Efi Cruise, Calabar’s own ‘Bayside Boy’,  sharpens his ‘Southern Afro-Jazz’ vision with “Lekeleke,” a vibrant single released on 14 May. Fusing Afro-jazz, highlife, afrobeats, funk, and hip-hop, the Nigerian artist delivers a rich, rhythm-led track rooted in both tradition and personal expression.

“Lekeleke”—Yoruba for “bird”—serves as a metaphor for freedom and transformation. Efi Cruise’s vocal performance is fluid and improvisational, drawing on scat techniques while staying grounded in African melodic phrasing. The production, handled by long-time collaborator Olajide Joseph Meshe, pairs sunlit guitar lines with layered percussion and bass, creating a warm, spacious groove.

Born Efiom Ita in Lagos and raised in Calabar, Efi Cruise emerged in 2017 with his debut “Kai-Kai” and has since built a reputation for genre-defying, culturally grounded work. “Lekeleke” features on his debut deluxe album Mirrors and affirms his place as one of the most original and forward-thinking voices in Afro-fusion today.

Stream, listen to and get your copy fo the album HERE