share his excitement about life and the impending release of his project.

In a tweet, A-Q simply stated, “+1 today, grateful for life. Album out at midnight.” The accompanying video ended with the ominous phrase, “Prepare to question everything.”

This brief message has ignited speculation among fans, who are eager to know what the acclaimed rapper has in store. Known for his introspective lyrics and thought-provoking music, A-Q’s teaser suggests that his new album will be a departure from the norm.

As the clock ticks down to midnight, fans are holding their breath, ready to immerse themselves in the world that A-Q is promising to unveil.

The anticipation is palpable, with many expecting a project that challenges conventional thinking and offers deep, reflective content.

+1 today, grateful for life.
Album out at midnight.. ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/zAvxkZlq7c

— Gilbert Bani (@thisisAQ) August 1, 2024

In other news, A-Q launched an innovative music venture named The Cake Bizness Music Company, introducing its first signed artist, Zhus JDO.

The Cake Bizness Music Company aims to revolutionize the music industry with a novel approach. Bani’s new model treats signed artists akin to start-ups, offering investors the opportunity to invest in their brand at an early stage and witness their investment flourish as the artist’s career progresses.

This groundbreaking concept fosters a dynamic partnership and strategic career support for each artist, viewing them as unique start-up ventures based on their individual brand identities.

Additionally, music professionals can contribute their services in exchange for shares, with share values rising alongside the artist’s success, presenting an enticing investment prospect.

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A-Q, has launched an innovative music venture named The Cake Bizness Music Company, introducing its first signed artist, Zhus JDO.

The Cake Bizness Music Company aims to revolutionize the music industry with a novel approach. Bani’s new model treats signed artists akin to start-ups, offering investors the opportunity to invest in their brand at an early stage and witness their investment flourish as the artist’s career progresses.

This groundbreaking concept fosters a dynamic partnership and strategic career support for each artist, viewing them as unique start-up ventures based on their individual brand identities. Additionally, music professionals can contribute their services in exchange for shares, with share values rising alongside the artist’s success, presenting an enticing investment prospect.

CEO and founder Gilbert Bani asserts, “Every artist in development is a start-up and should be treated as such. Our vision is an ecosystem where everyone shares artistic expression. Everyone gets a piece of the cake.”

The Cake Bizness invites music artists, investors, and enthusiasts to join this pioneering journey as it embarks on reshaping the music industry.

In a thrilling debut, The Cake Bizness proudly presents Zhus JDO’s inaugural single “Johnbull,” produced by Wondah. Delivered entirely in Pidgin, the track reflects Zhus JDO’s roots in Benin City and showcases his linguistic versatility.

LISTEN TO “JOHNBULL” HERE

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See below for ‘Chocolate City Cypher‘ Lyrics by Chocolate City feat. Blaqbonez, A-Q, Loose Kaynon, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, MI Abaga.

‘Chocolate City Cypher’ Lyrics by Chocolate City feat. Blaqbonez, A-Q, Loose Kaynon, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, MI Abaga

Blaq Bonez

yeah yeah
riding for my door from a start
this basic principal
rest of y’all pitiful
Hush Puppy I’m interpol
talking to you Twitter trolls
I’m not trying to be condescending my [ _ ]
I’m just speaking from the Pinnacle
every second is billable
a ship is Unsinkable
2023 whip the evidence is clear
but yours is inadmissible
I’m a 6ft skinny boy
I’m and … [ _ ] can get physical
better than black that’s fictional
[ _ ] who lied to you
that’s kind of typical of yes man’s delusional
me and stupid not mixable
all my niggas got something upstairs
another Bungalow
every single move is another play for the envelope
never settle for less
I’m not trying to stay afloat
I’m really trying to buy a boat
Jeff Bezos in 6 months
that’s a slender hope
if you’re not feeling me
that you take away your right to vote
the disrespect man it’s forgivable
Jesus said turn your left cheek
y know it’s biblical
that’s what I told your girl last week
when we was frictional
I don’t do back and forth with no chick
unless Arena though
I could lose every point
but you know I’m going serve
the charm is irresistible
couple bags no fundable
and make a must shine
not tribalistic it’s traditional
social engineering got me feeling like I’m back in school
Mr Gbadebo look at me I’m unapproachable
I this rapper for like 5 years
don’t get no ideas go conversation
I will be there
that’s what you guys fear
y’all niggas want hits
It’s really go to a Miss
I’m way to versatile quietly making hella moves
they gave me an in universe
that’s hella rude
my only celebrity crush is Mega good
I’m kidding there’s a ton of beauts, ton of bad bitches
[Music] sh bad [ _ ] [ _ ] niggas

