Latest news with #Darkoo
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
African Fresh Picks: Ayra Starr x Wizkid, Ayox x Qing Madi, Darkoo, Olamide, Seyi Vibez & More
Does it even feel like summer if Darkoo doesn't drop? After last year's 'Favourite Girl' and 'Focus On Me (All the Sexy Girls In The Club)' earlier this year, she's giving the girls another reason to whine their waists with 'Like Dat.' And three years after their sweet '2 Sugar' collab from his More Love, Less Ego album, Ayra Starr and Wizkid join forces again on island-infused Afrobeats banger 'Gimme Dat' (which has no relationship to the aforementioned P-Square hit). Speaking of Wizkid collabs, he teams up with Nigerian hip-hop icon Olamide for a new track, 'Kai!,' while Seyi Vibez celebrates his new partnership with EMPIRE with a sonic departure in the form of new track 'Pressure.' Meanwhile, Fido follows up his breakthrough smash 'Joy Is Coming' with a new cut called 'Money Moves,' while Kizz Daniel returns with a surprise seven-song EP called Uncle K: Lemon Chase that leads with the breezy song 'Black Girl Magic.' More from Billboard Nigerian Star Seyi Vibez Partners With EMPIRE, Drops New Single 'Pressure' The Amity Affliction Cover Turnstile's 'Holiday' for 'Like a Version' Mariah Carey Celebrates 20 Years of 'The Emancipation of Mimi': Stream It Now We've highlighted 10 of our favorite new songs by African acts that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and pregame the summer season with our Spotify playlist below. Ayra Starr & Wizkid, 'Gimme Dat' Ayra Starr and Wizkid are ready to fill up the 'freakin' dancefloor' this summer with 'Gimme Dat.' The slow-burning acoustic guitar melody from Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige's 2000 Grammy-nominated hit '911' and tropical drums, courtesy of producers VybeO and Mikabeatz adds to the song's sensuality and serenity. But Wiz steals the spotlight in the middle of the song with his audacious 'Goddamn' declaration that kickstarts his verse about sticking to one shorty who has all his attention. June Freedom, 'Oh My Lady' The Cape Verdean American crooner creates a vibrant ode to intimacy with his latest single 'Oh My Lady.' Producer Abolaji Collins Kuye's glimmering Afro-fusion groove complement Freedom's blend of English and Cape Verdean Kriolu sweet nothings that roll off his tongue as he reminds us that home isn't always a place, it's your person. 'Two souls locked in, fully understanding each other on every level: mind, body and soul. I wanted to capture that rare kind of love that holds you down but still lets you fly. It's like wake up to peace and falling asleep in passion,' he said in a press release. Darkoo, 'Like Dat' The British-Nigerian star heats things up again with 'Like Dat.' The pulsating Afroswing beat will immediately send any 'naughty naughty' girl's hips swinging, but her suave voice drives the track's flirtatious energy. And Darkoo plays into her affinity for Y2K sonics and aesthetics by paying homage to the music video for Sean Paul's 2003 smash 'I'm Still in Love With You' with the same bold pop of orange and yellow in the Sam Fallover-directed 'Like Dat' visual. Ayox & Qing Madi, 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE' The self-proclaimed 'loner of Afrobeats' Ayox and Billboard's repeat 21 Under 21 honoree Qing Madi are a melodic match made in heaven on 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE' from his sophomore EP WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING. They swap sweet-sounding confessions about taking accountability and wanting to do better by their lovers over pulsating rhythms and thrilling saxophone riffs. Twitch 4EVA, Yung D3mz & Uche B, 'Temperature' Ghanaian artists Twitch 4EVA and Yung D3mz and producer Uche B team up on the scorching single 'Temperature.' The spurts of the log drums feel like trickling beads of sweat down the body, but the whistling ad-libs interspersed throughout the song add more ventilation. Olamide & Wizkid, 'Kai!' Two titans of the last two decades of African music, Olamide and Wizkid, teamed up for this slick cut, which layers a horn section over some traditional Afrobeats drum patterns and features both icons crooning, using their voices as additional instrumentation to augment the track. The video sees the two of them dressed to the nines in a nightclub setting, too, enhancing the overall vibe of the track. Seyi Vibez, 'Pressure' Fresh off his new partnership with EMPIRE, Nigerian street prince Seyi Vibez immediately diverted from his usual grittier sound to drop this love song, with warmer and more inviting themes than his usual gruffer fare. It's 'a complete shift from my usual sound,' he said in a press release about the track. 