Afrobeats City

Afrobeats In Da City Celebrating the BEST in African Music, Fashion & Entertainment

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AFROBEATS CITY 2026 PLAYLIST

Afrobeats City returns with a brand-new playlist, spotlighting the hottest African sounds released this year.

If you have a song you would like to be featured on the playlist be sure to drop us an email at [email protected] and follow us on social media: @AfrobeatsCity

ENJOY & Make sure you follow the playlist!

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NEW VIDEO: TIWA SAVAGE + SKEPTA - ON THE LOW

Afrobeats Queen Tiwa Savage and Skepta just dropped the video for their new collaborative single "On The Low" taken from Tiwa’s upcoming album This One Is Personal, dropping August 29. 

The striking cover art for This One Is Personal features Tiwa - affectionately known as the Queen of Afrobeats - seated atop a towering stack of mattresses. Each layer represents a chapter of love, loss, growth, and survival, forming an intimate throne that mirrors the emotional depth and vulnerability found throughout the album. Her long-standing ties to the UK music scene make this collaboration with Skepta feel both natural and long overdue. Over the years, the two artists have consistently championed one another, and now they finally come together on this amazing rack. Together, they explore the quiet tension of a relationship hidden from the world, balancing secrecy with the yearning for authenticity and openness. 

Speaking on the forthcoming album Tiwa explains “Over 2 years. Recorded in Nashville, Malibu, San Francisco, London, Lagos. It has been a journey bringing this to life. Blood, sweat and literal tears included. Some of these records were born out of pain and very dark times and some were from times that were brighter but EVERY single song, every single vibe is something I went through. This record isn't about proving anything to anyone, it is me pouring my emotions in notes and creating music from my heart. Releasing this into the world almost feels like giving you guys a chunk of my heart but as they say, love is to be shared. I’m excited, nervous, a bit scared but immensely grateful. This One is Personal and it really is”

Tiwa is an icon and has paved the way for artists like Tems, Ayra Starr, and Tyla to achieve global success, this collaboration is another power move from the Queen of Afrobeats, recruiting Skepta for a feature ahead of her album release. This release follows a wave of recent success for Tiwa. Her latest single “You4Me” is dominating airwaves, and just last month, she delivered a headline performance at Little Simz’s Meltdown Festival, a show-stopping moment that further cemented her status as a global music powerhouse. Skepta has broke down doors in music, winning the Mercury Prize for ‘Konnichiwa', he has since gone on to become an Actor, Director, Fashion Designer, Oil Painter, co founder of a house music label (Mas Tiempo) and organiser of ‘Big Smoke’ music festival which is 9th and 10th august and featuring the likes of Central Cee, Frisco and Chip.

Watch, Share and Enjoy “On The Low”

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NEW VIDEO: FIDO - JOY IS COMING

Following the widespread success of this 2024 release, Fido unveils the official visuals for his viral hit song "Joy is Coming". Directed by Filmboi known for his work with Rema and many more Afrobeats acts, the music video is nothing short of the song's existing themes showing people dancing, having a good time and celebrating the certainty of incoming joy. With this music video, fans and viewers will be introduced to a brand new Fido, never before seen in this capacity.  The music video was shot in Lagos Nigeria, where everything started for Fido making it a full circle moment for the artist. 

Speaking on the release of the music video, Fido said, 

"This music video is inspired by my love for the song and the message the song is passing.  "Joy is Coming" is about believing in the miracles that come with happiness and how it is manifesting in your lives no matter what you’re going through. You will see it in the scenes and in the energy of the video that Joy is coming and joy is here to stay."

Listen HERE

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NEW MUSIC: BNXN - CUTESY

Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer BNXN is back with "Cutesy" a vibrant new single showcasing a more sensual and introspective facet of his artistry.

"Cutesy" represents an exciting sonic evolution for the genre-bending artist, highlighting his versatility beyond Afrobeats and Afro-fusion.

Produced by Jiggy, the track takes inspiration from the R&B sounds of the early 2000s, seamlessly blending rich melodies with a relaxed trap beat. This creates a sultry and distinctive sound that marks a unique moment in BNXN's evolving musical journey.

The release of "Cutesy" is also be accompanied by an official music video, directed by Troy Roscoe, the video was filmed in London. It visually embodies the song's themes of longing, vulnerability, and deep emotional connection.

"Cutesy" marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for BNXN, offering listeners a more profound look into his personal experiences, diverse sound, and undeniable talent.

Speaking about "Cutesy", BNXN shared; "Cutesy’ is really just about those wild, real feelings you get when you’re deep into someone—like, everything about them just gets under your skin. It’s fun, it’s playful, but there’s that honesty too, like the crazy things you’d do for love, or how that person can have you all messed up. I wanted the song to feel raw and relatable—about that intense connection, where you’re just vibing, letting go, and it almost feels like a movie. It’s a late-night, honest conversation with the person you want, where nothing is filtered."

Listen HERE

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NEW VIDEO: SIMI - WOMAN TO WOMAN

Nigerian afrobeats star Simi shares the official music video for "Woman To Woman", perfectly timed to celebrate Women’s History Month. The video is a standout track from Simi’s acclaimed album Lost And Found, released last year, the visual reinforces the album’s core themes of sisterhood and female empowerment.

