The contrast between Tems‘ calm demeanor and the frenetic energy of the city streets is striking, underscoring the sense of disconnection between her and her immediate environment. This reflects her saying: “I could figure out myself when I’m distant in my world”.

As she walks through crowded sidewalks, and across busy intersections, and a relatively calm city subway, her blank gaze suggests a feeling of being lost in the chaos.

But amidst the hustle and bustle, Tems finds solace in her private space. The video hints at a sense of reclaiming control and finding inner peace, which might be offering a glimpse into the artist’s personal struggles with fame. 

Visually, the video is stark and cinematic, with a muted color palette that adds to the sense of melancholy. Tems‘ performance is understated yet powerful, conveying the emotional intensity of the song.

Overall, the “Burning” music video is a haunting reflection on the costs of fame and the importance of holding onto one’s identity in the face of success. Tems’ thought-provoking visuals and soaring vocals make for a compelling watch, cementing her status as a superstar in the global music industry.

Watch the music video for “Burning” below.

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Magixx – Bad Decisions & ForeplayYour

Magixx was hell-bent on making bad decisions on his fourth single release of the year. Following the release of his successful single, ‘Okay’ in January, everyone will agree that Magixx has been on a roll, and it doesn’t seem like he is taking his foot off the gas soon. You won’t be making a bad decision by spinning this new release.

A.Q – Purple Doesn’t Exist

A year after his amazing Rap Album, ‘God’s Engineering 2‘. AQ is here with his usual master strokes of his lyrical brush. The rapper made ‘Purple Doesn’t Exist’ a platform to shine lights on the younglings, with young rappers like AQ’s talented latest recruit, Bkay EastGaad, Blaqbonez, Cheque, and singer, Wizard Chan making guest appearances on the album. Everyone has something for them on this week’s New Music Friday; and ‘Purple Doesn’t Exist’ is for the Hip-Hip heads. If you want food for thoughts or lines to read in-between, hit play on ‘Purple Doesn’t Exist’

Standout Tracks: Purple Rose, All Boys Out, Colour Blind, Already Rich, 3rd John, Old Head.

Kidi ft. Black Sherif – Lomo Lomo

In what will be his third single release of 2024 after the release of ‘Danger’ and ‘Solo’, Kidi links up with Ghana’s global superstar, Black Sherif to express his commitment to a mysterious lady. The perfect karaoke song! You should perform this song to your significant other today.

Amaeya – Like a Flower

One of Nigeria’s top emerging R&B sensations, Amaeya drops her long-anticipated debut Extended Play. If you are looking for something that can help you blow off some steam under your blue light; something to ease your stress after a very long week, then Amaeya’s ‘Like a Flower’ is the project for you. ‘Like a Flower’ was released after Ameaya’s successful breakthrough in 2023.

Standout Tracks: Sweet Escape, Element, On My Way.

Olivetheboy – Wonda Boy

Following the release of his 2023 astounding debut EP, ‘Avanna’, and the success of his 2023 banger ‘Goodsin’, Ghana’s 22 years old wonder boy, Olivetheboy is maintaining his momentum with his new single ‘Wonda Boy’. In 2023, ‘Goodsin’ by Olivetheboy became the fastest Ghanaian debut single to ten million digital streams, the most Shazamed song in West Africa, and the longest trend for a Ghanaian song on TikTok (2023), peaking at #3 on several major music charts on the continent.

Jeriq ft. Bella Shmurda – Jehovah

Produced by Dawie Beatz, ‘Jehovah’ saw the usual unique delivery and rap style of Jeriq sync flawlessly with the powerful vocals of Bella Shmurda. ‘Jehovah’ is also the second track on Jeriq’s forthcoming album, ‘King’. ‘King’ the album will be dropping on the 16th of August, 2024

PsychoYP – Violation

PsychoYP shows us he has plenty left to share after his joint projects, ‘YP & Azanti’ and ‘Evil Twins’ with Azanti and Jeriq earlier in the year. Showing us his versatility again, he delivered ‘Violation’ on a Drill beat. PsychoYP is one of the hottest rappers in the Nigerian music scene today, and you can tell why he holds that place with today’s release.

Jaywon – Evergreen

Jaywon releases his first body of work since his 2022 Album, ‘Jahbahlee’. His comeback with ‘Evergreen’ came with guest appearances from Seyi Vibes, Spyro, Magnito, Oladips, Olakira, and Blaq Jerzee. With his choice of Title, Jaywon looks to make the 14-track Long Play a household project that will stand the test of time.

