It might sound audacious to describe yourself as magic, but rising singer The Majeek never had any qualms about the title—or the weighty expectations it inevitably invites. Starting as a record producer in Benin over a decade before this release, the artist (born Desmond Momoh) has a natural understanding of Afropop’s mechanics, bending words, melodies, and instrumentals for his exhilarating take on the genre. In 2023, the EP Pressure merged the fastidious songwriting style of OG Afropop with the stylistic rhythmic leanings of the genre’s new generation. The Majeek broke new ground in March 2024 with the release of “The Moon,” a pseudo-biographical bop set to a modern interpretation of the konto sound that ruled Nigerian pop in the early 2000s. On his new EP, The Majeekcian Vol. 1, he remains as irreverent and exciting as ever, running through themes of love, destiny, faith, and gratitude with a stunning clarity. From track to track, the mood is exultant and confident, whether he’s reflecting on his come-up in Pidgin (“Turn Up”) or flirting suggestively with a lover (“So Bad”). Romance plays a big part in furthering the narrative of The Majeekcian Vol. 1: The Majeek cannot imagine a life without his lover on the balmy “Your Riddim” while the jaunty, amapiano-inflected “Ladies” is a dance-floor invitation. Still, the best moments on The Majeekcian Vol. 1 arrive when The Majeek invites his guests to sample their talent within the world he created: KOJO BLAK contributes a pulsating verse on “Cocoa Butter (Remix),” while Shoday and Camidoh are complementary presences on “Face My Fears.”