First shared on social media last year, Godwin’s cover sparked a strong audience response and sustained fan demand for a DSP release. The song arrives on Valentine’s Day as a fan-driven moment, rooted in emotion and cultural connection.

Today also coincides with Pietra Brettkelly’s new documentary CROCODILE, which will have its world premiere at Berlinale. Over 13 years, the film documents the journey of the Nigerian filmmaking collective The Critics, that Godwin cofounded, from a group of boisterous pre-teens in the Nigerian province who use all means at their disposal to create their own takes on Hollywood genre films to an arts collective increasingly reflective on their practice and the social, political, and economic conditions under which they create their art. Get more info here.

On the live front, Godwin has just wrapped a 16-date arena tour across Germany as the opening act for Xavier Naidoo, one of the country’s most successful pop-soul artists, a run that sold over 150,000 tickets. He has also announced five headline shows in Germany this May, with additional European dates to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Earlier this week, Godwin announced Renditions, an EP gathering some of his most impactful TikTok covers, set for release on February 27. Over the past few years, his reinterpretations of African classics have resonated widely on the platform, helping him build a community of 603k followers and generating 59M views and 5M likes. Fans have consistently requested longer versions on streaming platforms.

LISTEN HERE

Among them, his take on “African Queen” has emerged as a standout. Originally released by 2Baba, the song continues to resonnate globally among a whole generation and beyond, it was ranked #1 on Billboard’s list of the 50 Greatest Afrobeats Songs of All Time last year.

Its inclusion in the US film Phat Girlz (2006) participaed to the global popularity of the song. Godwin releases his version today, February 13, aligning with Valentine’s Day, and invites “African Queens” from around the world to take part in the project, celebrating love, culture and heritage.

More than a conceptual tribute, Renditions is a personal project. The songs featured on the EP are tracks that shaped Godwin as an artist. Revisiting defining works from Nigerian artists such as D’banj, 2Baba and P-Square, the EP reflects an era of music that transcended borders and influenced generations beyond its original context.

These songs did not simply mark individual careers, they became cultural reference points that laid the groundwork for today’s global Nigerian sound. Through his interpretations, Godwin bridges early pioneers with contemporary figures like Wizkid or Omah Lay, honoring a legacy that continues to shape what Nigerian music represents today.

TRACKLIST

1. African Queen (originally from 2Baba)

2. No One Like You (originally from P-Square)

3. Fall In Love (originally from D’Banj)

4. Joy (originally from Wizkid)

5. Holy Ghost (originally from Omah Lay)

TOUR DATES

GET TICKETS HERE

NEW EP RENDITIONS OUT FEBRUARY 27

DEBUT ALBUM ATONEMENT OUT NOW

FOLLOW GODWIN

TikTok | Instagram | YouTube

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Alongside the announcement, he released the album’s title track, Atonement, with an official music video and launched the album presave.

The track carries the core storytelling of the album and sets the stage for the full-length album project. Written around themes of love and forgiveness, and built on a sample sung by Godwin’s late mother’s choir, Atonement captures the personal and spiritual essence of the record.

Godwin explains: “The song expresses the sentiment of forgiveness towards those who have wronged us: to truly love someone, it’s necessary to let go of past hurts.”

The official video, self-directed by Godwin and shot in his home city of Kaduna, features the very choir sampled in the track—the same choir in which his late mother once sang. Intimate and deeply symbolic, the visuals highlight Godwin’s ability to merge music and film into a single emotional experience.

Fans can also discover more of Godwin’s own words in a video he shared on social media, reflecting on the meaning behind Atonement – watch here.

Atonement and this album announcement represents the culmination of Godwin’s path so far, a journey that has steadily expanded his artistic voice. His COLORSxSTUDIOS debut with Home first introduced him internationally, while Abeke with German AAA producers team KITSCHKRIEG revealed his versatility.

Broken reached Top 10 APC Nigeria and charted on Spotify Viral 50 Nigeria, before Blood For Blood connected his artistry with cinema during the Gladiator II premieres in Germany. Most recently, Call Me brought him closer to Afrobeats while creating special moments live as he openned for Tems’ European tour, with audiences singing along to an unreleased chorus.

Each release has built toward this debut album, praised by outlets such as Clash Magazine, 1883 Magazine, BBC 1Xtra, and COLORSxSTUDIOS. This announcement comes as his fanbase rapidly expands, now approaching 600K followers on TikTok.

PRE-SAVE THE ALBUM HERE

WATCH MUSIC VIDEO HERE:

ABOUT GODWIN

Godwin Gaza Josiah, simply known as Godwin, is a multifaceted creative with interests in music and film. He began as a filmmaker alongside his cousins, founding the Variety-endorsed film collective The Critics Company in 2015. He has directed a film in collaboration with Morgan Freeman’s production company Revelation Entertainment and has been mentored by acclaimed filmmakers such as JJ Abrams, Taika Waititi, and Kemi Adetiba.

Hailing from the often-overlooked city of Kaduna (Nigeria), Godwin brings an authentic energy to the music scene, fusing rich cultural influences with deep emotional experiences. His music, closely tied to visual arts, draws from genres such as Soul, R&B, and Afrobeat. Influenced by Labbi Siffre (“an exceptional writer, able to make the most complex words really simple”), Aretha Franklin (“My dad put her in my head as a child, and it did something to my voice just trying to sing to her songs”), and Labrinth (“His music transcends traditional genres, and as a black man, he breaks free from expected norms”), Godwin has forged a unique creative path.

In the realm of music, Godwin stands apart as a gifted artist crafting soulful songs that defy expectations often tied to Nigerian artists in the Afrobeats era. His proposition ventures into uncharted territories, offering a refreshing departure from the anticipated norm. His music is more than a collection of songs; it is an anthology of shared experiences, a reflection of resilience, and an invitation to embrace the journey with open hearts and ears.

FOLLOW GODWIN

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It was  crazy at NIJ Last night as Talented Mavin Records Singer, Mr Romantic “Korede Bello” shutdown the NIJ Week with his performances. He performed song like Romantic; Mungo Park and Godwin. He also did an excerpt acapella version of “African princess” for a fan just when he was leaving the stage.

Korede Bello stole the show as usual and his belovers couldn’t get enough of his energetic performance.

A word from one of the students:

“God bless Korede Bello for making us proud”

Watch Video & share your thoughts below:

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