Standout Tracks: Time, This Year, I Believe,

Gimba – Only U

For his first release of 2024, Gimba cooks up a proper Afrobeats beauty to join this week’s release train. Performed over a nice progression and the traditional Afrobeats five-beat pattern, ‘Only U’ soothes your soul and puts you at ease. This one is for all the sweet lovers! Yeah, you were not forgotten on this week’s New Music Friday.

The post Jaywon, A.Q, Kidi, Magixx, Amaeya, and PsychoYP on New Music Friday appeared first on Afromixx.

However, some of us will be lucky enough to leave a legacy that will transcend our meagre threescore years and ten; our names will echo through the great walls of history and survive for a couple more decades before the sun set on our time within the universal consciousness.

By the time we leave, it won’t be a sad end but a glorious celebration of life. Onyeka Onwenu lived a great life — one that impacted thousands of people in significant ways. She touched souls with her music, and she fought the good, worthy and noble fight. In the sprit of celebrating and icon, here are 10 things you don’t know about Onyeka Onwenu.

1. Music Transition

Onyeka Onwenu was originally a secular artist. She began her music career in the early 1980s with the release of her debut album, “For the Love of You.” In the 1990s, Onyeka left the secular scene and  transitioned to gospel music, releasing several albums under her Gospel artistry 

2. Acting Career

Onyeka Onwenu ventured into acting at a point in her life. She was able to reach stardom with appearances in major movies like ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ — an adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel— in 2014. Other movies she appeared on were ‘God Calling’ (2018), ‘Lionheart’ (2018), and “Obara’m“ (2022)

3. Noble Roots

Onyeka Onwenu was the youngest daughter of Nigerian educationist and politician D. K. Onwenu who died when she was four years old in an autocrash a week before his appointment as Minister for Education.

4. Short Career Stint at United Nations

She worked for the United Nations as a tour guide before returning to Nigeria in 1980 to complete her mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)

5. Nickname

She is dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” due to her significant impact on African culture and entertainment

6. Dancing in the Sun

Dancing In The Sun, Onwenu’s final release on her debut album “Polygram”, was dedicated to Winnie Mandela, which she performed live when Nelson Mandela and his wife visited Nigeria in 1990 following his release from prison

7. Academic Qualification

She possessed a BA in International Relations and Communications from Wellesley College, Massachusetts and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York.

8. BBC Documentary

In 1984, she wrote and presented the internationally acclaimed BBC/NTA documentary Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches which became the definitive film about corruption in Nigeria 

9. Controversy

She participated in the 1998 controversial campaign for Nigerian dictator Gen Sani Abacha alongside other high-profile musicians like Salawu Abeni and Sir Shina Peters

Nigeria and Africa as a whole have lost an Icon. One whose impact was felt across the continent. In this difficult times, we offer our condolences to the entire continent of Africa. The Elegant Stallion has gone home to rest, and may she enjoy an everlasting and peaceful rest.

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MAD House is a ground-breaking initiative conceived by Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo, MFR, an alumnus of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). Launched on December 15, 2023, by UNILAG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS.

The “MAD House,” standing for “Make A Difference (MAD) House,” is a striking blend of innovation and aesthetic appeal. Its exterior is rustic, while the interior is a functional and visually captivating space created from 26 interconnected shipping containers. This design provides numerous creative portals for exploration.

Mr. Omoboriowo shared his personal journey from mastering photo editing to becoming a celebrated official photographer for Nigeria’s president. His vision is to offer a space where Nigerian creatives can freely explore and actualize their ideas, transforming them into tangible achievements and opportunities.

Built by Patrick Waheed Design Consultancy (PWDC), established in Nigeria in 2006, the MAD House embodies a new era of architectural innovation. PWDC utilized repurposed shipping containers and locally sourced materials like laterite to create a space that merges modern design with eco-friendly practices. Situated along the Lagos Lagoon on the UNILAG campus, the MAD House promotes sustainability and celebrates the natural beauty of its environment, providing a unique platform for collaboration and artistic expression.

MAD House by Tikera Africa serves as a vibrant creative and innovation hub. It functions not only as an art gallery but also as a venue for events, conferences, and more. Make sure to visit soon and experience this dynamic space.

