Nigerian singer Skillful ONAiR links up with 9ice on a fresh new record titled “New Age Gongo Aso.”
The original “Gongo Aso” became a national anthem back in 2008. Reviving that title almost two decades later is a bold move on its own. Skillful ONAiR isn’t trying to recreate it though — this feels more like a respectful nod than a straight remake.
That balance comes through in how the two artists play off each other. Skillful brings youthful energy to the table. 9ice slides in with that same distinctive vocal texture that made him a household name in the first place. Neither one overshadows the other here.
Talking drums and rich percussion anchor the production. Contemporary Afrobeat touches blend in too, keeping things sounding current rather than dated. The chorus lands smoothly, never fighting for attention against the verses.
For anyone who grew up on the original, “New Age Gongo Aso” works as a nice bridge between that era and now. Stream it and see if the nostalgia hits the same way for you.
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