Following the critical success of her 2025 EP Surulere, the “Golden Voice of Africa,” Nkan, is set to capture hearts once again this February with the release of her latest single, “California Love.” Arriving just in time for the season of love, the track promises to be a masterclass in Nkan’s signature “Kosmopolitan” sound—a seamless, sophisticated blend of Afrobeats, Jazz, and Highlife.
“California Love” departs from the high-energy percussion of her previous hits like “Pepepe,” opting instead for a lush, atmospheric production that highlights Nkan’s powerhouse vocals. The single explores the nuances of long-distance affection and the sun-drenched nostalgia of a romance sparked in the Golden State. It serves as a bridge between her Nigerian roots and her musical years spent in the United States, creating a sonic experience that is both deeply personal and globally accessible.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Nkan shares: “Music is a vessel for truth and emotion. With ‘California Love,’ I wanted to capture that specific warmth you feel when love transcends distance. It’s about the memories that keep us glowing, no matter where we are in the world.”
She further explains the divine timing behind the track: “California Love is a very personal and spiritual story for me. I’m deeply spiritually inclined, and one thing I’ve learned on my journey is to constantly have conversations with God for direction. A few weeks before I relocated to the United States, I fell very ill. My father in the Lord jokingly said I was having “travel fever.” Around that same time, the song California Love by Tupac kept playing repeatedly in my head. I would wake up singing it, even though I hadn’t yet decided which state I was moving to.
Fast forward to my flight to the U.S. — I was asleep on the plane, and just before the arrival announcement, I heard California Love again in my spirit. I woke up smiling and said, “Daddy, you are so hilarious,” referring to God. Two months after settling in Oakland, love found me and that experience became the story behind California Love. Now, releasing it during Valentine’s season feels natural because California Love is a love letter: to Oakland, to distance, to destiny, and to love that crosses cultures” she proudly concluded.
The song’s arrival in February 2026 reinforces Nkan’s reputation as a “purpose-driven” artist, dedicated to creating melodies that evoke genuine connection and emotional depth.
Since her return to the spotlight, Nkan has been recognized as a “must-watch” artist by industry tastemakers, lauded for her ability to integrate traditional African rhythms with contemporary soul.
“California Love” is expected to further solidify her position on the global stage, following her inclusion in several “Artists to Watch in 2026” lists.
The single’s rich arrangement and evocative lyrics are designed to resonate with “go-getters” and romantics alike.
Comparing this release to her previous work, Nkan postulated: “Interestingly, California Love was composed in 2017, but the emotions tied to the story remain just as real today. There’s a particular line in the song that takes me to another realm emotionally, it often brings me to tears when I hear myself sing it. That emotional space was very different from Surulere. While Surulere carries its own depth and message, California Love comes from a softer, more vulnerable place rooted in personal experience and intimacy” she emphasised.
The single will be available on all major digital streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube, starting mid-February. Fans can also look forward to a visually stunning lyric video that captures the vibrant, sun-soaked aesthetic of the track’s namesake.
As Nkan continues her “reinvention era,” “California Love” stands as a testament to her growth as a songwriter and her unwavering commitment to the “Golden Voice” legacy.
About Nkan:
Nkan is a Nigerian-born singer-songwriter, celebrated for her “Kosmopolitan” genre—a fusion of Afrobeat, Jazz, and Highlife. She is also a creative entrepreneur, actor and Thespian, She is one of the leading Partners of TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF).
Discovered for her exceptional vocal range in the early 2000s and dubbed the “Golden Voice of Africa,” she has performed at prestigious venues across the U.S. and West Africa. After a hiatus, she returned to the music scene with a string of successful singles and the 2025 EP Surulere, continuing her mission to touch lives through soulful, message-driven art.