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Born on May 31, 1952, Onyeka Onwenu, affectionately known as the “Elegant Stallion,” was a towering figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Her illustrious career spanned several decades and included notable hits such as “Iyogogo,” “Living Music,” and “Ekwe.” Onwenu’s musical style blended elements of Highlife, Afrobeat, Blues, Jazz, Igbo Spiritual, and Juju, showcasing her versatility and deep connection to Nigerian cultural roots.

In addition to her music career, Onwenu was a prominent activist, journalist, politician, and former judge on the X Factor series. She served as the chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and, in 2013, was appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

Her passing marks a significant loss to the Nigerian music industry and the broader cultural landscape. Fans and fellow artists alike are mourning the loss of a trailblazing talent whose impact transcended music and touched various facets of Nigerian society.

Her song “Wait for Me” featuring King Sunny Ade was a monster hit when it released in 1989 and it still evergreen.

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

The post Nigerian Music Legend Onyeka Onwenu Passes Away at 72 appeared first on Afromixx.

On his debut album, “Homeless”, he puts his evolution on a platter for display, showing us his growth from his early days in Kano where he started his journey as a rapper, to today, where he might have found a “home” and outlet for his emotions through his sound.

Llona is usually perceived as “sad”, and it’s hard not to. However, with the coming of this sombre and dark Long Play, I find him even more fascinating. Getting a look into his thoughts and worldview created a clearer picture of who he is and what his struggles were like. It gives a proper perception of why he is who he is, and one would agree that he is beautiful reflection of the average African man’s existential reality. 

The 12-tracks Long Play started out with the sombre Intro, ‘Still Scared’. Performed over the backdrop of a simple percussion, chord progression and a background vocal harmony, Llona rides on the simplicity of the instrumental for the first few bars, with his vocals creating the much needed depth. “Death is the only thing that saves us” he expressed his struggles and says he is still yet to get over being scared.

Track two ‘Commander’ started out as an extended part of track one, ‘Still Scared’. A powerful poem written by talented Digital Creator Morenikeji Adebola ended track one and synced flawlessly with ‘Commander’. Signifying Llona’s reality, It reads: “Hear my songs of sorrows! Hear my tales of turmoil! The sky; my roof. My feet, the sand kisses. Finding light in shadowed alleys. I seek solace in naked streets”. Featuring The Native Doctor, Wizard Chan; ‘Commander’ is a mid-tempo Trap-fusion. With Trap Snares giving life to its dark Bass, Llona expresses his relentless approach to life. 

Before the release of ‘Homeless,’ Llona had dropped lead singles ‘Another Day’ and ‘Cold War,’ featuring Fave. He had also previously released ‘HPB’ with Bella Shmurda in 2023 and ‘Comforter’ in 2022 as part of his pre-project lineup.

For the first time in the Album, Llona seem to give a little space for a change in subject-matter. On ‘Stranger’, he conveys his pain and emotions towards an unknown other. “Without you I am safer” he said, as he sings about their severed tie. The beauty of this little pivot in subject-matter is that it brings the listener to a realization that he/she is 5 tracks into an Afrobeats project, and the first inclusion of a potential woman/man relationship is on the 6th track — a rare occurrence  in the Afrobeats world as basic as it is. What makes it more fascinating is that even when he finally pivots, it was still about real emotional hurt, and not about lust. It leaves the listener wondering if this brother is truly ever happy! 

‘Gangsta Love Letter’ takes us on a journey that reflects Llona’s psychoemotional state when it comes to love and relationship. “I am sicker than you, check the symptoms” he confirms what I perceive as his traumas when it comes to interpersonal relationships. Starting with a pre-apocalyptic-like siren and gloomy bass-line, he delivers his well laid out songwriting on a rhythmic percussion and drum, which makes it one of the few songs you can dance to on the project. Llona also employs a “keyboard typing” sound effects at the beginning to portray that the message of the song is a letter he is typing to a significant other. Thinking of it in a deeper sense, Llona seemed to be stating how he loves from a distance because of his paranoia and his strife to preserve his freedom — a reality which might be a result of his past experiences.

‘Billion Paper’ and ‘Rollercoaster’ are songs which carried similar theme of Llona expressing the pains and challenges of pursuing his dreams, and also how lonely it can get on the journey.  ‘Forgive Me’, the outro displayed an apologetic Llona, and at the same time, it looks to be a double-edged sword with multiple messages. Performed over a shaker and rimshot dominant instrumental, ‘Forgive Me’, on one hand saw Llona seeking apologies for his imperfections, and on the other hand, it looks as though Llona is dropping a cryptic message about his father who i believe to have been absent in most of his formative years. If you ask me, living as a first child of three, raised in a dysfunctional home with a struggling single mother who put in the work, and lived from city to city for survival is enough  justification for Llona’s Personality.

