Nigeria’s breakout street-hop crooner TML Vibez and Ghana’s chart-topping genre-bender Lasmid have teamed up for a sizzling new joint EP titled Special Songs For You, a 2025 cultural exchange in audio form that fuses Naija grit with Ghanaian groove. Born from an unforced creative chemistry and a string of studio sessions, this 6-track project bursts with emotion, rhythm, and range. It builds on the Afro-charged synergy the duo first sparked on their 2024 fan-favorite “Maria” (off Xin Mao), venturing deeper into love, vulnerability, and club-ready anthems.
“Sweet Songs 4 You is about owning who you are and singing about it in a way the streets, the lovers, and the dreamers can all feel,” said TML Vibez.“It’s about music without borders. This tape is West Africa on a wave,” added Lasmid.
Backed by Dapper Music, the tape swirls highlife, street-hop, Afrobeats, Afrorave, and R&B into a cocktail of cross-cultural celebration. And now, in an exclusive Q&A with Rolling Stone Africa, the two artists dive into how it all came together.
Rolling Stone Africa: Your new tape feels like more than just a collaboration. What inspired you both to create this project together now?
Lasmid: Everything just felt right. I’ve always wanted to reflect not just where I’m from, but how far African music has come. TML and I already vibed on “Maria,” and we didn’t want to just drop another single, we wanted something meaningful.
TML Vibez: For me, it was all about synergy and timing. Nigeria and Ghana share deep musical roots. This tape celebrates that connection.
Rolling Stone Africa: What was the vibe like in the studio? Any standout moments?
TML Vibez: [Laughs] The vibe was fire! It was nonstop creativity with producers like Badass from Nigeria and Giggz from Ghana. No egos, just energy.
Lasmid: So much mutual respect. Sometimes a beat drops and we both just catch the vibe. That’s when the magic happens.
Rolling Stone Africa: You describe the tape as a blend of love, vulnerability, and confidence. Which track hits home for each of you?
Lasmid: “Meet 4 Corner” does it for me. I was in a vulnerable space when we wrote it—it’s real.
TML Vibez: “Magic” is personal. It’s street but fresh. It captures my journey and growth.
Rolling Stone Africa: How did your Nigerian and Ghanaian musical roots shape the project?
Lasmid: You’ll hear highlife and hiplife in there, but with Afrobeats and R&B flavor too. It’s fusion, not confusion.
TML Vibez: I brought in the street soul from Nigeria—fuji, street-hop. But Lasmid’s melody and soul brought the smooth. We complemented each other.
Rolling Stone Africa: “Maria” already resonated with fans. Did that influence your decision to expand into a whole EP?
TML Vibez: Absolutely. “Maria” was a spark. The chemistry was too strong not to explore further.
Lasmid: That one song showed us how powerful our combo was. We had to go bigger.
Rolling Stone Africa: TML, from Grateful Sinner to Pawon Boy, how have your past experiences shaped your vision on this tape?
TML Vibez: I’ve learned to be intentional. “Pawon Boy” was for the streets, but now I’m tapping into deeper stories—especially for the ladies.
Rolling Stone Africa: Lasmid, how are you evolving while staying rooted in your Ghanaian sound?
Lasmid: It’s balance. I stay true to my roots—storytelling, progressions—but I’m also adapting to how the sound is shifting globally.
Rolling Stone Africa: This project feels genre-fluid. Was that deliberate?
Lasmid: For sure. We didn’t want to play it safe.
TML Vibez: African sound is global right now. We’re not boxed in—we’re reflecting that wave.
Rolling Stone Africa: Vulnerability plays a strong role in your lyrics. Why’s that important?
TML Vibez: Because it connects. Flashy lyrics are fun, but real stories stick.
Lasmid: Real emotions hit different. Fans feel it when it’s honest.
Rolling Stone Africa: What surprised you about working with each other?
Lasmid: TML’s flow is so instinctive and raw—it taught me to trust my gut more. Plus, I’m picking up Yoruba now! [laughs]
TML Vibez: Lasmid’s harmonies are crazy. He taught me that sometimes less is more.
Rolling Stone Africa: Did you ever disagree creatively? How did you handle it?
TML Vibez: Oh yeah [laughs]. But we kept it respectful. Sometimes we’d record two versions and pick the best. Our teams helped too.
Lasmid: It was always about the music—not ego. Trust was key.
Rolling Stone Africa: How crucial was Dapper Music’s role in this process?
Lasmid: They were 100% supportive—gave us room to create and dream big.
TML Vibez: They believed in this from day one. That kind of backing pushes you.
Rolling Stone Africa: What’s next? Tour? More collaborations?
TML Vibez: Definitely talking tour. West Africa to the world. And maybe another tape—we’re open.
Lasmid: This is just the beginning. Fans want more, and we’re ready.
Rolling Stone Africa: What do you hope listeners feel after hearing Special Songs For You?
Lasmid: I hope people feel seen—whether they’re in love or heartbroken, there’s something here for everyone.
TML Vibez: Exactly. These are sweet songs for you—whoever you are.