"Woman To Woman" is a song about uplifting women’s confidence, and the new music video brings the song’s message to life with vibrant storytelling and powerful visuals, capturing the essence of sisterhood in both personal and universal ways. Through striking scenes, with every frame intentionally crafted to showcase their power, resilience and confidence. The video weaves together the stories of women from various backgrounds, professions, and walks of life, featuring her mother, close friends, activists, and influencers. In doing so, Simi creates a moving tribute to the strength, diversity, and solidarity of women’s experiences.

Simi says the single is “a call for solidarity, showing how multifaceted women can be, reminding women that they can be whatever they want to be in their lifetime.”

The ‘Woman To Woman’ music video reflects Simi’s reputation as a bold and inspiring voice in afrobeats. Watch the video, available now, over on YouTube.

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AFROBEATS CITY 2025 PLAYLIST

WE ARE BACK!!!

2025 looks set to be an exciting year not only for Afrobeats City but also for the Afrobeats scene and we can't wait to share it all with you. To keep you updated with all the new music, we present to you our Afrobeats City Playlist for 2025.

Make sure Press Play and Follow our Playlist!

If you have a song you would like to be featured on the playlist be sure to drop us an email at [email protected] and follow us on social media: @AfrobeatsCity

ENJOY!

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IWD: The Sparking Women Of Afrobeats

It's March again, which means International Women’s Month and another opportunity to celebrate women pushing the boundaries for productivity and creativity in all fields in every corner of the world. In Nigerian music, the last few years have seen a bold contingent of creative women advance the borders of what is possible for women in music, even in Nigeria’s patriarchal society. The music scene is still far from having an ideal balance of male and female stars, but considering the male-orientedness of the industry’s artists and background players, this group deserves even more praise for their ability to rise above all obstacles and occupy the section they do now. In doing so, they become a shining light to women in every field, an encouragement that women can rise to the top and pull down age-long barriers. Here are ten women, cut across generations and genres, who are lighting up the Afrobeats scene in 2024.

Tems

Tems rocketed to global fame with “Essence” and remained there via collaborations with Drake, Future and Rihanna, and brought her entire discography with her in this terrific journey, as a result of which even her most obscure releases from the past have been showered with millions of streams. But fans rightly want more, and as they await a debut album from the singer that will no doubt release this year, she’s kept them satisfied: “Me & U” and “Not An Angel” released last year, spinning her AfroRnB, Pop and Dancehall influences into spicy mixes, and allowing her balance gracefully on the ledge where she can appeal to both her Nigerian and western audiences. Tems is one of Nigeria's brightest revelations of the 2020s, and her album should confirm her status as a force in world music.

Tiwa Savage

The No. 1 African Bad Girl ruled African music through the 2010s, and was front and centre of the high-powered, dance-ready movement that we now know as Afropop. Now, she continues to advance Nigerian pop through its Amapiano era, entertaining a new generation with as much vim and vigour as she did with her Pop duo of “Kele Kele Love” and “Love Me, Love Me” over a decade years ago. Her royalty status in African music is beyond doubt, but she continues to prove it anyway, and with last year’s singles “Pick Up” and “Stamina” she kept pace with the rest of the industry, proving that the golden years of her career may actually be in front of her.

Asa

Asa is by now a household name in Nigerian music, being a practising artist for longer than some of her newest fans have been alive. The honeyed songstress made her breakout in 2007 with her self-titled debut album, the Cobhams-produced ethereal piece that introduced the key parts of her artistry: her melodious voice, guitar-strung melodies and her soulful writing. Seventeen years and 5 albums later, the Paris-born vocalist continues to captivate minds while adapting to changing times in Nigerian music, and her last album, V, highlighted her growth and reiterated her effusive songcraft, tapping into more modern Afropop while holding firm to her sonic identity. With the release of her latest, “Odo”, this year, Asa proves that she still has a lot to give the industry she helped build.

Yemi Alade

Yemi Alade, the self-styled Mama Africa, has lived up to that moniker in the ten years since “Johnny”, her explosive Afropop banger, announced her to the country and continent in 2014 as an instant star. Apart from her emotive music and its magnetic appeal to the dance floor, she has won hearts across the continent for her energetic performances and her very impressive polyglotism. She has come to represent a symbol of strength, excellence and femininity for African women, and with her latest release, the Mamapiano EP, having arrived in December, she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Simi

Simi’s high-pitched, sonorous voice is instantly recognisable for any keen follower of Nigerian music. She made her debut in 2014 via a series of catchy, playful singles—“E No Go Funny”, “Open And Close”, and “Jamb Question” and its Falz-featuring remix, before diving into the romantic depths, a field her vocals were always made to excel at. Her eponymous debut album arrived in 2017, bringing the arc of her introduction to a fitting close, and since its release, it has been an unstoppable upward journey for the songstress. Her most recent offering, To Be Honest, consolidated on her growth even further, as she scripted tales of life, love and friendship into one coherent package, and its reception proves her place in the music scene remains secure.

Niniola

Nigeria’s queen of Afro-House gets a lot less credit than she deserves, but Nigeria’s Amapiano-directed era, borrowing heavily from South Africa, was foreshadowed by her genre-bending “Maradona” way back in 2017. Two albums, 2017’s This Is Me and 2020’s Colors And Sounds established her position, as she tried her hands on a number of sonic experiments between Afropop, South African House and Dancehall, and brilliantly pulled off most of them. Years later, she remains at the forefront of innovation and genre-morphing in Nigerian music. Amapiano’s saturation in Nigerian music means it is no longer an effective means of standing out, but Niniola’s capacity to execute it with exceptionally high levels of quality means she will never have to be worried about her legacy.

