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  • Since his introduction into the Nigerian market with his 2012 remix of Number One that featured Davido, he has connected with and featured Nigerian superstars like Tiwa Savage, Teni Makanaki, Koffi Olomide, Rema, and most recently, Chike.

    But it seems collaborations don’t cut it for him anymore. Despite being one of East Africa’s biggest, his agenda to match the vitality of Nigerian artists isn’t hidden, as he imitates looks and recreates hits for his Swahili audience.

    Asake and lookalike

    Afrobeats is fun, but it isn’t the easiest genre to make. Many artists from diverse backgrounds like Shatta Wale, Russ, etc have made attempts to recreate Nigeria’s most popular contemporary music, but none have successfully hacked the formula. That’s because afrobeats is constantly evolving and not tailored to a specific style.

    For Diamond Platnumz, he can’t beat Nigerians at their game, but neither can he join them, because he’s not a Nigerian. However, he’s still decided to mute his own sound and copy Nigerian songs, melody for melody, beat pattern for beat pattern, syllable for syllable, in his music. What might have first seemed like a tribute or appreciation for afrobeats songs has turned into borderline theft. 

    Exhibit A is his 2019 single, Baba Lao, a brazen remake of Naira Marley’s Soapy.

    Just listen to the instrumental, and you’d think Diamond Platnumz took his version from Rexxie’s harddrive.

    Exhibit B:

    This copy and paste of Wizkid’s Joro was released in 2019. From the rhythm to the music video vixen to the song title, Diamond was trying to give Wizkid a run for his money. As if that wasn’t enough, he tried again on Loyal (exhibit C), a recreation of Wizkid’s Essence.

    Exhibit D is his feature on Yataniua, owned by his fellow Tanzanian artist, Mboso. Diamond copied Asake’s Peace Be Unto You, complete with choral backup, but in Swahili. 

    On July 14, Jux, a singer from Tanzania, featured Diamond Platnumz on a song titled Enjoy, where he didn’t spare Spyro’s Who Is Your Guy. 

    Not to exert exceptionalism in afrobeats, or to gatekeep the music, but it’s hard to see Pan-Africanism in Diamond’s actions. Music is a product of culture. Cultures are subject to evolution. But originality is out the window when appropriation begins to take the full reins.

  • After releasing Spell Remix (ft. Oxlade) and featuring on Diamond Platnumz’s My Baby, Chike presents his first solo of 2023, Ego Oyibo (meaning “foreign currency”). With the new song, his unwavering commitment to making Nigerian romance great again is clear.

    Chike has consistently sung about love, creating sweet melodies and authentic romantic lines to rinse and repeat when words fail you in your relationship. He does no different on his latest. But this time, we’ve taken notes to share with you all the necessary ingredients to making a sweet love song, so you can express your own romantic feelings to your partner. 

    Chike comes prepared to be thrown into a lifelong commitment on the heartfelt Ego Oyibo, produced by DeeYasso, who was behind his other jams, Nwoke Oma, Spell and Hard To Find. This love record has a calm ambience, and yours should too. For more authenticity, highlife is the goal, sprinkled with some guitar strings and local percussion. By the time you want to lay your love lyrics, it’d sound like you’re already sharing palmwine with your father-in-law.

    When writing your lyrics, you have the license to be poetic, so go deep. Abandon the “Baby, take banana. I’ll take you to Ghana” lambas for now. Think of all the good things you feel for your lover and write them down. Maintain the Duke of Hastings’ swag (Bridgerton).

    Remember, there’s no language barrier. You can choose to write your love song in English, Igbo and Pidgin like Chike did on Ego Oyibo. Your babe will see a multilingual hottie; their parents will see a person of culture who respects their elders.

    Let your babe know how you’ve been a good spouse material. Did she forget you gave her dad dollars and promised her mum you’d always be there? In the same line, confess your love and compel her to never leave you alone. Apply the KISS method: Keep It Simple and Stupid. So, simple language and repetitive lines. Keep your verses short but stacked with compliments, endearments and heartwarming promises like giving her your money from January to December and letting nothing distract you in Lagos. Not the beautiful women, not the nightlife or the enticing BBL. It shows you’re an intentional man.

