In 2023, it is harder than ever to determine what Afrobeats is, with the genre absorbing influences from far-flung sonic forms like rock, EDM and house to enliven its sound and expand its appeal. Rising singer Majeeed (born Ekeh Chiaka Joseph) pulls threads from soul, amapiano and shoegaze to create a buoyant, unsinkable mosaic of the sound that pays homage to heartbreak and angst as well as material success. 2022’s Bitter Sweet was a gaze into the dynamics of modern relationships in urban Lagos with its attendant anxieties, fears and insecurities played out with bellyaching honesty and sobering acceptance across six vignettes. Led by his breakaway Tiwa Savage collab, “Gbese”, Cheers to Life. is a recalibration of Majeeed’s sound and a definitive step up for the singer who firmly places his worries in the rearview mirror to instead focus on a life of enjoyment and all-round success. Where Bitter Sweet was soul-drenched and marked by trepidation, Cheers to Life. is a pop effort largely defined by the year-long winning streak that Majeeed has been on. The title track is a deft fusion of soul and Afrobeat accentuated by Majeeed’s unhurried sing-rap flow. In sharp contrast to the pensive feel of previous songs like “No Room for Love” and “Yawa No Dey End”, Majeeed is eager to show his women the world on “Girls Deserve More Money”. In keeping with the singer’s burgeoning profile, this release has a stacked guest list. Bnxn adds stardust to the amapiano-inspired “Waka Jeje” and Rotimi brings bluesy elegance to the titillating “Slip & Slide”. Still, the essence of Majeeed’s pithy songwriting and vocal delivery is never far away and shows up in the most unexpected fashion on songs like “Shayo” and “Stop Nonsense”, where he juxtaposes the scars of his past with his vision of a glorious future.