Teni

Teni, the other half of the Apata singing sisters, is cut from a different sonic cloth. She delights in the tonic flavour of conventional Afropop and its ability to soundtrack the most heartfelt songs. She released a number of tracks between 2016 and 2018 to moderate impact, but it was her breakout single, “Case”, blending tender emotion into fast-spinning beats, that gave Teni her grand introduction as a purveyor of the romantic. Other singles, like the reflective “Uyo Meyo” and “Askamaya” displayed yet another side to her. Her recent album, Tears Of The Sun, was a comeback of sorts after a period of downtime, and with it she immediately thrust herself back into the limelight.

Fave

2021’s “Baby Riddim” was a game-changer for Fave. It was the means with which she made her mainstream journey, and even now it is easy to see why the audience found it so irresistible. 3 months later, she capitalised on the newfound fame to release Riddim 5, her debut EP, weaving heart-strung writing into an AfroRnB sonic template to excellent results.

Her releases in the period since then have been somewhat sparse—only two songs of her own in two years—but she has made up for it with a number of well-delivered features. Her latest, “Belong To You” is a marker of her undying talent and promise.

Qing Madi

It may have gone under the radar, but Qing Madi had an exceptional 2023. She began the year as an underground artist, secured (and brilliantly delivered on) a dream collaboration with BNXN, built on that momentum to release a brilliant debut EP, and is now watching as “American Love”, a track off it, is pushing to become her biggest song yet. The 18 year old singer is making an organic growth fueled by addictive hooks and clever writing, and now looks to be one of the industry’s brightest stars of the future, poised to follow in the examples of the other women on this list.

Bloody Civilian

Bloody Civilian is on her way up. The 26-year-old made giant strides in 2023, logging in her debut EP Anger Management in June and returning in November with Anger Management: At Least We Tried, a special remix version that featured stars like Joeboy, ODUMODUBLVCK and Fave. Her music is a special blend of Nigerian and foreign sounds, allowing her to draw from a wide pool of sonic influences and still create cohesive projects. She is still firmly in the ones to watch category, but her trajectory places her to rank beside Nigeria’s elite in the not-too-distant future.

This article was written by Afrobeats City Contributor Ezema Patrick - @ezemapatrick ( X )

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2023 Round-Up: The Year In Music

With Wizkid’s EP, Soundman Vol. 2, arriving ten days to the close of the year, 2023 has delivered an experience that confers on it a special place in Nigerian music lore—an album by each member of our putative big 3. Timeless, Davido’s well crafted, much appreciated comeback piece arrived in March, while Burna Boy's seventh studio album, the sonically brilliant but thematically petulant I Told Them… debuted in August. It is the first time since 2020 that these three stars have aligned in a single year, but this convergence is only one in a long list of the truly significant events of Nigerian music in 2023.

The music scene this year has delivered the expected good, with underground artists breaking through barriers to emerge the year's most successful singers; the unexpected bad, in the mysterious death of the young, promising Mohbad; and the numerous ugly, best-forgotten events, like when artist Oladips appeared to fake his own death in promotion of his new album. To navigate through this topsy-turvy sea, here is our round-up of the biggest Nigerian music happenings in 2023.

Our 2022 edition of this round-up was expectedly dominated, much like the year was, by tales of the exploits of Asake, who was a mainstay in the year's music scene, successfully arresting the attention of an entire country with a series of hits, each a little more fiery than the last, until his debut album arrived to cement his place in Nigerian music. 2023 has seen him continue his run with no break in stride, as he released his sophomore album, Work Of Art in June, which spawned tracks like "Lonely At The Top" and "Amapiano" that ensured his name continued to ring out in the new year. At the same time, it was also a gathering of the harvest of last year's sedulous work. He received Headies Awards for Album Of The Year and Next Rated, a Trace Award for Best Anglophone artist, and a nomination for the inaugural Best Afrobeats song at the MTV VMAs. And with his song, "Amapiano" already receiving a nomination for the 2024 Grammy's new Best African Music Performance category, it remains to be seen if Asake can bring his dominance to a third consecutive year.

Elsewhere, other rising stars continued to follow the paths that were first charted years ago. Rema, long earmarked to be Afropop's future prince, took several large steps towards his throne in 2023. The most visible of these was securing a global hit, "Calm Down", which, with its Selena Gomez–assisted remix, was a fixture on UK and US charts, eventually peaking at number 3 on Billboard Hot 100 in September. For these exploits, accolades came in droves, from national platforms like The Headies and Soundcity, to African award organisations like AFRIMMA and Trace Awards, with his crowning moment coming at the MTV Video Music Awards, where he clinched the prize for Best Afrobeats song alongside Selena Gomez. Seyi Vibez, another artist who had made a standout showing of consistency last year, sustained his momentum in 2023 with two albums and two EPs released over the course of the year.