    N.B: Ensure there are backup vocalists adding sweeteners to your performance to make it a delicious serve.

  • On July 9, 2023, Sarz released the music video of Jam One Kele. The single is off Memories That Last Forever 2 (MTLF2). The single Jam One Kele features singer-songwriters Gimba, MillyMay_Pod and Fxrtune.

    Hol’up. What’s MTLF 2?

    Memories That Last Forever 2 is a fifteen-track follow-up project to the well-received first volume that came out in 2020. MTLF 2 features the students of the third set of The Sarz Academy; producers and singer-songwriters like Gimba, Syntiat, Pj Star, Charmaine ‘L A and Perfext, and executively produced by Sarz. The compilation boasts of other singles like Body Wicked and Good To Me, and it’s out now and streaming on all platforms.

    Jam One Kele: the Party

    Nigerian cinematographer Perliks directed and shot the music video. In it, a house party runs from evening till dawn, and these are our favourite things about it.

    The “agbado era” reminder

    The first scene captures a guy’s encounter with a corn seller, to subtly remind us that no matter how much fun you’re looking for, it’s the agbado era. Everything is now cash and carry; no freebies.

    Hot babes and guys everywhere

    The house stayed packed with hot babes and guys, talking, drinking, smoking and grinding bodies together. As Gimba sings about a kele (or baddie) he met at a party the night before, everyone’s just moving around, having fun.

    Herbal drinks available

    Fxrtune appears next to brag about the large sum he spends with his guys in the club. While this is happening, a young local herbal drinks seller climbs the stairs to serve people.

    At a Gen-Z party? The only explanation is that some fornication is about to go down, and we’re here for it.

    The energy gods

    When you see guys with high energy at a party, you know it’s a hit. 

    Nothing comes free here

    MillyMay_Pod smoothly entered the second verse to drop his own gist about a babe he liked at the party. But why is there a POS transaction in this scene? What are they buying and selling?

    A guy in his underwear?

    This grown male adult was caught in nothing but a pair of boxer briefs, rocking a babe at a public function. What outrageous level of konji is this? 

    The fun and stress-free vibes

    The party goes on smoothly, and everyone is having an amazing time, looking free and comfortable despite the agbado reminder. Meanwhile, the three singers spend the rest of the beat repeating how they jammed one “kele”, and she gave them great vibes. 

    The video ends as the party ends and morning comes. The guests begin to wake up and leave, but the artists still won’t stop going on about the “kele” they met. 

    The olodo guys are so mesmerised, they forget to ask the babes for their numbers. But at least, they sang well and had fun. That’s all that matters.

    Memories That Last Forever 2 is out now on all DSPs.

    READ: Sarz Is Cultivating Future African Sounds

  • The Nigerian national women’s football team, a.k.a the Super Falcons will play their first match at the FIFA’s 2023 Women’s World Cup, against Canada on July 21. Despite being underpaid and having little conversations around the team, the Super Falcons continue to thrive and stay relevant, ranking 45th out of 181.

    The Super Falcons became popular in 1999 when they reached the quarter-final (knocked out by Brazil, 3-4) of the FIFA Women’s World Cup competition hosted by the United States of America. Their earned achievements have positioned them as Africa’s most successful international women’s team and a staple in women’s national football. They won eleven out of thirteen Women’s African Cup of Nations (first edition in 1991, latest in 2018) and remain one of the seven teams that always qualify for the tournament since it kicked off in 1991.

    The Super Falcons are in this year’s (2023) World Cup, a first of its kind; hosted by two countries: Australia and New Zealand. with team members in  high spirits reminiscent of their 1999 history. The 2023 squad, headed by coach Randy Waldrum, boasts of twenty-five players including superstars like  Chiamaka Nnadozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Azeezat Oshoala, Glory Ogbonna and Onome Ebi; who’s making her sixth appearance at the World Cup.

