Grammy-nominated rapper Wale has unveiled the official music video for “YSF” featuring Nigerian music stars Teni and Seyi Vibez, offering a visually rich celebration of Nigerian heritage, artistry, and cultural identity. Directed by Nigerian Alté artist Odunsi The Engine and filmed in Lagos, the video arrives as a striking fusion of music, fashion, and traditional storytelling.
Known globally for representing the DMV rap scene, Wale uses “YSF” to reconnect more intimately with his Nigerian roots. Born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin to Nigerian immigrant parents, the rapper has long embraced African culture throughout his music, but the new visual presents one of his most personal and immersive explorations yet.
Shot on 16mm film, the video captures a timeless and cinematic atmosphere, moving between scenes inspired by traditional Yoruba aesthetics and modern African creativity. Much of the visual unfolds inside an exhibition by acclaimed Nigerian artist Fadekemi Ogunsanya, whose work preserving Adire Eleko textile traditions recently earned her recognition as a finalist for the 2026 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize.
Wale, Teni, and Seyi Vibez appear dressed in a blend of Adire Alabela fabrics and contemporary streetwear silhouettes, symbolising the meeting point between tradition and modern identity. The visual also highlights the detailed process behind Adire craftsmanship, where candle wax is applied to cloth to create intricate dye-resistant patterns rooted in Yoruba textile culture.
Musically, “YSF” blends English, Yoruba, and Nigerian Pidgin into a vibrant and emotionally layered collaboration. References to legendary Nigerian musicians including King Sunny Adé and Sir Shina Peters further ground the song in cultural legacy, while Teni and Seyi Vibez bring their own distinctive energy and authenticity to the record.
The track is featured on Wale’s latest album everything is a lot., which debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hip-Hop charts following its release under Def Jam Recordings. The critically acclaimed project has earned praise from major outlets including Rolling Stone, Billboard, Complex, ESSENCE, and REVOLT.
With “YSF,” Wale continues to bridge continents and generations through music, creating a visual and sonic experience that honours Nigerian culture while pushing contemporary hip-hop and Afrobeats storytelling into bold new territory.
