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  • On November 20, 2023, Victony posted a snippet of his new single, Ohema, along with interesting news: he worked with three music producers and featured 14 artists on the track.

    While we all await Victony’s highly anticipated single, let’s travel back to the 2000s to highlight all the all-star songs we loved so much.

    1,2,3 remix by DJ Neptune

    The year was 2010 when three of the hottest rappers in the country took turns to drop bars on a DJ Neptune record. M.I Abaga, the song’s producer, opened up the remix, followed by Naeto C and the late Dagrin, who had arguably the best verse on it because of his strong Yorùbá delivery. While the 2011 Ako Mi Ti Poju remix gave us Naeto C and Dagrin, 1,2,3 remix is the only song to feature the three iconic rappers together.

    My Pain (Tribute to Dagrin) by Sheyman

    After Dagrin’s demise in 2010, veteran artist and sound engineer, Sheyman, orchestrated an emotional tribute to the memory of the late rapper. My Pain featured 20 artists including Omawumi, Reminisce, Durella, Kenny Saint-Brown, Waje, Banky W, Sasha, Jaywon, Jahbless, Tony Tetuila, Lord of Ajasa and more. We can’t talk about all-star records in Afrobeats without mentioning when artists came together to pay their last respects to a colleague.

    Baddest Boy by E.M.E All-stars

    In 2012, Banky W’s co-founded record company, Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), released the album, Empire Mates State of Mind. The first single, Baddest Boy, features former E.M.E artists, Wizkid, Skales and Banky W. During this period, E.M.E owned the airwaves with a cool swag every young person wanted to have. And Baddest Boy had our attention with Wiz’s confident opening verse and infectious chorus, Skales’ braggadocious rap verse and Banky’s singy-rap delivery. Till today, when the Wizkid part, “Bí wón le, le, le” bursts out of any speaker, the crowd will respond with “I’m the baddest boy”. It was an anthem.

    Made in Lagos by Naeto C

    Way before Wizkid’s latest album Made In Lagos, Naeto C had a song of the same title. It’s the last song on his 2008 album, You Know My P, and features his fellow ex-Storm Records artists, Jazzman Olofin, GT tha Guitarman, Darey Art Alade, Sasha P and General Pype. This was the era when label artists constantly made possé cuts, and we miss it.

    Born Champion remix by General Pype

    Coming off the success of the original song, General Pype assembled Dagrin, Vector, Naeto C, Sasha P and GT tha Guitarman for a remix in 2010. This remix became the ghetto gospel, giving hope to young Nigerians stuck in the trenches. It’s still a sing-along that sparks nostalgia today.

    Pere by Mo’Hits All-Stars

    Off their Curriculum Vitae album, Mo’Hits All-Stars — Don Jazzy, D’Banj and Wande Coal — sang to woo their love interests. At the time, Mo’Hits had the music industry in a chokehold with their hit songs and superstar label roster. Pere‘s music video directed by DJ Tee upped its relevance with the iconic scene where Wande and D’Banj argued over who had the finest babe. Pere is still a jam that’s immediately recognisable from the beat drop.

    We Are Africans (Naija remix) by JJC

    Femi Kuti, Dagrin, eLDee, DJ Zeez, Kel, Ay.com, Ragga Remi and Moe Money featured on the Naija remix of JJC’s We Are Africans in 2010. One of those old-school Naija classics that’s a certified sing-along, the song was their way of promoting African unity and pride to the diaspora.

    Represent by M.I. Abaga

    Represent was the last song off MI 2: The Movie album, featuring Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz and Brymo. The song started with a lady saying the album can’t finish without a joint from the “Choc Boyz” — the Chocolate City labelmates. Their era as labelmates was a solid run, and their songs together are some of the best releases from Chocolate City.

  • Once you get into the black tax pool, it’s hard to get out. Even when you tell yourself “Enough is enough. I can’t kill myself,” you keep giving and giving in to rampant demands.

    But you can save yourself by self-motivating with these Afrobeats lyrics we curated against the black-tax movement.

    “Sometimes you might see me looking dope but nothing’s in my bank account, the boy is broke”

    This country is hard AF. People know that. But they also need to know you’re just as down as them. You’re just keeping up appearances and posting throwback pics to spark joy. The next lines go: “Trying to meet demand, I swear it’s hard to cope / Me sef I be human being o”. Black tax should not vex; you’re just a Human Being — word and song by M.I Abaga.