    In this year’s competition, Nigeria sits in Group B with the event’s co-host Australia, the Republic of Ireland and Canada. Apart from Ireland, the rest aren’t strangers to Nigeria’s team.  In 1995 the Falcons played a 3-3 draw with Canada, lost 1-0 to them in 2011 while the Australians whooped us two goals to nil at the 2015 FIFA World Cup.This time, we hope the Falcons take no prisoners.

    While some are optimistic for the team to surpass all expectations, others think they’re on a decline and possibly can’t recreate 1999’s squad which is considered Nigeria’s best till date. But it’s important to note these women’s zeal to represent Nigeria at any given time, even though they don’t receive half as much accolades as they deserve from the Nigerian Football Federation and the general public. The Falcons get no sponsorships, low investments. Most of them have to rely on the stipends the federation pays.

    True to the nature of Falcons, the players threatened a sit-in protest at the 2019’s World Cup, due to unpaid salaries and bonuses. During that period, one of the players, Desire Oparanozie, who made a statement about the inequality between men’s and women’s pay, was criminally relieved of her captaincy by the NFF and has been sidelined in the team. On July 6, 2023, news broke that the Falcons are planning to boycott their first game at the World Cup because the NFF had cut their bonuses again. It first happened in 2004, then in 2007, 2016 and 2022.

    These are some of the problems Nigerian female footballers face while battling lack of national support. Still, this women’s squad is proudly matching and ready to take on competitors; starting July 21st with Canada. We’re rooting for the Falcons and looking forward to seeing them in their rich green jersey with vibrant hairstyles, dancing steps, superior speed and swift-raptor skills.

    READ: Nigerian Musicians Aren’t Playing; They’re on the Biggest Sports Stages Now

  • Podcasts are a dime a dozen these days, so making a popular one isn’t an easy job. Have these things if you want to succeed in this particular hustle.

    Social media influencers

    First of all, who wants to listen to you if you’re not popular for doing something? Either go and get some clout, or invite people who have it.

    Fine aesthetics

    How you appear is how you’ll be addressed. It’s no different with Nigerian podcasts, so come correct with your studio setting, props and outfit.

    Great audio quality

    Good microphones are non-negotiable. No one wants to strain to hear what you’re saying or endure constant static, please.

    Five hosts

    You need to get a few of your liviest goons to host it with you. What if your guest tries to beat you? Who’ll help you fight back?

    Gossip

    If you don’t know how to do amebo, better bring out your talkative friends and start gisting with them. Gossip is the lifeline of any podcast.

    Or chaos

    Nigerians live for chaotic conversations and won’t waste time jumping on your wagon. Just bring chaos and Nigerians won’t be able to stop talking about it for a week.

    Partner with popular rich brands

    There’s no popular Nigerian podcast without a brand partnership — the HonestBunch Podcast and Orijin beer, Tea With Tay Podcast and Lipton. See why you need brands’ money to go far with your pod? There will be ads here and there, but Nigerians will understand when they see the expensive set.

    READ: The Ultimate Nigerian Music Video Starter Pack

  • Nigeria’s most prestigious music award, The Headies, has supported local musicians since it launched in 2007 rewarding hard work, passion and consistency. 

    However, the nominees list for its 16th edition came out on July 12, 2023, and it doesn’t look as rewarding as it could be. 

    The Headies arguably get things wrong — ignoring better quality music like CKay’s Love Nwantiti in 2022, overlooking Arya Starr for “Female Artist of the Year” in 2022, and lack of attention to details (like nominating projects that were released outside the eligibility period). One can also say the award organisers favour the mainstream musicians over niche creators.

    Take the “Rookie of the Year” category, for example. It should celebrate the new music artists on the scene who haven’t dropped albums yet. Khaid, Guchi, Bloody Civilian, Bayani, Eltee Shkillz all fit the bill. But interestingly, they also nominated OdumoduBlvck, who has over four full-length projects to his name. What metrics did the organisers apply here?

