When Yung L ‘Yaadman’ or ‘Mr Marley’ joined the interview via the Zoom link, his blase demeanour was soon replaced with animated candour– I’d told him I was a longtime fan of his music since his 2013 breakout days of SOS when I was in my last year of senior secondary school– and he’d taken a moment to reflect on his run in the music industry. He’d jokingly called himself an old man and threw in the ‘I go soon leave music for una’ joke.
Eventually, he would open up about the harrowing flipside of being ahead of his time with an alternative and wildly eclectic take to dancehall in an industry where hits songs were borne on the back of Afrobeats and Afropop. He would also share his excitement to finally becoming duly recognised following the release of his second studio album and third musical project.
On the 22nd of February, 2021, the largest global music streaming platform, Spotify, announced its plan to expand into a total of 180 markets with 41 of these being African countries such as Kenya and Ghana. Spotify’s announced expansion also involves Nigeria, the unspoken creative capital of the continent championing African music through afrobeats, afro-pop and other genres.
As a result, we asked some members of the music industry and here’s what they have to say:
1. Ric Hassani
Given the fact that you’re about to drop your sophomore album, The Prince I Became, what do you think Spotify’s presence in the Nigerian music scene means for you as an alternative artiste and for others as well?
Spotify coming to Nigeria and some parts of Africa as a whole is huge. It’s huge because Nigeria is my base, and Spotify is one of my most productive platforms in terms
A rundown of some of the best new music by Nigerian and Ghanaian acts including a song off Mr Eazi’s ‘Something Else’ EP
Best New Music is our weekly roundup of fresh and hot releases you ought to listen to. It’s time to update your playlist.
Mr Eazi – E Be Mad
Mr Eazi goes hard on this highlife tune off his EP ‘Something Else’. The background of E Be Mad feels like an offering from the legendary Oriental Brothers.
Peep the EP here.
Jamo Pyper – Better Better
Zanku Records poster boy, Jamo Pyper kicks off the year with an impressive amapiano joint dubbed, “Better Better.”
Ruger – Ruger
Nigerian musician and Jonzing World’s latest signee, Ruger releases his debut single entitled “Ruger,” produced by seasoned best smith, Kukbeatz.
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Jack Adokiye popularly known as "J100", a frontline art of “MOD RECORDS”, is out with his first hit in the record label, song titled: JOJO. J100 is a Lagos born contemporary musician, he grew up in the popularly know AJ city (Ajegunle) where he horned his musical craft and prowess.
JOJO will mark a key period in J100’s professional music career as he continues to make his way to the top with his terms.
MOD RECORDS Family said: he is set to imprint his sounds on the memory of generations to come.
Follow him on social media, IG/Twitter: @officialj100
For booking and enquiry visit: http://www.momentondisc.com/
American rapper, 6lack has said Wizkid’sMade In Lagos was the best album of any genre released during the pandemic.
The American made the revelation via a post on his social media page on the 22nd of February 2021. 6lack revealed that Wizkid released the best music album as the world battled the Covid-19 pandemic. He wrote;
“also @wizkidayo dropped the best album during this pandemic, of any genre.”
also @wizkidayo dropped the best album during this pandemic, of any genre.
Made In Lagos by Wizkid was officially released on the 22nd of October 2020. The album amassed over 181 million streams across various streaming platforms after three months of it’s release.
Different reactions have trailed 6lack’s claim regarding Wizkid dropping the hardest music project during the pandemic, below are some of the reactions;
The 14th edition of Nigeria’s premiere music award ceremony, The Headies was held at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. With all the anticipation and excitement that came with the award ceremony there was also a set of winners who were dignified and decorated with the prestigious award in their various categories.
Some of the winners at the 14th edition of The Headies
The award organizers, HipHop World have a specific timeframe in which they review the performance of the nominated acts. For this year’s edition, the reviewed timeframe is between July 2019 and September 2020. The hosts for this year’s edition were NancyIsime and Bovi. The event was aired live on the 21st of February 2021 at 8 pm (WAT).
See The Full list of winners at the 14th edition of the Headies below;
First record label owned by a woman, Do or Die Entertainment launched in Nigeria on Saturday, 13th of February, 2021 amid fanfare and cosiness at their office at Empire Homes, Chevron Lekki, Lagos.
The event had in attendance the CEO, Ruth Adjaloko Danmola who is an American based Ghanaian, the new signee Adewale Muees Odekoya popularly known as Da great and the in house producer Samuel Nzube known as Dex Star and a lot of media outfits.
At the event, the essence and meaning behind the name was explained “If you don’t work towards a dream, no matter what it is, then it dies” Ruth said when she was asked why the name. The CEO explained that the record label is open to signing new artistes who are ready and willing to work with the record label. She also expatiated that the organization is not only looking to … Read the rest
US Based Gospel Artist, Seun Laoye has released “Send Down Your Rain” – a song of prayer, revival, increase of God’s blessings, healings in all aspect of life and upon the nations of the earth.
The single is one of the songs coming from Seun Laoye’s first album project titled “THE NAME OF THE LORD”
The album was recorded live on September 5, 2020 at GDIC entertainment in Beltsville, Maryland USA.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Seun shares: “The song “Send Down Your Rain” is one of the earlier heavenly inspiration which has grown with me for almost 10 years. The first part of the song was co-written with friends during college in the year 2011/2012 and the later part of the song came in the year 2017 through 2020.
Send Down your Rain is a song I strongly believe that God has purposed to use as one … Read the rest
Afrobeat star, Davido has been named alongside Lil Baby, Rashfordand a host of others in the second annual list of the Time 100 Next.
An excited Davido took to his Twitter account on the 17th of February 2021 to announce the groundbreaking feat to his millions of fans and followers. He tweeted;
“Proud to be included in the inaugural #TIME100NEXT list!!!! @time”
On the 17th of February 2021, TIME via the organization’s official Twitter page released the official list for TIME’s 100 Next featuring 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of entertainment, health, politics, business. The tweet;
“Introducing the 2021 #TIME100Next, featuring 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of entertainment, health, politics, business and more”
Introducing the 2021 #TIME100Next, featuring 100 emerging leaders who are
Teni the entertainer links up with Afrobeats megastar, Davido on this emotion-laden tune. The singers express their feelings towards their lover and how willing they are to wait and give all they have to their lover.
British singer and rapper, Stefflon Don teams up with African Bad Gyal, Tiwa Savage and Nigerian Afrobeats golden boy, Rema on this feel-good jam. Stefflon Don creamed the jam with some Yoruba lyrics.