    NotjustOK

    “I’m at a point in my life, if you understand me or not / Misunderstand me or not, me, I’m okay”

    Let these words of King Promise be your declaration as you walk another day. No one will beat you if you don’t give them a chance to tax you. Whatever anyone thinks about you is their business. Everyone will be okay. Or not.

    “If I dey down now, who go lift me up? If battery low, na who go charge me up?”

    These are the questions you need to ask yourself sometimes. The answer helps you move accordingly. Responsibility must’ve hit Joeboy too suddenly, he had to keep screaming the track title, “Only God can save me” throughout the song. Even the artwork shows he needs help.

    “Na who born, na who born, na who born the maga?”

    “Maga” means “fraud victim”. And if you’re the one people black-tax, doesn’t that make you their maga? Look into the mirror every morning and recite these lyrics to yourself. You won’t be a maga IJN.

    “I’m unavailable. Dem no dey see me”

    Davido knows how overwhelming it is to look after other people; man had to voice out. You don’t want anyone to use their own responsibility to kill you for the LOYL, so decide who has your number and avoid posting on WhatsApp.

    “Tán bá disturb, ko pa data”

    Zlatan said this on Blaqbonez’s BAD TILL ETERNITY. It’s straightforward — if anyone disturbs you in order to tax you, turn off your data connection. 

    “Keep your eye sharpen because e get as you go move around me wey fit end up for DND”

    DND by Rema is the ultimate guide on how to manage your affairs and stand your ground in the face of entitlement and manipulative bullshit. He ended the chorus with “Even egbon dey collect DND,” meaning an uncoordinated elder can get a snub or two.

    “Ki lo kan boys? Ki lo kan federal?”

    These rhetorical lyrics from Asake’s Joha translate to, “Why should boys care? Why should the federal (government) care?” Be the black sheep of the family. Be careless like the Nigerian government. 👀💀

    “Do me, I do you. God no go vex, true religion”

    If the people taxing you have done you bad or worse before, I guess it’s payback time. I didn’t write this good gospel, Ghost of Show Dem Camp did on WYW.

    “Is this the motherfucking thanks I get for making my people proud?”

    Say whatever you like about Burna Boy’s entitlement on his song Thank You, but it’s how you truly feel when people aren’t appreciative of what you do for them.

    ALSO READ: 8 Nigerians Share Their Black Tax Stories

  • Something is in the Edo water. The state keeps making the news rounds lately for the spectacular doings of its young talents. Rema closed out O2 for his London concert on November 15. Shallipopi released his debut album on November 10, and is one of the breakout artists of 2023.

    While these two may be the current faces of Edo, there are seven other artists from the City of Bronze you should have on your listening radar.

    Aiseh

    Omosefe “Aiseh” Aisosa is a hip-hop artist whose music revolves around everyday Nigerian life, relationships and his Christian faith. Five years after dropping his debut album, GROWING (2018), Aiseh returned in 2023 with Heartbreak, Bars and Melodies. The project detailed his love life and showcased a versatile music maker who can sing and rap equally well, with each song connecting cohesively into the next. 

    thellO

    thellO (Ethel Blessing Ngohonba Mote) is a Cameroonian-Nigerian singer and rapper based in Benin, Edo State. Attention first beamed on her during her stint in the 2022 Hennessy VS Class. She raps in English, Yorùbá and her native Cameroonian tongue, Bassa. She’s a battle-tested emcee, and her social pages are stacked with freestyles and song covers you should deep-dive into.

    Layzee Ella

    Onose Emmanuella Bagudu, PKA Layzee Ella, is an androgynous singer-songwriter best known for her soul-pop music. Her EPs When The Lights Go Off (2021) and Feel Everything (2022) are built around vulnerability and romantic experiences. Her most recent offering, Infinito, is a collaborative effort with Romanian music producer and DJ, Vanotek.

    Caleb Clay

    Based in Lagos, Caleb Clay (FKA BigC) has made his identity as an adept lyricist in the Naija underground rap scene. Asides from being a great storyteller who tells introspective, personal stories and Lagos city tales, Caleb walks with pockets of flow that endear listeners to every bar he spits. His rapper CV includes three EPs and a session at DJ Jimmy Jatt’s “Jimmy Jump Off” show. His new single Pressure had Port Harcourt rapper, Sknny, on as a feature.

    Aisosa

    Before Aisosa released his emotional At Night, You Floor My Thoughts with producer UndieJulius in March 2023, he showed his lyrical depth of love languages with releases like Abeg, All Time Low (2021), Strange Fire and Fools (2022). Aisosa, born Michael Timeyin Igbinosa is a burgeoning R&B and afro-fusion act whose vocals and lyrics will wash over you like tidal waves. Watch out for him.

