The perfect intersection between the established acts across African music and brilliant underground acts you should be paying attention to!
Despite his embattled situation, writing Wizkid off is a bit premature, he still has a huge fanbase and the talent to command rave reviews from critics.
1 month ago
To open 5ive, the poet Alhanislam recites a spoken-word commentary on the album and the man behind it. It feels a little pretentious, rooted in the same idea that drives artists to label every new project their deepest and most personal work yet. Yet some of it does have grounding in real-life events. Alhanislam hails […]
2 months ago
Last weekend, the youngest of the Uzama brothers, Osahan Uzama, more known by his moniker, Famous Pluto, joined the ranks of his brothers—Shallipopi, and Zerry DL, both fierce advocates of Benin Street Pop—with the release of his feverishly anticipated single Na Scra. Before its official release, the song had been making the rounds on TikTok, […]
3 months ago
Fela remains the loudest figure against government oppression and corruption in our music history, but a lot of others have lent a voice to the struggles of Nigerians through the years. Daddy Showkey, an indigene of the backward Lagos slum of Ajegunle, pioneered Galala music, which often took aim at the government in power and detailed the poverty in his hometown.
3 months ago
Burna Boy’s eighth studio album is finally on the horizon. In the past few weeks, the album’s rollout has ramped up significantly. He has made appearances on the covers of magazines and teased the album on social media through cheeky puns and aphorisms. He has appeared on shows, letting viewers in on certain nuances of […]
3 months ago
Since rising to prominence in 2024, his music has struck a chord with listeners across generations. While his songs often center on divine love, he moves freely between spiritual and secular themes, seeing no contradiction between them.
4 months ago
A few days ago, one of Nigeria’s most exciting diss tracks since the beef between M.I Abaga and Vector in 2019 arrived courtesy of Wavestar, an underground rapper who fired a salvo of scathing insults at Raheem Okoya, otherwise known as SiRaheem. The video, posted on X, is supremely hilarious. In it, he and a […]
4 months ago
Internationally celebrated Afrobeats singer-songwriter Lojay is back with a brand-new single, Somebody Like You, produced by two-time GRAMMY-nominated hitmaker Sarz. The laidback track seamlessly blends smooth chords, infectious percussion, and Lojay’s signature velvety vocals as he reflects on the pursuit of an ideal love. On Somebody Like You, Lojay delivers a heartfelt narrative exploring themes […]
4 months ago
Over the course of the decade, Bella Shmurda has emerged as one of Afropop’s most compelling voices. From the streets of Lagos to global stages, he has woven his personal story into every note he sings. His music is an expression of who he is, shaped by the highs and lows that have defined his […]
4 months ago
Afro-gospel powerhouse Sunmisola Agbebi has released her highly anticipated 9-track EP, The Glory—a soul-stirring project that captures the essence of worship, faith, and the undeniable presence of God. With a sound rooted in spirituality yet bold enough to transcend borders, The Glory is a testament to Sunmisola’s ever-growing impact on the global gospel scene. This […]
4 months ago
If you had referred to Burna Boy’s current album rollout as masterful or exemplary in 2019, there’s a good chance that you’d have been met with contemptuous sneering. The reality, however, is that the Afropop landscape today is radically different. Top labels struggle to break new acts or roll out songs and projects successfully. Leading […]
4 months ago
Grammy Award-winning artist, Burna Boy has officially released his latest single, Update—a masterful fusion of his signature Afrofusion sound with a fresh reinterpretation of Soul II Soul’s iconic Back to Life. Produced by P2J, the track seamlessly blends nostalgia with Burna Boy’s unmistakable artistry. The single had already set the internet ablaze before its release, […]
4 months ago
