For over a decade, the Show Dem Camp duo of Ghost (Olumide Ayeni) and Tec (Wale Davies) have carved out a distinct lane in the Nigerian music landscape, effortlessly navigating between rap, cultural commentary, and genre-blending experimentation. From The Dreamer Project to the Clone Wars series and the influential Palmwine Music era, Show Dem Camp have steadily expanded their sonic universe while maintaining a core identity rooted in storytelling and craftsmanship.
Beyond their discography, SDC have built one of the most dedicated communities in modern Nigerian music. Their audience does not merely consume their art; they participate in a broader cultural ecosystem that the duo have cultivated over the years. This ecosystem comes to life most vividly at the annual Palmwine Music Festival. This event has become a fixture for the alternative scene, drawing thousands of fans and featuring artists across genres. It reflects how SDC’s impact extends beyond music into cultural curation, creative collaboration, and the nurturing of emerging voices.
On November 3, 2025, the duo ushered in a new chapter with Afrika Magik, a 17-track album that signals continuity and reinvention. With the Palmwine Music series seemingly concluded, curiosity about the direction of their sound was natural. But from the moment the album opens, one thing is clear: this is still the Show Dem Camp we know and love. Afrika Magik immediately establishes itself as a record that reflects the duo’s creative maturity while embracing the cultural textures that have always defined their art.
The project begins with “Libations,” a spiritual and declarative intro. Tec sets the tone immediately: “They say the gods came back in human form, the deity in the flesh, but still weather the storm.” It is bravado, a statement of presence. The duo acknowledges their place as elder statesmen while paying homage to the legends before them: King Sunny Ade, Oliver De Coque, Victor Olaiya, Victor Uwaifo, William Onyeabor, and 2Face. Ghost’s verse pulls from memory, tracing the early grind: 2011, The Dreamer Project, the Clone Wars tapes, and the surprise success of Palmwine Music. By the end of the track, the album assumes a narrative shape: this is a new era, yet the roots remain deep and intact.
On “Pressure,” Taves provides a smooth hook that carries Tec and Ghost into one of their strongest joint performances. Their back-and-forth on the second verse is crisp, confident, and conversational. The beat is relaxed, yet the writing is tight, reflecting on expectation, and the skill of absorbing pressure rather than fleeing from it.
Every SDC era has its Tems moment, and this one is “You Get Me.” Tems’ vocals shimmer over Spax’s warm production. Ghost and Tec ease into their lover-boy pockets while Tems anchors the chorus with her signature glow, turning the song into an immediate standout.
Interludes, a staple of SDC projects, return here with Ayoade Bamgboye’s voice tying the Nollywood thread together. From celebrating Nollywood vixens to reflecting on formative influences and joking about AI as “white juju,” they are playful but purposeful, reinforcing the album’s overarching theme.
Features remain an essential part of SDC’s identity. Boj shines on “Normally” with Joey B. Ajebutter, absent since Palmwine Music Vol. 2, returns on “Small Chops and Champers,” opening with the hilarious line, “Only banana suppose dey stress monkey.” Moelogo appears on “Lifestyle,” providing a confidence-filled comfort zone track.
Show Dem Camp have consistently created space for women on their projects, and Afrika Magik continues this tradition with intention. Lusanda, Winny, Moonchild Sanelly, Mereba, and LULU are established artists within their own spheres, yet not fully fixtures in Nigerian mainstream rotation. Here, they are given room to shine, each adding a distinct texture. Lusanda Ngcobo delivers a hauntingly warm performance on “Spellbound,” elevating it beyond a love song while Tec and Ghost trade confident declarations. Winny glides effortlessly on the reggae-infused “Pele,” Tec embracing vulnerability while Ghost seeks clarity. Moonchild Sanelly’s energy electrifies “Magik,” Spax’s production complementing Tec and Ghost’s verses in a colourful detour. Mereba leads with soft, intimate vocals on “Masterkey,” a song about unity and commitment, with Ghost’s clever lines and Tec’s mature reflection creating a delicate, beautifully arranged piece.
As the album nears its close, LULU appears on “Rise Again,” singing about resilience: “Sticks and stones couldn’t break me down, if I fall I go rise again.” Ghost slips into storyteller mode: “I told you the rise was imminent,” reflecting on survival, gratitude, and the growth that follows. Feature-free tracks such as “Italawa,” “Send a Text,” and “I’ll Wait” demonstrate that Tec and Ghost remain fully capable of anchoring records on their own, with the latter offering a soft, reflective emotional landing after a long, colourful journey.
Production is mostly handled by Spax, whose fingerprints have shaped SDC’s sonic evolution. GuiltyBeatz, Genio, and Yinka Bernie contribute standout moments, ensuring each track feels polished yet full of character.
Drawing inspiration from Africa Magic, the Nollywood channel, Afrika Magik embraces nostalgia while signalling a new creative era. This nostalgia is evident in the album rollout, interludes and the album cover art. Overall, it underscores what has always defined Show Dem Camp: thoughtful rap, intentional curation, cultural reverence, and a commitment to elevating voices both within and beyond their circle.
It is a new season, but Show Dem Camp remain quintessentially themselves. Like sweet palmwine, they only seem to get better.