    Harry Carter

    Harrison “Harry Carter” Ogedegbe is one of the most exciting artists from Benin. When he isn’t exploring trap and emo-trap, Carter is drilling or making afro-pop jams like Myself featuring Lil5ive. From braggadocious rhymes to chill vibes, Carter is an all-round artist. His catalogue is two EPs and several singles deep — his latest is Ovbere (“He has come again” in his native Edo tongue).

    Billy the GOAT

    Ihama Peter, popularly known as Billy the GOAT (BTG), is a non-stereotypical rap artist. He conveniently switches flows to fit into his fusion of pop and afrobeats, while maintaining his rap aura at the core. STOP PLAYING, his four-track sophomore EP, came out in August 2023.

    Get into these young Edo stars through our playlist:

  • Nollywood has been exceptionally consistent with Netflix releases in 2023, with productions like Black Book and Jagun-Jagun making real impact. And another TV series, Olóládé (meaning “the wealthy has come”), is set to join the lineup.

    We bring you exclusive info from TNC Africa on everything to know about Olóládé.

    Six-part series

    Olóládé, a six-part series, follows two friends — Shina, a secondary school teacher, and Lateef, an auto-mechanic — who run into sudden wealth, which they use to build a betting business. Then the consequences find them.

    PulseNg

    Inspired by an old Yorùbá classic?

    Olóládé the series brings to mind an old Yorùbá Nollywood film by Ebun Oloyede’s Olaiya Films, titled Olóládé Mr Money, a dramatic horror about a man who did rituals to become wealthy. Whether the series borrows from the old Yorùbá film or not, its production team has collectively described it as a “homage to Nollywood TV classics”. 

    Language

    While Yorùbá is the primary language, the writing team — headed by Lani Aisida (Skinny Girl in Transit, Rumour Has It) — brings us a relatable script that permeates ethnicity and tongues. According to the director, Adeniyi Joseph Omobulejo (TAJ), “When you watch Olóládé, you will feel a lot of nostalgia. It’s good storytelling at its core. You can expect to see relatable, well-developed characters and drama unfolding, which for me, is what good storytelling should be”.

    TNC Africa

    The production company behind Olóládé was co-founded by Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Daniel Aideyan and Olawale Adetula — the series’ executive producers — in 2021 to focus on making original African TV series. So far, they’ve produced A Little Black Book and My Name Is A-zed.

    Production team

    Olawale Adetula, Adaugo “Falcon” Uzoma and Dele Ishola are the producers of Olóládé. The consultant producer is Leye Fabusoro, with Adeniyi Joseph-Omobulejo (TAJ) as the director. 

    TV cast

    The cast list boasts veteran actors like Femi Adebayo, Kunle Idowu (Frank Donga), Mercy Aigbe, Jaiye Kuti, Mide-Funmi Martins and Liz Da-Silva. It also features emerging Nollywood stars like Adebowale Adebayo (Mr. Macaroni), Oluwatobi Olubiyi (Agba) and Debby Felix.

    Image Source: BellaNaija

    Principal photography 

    Principal photography commenced in the first week of January 2021 in Lagos, Nigeria, and was completed in March 2021.

    Image Source: TNC Africa

    Debut release

    Olóládé the series will make its debut on Netflix on November 24, 2023. 

    TNC Africa

    ALSO READ: We’ll Never Forget How These Old Nollywood Movies Made Us Feel

  • The sole aim of a remix is to stretch a song’s visibility and run in the market. But it must be done properly to ensure listeners get a fuller experience than the original song gave.

    Here are seven key points our fave artists need to take note off for better remixes.

    Remixes of “back in the days” were better

    P-Square’s Bizzy Body Remix featured Weird MC, Terry G’s Free Madness had part one, two and three; Ay.com’s Pass Me Your Luv Remix with Timaya, Yori Yori Remix with 2Face and Banky W’s Mr. Capable Remix all have different beats and song structures from their originals. Afrobeats remixes these days lack variety.

    Timing

    Always strike the iron while it’s hot. Don’t wait till a song’s hype has withered, and people are on to the next popping track or sound, before you release your remix. Tell me why Oxlade’s Ku Lo Sa Remix dropped long after the original reigned? For how well-loved the song was, it was sad to see people not care when the remix suddenly dropped.