    For “Producer of the Year”, Dibs, who’s been churning out street bangers like Bullion Van and Chance (Na Ham), shouldn’t be missing on the list. And the “Best Rap Single” category seemed to mistake Back In Uni by BlaqBonez for a rap song yet The Guy by M.I Abaga was left out? The “Best Rap Album” category is also not complete without The Guy and Lost Boy by Erigga.

    Despite the impact T.I Blaze’s Sometimes had on the Nigerian streets and general pop culture, it went without recognition on The Headies’ list. Meanwhile, let’s call the “Best West African Artiste of the Year” category what it really looks like — a Ghanaian musician list. West Africa has 18 countries, but as usual, only two have artists on Headies’ radar this year. They even misidentified The Therapist’s nationality as Liberia, instead of Sierra Leone. 

    Overlooking the release of Bandana, one of Afrobeats’s biggest moments of 2022, Asake was absent from the “Afrobeats Song of the Year” nominees list. Asake, who’s been Afrobeats’ biggest artist since his debut with Mr. Money With Vibes?

    Why is the “Best Inspirational Single” category called that if the nomination list will just be filled with gospel artists like Nathaniel Bassey, Mercy Chinwo and Victoria Orenze? They even slipped Davido (who released Stand Strong outside the eligibility period) in the middle like we wouldn’t notice. Why not just call the category what it looks like — a gospel music category? 

    For the love of music, we call for The Headies to replace surface-level inclusivity with deeper research into Nigeria’s rich and varied music scene. What’s an industry celebration without proper representation of its constituents?

  • Despite the good numbers of TV shows that dropped in 2023, some of us still want more options than we have time to watch in a month. Enjoy the best TV shows out right now that you should know about.

    The Bear

    https://youtu.be/i5U-w1yL4r0

    The Bear is a drama show on Hulu where a young guy has to run a family restaurant smoothly. With the funny doses and daily gbas gbos of the workers in the kitchen, we saw them all go through the  good and bad phases together. Chef Dammy of Ekiti can learn seven or ten things from this.

    Warrior

    This show was born straight out of a story Bruce Lee himself created. If you don’t know what to expect, think of pit fights, flying kicks and karma.

    The Men’s Club

    It’s a Nigerian TV show, popularly known as TMC, peeking into the adventurous lives of bachelors living in Lagos. From showing only on YouTube to playing on Prime Amazon now, we can’t wait for newcomers to get in the club. It’s a show to binge with some hot tea in this weather.

    READ: Nollywood Next Gen: Meet the Actors Set to Take Over 2023

    Fatal Seduction

    This South Africa TV series ties dark secrets and deep romance together. Our advice? Watch with your partner or get a grip.

    Bloodhounds

    It’s a K-drama, and it explores the famous loan-shark industry in South Korea. Pretty good for boxing fans and if you love seeing bad guys have a bad day.

    King The Land

    Let’s hope after seeing the trailer, you may wait for all the episodes to drop or watch all the eight available episodes now. But it’s such a good romance show that’ll make you ask yourself, “What will I do with myself?” after watching.

    Drops of God

    Wine lovers will be happy to find this Apple+ TV series. You’ll know almost everything from pronouncing hard wine names to recognising ingredients. When you get a wine tasting next time, you’ll quickly tell which is the real cabernet sauvignon.

    Hijack

    This one will have your heart pounding from the start to the end. It’s been said that it’s inspired by true events, but it’s based on none in particular. Idris Elba’s performance begs the question; when will he be announced as the new James Bond?

    ALSO READ: 14 Classic Nigerian TV Commercials and What They Taught Us

  • American rapper, Swae Lee’s tweet went viral on July 11, 2023. But the Nigeria flag in his tweet didn’t help. South African thinks he gave credit to Nigeria.

    Apparently, it’s the sound Swae Lee’s been enjoying since his arrival in Nigeria almost a week ago.