'It leans into melody, intimacy and raw emotion. It's smoother, softer and more intentional. I wanted to show my range, to prove that I can give you fire and tenderness in the same breath. This track is about the quiet power of love and attention. Sometimes the loudest statement is how you move when no one's watching. That's real pressure.' Fido, 'Money Moves' Fresh off his breakout smash single 'Joy Is Coming,' Fido returns with 'Money Moves,' an engaging cut with an earworm hook — quickly becoming a hallmark of his — that brings in amapiano elements to underpin his melodic vocals. If joy was coming on his last single, it's arrived in the form of stacks of cash in this one. Bhadboi OML feat. L.A.X., 'River' Bhadboi OML has been steadily building a name for himself with a string of single releases over the past year or so, and this one lands with a breezy vibe just on the cusp of summertime with a hook that implores the listener to 'cry me a river.' Teaming up with fellow Nigerian and veteran artist L.A.X. adds another dimension to this one, but Bhadboi takes the bulk of it and delivers a hit for the season. Kizz Daniel, 'Black Girl Magic' Returning out of nowhere with a new EP, the seven-song Uncle K: Lemon Chase — featuring collaborations with ODUMODUBLVCK, Angélique Kidjo, Bella Shmurda, Zlatan and more — Kizz Daniel bolsters his discography with 'Black Girl Magic,' a free-spirited, lighthearted ode to treating your girl right no matter the cost. The full project is worth checking out, but this one sets the tone. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Euronews
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Central Cee makes MOBO history by becoming first artist to win Best Male Act three times
Central Cee has made history at the MOBO Awards, which celebrate Black music and culture, becoming the first artist to win Best Male Act three times. The West London rapper now holds seven MOBO trophies - tying with Stormzy as the most decorated rapper in the awards' history. His reaction? Understated as ever. While not present at the ceremony, which took place in Newcastle, he posted a screenshot of the announcement on Instagram, captioning it: 'that's nice.' Last month, Cench dropped his highly anticipated debut album, Can't Rush Greatness, which debuted at No.1 on the UK Albums Chart (read our review of it here). He's also up for three BRIT Awards, including Best Artist and Song of the Year. Bashy, returning after a 15-year hiatus, took home Best Album and Best Hip-Hop Act. Darkoo beat out heavyweights like Raye and Jorja Smith to claim Best Female Act, while Nigerian star Ayra Starr made history as the first African woman to win Best International Act and the first woman in 16 years to take home Best African Music Act. Meanwhile, dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, recently freed after his murder conviction was overturned, was honoured with the MOBO Impact Award - and he's already gearing up for a major comeback, with a Wireless Festival performance confirmed for this summer. Other genre awards saw 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective named Best Jazz Act, Scorcher win Best Grime Act, Pozer take Best Drill Act, and TSHA claim Best Electronic/Dance Act. FULL LIST OF MOBO 2025 WINNERS: Best male act - Central Cee Best female act - Darkoo Best newcomer - Odeal Album of the year - Bashy, Being Poor Is Expensive Song of the year - Darkoo feat. Dess Dior, Favourite Girl Video of the year - Mnelia, My Man Best hip-hop act - Bashy Best grime act - Scorcher Best drill act - Pozer Best R&B/Soul act - Odeal Best media personality - 90s baby show Best African music act - Ayra Starr Best performance in a TV show/ film - Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire Best electronic/ dance music act - TSHA Best gospel act - Annatoria Best jazz act - Ezra Collective Best producer - Juls Best Caribbean music act - Shenseea Best alternative music act - ALT BLK ERA Best international act - Ayra Starr MOBO paving the way award - Denise Lewis MBE MOBO impact award - Vybz Kartel
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ayra Starr become first woman to win Mobo best African music award in 16 years
Nigerian superstar musician Ayra Starr don becom di first woman wey go carry di award for best African music for di Mobo Awards in di last 16 years. Di singer also gbab di award for best music act, as di first woman ever to do am, for di ceremony wey happen for Newcastle. As she collect di award, Ayra Starr acknowledge di fact say na her first Mobo win. She tok say, "Dis dey nice. Dis na my first Mobo and na di first time wey I dey win Mobo awards. I dey shake now sef, I dey nervous. "Thank you to every one wey support me. Thank you to my team, my amazing Mobstars, my amazing brother wey I dey follow make music wit, di producers for studio, my studio partners in crime, my label, Mavin records. Shout out to my mummy!!!" Apart from Ayra Starr, rapper Central Cee also make history for Mobo as di first artist wey dem go name as best male act three times. E don also match Stormzy record as di most decorated rapper for di award history. MOBO or as dem dey call am, Music of Black Origin, na joinbodi wey dey celebrate black pipo music. Di founder of di joinbodi na Kanya King wey borrow money on top her house to start am. Na Ghanaian papa and Irish mama born Madam King wey bin start to make money for her family at di age of 17. Di British award show bin start for 1996 and don host plenti artists wey include Beyonce, Rihanna, Sade, Lionel Richie among odas. Di Awards claim say dem don help di career of artistes like Stormzy, Craig David and Rita Ora. Dis year na di first award show since, Kenya King find out say she get stage four bowel cancer. She bin come stage to collect surprise award and tok for her speech say she bin dey very grateful "becos time bin dey wen I tink day I no go make am". She add say, "next year dey mark our 30th anniversary, and I wan make sure say I dey dia." MOBO 2025 winners full list Best male act - Central Cee Best female act - Darkoo Best newcomer - Odeal Album of the year - Bashy, Being Poor Is Expensive Song of the year - Darkoo feat. Dess Dior, Favourite Girl Video of the year - Mnelia, My Man Best hip-hop act - Bashy Best grime act - Scorcher Best drill act - Pozer Best R&B/Soul act - Odeal Best media personality - 90s baby show Best African music act - Ayra Starr Best performance in a TV show/ film - Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire Best electronic/ dance music act - TSHA Best gospel act - Annatoria Best jazz act - Ezra Collective Best producer - Juls Best Caribbean music act - Shenseea Best alternative music act - ALT BLK ERA Best international act - Ayra Starr MOBO paving the way award - Denise Lewis MBE MOBO impact award - Vybz Kartel