    No budget

    Perception is everything; if a record isn’t playing on every street, it won’t give “jam”. So don’t just spend all your budget on getting Chris Brown on a remix, save some on promotion too.

    Valuable collaborators

    Based on impact and social currency, Cardi B would’ve been a more valuable feature on Unavailable than Latto. Some songs deserve remixes, but others should be left alone if you can’t get the most suitable collaborator.

    Obvious money grab

    Today’s remixes are mainly money grabs or for reach. The evidence is the lack of sonic chemistry between collaborators. What was happening with Omah Lay and Justin Bieber on the Attention Remix?

    Are local remixes no longer enough?

    It’s understandable that everyone wants a western artist’s name on their song for global reach. But we shouldn’t overlook the possibility of great collaborations with fellow homegrown artists entirely. Or are we not our brother’s keeper again?

    The features are too short

    These days, the average song lasts around two minutes. But remixes are worse, giving little space for the featured artists to show themselves. Just look at Skiibii’s Baddest Boy with Davido. We can’t continue like this.

  • Upcoming Nollywood  film Bank Alert has been trending since its trailer was released on November 13, 2023. The funny dialogue and the sight of the OG actors in the trailer has also helped build anticipation.

    But while we wait for the official release, we’ve looked around and found a few interesting details about the film.

    Bank Alert

    From the title we can tell one of its central themes will be about money. Its plot centres on a struggling family man, Sammy, who suddenly receives a whopping sum of ₦500m in his bank account. This man has no idea who the sender is but goes ahead to spend the money lavishly and puts his loved ones in harm’s way.

    Comedy-drama

    According to the producer, this is a comic film. Imagine the hilariousness when Okey Bakassi makes a statement about money ritual and Kanayo in a scene that has actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, the man he referenced in it.

    But Bank Alert is also a crime film, and it follows how the people of the underworld try to recover their ₦500 million.

    Director and producer

    The director of Bank Alert is Akay Mason. His previous directorial projects include Elevator Baby and Love In Pandemic. Wingonia Ikpi serves as the producer, collaborating with Sterling Bank and production companies, FilmOne Studio, Trino Motion Pictures and Tribal Marks Media.

    Okey Bakassi

    Aside from playing the lead actor, Okey Bakassi is also the co-producer of Bank Alert. Although not his first acting gig, this film is his first big-screen project.

    Veteran cast

    This film will give us a line-up of OGs actors like Taiwo Hassan (AKA Ogogo), Tina Mba, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Kate Henshaw. We’re in for a stellar performance.

    Cinema date

    The cinema release date is set for November 24th, 2023. In my opinion, this is a smart move from the team — it’s a day before salaries begin hitting bank accounts.

    READ: You Should Watch These Yoruba Nollywood Movies at Least Once in Your Life

  • It was a sunny Saturday on November 11, 2023. The premises of La Madison Place, Lagos, was buzzing with meat and party lovers who came together to experience the first ever Burning Ram by Zikoko.

    In case you missed it, or you knew about it and thought it was all hype — people hyped it because they trust Zikoko to deliver — everyone had fun. We didn’t want to go home. Just ask DJ Kiss, who played for us.

    These are the things you missed and how to fix up in 2024.

    Games

    People got into ludo, chess, jenga, table football, mini basketball and more.

    Meat

    The vendor stands had people enjoy suya and barbeque of all kinds, asun meat pie (and burger), nkwobi, small chops and a whole range of cocktails. The atmosphere was all delicious meat aroma and smoke.

    Movie time

    While people took pictures and made videos, patronised vendors and ate good food, others sat in a chilled tent and watched Avatar: The Way of Water, courtesy of FilmHouse Cinema and FilmOne Nigeria.

    Networking

    We made friends, exchanged compliments, contacts and IG handles, and could finally put faces to some of our online friends and internet neighbours. We met popular jingos like Joey Akan, Fu’ad Lawal, Emeneks, Dammy B, Hauwa L, Dwin the Stoic, Renike, Chigozie and many more.

    Ramsey the Ram

    It was a golden moment when Adeyinka paraded Ramsey, Burning Ram’s prized ram, as Blossom and Dammy (AKA the Dorime Sisters) followed, raising Jack Daniel’s bottles in the air.

    The raffle draw

    It wasn’t a play-play thing when we announced that one lucky guest will win a live ram. The big grill drum of raffle tickets was spun, and Chioma Katherine won our Ramsey. Imagine the joy of coming to Burning Ram and returning home with a ram. It’s equivalent to J Hus’ “came in a black Benz, left in a white one” lyrics.

