Godwin releases debut album “Atonement”

Nigerian artist and filmmaker Godwin today unveils his debut album Atonement via Sony Music/Columbia France/STUDIO41 GmbH Frankfurt, alongside the official music video for “Fallen”.

Atonement is a profoundly human body of work, a story of affection, conflict, and healing, told with striking vulnerability and artistic precision. Written around themes of love, loss, and self-forgiveness, the album reflects on love in its many forms: the love that begins, the unrequited love, the passionate one, the love that fades, and the love we unintentionally harm.

Each song traces a step in this emotional cycle: two strangers meeting, growing closer, clashing, and learning to let go. Through vivid songwriting and cinematic production, Atonement captures both the euphoria and ache of human connection. The album is rich in emotion, combining haunting vocals, soulful melodies, lush harmonies, and a blend of acoustic and electronic textures that feel both intimate and expansive.

“I’m always trying to say something.”, Godwin explains. “This album was written as a story, structured around two characters: myself and an imaginary girl I call Abeke.”

“Abeke” (meaning “pampered one” in Yoruba) serves as muse, mirror, and counterpart, guiding the listener through love’s most turbulent passages.

Accompanying the album, the self-directed music video for “Fallen” brings to life a passionate love story. The song radiates joy and intensity, celebrating the irresistible pull of new love. Visually, it is a vibrant declaration of affection, an ode to surrendering fully to emotion – watch it here.

This album releases represents the culmination of Godwin’s path so far, a journey that has steadily expanded his artistic voice. His COLORSxSTUDIOS debut with “Home” first introduced him internationally, while “Abeke” with German AAA producers’ team KITSCHKRIEG revealed his versatility, currently charting on Spotify Viral 50 Nigeria. “Broken” also previously charted on Spotify Viral 50 Nigeria and reached Top 10 APC Nigeria. Most recently, “Call Me” brought him closer to Afrobeats while creating special moments live as he openned for Tems’ European tour, with audiences singing along to an unreleased chorus.

Each release has built toward this debut album, praised by outlets such as Clash Magazine, 1883 Magazine, BBC 1Xtra, and COLORSxSTUDIOS. This announcement comes as his fanbase rapidly expands, now approaching 600K followers on TikTok.

ABOUT GODWIN

Godwin Gaza Josiah, simply known as Godwin, is a multifaceted creative with interests in music and film. He began as a filmmaker alongside his cousins, founding the Variety-endorsed film collective The Critics Company in 2015. He has directed a film in collaboration with Morgan Freeman’s production company Revelation Entertainment and has been mentored by acclaimed filmmakers such as JJ Abrams, Taika Waititi, and Kemi Adetiba.

Hailing from the often-overlooked city of Kaduna (Nigeria), Godwin brings an authentic energy to the music scene, fusing rich cultural influences with deep emotional experiences. His music, closely tied to visual arts, draws from genres such as Soul, R&B, and Afrobeat. Influenced by Labbi Siffre (“an exceptional writer, able to make the most complex words really simple”), Aretha Franklin (“My dad put her in my head as a child, and it did something to my voice just trying to sing to her songs”), and Labrinth (“His music transcends traditional genres, and as a black man, he breaks free from expected norms”), Godwin has forged a unique creative path.

In the realm of music, Godwin stands apart as a gifted artist crafting soulful songs that defy expectations often tied to Nigerian artists in the Afrobeats era. His proposition ventures into uncharted territories, offering a refreshing departure from the anticipated norm. His music is more than a collection of songs; it is an anthology of shared experiences, a reflection of resilience, and an invitation to embrace the journey with open hearts and ears.