As these stars ascended the next stages of their respective careers, 2023 provided a new set of upcoming acts writing the first chapters of their mainstream stories. Two of them, Odumodublvck and Shallipopi, spent the year dividing opinions for the sounds and themes of their music, but what is surely beyond argument is how much progress they made in 2023, propelling themselves to clinch the headlines this year, for good and bad. Odumodublvck released Eziokwu and its deluxe, that held fan favourites like Dog Eat Dog and Declan Rice side by side with new entries like "Blood On The Dance Floor" and "Kubolor", ensuring he remained in circulation on radio channels for most of the year. Shallipopi's debut EP, Planet Pluto and album, Presido La Pluto also debuted to strong reactions.

And 2023 was a year that would bring the spotlight to emerging female acts as well, which merits acknowledgement in Nigeria’s male-dominated music industry. Qing Madi's "Ole" featured Bnxn, and was propelled by its combination of brilliant storytelling, exquisite delivery and smart collaboration to a spot in the top 20 of the Turntable top 100. She quickly built on this with her eponymous debut EP, which included other tracks like "Vision" and "American Love" that are providing her with.

Bloody Civilian is another female act whose career has been driven thus far by a combination of talent and an eye for ingenious collaboration. It was how she made her entry on the most auspicious of stages, singing opposite Rema on "Wake Up", a track off the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever album. If that debut flew under the radar for most Nigerians, then her feature on "Blood On The Dance Floor", providing a piquant variation to Odumodublvck and Wale's rugged sensibilities, did not. In 2023, she released first her debut EP, Anger Management in June, before its sequel arrived in November, this time sporting remixes from the original that featured stars like Joeboy, Odumodublvck, Fave and more. For female acts higher placed in the ladder of Nigerian music—Tems, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage, and Fave—it was a relatively quiet year, so we can expect a lot more in 2024, especially from Tems, who has already released two singles in anticipation of her debut album.

A dark cloud was cast over the musically prolific year with the passing of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, AKA Mohbad, best known for tracks like "Feel Good" and "Ask About Me", under circumstances that are yet to be fully understood. Whilst the initial outrage over his maltreatment at the hands of Marlian Music, his record label, has now waned, Nigerian music lovers still carry in their hearts the memory of an artist whose music brought peace to millions, even as it seemingly eluded the singer himself.

As Nigerians struggled, and still do, to accept his untimely death, a few other singers took to the studio to pay him proper homage. Bella Shmurda released "My Brother" in his late friend's honour. Chiké and Zoro released their cross-country collaborations with the artist, titled "M.A.D." and "Egwu" respectively. The latter took his tribute a step further, pledging the proceeds from the song to Mohbad's family, a wholesome gesture similar to that made by fast-rising singer Khaid when he released his own tribute to Mohbad, "Forever".

2023 was also a year for big albums by big artists. Already counting the projects by Davido (Timeless), Burna Boy (I Told Them…) and Wizkid (Soundman Vol. 2), other Nigerian music veterans glided the year with full length projects, including Wande Coal (Legend Or No Legend), Olamide (Unruly), Adekunle Gold (Tequila Ever After) and Kizz Daniel (Maverick). Also sustaining Nigeria's relatively new album culture were the younger stars, who logged in albums like Ru The World (Ruger), Boy Alone Deluxe (Omah Lay), Emeka Must Shine (Blaqbonez) and Tears Of The Sun (Teni, making a long awaited return)

In all, a lot of indicators from 2023 suggest Nigerian music's global flight will not be ending anytime soon—with global music platforms like The Grammys and MTV carving out categories for Afrobeats, and Wizkid and Burna Boy bolstering their UK profiles with performances in Tottenham Hotspur and London stadiums respectively. In sound, Nigerian music gained more depth and diversity, with artists like Odumodublvck, Zlatan, Blaqbonez Jeriq and Kcee helping to incorporate Igbo culture, and especially its iconic Oja flute, into mainstream music. With so many young talents making their entrances, and a host of seasoned veterans showing no signs of slowing down, 2024 promises to be an even more enjoyable experience for lovers of Nigerian music.

This article was written by Afrobeats City Contributor Ezema Patrick - @ezemapatrick (Twitter)

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EP REVIEW: REMA -RAVAGE

Rema’s Ravage EP appears in such stark contrast to the chart-topping “Calm Down” that a more cynical observer might tackle it as being backwards in direction—like leaving one field half ploughed to begin anew in a new one. His rumbling energy and combative demeanour do not gel well with the pure, heartstrung affection with which “Calm Down” introduced him to most of the world. And yet, this breakaway from the conventional, the maverick mentality it connotes and the wealth of self-confidence it stems from are the fulfilment of every self proclamation he makes on Ravage.

Also very emblematic of the fearless spirit that Rema channels here is the choice of a release date. Even before Rema’s announcement, Friday the 26th of October was already set to be a battle ground to be contested by a number of major Nigerian acts, with Blaqbonez, Mr. Eazi, Basketmouth and Reminisce all set to release full-length albums, and likely a couple of them already regretting the choice of such a packed date. Rema, even with the foresight of watching this date get crowded before committing to it, was still unwavering in picking it for the release of his fourth career EP.

On Ravage, Rema embodies some of the hardboiled confidence and unconventional experimentation from his previous EPs—Rema, Rema Freestyle and Bad Commando—where he played with a number of less popular genres, mostly trap, to excellent artistic results. His Ravage EP is somewhat similar, except this time, Rema already has the real-life backing to many of his braggadocious statements. He sings on “DND” that he is “Oga nla, prince of Afrobeats”, a statement that should not raise many eyebrows.

