Listen to Johnny Drille’s self-produced “In Time” track featuring Angelique Kidjo. Stream, buy the track, mp3 download.
Nigerian folk-pop architect Johnny Drille took a slow road to his second act. Born John Ighodaro in Edo State, he first appeared on the 2013 reality show Project Fame West Africa . His 2015 cover of Di’Ja’s “Awww” caught Don Jazzy’s attention—the Mavin Records boss later called Drille “the most complete musician” in Nigeria for his ability to write, produce, sing, and perform at the same level . After signing with Mavin in 2017, Drille’s 2021 debut “Before We Fall Asleep” cemented him as an emotionally articulate voice in Afrobeats . Then he disappeared. He stepped back from the industry’s frantic release schedule to build a life. He became a father. He retreated to intimate live sessions and collaborative work. For five years, he let the silence do the work .
johnny drille before the morning light
That patience produced “Before The Morning Light.” The 14-track sophomore album dropped on May 15, 2026, via Mavin Global Holdings Ltd, and it announced itself with the first arrangement: “In Time” featuring Grammy-winning Beninese icon Angélique Kidjo . Drille wrote, arranged, and produced the track himself. Angelique Kidjo has won five Grammy Awards, released sixteen albums, and spent more than four decades blending West African rhythms with funk, jazz, and R&B . In July 2025, she became the first African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . Earlier in 2026, Kidjo had already worked with Drille—she enlisted him to mix her single “Aye Kan” with Ayra Starr, a cross-generational collaboration that signaled their mutual respect . That trust carried into “In Time,” where Kidjo adds depth and warmth without overpowering Drille’s tender delivery .
Johnny Drille, Angelique Kidjo – In Time
From the “Before The Morning Light” project
Produced by Johnny Drille
2026-05-15 • 1 song, 3 minutes
© 2026 Mavin Global Holdings Ltd