    Enraged South Africans virtually pounced on him and Nigerians for trying to rewrite history and not giving credit to the originators of the sound. It’s understandable, since they’re not wrong with their claims; Nigerians have been talking about the South African sound with ownership because several Nigerian artists have made popular hits with it.

    Swae Lee tried to clear the air about the context of his tweet but no one cared.

    No culture grows if you gatekeep it. But the failure to give due credit to its roots is a disservice to it. Which is why Zikoko has come to do what’s right with a peace offerings to reconcile us with our dear Mzansi family.

    First of all, stop all the lies

    Amapiano didn’t start in 2021, nor did it start this year. These are bold claims; we shouldn’t engage cap like these

    Credit should be given to South African acts like JazziDisciples, Mdu TRP, Kabza De Small, etc.

    There is evidence that amapiano didn’t start in Nigeria and it has been around the world before it got popular here.

    Dissolve the “Afropiano” title

    What does afropiano even mean other than a shameless way of appropriating the amapiano culture? Let afrobeats be Nigerian and keep amapiano South African. Both can lovingly coexist.

    Or South Africa can have Asake

    His two album’s sounds are dominantly amapiano. He even titled a recent single of the same name. Maybe it’s a cry for naturalisation. Who knows?

    In fact, they can have afrobeats too

    If all afrobeats credits are given to South Africa for a year, I’m sure Nigerians won’t be annoyed . Music crosses borders, right? After all, we’re all one; African brothers and sisters.

    QUIZ: Which Music Genre Are You?

    More collaborations with SA

    The biggest Nigerian artist right now literally has a song called Amapiano and credit wasn’t given. That’s appropriation right there. This is about the Nigerian music industry in general, and credit can be given in the form of working with SA producers, collaborating with SA artists, or even shooting videos even in the country. Need I say more?

    Focus on Nigerian sounds

    Before Nigerian artists started facing the same direction, they explored a variety of sounds. The craze for amapiano-hits is shifting focus from motherland sounds.

    Listen to only Mzansi’s amapiano

    We can still enjoy the music even without making it ourselves.

    QUIZ: This Quiz Knows Which Nigerian Amapiano Song You Think Is the Greatest

  • Fuji music is a Nigerian staple. Some Nigerian pop stars such as Olamide, Asake and Seyi Vibez make music that’s a hybrid of afrobeats, hip-hop and fuji, but the budding artistes don’t have to dilute Fuji with disco to become legends. You can focus on just Fuji music. This is the guide you need.

    Have a unique name

    You can’t go wrong with something strong and catchy as a stage name in Fuji music. Here’s an easy formula: use your nickname or merge it with your first name. E.g. Saheed Osupa, Taiye Currency Ayinde Barrister and Ayinde Kollington. I hope your name is not Wasiu or Ayinde sha, before people call you an impersonator.

    Mention it every minute

    You need to constantly drop your full government and nickname while singing. If you’re not doing that, you’re not ready for the world to know your name.

    Have street credibility

    If you haven’t served some time in the streets, your Fuji musician status is “learner.” The fastest and surest way is either to get four-year experience as a NURTW member or work as a freelance bus conductor. 

    Form your band

    Assemble the best drummers, backup vocalists, keyboardist and a hypeman with a baritone. Then get an official fabric seller who’ll constantly supply the band the best ankara and lace fabrics. Alternatively, the uniform can be polo shirts and facecaps with the band name printed on. Everyone should look flyer than Barrister and boys in 1989.

    Learn praise-singing

    Scam people into spraying you all their money with your high praises. If you can make people’s heads swell with your music, it’ll take you far and they’ll call you to the next ceremony in your hood. You better learn it so you can secure the Fuji bag.

    Do you know any proverbs?

    Whether you’re motivating, making social commentary or throwing words like stones, you must be clever with your figures of speech and best not miss.

    Have a photographic memory

    Imagine the embarrassment if you forget the name of the person who’s spraying you money halfway through your set? All it takes is one fuck up, and your whole reputation is out the window.