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• Artiste Name: Chocolate City
• Song Title: Chocolate City Cypher
• Featuring: M.I Abaga, Jesse Jagz, Ice Price, A-Q, Blaqbonez and Loose Kaynon
• Genre: Hip-hop
• Country: Nigeria
• Year: 2024

Rappers M.I Abaga, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, A-Q, Blaqbonez and Loose Kaynon join forces for ‘Chocolate City Cypher’.

All six of these rappers contribute their distinct styles to the cypher, spitting intense rhymes with an intensity that befits their unwavering skill and enthusiasm. Their live performances are more than simply musical showcases; they are audacious declarations that highlight the strength and diversity of Nigerian hip-hop. This cypher is more than simply a compilation of poetry; it’s an exhibition of untapped potential that shows that musicians of all ages are still powerful forces in the business.

This cypher is a historic event for lovers of Nigerian music. It slakes a deep-seated longing, bringing back memories of the heyday when the J-town brothers—Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, and M.I.—ruled the scene in the latter two years of the previous century and the first few years of the current one. Reuniting great rappers with the youthful enthusiasm of up-and-coming performers is a visual and aural feast that serves as a constant reminder of the diverse range of skills for which Chocolate City is renowned.

Listen up!

STREAM AND GET HERE

• RELATED: To The Afrobeats Church, Wizkid Writes His Fantastic Four Epistles In ‘S2’ | Listen
• RELATED: Conceptmusica makes his mark with new EP, ‘Only you & Rock’ | Listen

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Nigeria’s leading record label, Chocolate City, celebrated its 20th anniversary by releasing a new cypher featuring award-winning rappers A-Q, M.I Abaga, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Loose Cannon, and Blaqbonez.

The surprise release, unveiled on January 8, 2023, showcases the rap credentials of these talented artists, all of whom have been associated with Chocolate City at various points in their careers.

This cypher is a notable display of the rap prowess that these artists have contributed to the evolution of African hip-hop.

While it’s not the first time this trio has appeared on a cypher together, as they have previously collaborated on Martell Cyphers and the 2023 joint album ‘Behold The Lamb‘ alongside rapper Loose Cannon, it remains a significant moment in the label’s history.

Chocolate City has played a pivotal role in the Nigerian music scene and has had some of the country’s most decorated rappers on its roster, including M.I Abaga, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, and Blaqbonez. This cypher not only marks the label’s 20th anniversary but also underscores its continuous legacy in shaping the landscape of Nigerian hip-hop.

RELATED:

• Brymo unveils truth about the Chocolate City record label deal
• Blaqbonez reveals how he got signed to Chocolate City
• Ckay shares what inspires his music and how he got signed to Chocolate City

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A-Q is getting ready to release the second volume of his album ‘God’s Engineering‘.

A-Q revealed via his social media pages on Thursday, February 2, 2023, that he will be releasing the follow-up to his critically praised album “God’s Engineering.”

The first volume was released in 2020 and houses 11 songs that incorporate joint efforts with veteran Nigerian rapper, M.I Abaga, Oxlade and Tomi Thomas.

