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
Rising Afrobeats sensation Koray was officially named Afro Artist of the Year at the prestigious 312 Music Awards, marking a major milestone in his journey as an artist. Born in Chicago and raised in Lagos, Koray’s music is a vibrant fusion of his cultural influences, blending Afrobeats with modern sounds to create something truly unique. […]
3 months ago
Every so often, a song comes along that does more than just sound good, it feels good. Ayanfe’s ‘Laba Laba’ is one of those songs. First released in 2023 with DJ Latitude, the track was an instant fan favorite, merging soulful melodies with deep Afrobeat rhythms. Now, with a remix released in 2024 featuring the […]
3 months ago
Not a single year passes in the Nigerian music scene without a heated public conversation either on the relevancy of Hip Hop in these parts or obscure discussions about certain technicalities around the Nigerian Hip Hop orthodoxy. Hip Hop enthusiasts would remember 2022, when Psycho YP took swipes at “Rap OGs,” essentially crowning himself the […]
3 months ago
Sien Essien has always been a restless creative and storyteller with special interests in audio and visual forms. As a creative director, he has worked with Nigerian entertainers such as Olamide, Odumodublvck, CKay, Sabinus and Tariq. But now, he is broadening his focus, with the recent release of his short film Make I No Die […]
3 months ago
Nigerian music has reached a monumental financial milestone, with royalties generated by Nigerian artists on Spotify alone exceeding ₦58 billion in 2024—more than double the figure from 2023 and five times greater than 2022. This staggering figure headlines Spotify’s 2024 Loud & Clear report released today. The report also reveals that the number of Nigerian […]
3 months ago
The African music industry is at a turning point. With its influence spreading across the globe, the question is no longer about its potential but how to sustain its growth, ensure equitable ownership, and maximize its economic impact. On Day 2 of the TRACE Summit, three senior executives from Diageo—Obinna Anyalebechi, Anna Joy Michira, and […]
3 months ago
On Wednesday evening last week, fast-rising popstar Fido ignited an acerbic conversation when he posted a series of slapdash tweets undermining the role of music marketing executives. One of the tweets reads “Marketing company go make you feel like na them Dey help your life, whereas na you Dey make money for them, dem go […]
3 months ago
Nigerian singer and songwriter Joeboy is building momentum for his forthcoming album with the release of his latest single, Taxi Driver, which dropped on Friday, March 7, 2025. Known for his soulful sound and relatable lyrics, Joeboy once again strikes an emotional chord, offering fans a glimpse into his new project’s reflections. Released under his […]
3 months ago