He marches through Ravage alone, the sole singer on all five songs like he was for the EPs that came before, but he does not require any help: the stories he tells require a knowledge of himself that only he can provide. He ponders on “Trouble Maker”, the opener, about his role in the industry. First the outlandish disruptor mocked for his playful, often juvenile lyrics and his high-toned, Indian-sounding delivery, now positioned at the the fore-front of Afropop’s new school—and all these accolades attained without losing those core elements.

On Ravage Rema takes aim at many targets, and the detractors that queried his credentials at the onset are firmly in his crosshairs. “How many dues wey the boy don pay?/ How many insult I go take?” are his first words on the EP, before reminding that he has “been like this straight from the get-go”. On the chorus he advocates for even fewer words of advice to be directed his way in the future, acknowledging that he has prospered thus far without them: “Leave me, leave me, leave me, make I do my own, omo no judge me/ I go still pass everybody even though say una use extra sheet”. A fuming confidence drives Ravage at its core. If Rema has any self-doubt, it is not about his talent or artistry. He says on DND that “Make humility no go turn me malu", insisting that his keenness to remain humble about his wins should not be mistaken for weakness.

Ravage presents many sides of Rema, but weakness is about as far from its theme as you can get. The promotional videos he posted on social media in anticipation of Ravage’s release, with which he successfully hijacked internet conversation, depicted him in various forms of ferocious energy. His black attire contrasted the red silhouette of the background behind him, and this choice of colours, as well as the use of other clandestine imagery—bats, skulls, fire—attracted some controversy about the religious connotation of some of these symbols, enough for Rema to have to put out a disclaimer. Asides the promotional use of these videos, which was actually enhanced by the online buzz it generated, they show Rema as not just a singer but an artist, a man who wants to please more senses than just the auditory.

His commitment to crafting a complete artistic experience also means that the five songs here are not only up to his usual standards but bear a high amount of finesse and polish, no doubt the final selection from several tracks created for the EP. It is therefore very canonical that, even in the EP’s rage, Rema finds space for expressions of the romantic nature. If Ravage was to translate Rema as faithfully as possible, it would be an incomplete product without his love, and more commonly, lust for women. These fill out the latter two tracks of the EP, “Don’t Leave” and “Red Potion”, where Rema dabbles in characteristic cleverly carnal writing—“Pisces, gimme piece of your pie, baby, yeah”, he sings on the former.

Rema is without featured artists on Ravage, but it would be wrong to make the assumption that he is the sole creative voice. Collaboration here appears behind the boards, and a trio of producers—London and P.Prime mostly, with Blaisebeatz making a sole appearance on the opener—craft Rema’s sonic soundscape in the corridor where he can glide all the way from Punk Rock to music from his Benin roots, taking in a bit of everything else—like Afropop and Palmwine music—along the way.

Rema’s new direction is, in actuality, only an evolution of the old, and another facet to his artistry is always welcome, especially when it is executed as masterfully as it is on Ravage. Sure, the section of his audience that came on board at the “Calm Down” stop, knowing not of his earlier rage-fueled inclinations, may require an acclimation period, but Rema refuses to be placed in any box, not even one that contains a song with over a billion streams on Spotify. Ravage is a gateway into his primal core, and the only thoroughfare he requires is an open, non-judgemental mind.

This article was written by Afrobeats City Contributor Ezema Patrick - @ezemapatrick (Twitter)

Afrobeats City doesn’t own the right to the images

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DAVIDO - FEEL (ORCHESTRAL VERSION)

Davido has dropped an orchestral version to his latest single "Feel", taken from his Timeless Album.

The orchestral version was filmed in collaboration with Amazon Music.

Watch, Share and Enjoy “Feel (Orchestral Version)”

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NEW EP: MAYORKUN - LOVE.. FOR FREE

Mayorkun, the acclaimed Nigerian superstar, has released his highly anticipated EP titled Love.. For Free, a musical journey steeped in raw emotions of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. This compelling EP, comprising five tracks, explores the complexities of relationships, showcasing Mayorkun's vulnerability and confidence as he navigates the intricacies of love gone sour.   With Love.. For Free, Mayorkun takes listeners on a poignant exploration of the highs and lows of love. Each track in this EP tells a unique story, capturing the essence of heartbreak and the subsequent journey towards healing and self-renewal. The EP encapsulates the universal themes of love, pain, and resilience, offering listeners a deeply personal and relatable experience.

  Mayorkun's Love.. For Free, is not just a collection of songs; it's an emotional rollercoaster that resonates with listeners on a profound level. From the melancholic tones of heartbreak to the liberating spirit of embracing new beginnings, Mayorkun's music captures the essence of the human experience.   Speaking about the EP, Mayorkun said, "Love.. For Free is my reflective journey through heartbreak and healing. Each track represents a different phase of my emotions, and I hope that everyone who listens to it, is motivated to go through and come out of whatever situation. Above all, I hope they’re able to learn a lesson from these experiences and be willing to love again."

