There is a certain kind of artist who does not need a long runway. Modola has always been that kind. The Italian-Nigerian singer who first turned heads with a viral TikTok moment has since traded the algorithm for something far more lasting and “Kupe,” her new single featuring Bhadboi OML, is the clearest proof yet that she is here to stay.
Out now via Base World Entertainment, “Kupe” is not the record of someone still figuring out who they are. The track is complete upon the arrival an Afropop record that is put together effortlessly in Yoruba, French, Pidgin, and English. Modola’s background in Milan before going back to Nigeria in pursuit of a musical career that her parents did not originally approve of gives her a unique ability to navigate different worlds.
”Kupe” sounds exactly like that — rooted, worldly, and impossible to pin down to just one place.
The record is built around confidence and chemistry. The singer radiates a palpable, body-positive power in her energetic performance, embracing herself without restraint and daring everyone in the room to look away. It is the playful yet powerful energy in her delivery which creates a relaxed atmosphere despite the meaningfulness behind the lyrics; the singer does not sing confidently, but lives confidently.
Another artist on board, Bhadboi OML, does not disappoint at all. Having built one of the most interesting collections of songs in Afropop over the past few years, from his first songs and debut EPs, through several successful collaborative releases, the young singer adds warmth and celebration to the song that lifts it up and makes the listening experience even better. Multilingual verses by Bhadboi are relaxed and playful, making the whole collaboration seem like something the artists wanted for quite some time.
In anticipation of the official release of the song, internet communities got their hands on a clip, in which the main character performed the main verse, creating the #KupeBottleChallenge, which soon gained traction among celebrities and regular people alike, who used the song as the base of their dance routine.
It is worth remembering how fast Modola’s journey has moved. She is barely twenty years old, born in Lagos, raised in Milan, and now firmly planting her flag in the heart of Nigeria’s music conversation. She carries herself with a certainty that most artists spend years trying to find.
“Kupe” is the first chapter of whatever comes next. And if this is how Modola opens 2026, the rest of the year is going to be very interesting to watch.
