Author: Admin
Spotify is taking a firm stance against artificial streaming, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent ecosystem for artists. In a newly launched Spotify for Artists Masterclass, available at https://youtu.be/U5qC6u2MYtw, the platform directly addresses the complexities of artificial streaming and its damaging effects on the music industry. Artificial streaming, defined as fake plays generated by bots or click farms, can inflate stream counts, mislead fans, and ultimately divert crucial royalty payments away from legitimate artists. Spotify emphasizes that less than 1% of streams on its platform are determined to be artificial, a testament to its ongoing efforts to combat…
After the long stretch of May, June arrives with a breath of fresh air. African literature continues to thrive, even as it mourns the loss of Kenyan literary giant Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who passed away on May 28, 2025. Still, one imagines the revered author would want us to keep turning the pages of African stories. From grief and girlhood to desire, displacement, and difficult truths, June’s book picks are deeply felt stories that meet you where you are. Here are five reads that capture the messiness of being human, with all the beauty, heartbreak, and healing that comes with…
The past few months have seen Burna Boy steadily ramp up the roll out of his imminent eighth album, No Sign of Weakness, and with four singles leading up to its release, the album feels tangibly close. In the case of albums without sufficient lead singles, speculating about the artist’s direction with the project usually comes down to a little more than wild guesses based on tenuous information. In the case of Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness, however, the lead singles as well as the metanarratives surrounding the album provide us with sufficient information to objectively mull over Burna…
On the 26th of May, South African popstar Tyla beat an all-Nigerian lineup, including Wizkid, Asake, Tems, and Rema, to win the Favorite Afrobeats Artist category at the 51st edition of the American Music Awards. Her win has expectedly stirred a maelstrom of debates and public discourse about her deservedness given that Tyla, while being one of the most mesmerizing talents on the continent, is not primarily an Afrobeats artist. Taken at face value, the symbolism of her win is ominous—an artist who occasionally flirts with the genre winning over veritable stalwarts of the genre, some of the brightest and…
Nigerian Afro-Teme and reggae sensation Wizard Chan, born Fuayefika Maxwell, has made a striking return to the music scene with his latest single OLIVER. The track, produced by Pumba Mix, serves as a bold follow-up to his earlier 2025 release FLAKO featuring ODUMODUBLVCK and marks his second single of the year, offering a glimpse into his forthcoming album. Hailing from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wizard Chan has built a reputation for his genre-blending sound since his 2020 debut Halo Halo, with Earth Song in 2022 cementing his rise to prominence and earning him accolades at The Headies and Galaxy Music…
Nigerian rap veteran Ice Prince has dropped his much-anticipated EP Starters, in collaboration with longtime producer and associate Chopstix. Released under Ice Prince’s Super Cool Cats label and Chocolate City Music, the 8-track project features a stellar lineup of Nigerian talents, including Bella Shmurda, Tml Vibez, Psycho YP, and Ajebo Hustlers, delivering a vibrant mix of Afro-fusion, rap, and street anthems. The EP, which Ice Prince announced via social media earlier this year, has been teased since April, building significant anticipation among fans eager for new music from the OG rapper.Starters kicks off with a high-energy vibe, showcasing Ice Prince’s…
Nigerian Afro-pop star Crayon, born Charles Chibueze Chukwu, has released his highly anticipated single Roju under Mavin Records and Blowtime Entertainment. The track marks a vibrant return for the artist, following his recent single Bodycon and serving as a precursor to his upcoming project, expected later this year. Praised for his catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Crayon delivers a feel-good tune that is already generating buzz on social media.Roju, produced by John P, is a sweet serenade that captures Crayon’s deep adoration for a love interest, blending Afrobeat’s signature bounce with romantic undertones. The song features lyrics like “I will…
Nigerian songstress Simi has teamed up with Afrobeats sensation Kizz Daniel for her captivating new single Day By Day, released via Studio Brat Records. The track, produced by Niphkeys and Lauren Andersen with mastering by Kearon Stephen, marks a powerful collaboration between two of Nigeria’s beloved artists, blending Simi’s soulful vulnerability with Kizz Daniel’s charismatic charm. Following Simi’s 2024 single All I Want, Day By Day arrives as a testament to her continued evolution, while Kizz Daniel builds on his recent release, the Uncle K: Lemon Chase EP.Day By Day is a smooth Afro-R&B tune that celebrates the beauty of…
After teasing it on social media, Young Jonn has finally released his new single titled Che Che, featuring Afrobeats superstar, Asake.Praised for his versatility and a consistent track record of making infectious, chart-topping hits, Young Jonn continues his sonic evolution with Che Che, an uptempo banger brimming with unfiltered confidence, sticky melodies, and a carefree, playboy spirit. Teaming up with another star, the duo ride a slick, high-tempo beat with a no-drama, good-vibes-only attitude, captured in lyrics like “deliver me from my frenemies”—a mantra for anyone dodging fake love and bad energy. Young Jonn, ever the stylish frontman, effortlessly brings…
Nigerian Afro-fusion sensation BNXN, formerly known as Buju, continues to impress as he releases his latest single, Very Soon, featuring gifted singer FOLA. The track marks the fourth pre-release single from BNXN’s highly anticipated sophomore album CAPTAIN, slated for release on July 3, 2025. Following the release of earlier 2025 singles like the romantic Cutesy, the captivating Phenomena, and the Rema-assisted Fi Kan We Kan, Very Soon sets an emotional tone for what promises to be a landmark project in BNXN’s illustrious career.Produced by the talented Beatz Vampire Craze, Very Soon is a seamless blend of Afrobeats’ infectious rhythms and modern…