Stream / Download Link: Love.. For Free

Play, Share and Enjoy “Love.. For Free”

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BNXN IS REACHING FOR THE STARS

Can anyone tell at what exact point Bnxn became a household name in Nigerian music? Formerly known as Buju To Your Ears, or Buju, the silk-tongued serenader has made such a natural progression in the industry in the last four years that we haven't had time to track his progression. It seems now so long ago since he was the young twitter artist repeatedly begging for a verse from rapper Zlatan for an upcoming song. When that feature eventually came through, on 2019's "Spiritual", it became the catapult that pushed a niche artist into local popularity.

But it wasn't until he partnered with Burna Boy, the self-styled African Giant, that he could be described as a mainstream Nigerian artiste. The two teamed up on the remix of BNXN's 2019 single, "L'enu", where Bnxn was assured and daring, swimming in the confidence of his own ability, even though he was still in the lower rungs of Nigerian music ladder—"Tell me what I cannot do" he boasts on the chorus over Steph's spunky beat. The African Giant's verse came later, and by the end, the song's message was passed across, its theme unmissable: these men are gutsy in their own abilities and they intend to approach the next stages of their careers with an unwavering confidence. It was therefore no surprise that Burna Boy immediately signed Bnxn to his own label, spaceship records.

After a single song released under the label, "So Lovely" in late 2020, Buju parted with spaceship records after a year, choosing not to renew his contract. But his upward trajectory remained unhalted. In mid 2021 he was called up by Ladipoe for "Feeling", where Buju was charged with providing a sunny, falsetto-infused backdrop to the rapper's faster-paced hip-hop verses. It is a tried and true formula, and Bnxn's execution is near-flawless. His chorus, a depiction of a guy unbothered by stress and basking in a worry-free reality, rang from the lips of Nigerian youth as the unofficial song of the summer of 2021.

On "Outside", released in mid-2021, the crooner chose this time to delve into his work ethic and commitment to his craft as he sang about how he prioritises the work of creating new music over fun-seeking outings. He also took a moment to dwell briefly on his journey here, on the first verse, "Omo in the first stage, I made mistakes I swear". The slower pace and gentler tone of the song were evidently well appreciated, as "Outside" was a fixture on the top 10 of the different Nigerian streaming charts for weeks to come.

In late 2021, it was time for a debut EP, which Bnxn named Sorry I'm Late, with its title acknowledging his delay in releasing a debut project, which was indeed strange for a time when rising acts capitalise on their growing popularity by releasing an EP. What came as no shock, however, was the high level of confidence and talent on display. By naming the opener after himself, BNXN made a statement of self-assuredness and revealed an intent to make his mark on the music world. Lines like "You know my sound is on fire/ You know my melody on fire" may read as unnecessary braggadocio to a new listener, but day 1 fans are well acquainted with the dexterity of his songwriting and quality of his delivery—his melody really is on fire. The EP was altogether a resounding success and represented another milestone passed in the young singer's career.

While Sorry I'm Late cemented his place in Nigeria's mainstream, it was two features that arrived on both sides of it that brought the most momentum to his international career. First was "Mood", on Wizkid’s Grammy-nominated Made In Lagos, where the two produced a flawless collaboration, taking turns to glide on P2J's mellow percussion. Its mellow groove and slinky vocal duet drew parallels with "Essence", the Tems-featuring smash from the standard version of Made In Lagos, and while it didn't quit achieve those chart-topping heights, it became Bnxn's biggest international effort. That was until "Finesse", where Bnxn starred beside music producer turned music star, Pheelz, for the track that proved transcendental to their individual careers, establishing Pheelz's new status as an artist and providing thrust to Bnxn's international flight.

The song initially made waves as a viral tiktok snippet was eventually released in mid-March following a massive clamour from fans, and it wasted no time climbing up the charts, peaking at no 1 on the UK's official Afrobeats charts, with appearances on UK official charts proper and the novel Billboard Afrobeats chart. It was released barely two weeks after Buju officially became Bnxn, so it was an exquisite way of stamping his new identity. Another collaboration later in the year, this time with UK based producer JAE5 and rapper Dave for "Propeller", helped strengthen inroads to the UK scene.

As these songs pushed Bnxn's international profile, his position at home was similarly growing. In May 2022, the Headies, Nigeria's premier music award, announced its nominees for the year's honours and Bnxn got a nomination for the Next Rated category, awarded to the emerging artist who shows the biggest potential to place amongst Nigeria's biggest acts in the near future. Bnxn received a nod after the amazing year he had, but he was placed alongside Ayra Starr, Ruger, Lojay and Zinoleesky, all of whom had made excellent use of the year under review. With the Headies announcing that the winner would emerge with a brand new Bentley Bentayga, it added fuel to what was already a heated competition.

Bnxn would eventually emerge the winner of this tight contest, and a week before the ceremony, he provided even more proof of why no one was more deserving. This came in his second studio EP, Bad Since '97. Here Bnxn built on the themes of his debut—his unwavering belief in himself and his music talent—with his writing and exquisite vocal delivery once more providing both the vehicle and for this substantiation of his self-confidence.

On his latest album, Sincerely, Benson, released earlier this month, Bnxn reiterated all of this self-belief, fulfilling the promise he has displayed all of his career. On the 15-track LP, Bnxn chronicles love and heartbreak, but approaches this subject from a mature, not often seen perspective: as the man making a sincere apology to the woman he loved and hurt. Songs like "Pidgin And English", "Regret", "Sweet Tea" and "Realize" tie into this narrative, yet Bnxn finds room for his characteristic cockiness: his very first words on the album are "Leave am for me/ Emi lokan", warding off the competition and propping himself up as a maestro in the music space.

