Afropop star Mayorkun has kicked off the rollout for his upcoming third album Still The Mayor with the release of a new single titled ‘Reason 2 Japa’, and it’s far from the usual feel-good anthem fans might expect.
Released on April 4, 2025, the track taps into the collective emotional weight of Nigeria’s ongoing ‘Japa’ movement, a mass exodus of young professionals and citizens seeking better opportunities abroad due to the country’s socio-economic challenges.
Set against an Amapiano-inspired backdrop, Mayorkun delivers a poignant message with a rhetorical question that echoes through the track:
“Tell me the reason not to japa.”
With this, he challenges the ever-widening gap between the Nigerian youth and their dreams, consistently crushed by systemic failures and unaccountable leadership.
In ‘Reason 2 Japa’, Mayorkun blends his signature infectious melodies with thoughtful social commentary, reflecting on themes of disillusionment, forced migration, cultural detachment, and families torn apart by economic necessity. It’s a sobering anthem that resonates with many Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
The single also marks the first release from his upcoming album Still The Mayor, scheduled to drop on May 2, 2025. The project will be his third studio album, following the success of his 2023 EP Love For Free, which spawned fan favorites like For Daddy and Low Key.
Known for his witty pen game and ability to craft bangers, Mayorkun is now proving he’s also unafraid to use his platform to highlight serious societal issues—without losing his musical edge.
