Alté trailblazer Boj is back, music video for “Diamonds” ft. Mavo alongside double single release including “Contraband” ft. Olamide
BOJ & Mavo - Diamonds
Stream / Download “Contraband” and “Diamonds” Here
Today, November 14th, Alté trailblazer Boj returns with a double single — “Contraband” ft. Olamide and “Diamonds” ft. Mavo — ahead of his sixth studio album Duplicity, out December 5. The two singles perfectly capture the album’s core theme — the duality of good and bad, and the space where both collide. As ever Boj works as a creative linchpin, his unmistakable languid tone providing a space for his heavyweight guests to shine. Olamide needs little introduction. With over 4m monthly listeners, and a catalogue of classics stretching back to 2010, he’s one of the most influential figures in Afrobeats, his effortless flow turning ‘Contraband’ into an instant club mover. Meanwhile, Mavo is the hottest artist to have emerged from Nigeria this year, with his breakout hits ‘Escaladizzy’ and ‘Shakabulizzy’ racking up over 40m streams in the last 4 months, and seeing him receive cosigns from Ayra Starr, Davido and Shallipopi. On ‘Diamonds’ he goes verse for verse with Boj over scorching arpeggiated synths, creating an Afrofuturist masterpiece. “Contraband” is produced by Blaise Beats, known for his work with artists such as Davido, Fireboy DML, BNXN, and Rema. “Diamonds” is produced by Genio, the creative force behind much of the sonic landscape of Duplicity, with credits that include Cruel Santino, Teni, and more.
Boj — born Bolaji Odojukan — is widely regarded as your favourite artist’s favourite artist. A pioneer of the Alté movement, he introduced a fresh blend of electronica, Afrofuturism, and wavy R&B that set him apart from mainstream Afropop. This lane has led to collaborations with global heavyweights including Dave, Ayra Starr, Skepta, Wizkid, and Davido. Raised between Lagos and London, he first shaped the Alté sound with Teezee and Fresh L as part of DRB LasGidi before launching his solo career with Boj on the Mic in 2014. He continued to refine his style across projects like Magic (2017), the Make E No Cause Fight series with Ajebutter22, DRB’s Pioneers, and his acclaimed Gbagada Express albums (2022–23). The latter became a creative hub of collaborations — Wizkid, Davido, Mr Eazi, Fireboy, BNXN, Victony, ENNY, Knucks, and more — earning an AIM nomination, a Guardian UK Album of the Year nod, and the Headies Best Alté Album award. He followed with 12 Summers, a celebratory look at 12 years of innovation, featuring new-wave talents from Odumodublvck to Blanco.
Beyond music, Boj continues to push boundaries in fashion, appearing at Paris Fashion Week at KidSuper and attending MAINS, Labrum, and Charlie Constantinou at London Fashion Week. His most personal and experimental project yet, Duplicity finds Boj confronting the tension between himself as an artist and as a man, pushing the Alté sound he helped create into bold new territory. The release follows his recent double singles ‘Shana’ (ft. Show Dem Camp & Joey B) and ‘After Hours’ (ft. Anaïs Cardot) following his performance alongside Show Dem Camp at London’s Palmwine Festival.