As Bnxn continues to soar, old promises of potential become fulfilled even as he forebodes more to come. His next goal would be to establish his name indelibly in international markets, but If his four years in the industry thus far have shown us anything, it is that the next step always comes just as surely as the last for Bnxn.

This article was written by Afrobeats City Contributor Ezema Patrick - @ezemapatrick (Twitter)

Afrobeats City doesn’t own the right to the images

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NEW MUSIC: A3O - GIGGLE

A3O, the dynamic Afrobeats sensation known for his unique blend of British and African musical influences, has dropped a scintillating new single titled "Giggle". As the MOBO UnSung's UK Afrobeat artist of 2022, A3O continues to make waves in the music industry with his infectious rhythms and uplifting lyrics.

A3O's latest single, "Giggle" is a testament to his ability to fuse infectious rhythms with a positive message. The song encourages listeners to embrace the present moment, find joy in life, and celebrate their journey. With lyrics that seamlessly blend English and Yoruba, "Giggle" showcases A3O's commitment to bridging cultural divides through music.

The track's vibrant melodies and danceable rhythms are a testament to A3O's prowess as a performer, while the song's bridge introduces a change in tempo and instrumentation that adds depth and variation.

A3O's "Giggle" promises to be a standout addition to the Afrobeats/Afro-Fusion genre, capturing the spirit of celebration and unity through music. The single is available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Stream or Download "Giggle" now - https://song.link/s/0m0bXuP4zEfLdpMeq52W4J

Follow @Kinga3o on Instagram

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NEW ALBUM: BNXN - SINCERELY, BENSON

Elite Lagos vocalist and one of the new gen’s most exciting breakthrough artists BNXN (fka BUJU) drops his highly anticipated 15-track debut album, ‘Sincerely, Benson.’. The formidable Afrofusion singer penned every single lyric on the project, whilst working with a collection of A-List producers, including Jae5, Sarz, ATG, Guiltybeatz, Leriq, Davinchiii, Denzl, Blaisebeatz, Tempoe, Magicsticks and Dro amongst others.

Sincerely, Benson is a masterclass in vocals and musicality as the singer opens up and lets us explore his world. BNXN set the tone early on with

‘Gwagwalada’ featuring Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez, which dropped in February and has been on a winning streak ever since. True to his reputation as a hitmaker, Sincerely, Benson is bursting with singles that will make it a debut that stands the test of time.

Sincerely, Benson includes a handpicked selection of features, including UK rapper Headie One, Taves, Nigerian superstar 2Baba and Jamaican singer Popcaan. Speaking on Sincerely, Benson BNXN said, “This is as sincere as it gets”.

Over the last few years, the Lagos singer has released a growing body of work that pushes back against conventional modes of African music and in doing so, he has created an instantly recognisable sound. He has completely switched up the game, becoming one of the biggest and most internationally known names in the new wave of stars. Following his recent acclaimed singles, ‘Pray’ and 'GWAGWALADA' which both feature on the album, last month BNXN collaborated with UK artist Stefflon Don on ‘Whats Poppin’ which has created an undeniable buzz in the UK and received 6M streams to date. He is showing no signs of slowing down, and to celebrate the release of his album, BNXN has announced a headline show at London's iconic venue, The Roundhouse on the 18th of November.

Download and Stream: Sincerely, Benson now.

Play, Share and Enjoy “Sincerely, Benson”

Follow @AfrobeatsCity on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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London's King of Vibes, A3O, Set to Release Uplifting Afrobeats Single "Giggle" on October 6th

A3O, the dynamic Afrobeats sensation known for his unique blend of British and African musical influences, is gearing up to drop a scintillating new single titled "Giggle" on October 6th, 2023.

As the MOBO UnSung's UK Afrobeat artist of 2022, A3O continues to make waves in the music industry with his infectious rhythms and uplifting lyrics.

A3O's latest single, "Giggle" is a testament to his ability to fuse infectious rhythms with a positive message. The song encourages listeners to embrace the present moment, find joy in life, and celebrate their journey. With lyrics that seamlessly blend English and Yoruba, "Giggle" showcases A3O's commitment to bridging cultural divides through music.

The track's vibrant melodies and danceable rhythms are a testament to A3O's prowess as a performer, while the song's bridge introduces a change in tempo and instrumentation that adds depth and variation.

"Giggle" promises to be a standout addition to the Afrobeats/Afro-Fusion genre, capturing the spirit of celebration and unity through music. The single will be available on major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, on October 6th, 2023.

