Author: Admin
Barely a few months into the year and it’s already looking like a great one for Nigerian music. Last year, in contrast, was decidedly languorous for Nigerian music, bordering on existentially depressing. Critics and fans alike obsessively worried about the tepid air that hung over the music scene and spun treatises and think pieces that broached possible ways to jolt the scene back to life. This publication churned out its share of harried opinion pieces on the subject. This year however has already spawned several hit singles. Fresh voices like Famous Pluto, Serotonin, and Kunmie have come to the fore.…
Stanley Obi’s Love in Every Word which was released on Omoni Oboli’s YouTube channel has monopolized Nigerians’ attention since its release. The film, written by Mfon-Abasi Micheal Inyang, has amassed over 7 million views (as of the time of writing this essay) and has been the subject of numerous conversations. The heightened level of discourse matches that of Netflix and Prime Video Originals. Think of the almost-unending conversations that Jade Osiberu’s Christmas in Lagos and Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo generated. Akin to these Originals, Love in Every Word has generated conversations on the chaotic streets of Twitter (now X), the deceptively-calm…
The past few days have witnessed a maelstrom of complaints about the unrelenting hardships that have blighted Nigeria under President Tinubu’s administration. Social media is riddled with complaints that range from the price of petrol to the obscenely expensive price of food, to the contemptuous state of infrastructure in the country. This is not to say that until now, Nigerians have entirely been tight-lipped about the economic crisis we have been living through. But the events of the past few days, which have culminated in a near-ubiquitous rallying for good governance, carry the scent of a freshly budding revolution. It…
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. From his breakout hit Ise Olorun to the high-energy Nonstop (Korede), he continues to push the boundaries of the genre, gaining recognition both locally and internationally. “This award means everything to me,” said Koray. “It’s a reflection of the hard work, the sleepless nights, and,…
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 incredible Fireboy DML, the song takes on a new life, richer, deeper, and even more intoxicating. DJ Latitude But it doesn’t stop there. Olu The Wave, one of the most innovative directors in the Nigerian music scene, has brought the song to life with a…
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 For Ikotun on his YouTube channel named “sien” marking an official induction into the world of filmmaking. The short film briefly captures the life of being a creative in Ikotun, a suburb in the Alimosho local government area in Lagos, Nigeria. The short film reveals…
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, where users fluent in the platform’s language deployed the song as the soundtrack to bubbly choreography and slapstick skits. So, it came as no surprise when the song made an emphatic showing on the Apple Music Top 100 chart, peaking at 11, just beneath Burna…
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 artists generating ₦10 million in royalties from Spotify has more than doubled since 2023 and more than tripled compared to 2022 figures, underscoring the explosive commercial growth of Nigerian music globally. “We remain committed to empowering Nigerian artists to earn from their art whilst maintaining…
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 new king in a lineage that includes stalwarts like M.I Abaga, Olamide, Naeto C, and Mode 9, amongst others. Rappers are especially given to boastfulness. So, despite the audacious slant of Psycho YP’s tweet, he wasn’t saying anything that hadn’t been said before. His polemic,…
Afrobeats fans, this is not a drill—Kizz Daniel is about to take over CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore for his first-ever headline arena show in North America! On Saturday, May 24th, during Memorial Day Weekend, the Buga hitmaker is set to deliver a performance that will go down in history. If you’ve ever seen Kizz Daniel perform, you already know this won’t be just another concert—it’s going to be a full-blown experience. From his smooth vocals to his unmatched stage presence, expect back-to-back hits, electrifying energy, and non-stop dancing. Whether you want to sing your heart out to Woju, vibe…