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
The more important takeaway from all of this however is that Burna Boy is aware of his waning influence in Nigeria. And for all the casual contempt he has expressed towards Nigeria over the years, he seems to be perturbed by this development
2 months ago
Amaarae has teased, through a spectacular twitch livestream party, a brand new album titled Black Star, dropping around summer 2025 and referencing the large black star in the middle of the Ghanaian flag. The party featured a vibe-heavy DJ set spinning unreleased tracks, alongside some of Amaarae’s favorite records from female musicians, anchored by an […]
2 months ago
You’re in a bar that looks like a relic from the 80s. The walls are made of sturdy brown wood. A few revelers chop it up on the dance floor somewhere in the background. As you swivel in your bar-side chair, the smell of rum and whiskey fills your nose and soft strobe lights dapple […]
2 months ago
M.anifest’s new album, NEW ROAD AND GUAVA TREES, has a cover that satirizes the ribbon cutting spectacle government officials love, apparently another of the many Ghana-Nigerian experiences. “It’s a bit of a caricature of our leaders, most of them trying to be commissioner-generals and commissioner-in-chief. It’s a very African occurrence,” M.anifest says to Culture Custodian. […]
2 months ago
Afrobeats sensation Oxlade unveils ‘Oxlade From Africa (Deluxe)‘, an extended version of his highly praised debut album, featuring new sounds and vibrant energy. The standout track, ‘Doingz‘, exudes high energy with its infectious rhythm and playful charm. With this release, Oxlade continues to push boundaries, offering fans an elevated experience while reinforcing his position as […]
2 months ago
“Tales of a lovelorn bard,” although slightly less punchy, would probably be a more apt title for the album. Instead, Joeboy christened the album, his third, “Viva Lavida.” This might initially seem like a trivial fact, a nerdy quibble, but traipsing through the etymology of the phrase, its pop culture history, as well as Joeboy’s […]
2 months ago
Sony Music West Africa successfully hosted In Her Element, a powerful two-day event celebrating Women’s Month. Held on March 27-28, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, the event brought together leading female executives, cultural leaders, and emerging talents to empower and equip women in the media, music, and entertainment industries. Through panel discussions, mentorship sessions, networking opportunities, […]
2 months ago
The recipients of the prestigious ‘Producer of the Year’ award are responsible for the most acclaimed song or album of the year under review. From Don Jazzy to Killertunes, these producers have created sounds that stand out in the otherwise oversaturated Nigerian music scene, demand attention and inspire awe.
2 months ago