    Fire breathers

    You might’ve seen fire dancers many times or even been one yourself, but have you seen fire dancers perform while tossing and spinning actual fire? These guys at Burning Ram danced all the legwork known and unknown while spitting flames out of their mouths. It was like Daenerys was in one corner whispering, “dracarys”.

    Eating competition

    When it was time to see who really brought an appetite to Burning Ram, fine guys and babes nominated themselves. With bowls of jollof rice and plenty meat before them, and a large, vocal audience around, they sat and devoured their plates. Others ate hot chicken wings while singing the Nigerian national anthem. Winners emerged and received stuffed bags of Burning Ram souvenirs.

    A rave

    DJ Kiss’ set buzzed loudly and N.A.T.E (Nathan Good luck) hyped us into party mode with a mix of afrobeats hits, classics like Konko Below and American pop that took us back to our younger years. We moved our bodies, jumped, screamed out lyrics and had maximum fun. 

    How to not miss a Zikoko event

    Be our friend

    Zikoko is alive on all social media platforms. Follow us and click the notification buttons to get all the updates. Subscribe to our newsletter, join our WhatsApp community, just be our best friends, and you’ll be first to know about our events as they roll out. 

    Get your tickets ASAP

    Secure your ticket before people rush it. You know how the saying goes; you snooze, you lose.

    Image Source: Prince Mazani

    Leave home on time

    You’ve followed us, gotten the gist about our next event and your tickets as soon as they drop, don’t wait till it’s ten minutes to party time before you leave the house on the day of the event. Well, except you like attending parties when they’re over or you’ve missed the major activities.

    Burning Ram is over, but this meaty playlist can still keep you going this week:

  • The nomination list of the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards dropped on November 10th, 2023, with a new category for African music called “Best African Music Performance.”

    Nigerian artists, Davido, Ayra Starr, Olamide, Asake, Bloody Civilian and Blessing Offor, all got their first Grammy nominations, joining the growing list of nominees that includes Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti and Tems.

    We bring you the list of categories and nominees you should care about.

    Record of the Year

    Worship – Jon Batiste

    Not Strong Enough – boygenius

    Flowers – Miley Cyrus

    What Was I Made For? (From Motion Picture Barbie) – Billie Eilish

    On My Mama – Victoria Monét

    Vampire – Olivia Rodrigo

    Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift

    Kill Bill – SZA

    Album of the Year

    World Music Radio – Jon Batiste

    the record – boygenius

    Endless Summer Vacation – Miley Cyrus

    Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey

    The Age of Pleasure – Janelle Monáe

    GUTS – Olivia Rodrigo

    Midnights – Taylor Swift

    SOS – SZA

    Song of the Year

    A&W – Jack Antonoff, Lana Del Rey and Sam Drew

    Anti-Hero – Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift

    Butterfly – Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson

    Dance the Night (From Barbie The Album) – Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt

    Flowers – Miley Cyrus, Gregory Aldae Hein and Michael Pollack

    Kill Bill – Rob Bisel, Carter Lang and Solána Rowe

    Vampire – Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo

    What Was I Made For? (From Motion Picture Barbie) – Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell

    Best New Artist

    Gracie Abrams

    Fred again..

    Jelly Roll

    Coco Jones

    Noah Kanan

    Victoria Monét

    The War and Treaty

    Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)

    Jack Antonoff

    Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II

    Hit-Boy

    Metro Boomin

    Daniel Nigro

    Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical)

    Edgar Barrera

    Jessie Jo Dilion

    Shane McAnally

    Theron Thomas

    Justin Tranter

    Best Pop Solo Performance

    Flowers – Miley Cyrus

    Paint The Town Red – Doja Cat

    What Was I Made For? (From The Motion Picture Barbie)

    Vampire – Olivia Rodrigo

    Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift

    Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

    Thousand Miles – Miley Cyrus

    Candy Necklace – Lana Del Rey feat. Job Batiste

    Never Felt So Alone – Labrinth feat. Billie Eilish

    Karma – Taylor Swift feat. Ice Spice

    Ghost In The Machine – SZA feat. Phoebe Bridgers

    Best Pop Vocal Album

    Chemistry – Kelly Clarkson

    Endless Summer Vacation – Miley Cyrus

    GUTS – Olivia Rodrigo

    – (Subtract) – Ed Sheeran

    Midnights – Taylor Swift

    Best Dance/Electronic Recording

    Blackbox Life Recorder 21F – Aphex Twin

    Loading – James Blake

    Higher Than Ever Before – Disclosure

    Strong – Romy and Fred again..

