By Christopher Sowah/Nigeria,
Nigerian Afro-Soul singer, songwriter, and producer Lodù has reached a defining milestone in her artistic journey with the release of her debut EP, Wine & Honey, a seven-track project exploring love, identity, and the enduring beauty of human connection.
Blending Afro-Soul and Afro-Fusion, the EP draws inspiration from the poetry of the Song of Solomon and unfolds as a love story told from the perspective of a bride to her beloved. Across seven carefully crafted songs, Lodù explores romance through the richness of wine and the sweetness of honey, reflecting passion, vulnerability, devotion, and commitment.
“Wine & Honey is my interpretation of love at its purest. I wanted to tell a story that celebrates devotion, tenderness and commitment through the lens of African storytelling. Every song is a different chapter, but together they become one complete love story,” says Lodù.
The project represents an evolution in Lodù’s artistry. While her previous releases introduced her blend of Afrocentric influences and soulful storytelling, Wine & Honey expands that vision into a complete narrative, with each song contributing to a wider emotional journey.
The EP opens with Lolufé, an Afro-jazz-infused introduction that sets the tone for the project’s warmth and intimacy. It is followed by Olówó Orími, a celebration of honour, gratitude, and lifelong commitment, and Moróuntódùn, which reflects on discovering a soulmate through Afro-Soul, folk textures, and old-school influences.
The traditional Yoruba interlude Egbe Gengen reinforces themes of marriage, unity, and cultural heritage, while Follow explores the intentional choice of a love that becomes the centre of one’s world. Ìfẹ́mi, featuring DOTTi The Deity, adds a gentle and contemporary Afro-Soul collaboration to the project’s sound.
Lodù’s debut EP also builds on the momentum of her growing catalogue. Her breakout single Olówó Orími debuted at No. 32 on the Nigeria Top 50 chart and remained on the chart for several weeks. Alongside singles such as Follow and Moróuntódùn, the release reflects the artistic progression that has shaped her career.
Recorded in her home studio in Yaba, Lagos, Wine & Honey was developed through collaborations with producers Phleksibu, Ojurere, and Gentuu Vibe. The production involved both in-person and virtual creative sessions, while Lodù independently wrote every song on the project.
“Writing the songs on my own gave me the freedom to be completely honest. I could experiment, rewrite, and keep refining every lyric and melody until each song felt exactly the way I imagined it. That process taught me patience and made this project incredibly personal.”
From writing and recording to vocal production, Lodù approached the project with attention to detail. Nearly a year was spent refining the EP through production, engineering, and a carefully considered release strategy.
As both a singer and producer, Lodù continues to combine Afrocentric sounds, jazz influences, folk textures, and contemporary production. Her approach brings together cultural authenticity and modern musical expression while maintaining a strong focus on storytelling.
“I hope people walk away believing that love can still be gentle, reciprocal and intentional. If these songs remind someone to cherish love or to believe in it again, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do,” shares Lodù.
With Wine & Honey, Lodù presents a debut EP rooted in love, culture, poetry, and lived experience, while reaffirming her position among the emerging artists shaping the future of Afro-Soul.
