Peruzzi, Zlatan and Shoday hit No. 1 with Inferno

Nigerian music fans have another reason to celebrate as Peruzzi, Zlatan and rising singer Shoday take over the charts with their latest collaboration, INFERNO. Released on October 29, 2026, the song quickly gained attention and climbed to the No. 1 position on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Songs chart on October 30, just a day after its release. The achievement has made the collaboration one of the biggest talking points in Nigeria’s entertainment scene this week.

Three Artists, Three Different Styles

The collaboration brings together three Nigerian artistes with distinct musical identities. Peruzzi, known for his melodic vocals and songwriting, provides the smooth musical foundation of the record. Shoday adds his youthful and refreshing vocal style, while Zlatan contributes his energetic street-pop delivery and rap influence.

The collaboration is particularly interesting because it reunites Peruzzi and Zlatan seven years after their previous collaboration, Bayi Bayi. Their musical chemistry, combined with Shoday's contribution, gives the record a mixture of Afrobeats melody and street-pop energy.

However, what really caught listeners' attention was a line in Zlatan's verse that many fans interpreted as a reference to popular social media personality VeryDarkMan. The speculation generated conversations across social media, bringing additional attention to the song.

A Major Chart Achievement

The biggest highlight of the release is its impressive performance on Apple Music Nigeria. After initially appearing at No. 6, INFERNO climbed to the top spot on October 30.

The achievement is significant because it placed the collaboration ahead of other popular records, including Seyi Vibez's BACK 2 U and Blaqbonez and Asake's IKEBE 3000.

Davido also joined the celebration, taking to his official X account to congratulate Peruzzi, Zlatan and Shoday. His post read, "God pass man ❤️… congrats @Peruzzi @Zlatan_Ibile @official_shoday." His public recognition added another layer of excitement to the song's growing success.

What Fans Are Saying

Social media reactions have contributed significantly to the song's popularity. Some listeners have praised the combination of the three artistes, particularly the contrast between Peruzzi's melodies and Zlatan's energetic delivery.

Others have focused on the lyrical controversy, with some finding the apparent reference to VeryDarkMan entertaining while others have questioned whether the online drama is overshadowing the music itself.

Nevertheless, the chart performance has given fans another reason to discuss the collaboration. The reactions demonstrate how music, entertainment personalities and social media conversations can combine to generate attention around a new release.

What This Means for Nigerian Street-Pop

The success of INFERNO reflects the continued popularity of street-pop-influenced Afrobeats in Nigeria. Listeners appear receptive to collaborations that combine established artistes with emerging voices, particularly when the music offers memorable melodies, energetic performances and relatable sounds.

Shoday's appearance alongside two established names also highlights the opportunities collaborations can create for rising artistes to reach wider audiences.

While maintaining the No. 1 position will be the next challenge, INFERNO has already made an impressive entrance into the Nigerian music conversation. Its early chart success proves that the right combination of talent, musical chemistry and audience engagement can make a new release stand out.