    Rumble – Skrillex, Fred again.. and Flowdan

    Best Pop Dance Recording

    Baby Don’t Hurt Me – David Guetta, Anne-Marie and Coi Leray

    Miracle – Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding

    Padam Padam – Kylie Minogue

    One In A Million – Bebe Rexha and David Guetta

    Rush – Troye Sivan

    Best Dance/Electronic Music Album

    Playing Robots Into Heaven – James Blake

    For That Beautiful Feeling – The Chemical Brothers

    Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) – Fred again..

    Kx5 – Kx5

    Quest For Fire – Skrillex

    Best Alternative Music Performance

    Belinda Says – Alvvays

    Body Paint – Arctic Monkeys

    Cool About It – boygenius

    A&W – Lana Del Rey

    This Is Why – Paramore

    Best Alternative Music Album

    The Car –Arctic Monkeys

    The Record – boygenius

    Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey

    Cracker Island – Gorillaz

    I Inside The Old Year Dying – PJ Harvey

    Best R&B Performance

    Summer Too Hot – Chris Brown

    Back To Love – Robert Glasper feat. SiR and Alex Isley

    ICU – Coco Jones

    How Does It Make You Feel – Victoria Monét

    Kill Bill – SZA

    Best Traditional R&B Performance

    Simple – Babyface feat. Coco Jones

    Lucky – Kenyon Dixon

    Hollywood – Victoria Monét feat. Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét

    Good Morning – PJ Morton feat. Susan Carol

    Love Language – SZA

    Best R&B Song

    Angel – Halle Bailey, Theron Feemster and Coleridge Tillman

    Back To Love – Darryl Andrew Farris, Robert Glasper and Alexandra Isley

    ICU – Darhyl Camper Jr., Courtney Jones, Raymond Komba and Roy Keisha Rockette

    On My Mama – Dernst Emile II, Jeff Gitelman, Victoria Monét, Kyla Moscovich, Jamil Pierre and Charles Williams

    Snooze – Kenny B. Edmonds, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, Solána Rowe and Leon Thomas

    Best Progressive R&B Album

    Since I Have A Lover – 6LACK

    The Love Album Off The Grid – Diddy

    Nova – Terrace Martin and James Fauntleroy

    The Age Of Pleasure – Janelle Monáe

    SOS – SZA

    Best R&B Album

    Girls Night Out – Babyface

    What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) – Coco Jones

    Special Occasion – Emily King

    JAGUAR II – Victoria Monét

    CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP – Summer Walker

    Best Rap Performance

    The Hillbillies – Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar

    Love Letter – Black Thought

    Rich Flex – Drake & 21 Savage

    SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS – Killer Mike feat. André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane

    Players – Coi Leray

    Best Melodic Rap Performance

    Sittin’ On Top Of The World – Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage

    Attention – Doja Cat

    Spin Bout U – Drake & 21 Savage

    All My Life – Lil Durk feat. J. Cole

    Low – SZA

    Best Rap Song

    Attention – Rogét Chahayed and Amala 

    Barbie World (From Barbie The Album – Isis Naija Gaston, Ephrem Louis Lopez Jr. & Onika Maraj, songwriters (Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice Featuring Aqua)

    Just Wanna Rock – Mohamad Camara, Symere Woods & Javier Mercado, songwriters (Lil Uzi Vert)

    Rich Flex – Brytavious Chambers, Isaac “Zac” De Boni, Aubrey Graham, J. Gwin, Anderson Hernandez, Michael “Finatik” Mule & Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, songwriters (Drake & 21 Savage)

    SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS – Andre Benjamin, Paul Beauregard, James Blake, Michael Render, Tim Moore & Dion Wilson, songwriters (Killer Mike Featuring André 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane)

    Best Rap Album

    Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage

    MICHAEL – Killer Mike

    HEROES & VILLIANS – Metro Boomin

    King’s Disease III – Nas

    UTOPIA – Travis Scott

    Best Spoken Word Poetry Album

    A-You’re Not Wrong B-They’re Not Either: The Fukc-It Pill Revisited – Queen Sheba

    For Your Consideration’24 -The Album – Prentice Powell and Shawn William

    Grocery Shopping With My Mother – Kevin Powell

    The Light Inside – J. Ivy

    When The Poems Do What They Do – Aja Monet

    Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music

    God Is Good – Stanley Brown Featuring Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard & Karen Clark Sheard; Stanley Brown, Karen V Clark Sheard, Kaylah Jiavanni Harvey, Rodney Jerkins, Elyse Victoria Johnson, J Drew Sheard II, Kierra Valencia Sheard & Hezekiah Walker, songwriters

