Latest news with #Wizkid
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
News24
27-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Tyla strikes gold again: SA star wins American Music Award for Favourite Afrobeats Artist
South African superstar Tyla won Favourite Afrobeats Artist at the 2025 American Music Awards, which were held at Las Vegas' Fontainebleau. The star-studded ceremony hosted by Jennifer Lopez saw Billie Eilish dominate with seven awards, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft. Tyla's victory represents a significant milestone for African music on the global stage. South African superstar Tyla has added another prestigious accolade to her growing collection, taking home the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award at the 2025 American Music Awards held at the glamorous Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Monday night. The pop star was nominated alongside and won against Nigerian giants Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Asake. The 23-year-old singer, who rose to international fame with her breakout hit Water, shone brightly among the industry's biggest names at one of music's most celebrated award ceremonies. Her victory marks a significant milestone for her burgeoning career and represents an exciting moment for African music on the global stage, particularly as the Afrobeats genre continues to gain mainstream recognition. The star-studded event, hosted by Jennifer Lopez, was a spectacular showcase of musical talent. American artist Billie Eilish emerged as the night's biggest winner. Eilish dominated the ceremony with seven awards, including the coveted Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft. Tyla's AMA win adds to an already remarkable rise for the Johannesburg-born artist. In February 2024, she made history as the first recipient of the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, and her self-titled debut album has achieved platinum status in several countries. The performer has been praised for successfully blending South African amapiano elements with global pop sounds, creating a distinctive musical identity that has resonated with audiences worldwide. The US media company Billboard recently honoured the pop star in March with the Impact Award at the Women in Music ceremony. 'When my career took off, I realised that God has his own plans,' Tyla said during her acceptance speech. 'I just feel very lucky for my fans who have given me such an exciting life, allowing me to grow in front of the world into all the different versions of myself as an artist and as a woman,' she said. 'I appreciate the way music has been able to impact us through time and how I'm just a manifestation of that,' she continued.
Ya Biladi
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Wizkid and Lojay to ignite Mawazine 2025 with pure Afrobeats power
The 20th edition of Mawazine – Rhythms of the World will spotlight the vibrant pulse of Afrobeats, one of the most influential sounds shaping today's global music scene. On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Rabat's OLM Souissi stage will be swept by Lagos vibes, led by two of Nigeria's biggest stars: Wizkid and Lojay. Kicking off the night is none other than Lojay, Afrobeats' rising prince. Known for his bold and emotionally rich style, Lojay brings fresh energy to the genre while honoring the legacy of its pioneers. Bursting onto the scene with Monalisa — his international hit with Chris Brown and Sarz, which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart — Lojay quickly made a name for himself as a key voice in afrofusion. He followed up with Sensational, featuring Davido and Chris Brown, earning a 2024 Grammy nomination. In 2025, Lojay continues his meteoric rise with Somebody Like You, a new track produced by Sarz that explores love and vulnerability with striking depth. Taking the spotlight later that evening is the genre's global superstar, Wizkid. Known as Starboy, he has redefined Afrobeats with timeless tracks like Essence, Ojuelegba, Come Closer, and One Dance with Drake — making him the first Nigerian artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and earn platinum certification in the U.S. His collaborations with Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Chris Brown have taken Afrobeats to the main stages of the world's biggest festivals. With over 5 billion streams across platforms, Wizkid's influence is unmatched. His critically acclaimed album Morayo (2024), featuring Brent Faiyaz and Tiakola, revealed a more mature and introspective side, while his latest release KESE is already climbing the charts. As part of a sold-out world tour spanning Paris, New York, Toronto, and Berlin, Wizkid's stop in Rabat will be nothing short of historic. Festival Mawazine – Rhythms of the World runs from June 20 to 28, 2025 in Rabat.
The Guardian
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Davido: 5ive review – flashes of Afropop excellence
One of the lodestars turning Afrobeats into an international phenomenon, Nigerian supernova David Adedeji Adeleke isn't as famous in the UK as Burna Boy, Wizkid or Rema – he's yet to have a hit such as Last Last, One Dance or Calm Down. Also, as his fifth album hints, his appeal may simply not be as global as theirs. Davido's albums (always 17 tracks) deal in the sort of subtle, luxurious beats that you'd hear anywhere from beachside bars to barbershops. At its best, 5ive is a decent sequel to 2023's Timeless, which marked the apotheosis of Afropop's ability to stealthily subsume elements of other genres into its wonderfully delicate, shuffling rhythms, creating something sui generis yet instantly comprehensible. Be There Still has a sticky chorus, and the Chic-ish guitar on With You nods towards a diversion into disco. Davido sings well – Don't Know shows off his yearning side; Anything swaddles a motivational anthem in soft harmonies. There isn't too much to excite beyond that though. The opening poem is pompous and annoying, while the album's baggy middle is often windy, repetitive and unambitious. A sharper, shorter collection would be better.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
10 Magazine Names Karen Binns Global Fashion Director
LONDON — 10 Magazine is pumping up the creativity of its expanding global presence with the appointment of Karen Binns as global fashion director. A London-based New Yorker, Binns is a familiar face in the London fashion scene. She has worked with a slew of high-profile names including Naomi Campbell, Wizkid, Estelle, Tori Amos and Neneh Cherry, and consulted on brands including Andre Walker, Ashish, Feben, Maharishi, Bianca Saunders and Kanye West, in her three-decade-spanning career. More from WWD Why This Brand Whisperer Thinks Luxury Needs a New Kind of Magazine EXCLUSIVE: Icon Magazine to Launch U.S. Edition With Gro Curtis as Editor in Chief Italy's D Magazine Goes Bigger, More International With Biannual, English Edition In addition to her roles as stylist, creative director and consultant, Binns also serves as a colead of the British Fashion Council's mentoring and talent ID and race subcommittees under the organization's diversity and inclusion initiative. In her new role, Binns will bring her creative vision and network of talents to the pages of 10 and 10 Men. Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou, founder and global editor in chief of 10 Magazine, said Binns' wealth of experience and deep references bring incredible insight across all styling genres. 'She's really exceptional at bringing modernity to her work that stretches beyond the zeitgeist while seamlessly tapping into her years of experience, from working with Jean-Michel Basquiat to Wizkid. She's beloved by the industry far and wide, and what she creates has serious longevity. She continues to be inspirational to multigenerational creatives,' added Neophitou-Apostolou, who received a special recognition award at the Fashion Awards last tear. 'The best way to see fashion in your life is to swim in it, endlessly,' Binns said of her new role. 'I'm so thrilled to be joining the 10 Magazine team and I'm excited to be working closely with the Sophia — that chick — a fashion legend with an incredible legacy. I'm looking forward to creating fashion magic inside the magazine,' she added. The appointment of Binns came at a time when 10 Magazine is set to debut its German edition in March. The magazine, founded by Sophia Neophitou more than 20 years ago, also runs a Japanese edition, edited by Saori Masuda; a U.S. edition led by Dora Fung and an Australian edition helmed by Alison Veness. Best of WWD Longtime Vogue Editor Grace Mirabella Dies at 91 First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Helps Forbes Celebrate Its 50 Over 50 List Mikaela Shiffrin Gets Personal in New Series for Outside+