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Central Cee becomes joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history
Central Cee has become the joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history after winning best male act at the 2025 event. The 26-year-old is now tied with Stormzy on seven awards, after winning the best male award for the second year in a row at Tuesday's awards ceremony in Newcastle. The London-born star, whose real name is Oakley Caesar-Su, is best known for the songs Sprinter featuring Dave, and solo single Doja, and released his debut solo album Can't Rush Greatness in January 2025. Elsewhere, singer-songwriter Ayra Starr became the first African woman to win best international act, and the first woman to win best African music act in 16 years. Best female act went to British-Nigerian rapper and singer Darkoo, who also won song of the year for Favourite Girl featuring Dess Dior. German-born artist Odeal scooped best newcomer along with best R&B or soul act, while 40-year-old actor and rapper Bashy won best album for Being Poor Is Expensive, and also took home best hip hop act. Video of the year went to Mnelia for My Man, which was directed by Femi Bello, while best performance in a TV show or film was awarded to actor and musician Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire. Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis was honoured with the paving the way award, which is aimed at celebrating those who have paved the way for future generations in sport, entertainment and culture. Former Mercury Prize winners in 2023, Ezra Collective won the best jazz act award. Best grime act went to Scorcher, best drill act was won by Pozer, best electronic dance music act was given to TSHA, best gospel act went to Annatoria, Shenseea scooped best Caribbean music act, and best alternative act was won by ALT BLK ERA. Best media personality was won by 90s Baby Show, a comedy podcast exploring the mind of a 90s baby, while best producer went to Juls. Jamaican dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel was honoured with the impact award, which is given to an artist who has been a pioneer in their genre. The ceremony saw performances from rock duo Nova Twins, British hip hop duo Krept And Konan, and award winners Odeal, Darkoo and Bashy. Mobo Awards 2025: Access All Areas airs on BBC One on February 21 at 11.25pm.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Central Cee becomes joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history
Central Cee has become the joint most-decorated rapper in Mobo Awards history after winning best male act at the 2025 event. The 26-year-old is now tied with Stormzy on seven awards, after winning the best male award for the second year in a row at Tuesday's awards ceremony in Newcastle. The London-born star, whose real name is Oakley Caesar-Su, is best known for the songs Sprinter featuring Dave, and solo single Doja, and released his debut solo album Can't Rush Greatness in January 2025. Elsewhere, singer-songwriter Ayra Starr became the first African woman to win best international act, and the first woman to win best African music act in 16 years. Best female act went to British-Nigerian rapper and singer Darkoo, who also won song of the year for Favourite Girl featuring Dess Dior. German-born artist Odeal scooped best newcomer along with best R&B or soul act, while 40-year-old actor and rapper Bashy won best album for Being Poor Is Expensive, and also took home best hip hop act. Video of the year went to Mnelia for My Man, which was directed by Femi Bello, while best performance in a TV show or film was awarded to actor and musician Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With The Vampire. Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis was honoured with the paving the way award, which is aimed at celebrating those who have paved the way for future generations in sport, entertainment and culture. Former Mercury Prize winners in 2023, Ezra Collective won the best jazz act award. Best grime act went to Scorcher, best drill act was won by Pozer, best electronic dance music act was given to TSHA, best gospel act went to Annatoria, Shenseea scooped best Caribbean music act, and best alternative act was won by ALT BLK ERA. Best media personality was won by 90s Baby Show, a comedy podcast exploring the mind of a 90s baby, while best producer went to Juls. Jamaican dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel was honoured with the impact award, which is given to an artist who has been a pioneer in their genre. The ceremony saw performances from rock duo Nova Twins, British hip hop duo Krept And Konan, and award winners Odeal, Darkoo and Bashy. Mobo Awards 2025: Access All Areas airs on BBC One on February 21 at 11.25pm.