Contrary to popular opinion, after listening to ‘Homeless’ you should come to a realization that Llona  isn’t necessarily a sad soul like he is perceived to be. He is just an emotionally conscious being. One who had lived through grim experiences and come out of the blazing furnace of misery with holistic numbness. He has walked the walk, and lived to see different experiences. He is now super conscious of everything, and due to his experiences he might have been forced to reach wisdom earlier than expected. 

As it is rightly portrayed in the title of this review, ‘Homeless’ is a mirror of reflection for emotionally conscious people. A place you turn to when you’re feeling down; where you’ll immediately find a stranger articulating everything you couldn’t express yourself. He is aware of this reality as he stated in an interview: “There are some people who listen to my music and say it’s good, but they don’t get it. They only get it after something happens to them and they listen back. Every lyric now makes sense.”

‘Homeless’ is a great body of work which had most of its creativity displayed in its background vocals, curated poems, use of sound/sound effects, and other recordings. One should also give credit to the seamless synchronization between tracks, and the great arrangement it possesses.

However, the Album has a tendency of sounding quite monotonous due to Llona’s  melodic structure, style, and cadence. The good thing is, that feeling only creeps up on you towards the end of the project, and it can easily be bypassed by focusing on the deep lyrics and substance on each song. 

Rating 7.0

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Fans have expressed a mix of excitement and skepticism over the sudden announcement. The lack of prior promotion has led to uncertainty about the authenticity of the release, with many awaiting further confirmation.

As anticipation builds, fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely to see if this surprise release lives up to the high expectations set by the artist’s previous work.

The post Burna Boy Announces Surprise Release of Eighth Studio Album appeared first on Afromixx.

“I Homeless” features notable guest artists such as Bella Shmurda, Fave, and Wizard Chan. The album is complemented by a documentary filmed in Llona’s childhood neighborhood, providing a rich context about his background and the influences that shaped him.

Ahead of the album release, Llona dropped two lead singles, “Another Day” and “Cold War” featuring Fave. “Another Day” has particularly captured industry attention with its powerful visualizer, effectively conveying the song’s potent message and introducing Llona to a broader audience.

In May, Llona partnered with Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) to offer free counseling sessions for fans and therapy sessions for five individuals. Llona’s participation in these sessions underscores his commitment to mental health, a theme also evident in his lead single, “Another Day.”

Llona’s creative direction and narrative have generated significant anticipation for “Homeless.” Fans eagerly await to see if the album meets their high expectations. Stay tuned for our in-depth review of the album.

Listen to Llona new debut album HOMELESS.

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Not only in Nigeria alone, but in Africa in general. It is a common knowledge that the negros are somehow musically inclined. That musical inclination, however, seem to be occurring tripple fold in the bloods of certain specified people. Are these people just innately talented? Or are they outliers who had access to certain advantages which made them a master of their craft. In clear terms, what we are trying to do is paint a picture of the possible cause(s) of the Nigerian music ingenuity. 

The Nigerian music industry is being the case study here, because it appears to be the most popular industry in Africa, with a catalogue of global superstars, who seem to be taking the world on a roll at the moment. Dishing out a dose of the Africanness through sound, and conquering the world tour by tour, hits by hits, and ultimately country by country. Before moving to the case study, we will first look at the Historical factors that might have influenced the Africa’s musical know how

Historical factors that may have influenced Africa’s Music Inclination. 

African musical talents have been shaped by a rich tapestry of historical factors that span centuries. One of the most significant influences is the continent’s deep-rooted tradition of oral storytelling and communal participation in music. For centuries, music has been an integral part of African culture, serving as a medium for storytelling, religious ceremonies, and social rituals. Drumming, singing, and dancing were not only forms of entertainment but also essential components of communication and cultural expression. And this may have been passed down through DNA or Socialization.

Slave Trade:

The transatlantic slave trade also played a pivotal role in shaping African musical talents. As millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas, they brought with them their musical traditions, which profoundly influenced the development of various musical genres such as jazz, blues, gospel, and later, hip-hop and reggae. The resilience and adaptability of African musical traditions allowed them to survive and evolve in new environments, creating a powerful cultural legacy.