Pre-save Link: https://show.co/socialunlock/0Pi87m8jTe2BTJwDEEIzkQ

Follow @Kinga3O on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

[afrobeatsindacity]

MUSIC VIDEO: BURNA BOY - CITY BOYS

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Rema, The Prince Of Nigerian music

Rema and Selena Gomez's "Calm Down" continues to shatter worldwide records as it advances its claim for 2023's Song Of The Summer, and indeed for every other season—it has in fact completed a year on the Billboard Top 100 chart, and even now continues to chart in the Top 20. And as its impact has been far reaching, so also have the accolades. The most recent of these came only a few days ago, when the song officially crossed 1 billion streams on Spotify, crowning it the first African song to reach this feat, and also one of the 500 most streamed music tracks of all time. Before this was the MTV Video Music Award ceremony, where a charismatic Rema received an award for the maiden 'Best Afrobeats Song' category. Before calling on his co-creator to say a few words of thanks, he paid homage to Nigerian music icons that paved his way to the world's biggest stages—names like Fela, pioneer of Afrobeat (no 's'); D'banj and 2Baba, prominent figures who ruled through the 00s; Don Jazzy and D'Prince, his mentors at Mavin and Jonzing, his record labels; and of course Nigerian music royalty Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido.

It is fitting that he makes such acknowledgements at a time when he too is progressing towards a career of this status. Nigerian music's growth, like he succinctly put, has come slowly but surely off the back of these creators, so that now, "Calm Down"'s worldwide acceptance does not draw the surprise it deserves from the Nigerian audience; exploits of the last two years appear to have numbed its citizens to what is possible. Two years ago, Essence, the Wizkid-Tems sultry collaboration that got a Justin Beiber touch for its remix, was having its moment in the sun with each new step applauded by the country, and it is important for context that Rema’s song has already amassed five times as many Spotify streams as its predecessor.

For many, this moment was always going to arrive for Nigerian music, the day when we would no longer need tags like "For an African artist" to qualify a new win; we would compete with parity against music from anywhere in the world. And for a tiny subset of these believers, it was always going to be Rema at the forefront of the vanguard effecting this cultural revolution for Nigeria. For the artist, born Divine Ikubor, has always borne a mark of divinity.

After catching the eye of D’prince, CEO of Jonzing record label, via a cover of his song, "Gucci Gang" that he posted on Instagram, the Benin-based singer got an invite to come to Lagos for a proper audition, after which he was signed to Jonzing, a Mavin record affiliate. At the age of 19 he made his entry via a self-named EP, a Mavin tradition, that highlighted in only four songs what Rema was set to bring to the industry. His euphonious vocals were for many the biggest and most prognostic highlight, but they masked other crucial aspects of his artistry—the depth of emotion he channels on "Why", and his dexterity in balancing this beside the fast-spinning Afropop bangers, "Dumebi" and "Iron Man".

A few months later, he made his reprisal, but in a new apparel—Trap music. His Rema Freestyle EP projected speedy delivery, snappy trap beats and rhymes about money, as Rema displayed another aspect of his artistry. Most noticeable was his sparsity of romantic themes on the new project, the substance with which he propped up his earlier effort. His third project, Bad Commando, found the balance between these two extremes, placing confident statements of self-aggrandisation (Dem know say I be bad commando”, he sings on Bad Commando) side by side with affecting professions of infatuation (The moment I see you na up NEPA, he begins on “Lady”), while he switches between Trap and Pop on the production side of things.

Releasing this project meant it was a very busy debut year for the singer, and at the 13th edition of the Headies he was awarded the Next Rated award—earmarking him as the next big star. In January he picked up a similar plaque at the Soundcity MVP Awards, and together with his City People Award for Revelation Of The Year, these plaques underscored how outstanding his debut year was. In 2020, though, it was time for the next stage of music release strategy, and this time he worked by releasing singles, as he tried to establish his sound as a balance of his Afropop, Trap and Arabian music origins. His first effort of the year was the two single pack of "Rainbow" and "Beamer", and the latter was the significantly more successful song, featuring Jamaican producer Rvssian who incorporated traces of the Dancehall genre.

These songs, along with his June release, "Alien", were drawn chiefly from the Trap corner of his artistry, but to properly dominate a country like Nigerian, he would need to create for a dance-loving audience, and with his next two singles, the melodious, groovy "Ginger Me" and the explosive "Woman", he sought to do exactly that. With the latter, Rema’s material also took on a sultry turn—“I too like woman, me I no dey gboran”—that he reprised with his next single, the Don Jazzy–produced "Bounce". Already Rema’s profile was growing exponentially on a national level as he sought inroads into the global market.

2022, for Rema, was the time to crystallise this three-year dominance in Nigeria's industry into a recognisable global profile. He released "Calm Down" in February, melding Afropop, Arabian and Dancehall influences for a track that was still authentically Nigerian—"Girl you sweet like Fanta", he says, reworking a popular Nigerian children's rhyme into a missive of playful adulation—and yet lent itself to foreign acceptance. To advance its entry into foreign markets, a stroke of collaborative genius brought a Selena Gomez remix, pouring fuel into the fire of the song's momentum so that it sauntered into the next gear of its worldwide ascent. With this remix has come multiple broken records, a couple of awards (including one for Rema as Headies Best Male Artist), and certifications that continue to roll in by the day.

As Rema continues to break new grounds both historically and geographically,—as in his recently-completed Indian tour—the next sets of doubts will centre around whether he can extend this fame beyond "Calm Down", and insert himself properly in world stardom. But that should be no problem. A combination of his astute singing talent, evocative writing and undeniable star power should ensure Rema fulfils his promise as prince of Nigerian music.

This article was written by Afrobeats City Contributor Ezema Patrick - @ezemapatrick (Twitter)

Afrobeats City doesn’t own the right to the images - image source: Instagram - @Scrdofme