THE GAME NEEDS US TRACK LIST
1. Rum & Soda
2. Back Outside
3. Already
4. Emotional High
5. Frank Sinatra
Grammy-nominated Afrofusion star BNXN reunites with acclaimed producer Sarz for The Game Needs Us, a new collaborative EP out now via EMPIRE. More than a return, the project arrives as a reminder of the chemistry and cultural weight the two artists carry when they move in sync.
Entirely produced by Sarz, The Game Needs Us builds on a creative partnership that has already delivered era-defining records like “Gwagwalada” and “Pidgin & English.” This time, that familiarity is distilled into something more intentional and cohesive, a five-track offering that feels both effortless and deeply intentional. BNXN’s melodic vocals and introspective writing sit seamlessly within Sarz’s textured, forward-facing production, creating a sound that still feels intimate without ever losing its scale.
That balance is set immediately by breakout single “Back Outside,” which debuted at No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria and quickly amassed over 22 million streams and 2 million views in just over a week, officially stamping the project’s arrival with clarity and confidence. From there, the EP moves fluidly through mood and tempo, opening with the emotional pull of “Rum & Soda,” leaning into the bright, pop-leaning ease of “Emotional High,” and closing on “Frank Sinatra,” where BNXN turns inward, tracing themes of distance and desire with a vulnerable precision.
Reflecting on the vision of the project, BNXN shares, “The game needs us, just as the name implies. This project brings together two of Nigeria’s greatest forces to deliver a refreshing yet reflective experience. To show the dynamics in the African sound and to give a feel of where the future of the sound is headed.”
Elaborating on the project’s creative synergy, Sarz added, “After ‘Gwagwalada’ and ‘Pidgin & English,’ it’s only right we continue that chemistry. Working in this record with him helped me explore some African and South American sonic themes.”
LISTEN TO THE GAME NEEDS US HERE
The release marks BNXN’s first body of work in nearly ten months, following his chart-topping album CAPTAIN, and Sarz’s first since his debut album Protect Sarz At All Costs, both of which debuted at No. 1 in Nigeria, with PSAAC generating over 120 million streams in its first week, and topped the UK Official Afrobeats Chart with its lead single “Getting Paid.” Together, they represent two defining forces shaping the sound of modern Afrobeats: BNXN, one of its most emotionally precise and recognizable vocalists, and Sarz, a foundational architect whose production continues to stretch the genre’s global reach.
At its core, The Game Needs Us is a reminder of what happens when two giants like BNXN and Sarz lock in, a collaboration driven by clarity, chemistry, and a shared instinct for where the sound goes next.
About BNXN:
BNXN (pronounced Benson) is a Grammy-nominated Nigerian Afrofusion artist and one of the defining voices of the genre’s global rise, known for his distinct tone, melodic delivery, and emotionally driven songwriting that has helped him amass over 4 billion career streams. He first broke through as one of Afrobeats’ most in-demand collaborators, elevating major records like Wizkid’s “Mood,” Pheelz’s “Finesse,” Ladipoe’s “Feeling,” and Timaya’s “Cold Outside,” before establishing himself as a leading solo artist. His breakout hit “Finesse” became a global anthem, and collaborations with artists including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema, Olamide, Seyi Vibez, and Victony have further cemented his international reach. After early development at Burna Boy’s Spaceship Records, he delivered his debut album Sincerely, Benson in 2023, followed by his sophomore album CAPTAIN in 2025, which he described as a statement of growth and control, reflecting him being “in charge” of his sound; the project spans Afrobeats, sexy drill, and gospel influences, features Rema, Victony, Seyi Vibez, FOLA, and the Soweto Gospel Choir, and includes standout records like “Phenomena,” “Cutesy,” and “In Jesus Name,” while debuting at No. 1 in Nigeria and surpassing 200 million global streams. A recipient of the Next Rated award at The Headies, BNXN continues to shape modern Afrofusion with a sound that blends vulnerability, melody, and global crossover appeal.
About Sarz:
Sarz, born Osaretin Osabuohien, is a pioneering, award-winning Nigerian producer widely regarded as one of the key architects of modern Afrobeats, having helped shape the genre’s global sound over the past decade through era-defining work with artists including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Asake, Tiwa Savage, Mr Eazi, Niniola, and Lojay. His production credits include landmark records such as Niniola’s “Maradona,” Mr Eazi’s “Accra to Lagos,” and Lojay’s “Monalisa,” which later received a global remix with Chris Brown, alongside major international contributions like Drake’s “One Dance,” one of the most-streamed songs of all time, and Beyoncé’s “Find Your Way Back,” cementing his role in bridging Afrobeats with global pop culture. Beyond production, he continues to shape the next generation through his Sarz Academy initiative, mentoring emerging producers and strengthening the ecosystem around African music.
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