The collaboration taps the ancient pulse of Edo’s Ekaba drums, fusing deep cultural roots with contemporary Afrofusion production in a record built for both the dancefloor and the soul.

Lagos and New York collide on “Late Night”, the freshest collaboration between fast-rising Lagos-based artist Yiyi Pasha and New York-based Nigerian multi-hyphenate Harry Carter. Released under Snice Life / Carterstrophy LTD, the single announces itself as one of the most culturally grounded Afrofusion records of the year, anchored by the unmistakable, ancestral pulse of the Edo Ekaba drums.

The Ekaba is a ceremonial drum tradition rooted in Edo culture; percussive, earthy, and deeply communal. On “Late Night,” that ancient rhythm is not merely referenced; it is the backbone. The artists weave it beneath smooth contemporary vocals and polished Afrofusion production, creating a sound that feels simultaneously timeless and startlingly fresh, what they have called “sexy Ekaba music.”

The record is the brainchild of two artists who share more than a region: both Yiyi Pasha and Harry Carter hail from Benin City, Edo State, giving the nod to Ekaba percussion a deeply personal weight. Where Harry Carter brings his signature genre-fluid charisma, the same versatility that earned praise from M.I Abaga and landed three of his tracks on the Netflix and Amazon Prime Video film Payday, Yiyi Pasha delivers his trademark unorthodox energy, blending cultural and modern influences into a sound entirely his own.

“Tapping from the ancestral plain to make some sexy Ekaba music wasn’t on our bingo card, but we made a masterpiece anyway.” — Harry Carter

The result earns both descriptions: smooth-vocaled, groove-heavy, built for late hours, and a genuine masterpiece of cultural synthesis. “Late Night” does not simply gesture at Edo heritage; it plants a flag in it, reminding listeners that the most forward-looking music is often the most deeply rooted.

The single follows strong momentum for both artists. Harry Carter enters 2026 with over 2 million streams, 30,000+ monthly listeners, a growing catalogue of 16 singles and 10 music videos, and features in OkayAfrica, Pulse NG, Vanguard, and The Guardian NG. Yiyi Pasha, with 30,000+ DSP streams and a rapidly expanding TikTok following, has been making waves in Lagos with singles including Energy, Concur, and Loader. Together, the collaboration amplifies both artists’ reach and signals a culturally intentional new chapter for the Edo sound in global music.

“Late Night” is available here on all streaming platforms.