By Ayo Onikoyi

Fast-rising afrofusion artist Sean Dampte has kicked off 2026 with the release of a new single titled Gbera, marking the beginning of a new creative phase for the London-based, Lagos-rooted musician.

Gbera is described by the artist as a record inspired by a shift in perspective and personal growth, reflecting what he calls a new season in his life and career. Rather than detailing his journey, Dampte uses the song as a statement of elevation, confidence and spiritual awareness, framed by an ancestral salute that underscores its message.

“This is a new season song for me,” Dampte said. “After everything I’ve seen and realised, I understood the world is bigger than we imagine. I made this record to sound like elevation, and I’m giving a shout out to the ancestors guiding me through this next phase of my life.”

Built as both a motivational anthem and a crowd-ready track, Gbera blends celebratory energy with reflective songwriting. The song challenges stereotypes around success, rejecting performative wealth and loud displays of affluence, while promoting a more grounded and intentional definition of progress. Positioned as a mood-setter for the new year, the track is designed to resonate on dance floors, playlists and personal soundtracks alike.

To complement the release, Sean Dampte teamed up with Nairobi-based filmmaker Director Frux for the song’s visualiser. Shot across Nairobi’s cityscape and the Ngong Hills in Kenya, the visuals expand the song’s themes of growth and elevation. The choice of location, with its open skies and sweeping views, serves as a metaphor for discipline, sacrifice and clarity, reinforcing the idea that perspective changes as one rises.

Gbera also serves as a preview of Dampte’s forthcoming album, Awoodah: Sounds of Kalakuta, scheduled for release in April. The project is expected to reflect his artistic growth while remaining firmly rooted in his Lagos upbringing.

Raised around the Mile 2 area of Lagos, Sean Dampte has built a reputation for blending streetwise energy with global appeal. His sound draws from afrobeats and afrofusion, combining bold hooks, rhythmic bounce and culturally grounded lyrics delivered in English, Yoruba and Pidgin. Central to his creative identity is the concept of “Awoodah,” a philosophy he describes as part mindset and part evolution, shaping both his music and presentation.

With Awoodah: Sounds of Kalakuta, Dampte is positioning himself for what he describes as his most focused era yet, aiming to cement his place as one of the emerging voices in the new wave of globally minded afrobeats artists.