The Sound, the Culture, and the Nigerian Irony The narrative of Afrobeats’ globalization often revolves around Nigeria’s “Big Three” Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, along with the “New Guards”: Rema, Tems, Asake, Ayra Starr, and their individual successes. But why is that? Why does the story of Afrobeats’ global rise feel so tightly tethered to…
Tearing down the walls that religious Christians often get boxed into is a clear mission of Nigerian born, London-based artist Limoblaze, through his music and his growing community, Young and Chosen. His latest effort musically, Pray, is a sonic reflection of this mission: a hip-hop-infused prayer that resonates deeply with a new generation of believers,…
From Afropop Prodigy to Antihero: How HEIS Changed Everything Cover image credit: Yuriy Baranov HEIS, Rema’s sophomore album, turns one today. A year on, what sounded like a left turn from the Afropop sweetness that introduced us has become a defining pivot in his career, a turning point that silenced doubt, crushed the Afropop status…
In Apple Music’s newly released Top 500 Most Streamed Songs of All Time, only two Nigerian artists made the cut: Wizkid and Tems. Wizkid entered the chart through “One Dance” (#6), his 2016 global smash with Drake and Kyla. That track was a watershed moment that helped usher Afrobeats into the mainstream conversation. Tems, on…
When Apple Music started releasing its list of the Top 500 Most Streamed Songs of All Time in honor of 10 years of the streaming service, one name towered above the rest: Drake. Claiming an astonishing 39 entries—far more than double the number of the No. 2 artist, Taylor Swift, with 14 entries. From his early breakout…
Nigerian-born, London-based artist Gbogboade has unveiled his new 3-track EP, FLAVOUR—a smooth, summer-ready project that effortlessly blends Afrobeats, jazz, and soul with candid storytelling. Released on July 4th, 2025, the EP captures the highs and lows of modern connection. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Burna Boy, Odunsi The Engine, and Ezra Collective, Gbogboade crafts a sound that’s nostalgic and…
Afro-Pop’s newest sensation, Nelly Baradi, is stepping confidently from the shadows into the spotlight with her captivating debut single ‘Wake Up’. Known for her breathtaking vocal contributions to chart-topping hits by Timaya, Peruzzi, Mohbad, Seyi Vibez, and Bella Shmurda, Nelly’s own music emerges as a seductive blend of sultry melodies and rich Afrobeats rhythm. ‘Wake…
Nella is a Cameroonian-born, Los Angeles-based Afro-Fusion artist whose sound is making waves across the global music scene. With only a year in the game professionally, Nella has already amassed over 1.3 million streams and a following of over 250K+ across all socials. All of these have been achieved through self-written releases that honour her…
SongTools, the fast-growing platform empowering music creators with one-click marketing and ad tech solutions, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with M.A.D Solutions, Africa’s largest and most influential music distribution company, with a roster that includes notable artists from across the continent including Simi, P-Square Mercy Chinwo, 2nite Flavour, Phyno, Runtown and Moses Bliss…
Earlier this year, we talked about how Llona was doing something rare, touring Nigeria city by city, from the ground up. Fast forward a few months, and the story hasn’t changed. From Lokoja to Zaria, Ibadan to Kaduna, the crowd numbers keep growing. As of now, Llona has performed in Zaria, Benin, Owerri, Kaduna, Calabar,…
The first time I heard Olamide was in 2011. He felt like a breath of fresh air, reminds me of the late Dagrin but with his own spin: a fusion of indigenous rap and pop taste. From Rapsodi to The Glory, he soundtracked my teenage years. Growing up in Osun State, Olamide was one of…
Bevs is a music executive, A&R, stylist, and creative director who has built a career thriving on this versatility. She speaks to us about the many hats she wears, her love for music, and why building genuine connections will always outweigh chasing industry hype. NoteS: You wear many hats: law, music, management, A&R. Where did…
With a voice soaked in soul and a vision rooted in emotional truth, rising artist Dreycee makes her long-awaited debut with “Time / Miami”, a genre-fusing 2-pack that introduces her as a fearless new voice in Afro-fusion. Released via Skēme, the project blends introspection and energy, depth and dance — an intentional duality that reflects…
Rema’s second headlining show at London’s O2 Arena was more than just another stop on his ongoing HEIS tour—it was a moment. His performance was a well-curated experience that Rema’s shows now have a stellar reputation for these days. One of the night’s most powerful highlights was when Rema brought out D’banj—a respectful nod to…
The 2025 BET Awards wrapped up last night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating Black excellence across music, film, sports, and culture. The event was filled with memorable performances, heartfelt speeches, and some big surprises. Kendrick Lamar dominated the night, taking home multiple major awards including Album of the Year, Best Male Hip…