Colonialism:

Colonialism further impacted African music by introducing Western musical instruments and styles. This interaction led to the creation of unique hybrid genres, blending traditional African sounds with European musical elements. The post-colonial era saw a resurgence of interest in indigenous music, as newly independent African nations sought to reclaim and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Role of the Church and Religion in creation of Nigeria’s Modern Supertalents.

Having outlined the potential historical factors, we will now check the influence of religion and the church on Nigeria’s contemporary musical success. We will also highlight examples of significant artists who benefited from fundamental music development through the church.

The Church has faced significant criticism from modern Africans due to various controversial issues. These include an excessive focus on profit-making, the desecration of its sanctity, and inadequate religious teachings. As a result, Africans or Nigerians seem to have a huge magnifying glass on the churches today. 

However, despite the criticisms leveled against churches, it is important to acknowledge their role in being a makeshift musical academies for young people. They provide valuable opportunities for musical education and development that might otherwise be inaccessible.

The musical departments within churches embrace young individuals and teach them the fundamental theories and principles of music. This training equips them to navigate and comprehend the intricacies of the music ecosystem. The church imparts this foundational knowledge, which these individuals often carry into the secular music world, where they subsequently flourish. Undoubtedly, without this vital influence, many of today’s preeminent Afrobeats superstars might not exist. Here are example of people who religion or the Church influenced into music

Síkírù Àyìndé  Barrister

Barrister was not groomed in a church, but his sound and musical success was influenced by an Islamic tradition in Nigeria. “During the 1960s in post-independence Nigeria, Síkírù Àyìndé Barrister (1948-2010) pioneered and coined the term fújì, a Yorùbá genre of popular dance music. He transformed wéré/ajísari music, songs performed by and for Muslims during the Ramadan fast, into this new style of dance music.” Wéré/Ajísari was a type of music Muslims performed to wake each other for Sahur — the early morning feast during Ramadan period.

Timaya

Timaya revealed during an interview that he started from church before starting up as a backup for Eedris Abdulkareem. It happened that Timaya eventually became a mentor for Africa’s biggest artist, Burna Boy. 

Wizkid

The Starboy began singing at the age of 11 in church before rebranding to ‘Wizkid‘ in 2006. From there, he took the Nigerian sound International, and became the most decorated African musician of his generation.

Don Jazzy

One of the top producers in the Nigerian music industry, and Mavin Records boss was a multi-instrumentalist in church. This informed his dexterity at music production. Years down the line, Don Jazzy had contributed to the success of Icons like Wande Coal, D’banj, and currently some of the biggest Afrobeats acts in 2024, Rema & Ayra Starr. In 2024, Don jazzy sold majority stake of his label, Mavin Records to Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world’s largest music companies in the world

Wande Coal

Music star, Wande Coal started singing in the teenage choir at his church. Years later he signed to Mo’hits records and went on to inspire a lot of new school afrobeats acts.

There are numerous examples of superstars that could still be mentioned. The likes of Terry G, Ruger, Waje, Cobhams Asuquo, Chidinma; And Producers like MasterKraft, Blaizebeats, and many others also had their musical journey shaped by the Church

Even till date, the church continues to nurture talents; indirectly adding to the value of our industry. Despite all the negatives, this is part of the positives that we can thank religion and the church for. 

The post The Church and Religion – Unsung Heroes of the African Music Success appeared first on Afromixx.

Diabaté, who was born in 1965 into a family of traditional storytellers and guardians of Mali’s rich oral histories. He was a master of the Kora, an African stringed instrument. Over his illustrious career, he performed the traditional music of Mali and engaged in cross-cultural collaborations, blending the sounds of flamenco, blues, jazz, and other international styles.

His son, Sidiki Diabaté, who is also a musician, expressed his sorrow on Facebook, writing, “My dear dad is gone forever.”

Toumani Diabaté’s death occurred at a private clinic in Bamako, the capital of the West African nation. His contributions to music have left an indelible mark, not only in Mali but across the globe.

The news of his passing has elicited tributes from fellow stars of the vast West African music scene. Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour lauded him as “a virtuoso of the kora, an unmatched musical arranger” in a heartfelt post on X.

Diabaté’s legacy will continue to inspire and resonate within the world of music, honoring his remarkable skill and innovative spirit in bridging traditional and contemporary sounds.

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