    Add your abroad experiences to the music

    How else do we know you’re spreading the gospel of fuji across the globe? You need to travel and then come back to give us your London Experience Vol. 1 – 5 or Amsterdam Tour part one and two, to certify your legend status.

    READ: The Zikoko Guide: Nigerian Music Industry 101

  • These last three weeks on social media, we’ve seen an interesting back-and-forth between Nigerian street-pop musicians, Seyi Vibez and Portable, with Zinoleesky somewhere in the mix. 

    In these episodes, they get into a dick-measuring contest about who has the better music, biggest cars, most money and street credibility. You know, the usual beef topics; but do you know how it all started?

    What started the fight?

    2023 started hard, and it wasn’t hard to tell people were too frustrated for drama. But not for Portable, who anytime he turns his camera to himself, chooses “chaos”. On January 30, 2023, he posted some video on his IG page where he subtly called Seyi Vibez a beta version of Asake.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CoElbOjtGCG/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    Using Seyi’s Chance music video as a point of comparison, Portable pointed out that it was an obvious play on Asake’s style. He didn’t stop there. He went ahead and accused the video director, TG Omori (director of most Asake MVs) of working with a copycat, then warned artists to leave music alone if they can’t be authentic.

    In the aftermath, fans began to air their views about Seyi Vibez, supporting Portable, and even started a “who is better (Seyi vs Asake)?” poll.

    Fans were still expecting a response from Seyi when Portable went to fix fake grills just to clown him.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CrQR32aNoUW/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    Wahala x2.

    Drama inside drama

    While Seyi Vibez was giving Portablebaby the silent treatment, he was getting into a battle of words with Zinoleesky. How did that start? In December 2022, Zino posted his new house and two cars on IG. In May 2023, Seyi posted his own new crib and two rides too, sparking a debate among their fans, about who’s the better and richer musician. Before we knew it, the two artists were throwing subs.

    Zino went off first:

    Seyi Vibez called Zino a chained Django. This is Seyi’s way of saying he’s independent and has all his creative control unlike Zino who’s under a contract has to get his boss’ approval first before releasing a song.

    And even reminded Zino that he doesn’t have chart-topping projects like his debut album, Billion Dollar Baby, its deluxe version and EP, Memory Card.

    Then it turned into a snippet war.

    https://twitter.com/whatsonshuffle/status/1663977944132337664?s=20

    Portable:

    Instagram

    Zino said he’ll never have a number one record — then Seyi Vibez got his number one record with his single, Hat-trick, surpassing Young John’s Aquafina, Asake and Olamide’s Amapiano, and particularly, Zinoleesky’s A1.

    Zinoleesky said, hold my loud and let me show you what this slavery money can get. He got a Ferrari.

    Seyi Vibez after seeing the Ferrari:

    Portable gleefully subbing the new car owners.

    These guys have a kink for unrest

    Seyi Vibez, quiet but…

    Then, he dropped his first album of 2023: Vibez Till Thy Kingdom Come.

    Two weeks after, Seyi Vibez released his second album of the year, Thy Kingdom Come.

    On Flakky, the eighth track off the second album, he opened by talking about an artist’s car being pushed on the street just three days after purchase:

    “G-Wagon, Brabus B 

    Ojo keta ni won pada ti Brabus B”

    You know who has a Brabus B (even though he calls it a G-Wagon)?

    “Your whole career is a debt,” Portable fired back.

    Then went ahead to preview a Seyi Vibez diss track while promoting Brabus B.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuUhDvOtbyb/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    Seyi Vibez:

    After letting things cool for a few days:

    On June 8, 2023, a few hours before his homecoming show in Ikorodu, Seyi went to his former hood to share money.

    Portable clowned him again.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CufD2-5LR32/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    At his homecoming show at Ikorodu on Sunday, Seyi Vibez sent jabs at Portable and Zinoleesky.

    Portable threatened to polish Seyi’s teeth with three or four punches.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cug8JpNxarG/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    Seyi Vibez, AKA Para Boy, fired back:

    When will an end come to this cinematic drama?