    Feel Alright (Blessed) – Erica Campbell; Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, William Weatherspoon, Juan Winans & Marvin L. Winans, songwriters

    Lord Do It For Me (Live) – Zacardi Cortez; Marcus Calyen, Zacardi Cortez & Kerry Douglas, songwriters

    God Is – Melvin Crispell III

    All Things – Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter

    Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

    Believe – Blessing Offor; Hank Bentley & Blessing Offor, songwriters

    Firm Foundation (He Won’t) [Live] – Cody Carnes

    Thank God I Do – Lauren Daigle; Lauren Daigle & Jason Ingram, songwriters

    Love Me Like I Am – for KING & COUNTRY feat. Jordin Sparks

    Your Power – Lecrae & Tasha Cobbs Leonard

    God Problems – Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine; Daniel Bashta, Chris Davenport, Ryan Ellis & Naomi Raine, songwriters

    Best Gospel Album

    I Love You – Erica Campbell

    Hymns (Live) – Tasha Cobbs Leonard

    The Maverick Way – Maverick City Music

    My Truth – Jonathan McReynolds

    All Things New: Live In Orlando – Tye Tribbett

    Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

    My Tribe – Blessing Offor

    Emanuel – Da’ T.R.U.T.H.

    Lauren Daigle – Lauren Daigle

    Church Clothes 4 – Lecrae

    I Believe – Phil Wickham

    Best Roots Gospel Album

    Tribute To The King – The Blackwood Brothers Quartet

    Echoes Of The South – Blind Boys Of Alabama

    Songs That Pulled Me Through The Tough Times – Becky Isaacs Bowman

    Meet Me At The Cross – Brian Free & Assurance

    Shine: The Darker The Night The Brighter The Light – Gaither Vocal Band

    Best Global Music Performance

    Shadow Forces – Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily

    Alone – Burna Boy

    FEEL – Davido

    Milagro Y Disastre -Silvana Estrada

    Abundance In Millets – Falu & Gaurav Shah (Featuring PM Narendra Modi)

    Pashto – Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain Featuring Rakesh Chaurasia

    Todo Colores – Ibrahim Maalouf Featuring Cimafunk & Tank And The Bangas

    Best African Music Performance

    Amapiano – Asake & Olamide

    City Boys – Burna Boy

    UNAVAILABLE — Davido feat. Musa Keys

    Rush – Ayra Starr

    Water – Tyla

    Best Global Music Album

    Epifanías – Susana Baca

    History – Bokanté

    I Told Them… – Burna Boy

    Timeless – Davido

    This Moment – Shakti

    Best Reggae Album

    Born For Greatness – Buju Banton

    Simma – Beenie Man

    Cali Roots Riddim 2023 – Collie Buddz

    No Destroyer – Burning Spear

    Colors Of Royal – Julian Marley & Antaeus

    Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media

    AURORA – (Daisy Jones & The Six)

    Barbie The Album – (Various Artists)

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From And Inspired By – (Various Artists)

    Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3: Awesome Mix, Vol. 3 – (Various Artists)

    Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – Weird Al Yankovic

    Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television)

    Barbie – Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt (composers)

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Ludwig Göransson (composer)

    The Fabelmans – John Williams, (composer)

    Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny
    – John Williams (composer)

    Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson, (composer)

    Best Song Written For Visual Media

    Barbie World (From Barbie The Album) – Naija Gaston, Ephrem Louis Lopez Jr. and Onika Maraj, songwriters (Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice feat. Aqua)

    Dance The Night (From Barbie The Album) – Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Dua Lipa)

    I’m Just Ken (From Barbie The Album) – Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Ryan Gosling)

    Lift Me Up [From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From And Inspired By) – Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Robyn Fenty and Temilade Openiyi, songwriters (Rihanna)

    What Was I Made For? (From Barbie The Album) – Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

    Best Music Video

    I’m Only Sleeping – The Beatles 

    (Em Cooper, video director; Jonathan Clyde, Sophie Hilton, Sue Loughlin & Laura Thomas, video producers)

    In Your Love – Tyler Childers
    (Bryan Schlam, video director; Kacie Barton, Silas House, Nicholas Robespierre, Ian Thornton & Whitney Wolanin, video producers)

    What Was I Made For? – Billie Eilish
    (Billie Eilish, video director; Michelle An, Chelsea Dodson & David Moore, video producers)

    Count Me Out – Kendrick Lamar
    (Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar, video directors; Jason Baum & Jamie Rabineau, video producers)

    Rush – Troye Sivan
    (Gordon Von Steiner, video director; Kelly McGee, video producer)

    Find the full list here.