Production attributes on the collection go to Beats By Jayy, Oluma and Amos Kantiok. He executive-produced it and mixed and mastered all eleven tracks except one.

The album won the Best Rap Album award at the 14 Edition of The Headies awards in 2021.

Volume two of God’s Engineering will be his ninth album following his 2022 Joint album, “Ethos” with Brymo and his seventh solo album with his last solo album being “Golden” released in 2021.

New Album: God’s Engineering 2.

March/April 2023… pic.twitter.com/VdMUbUM82n

— Gilbert Bani (@thisisAQ) February 2, 2023

RELATED:

• A-Q Speaks About Experiencing Racism For The First Time In The US
• Top 10 rap albums that popularize Nigerian rap music

When it pertains to rap in Africa, A-Q has established himself as one of the continent’s most brilliant lyricists. He is a famous character in Nigerian Hip Hop due to the complexity of his words and the diversity of his music.

In 2022, A-Q released ‘ETHOS,’ a joint project with Brymo that was well-welcomed by critics.

In acknowledgement of his performance on “The Last Cypher,” he won the Best Rap Performance award at the 2022 Headies awards.

God’s Engineering 2 will be released between March and April of 2022, according to the rapper. Fans will be curious to see if the sequel measures up to the bar that its critically acclaimed predecessor established.

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Nigerian rapper and songwriter Gilbert Bani, popularly known by his stage name A-Q, has opened up about experiencing racism for the first time in the US.

The heavyweight rapper made this known via his social media page that he was a victim of racism in the United States.

The award-winning rapper, who won the lyricist on the roll category at the recent 15th Headies award, is currently in America, where he has encountered racism.

RELATED:

• M.I. Abaga endorses A-Q and Brymo’s joint album “Ethos.”
• A-Q shocks fans as he drags M.I Abaga In ‘Family First’ song
• M.I Abaga and A-Q to drop a joint EP, shares story on how it came about

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, September 8th, 2022, A-Q stated he experienced the horrible racial card for the first time in his life, making him have a taste of what black Americans face in the United States.

The music executive and IT guy didn’t go into great detail about the awful incident, but he wrote:

I just experienced Racism for the first time. It has brought clarity on everything Black people face in America. I’m still shocked.

See the tweet below:

I just experienced Racism for the first time. It has brought clarity on everything Black people face in America. I'm still shocked.

— Gilbert Bani (@thisisAQ) September 8, 2022

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Nigerian veteran rapper, songwriter, and music executive, Jude Abaga, also known as M.I. Abaga (now The Guy), has given his endorsement for the collaborative album “Ethos” by A-Q & Brymo.

The duo (A-Q & Brymo), who are renowned for their incredibly amazing solo projects produced in the past, decided to collaborate on a 10-track body of work that may last for many decades.

Fans have been talking about the  “A-Q & M.I issue” after A-Q confirmed on one of the songs from the project that he had not been in communication with the latter, who was formerly a “boss” to him at Chocolate City.

However, M.I Abaga, who recently changed his name to The Guy, isn’t fazed by the social media frenzy and still took out time to congratulate both acts on putting out their joint project.

RELATED:

• M.I Abaga’s upcoming album tracklist surfaces, to feature Olamide, Wande Coal & Others
• Top Nigerian Diss Songs that one can’t forget

Recall that Brymo and Chocolate City ( a label Abaga was an integral part of) parted ways in a messy way after the label took the singer-songwriter to court for breaching his contract, a situation that evidently affected M.I and Brymo’s relationship.

Taking to Twitter today 12th of August of 2022, The Guy made it known its all love from his side. The veteran rapper took time to recognize and congratulate the duo on the project.

He quoted A-Q’s announcement about the project writing:

@thisisAQ and @BrymOlawale congrats!

🔒🛖🍾🚀 @thisisAQ and @BrymOlawale congrats! https://t.co/Az44G1lOba

— The Guy (@MI_Abaga) August 12, 2022

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