Loti - Gorimapa Gangsta, Vol. 2: Lotstar (EP)

Lagos-born artist Loti has returned with Gorimapa Gangsta, Vol. 2: Lotstar, a project that feels equal parts diary and battle cry. Across the EP, he balances vulnerability with grit, giving listeners a snapshot of the hustle, the setbacks and the small victories that come with chasing dreams in Nigeria’s ever-competitive music scene.

Loti has never been one to play it safe. Since his debut Sins & Scenes in 2020 and the viral success of “Mainland,” he has consistently pushed his sound into new spaces. This latest instalment continues that trajectory, leaning into sharp lyricism and stripped-back production that allows his storytelling to take centre stage.

The standout track is “Okirika,” a collaboration with rising star taves. It is a raw, back-and-forth exchange between two voices weighed down by love, money and shifting priorities. The refrain “you ran away ’cause money no full my pocket” lingers as both lament and indictment, a line that captures the emotional core of the song. taves delivers an aching vocal, while Loti’s verses cut through with hard truths about loyalty and self-preservation.

What makes Lotstar compelling is its refusal to over-polish. The beats are lean, often sparse, with just enough texture to frame the vocals. That restraint gives the record a rawness that mirrors its themes of struggle and perseverance.

With Gorimapa Gangsta, Vol. 2: Lotstar, Loti proves he is more than a rising name riding a viral wave. He is a storyteller with something to say, and he is saying it with clarity and conviction.

Gorimapa Gangsta, Vol. 2: Lotstar is available to buy/stream now on all platforms.