  • Many end-of-year music festivals and concerts will likely not happen this year because the promoters can no longer afford to book our afrobeats artists.

    But that isn’t reason enough to give up on your December enjoyment. If you really want to be in party mode throughout your holidays, you can still have maximum fun these ways.

    DJ and hypemen parties

    Since artists are now too expensive to book, it’s the turn of the DJs and hype-men to take centre stage. No lip-syncing or waiting for an artist to come three hours after the show starts.

    Indie shows

    If an artist you like, whether they’re C or Z-list, has a show, go and enjoy watching them live. There are many independent musicians and upcoming acts throwing shows this December. You get to support them, and they get to make enough money to put back into their music to make more music you lowkey love.

    Spend time in clubs

    You already know you’ll enjoy loud music, alcohol and dance. You already know your favourite club gives you joy every other weekend. But it’ll be pro-max in December. You’ll get to party with invited celebrities and all the big ballers in your city for longer than the usual party hours because it’s the holidays.

    Or go to the beach

    Lagos beaches move like clubs, with their own celebrity DJs. 

    Throw your own parties

    Gather your family, friends and loved ones and load up your favourite jams. Make it old-school, and everyone will be high on nostalgia, singing along till fuel finishes inside the generator (if you like, trust NEPA).

    Street carnivals

    If your street or estate has no plan to organise one, call a general meeting and give them the plan. Everyone will come together, have a good time and get to know that neighbour no one sees. You guys can even make estate merch to strengthen communal relationships.

    Do “Home Alone”

    If you want to be by yourself, that’s cool too. Eat some home-cooked food, drink up and turn up the music. Somebody say, “Macaulay Caulkin, we wanna party.”

    There’ll be music at our meat and grill festival in Lagos this Saturday. Get your ticket and enjoy the biggest meat cookout in Nigeria.

  • You may have heard that only musicians who tour eat good. There’s some truth to it, but it’s more feasible for big artists with solid fan-bases and enough hit songs to pull shows and crowds.

    If you’re not there yet, you can diversify your strategy and use your brand to make money online.

    Live streams

    Live streaming has become popular since the COVID pandemic, making musicians become creative by setting up virtual shows, selling tickets and performing online for their fans. Something similar happened at Rolling Loud this year;people who couldn’t be at the festival but wanted to be a part of it paid for Prime Video membership to watch the performances. 

    Employing this tactic as an artist might help to reach fans outside your location. Even if you’re shy to charge fans and streamers, a virtual tip jar is an option. Anyone God touches their heart will drop something for you.

    Streaming site revenue

    Get a music distributor to distribute your songs to multiple streaming services and you can turn your streams into money (Nothing for you if you use streaming farms).

    Also, scrap free download sites off your plans today.

    Digital downloads

    If you don’t use digital download sites like Bandcamp and Amazon Music, you can set up your website, upload your digital albums or singles and sell directly to your fans. No label, no middleman, no distro, just you.

    Make A Meme

    Merch sale

    Merch can be anything from physical (CDs, vinyls, t-shirts, hats, hoodies, stickers, et.) to digital NFTs, sheet music, stem files, etc.). You can package and put up items like for sale on a website.

    Fan subscriptions

    With a subscription option on your website, fans can subscribe and pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content like behind the scenes or rare footage, early access to new music, merch discount offers, etc. Charge a reasonable fee sha.

    YouTube channel

    If your music is used in a YouTube video that has an ad, YouTube ensures part of that ad money touches your hand because you’re the song’s rightful holder. You can also make money from the videos on your YouTube channel, but it depends on your subscribers and view numbers. The more, the merrier.

    Social video monetisation

    When your music is used in a video content on social media services like Facebook, TikTok and IG, some of it can reach you too. You just have to make sure you’ve enabled that with your distro.

    Online music lessons

    Whether you’re selling educational music materials (e-books, videos, audiobooks, etc) online to people who want to learn, or teaching music lessons through Google Meet or already-made video lessons — there’s money to be made. Just share great knowledge and unique perspectives.

    Take a break from thinking about money alone. Come out to Burning Ram on Saturday where the biggest meat and grill party will happen. Tickets are still selling here.