Davido’s “Oriade” reportedly lost more than 1.34 million Spotify streams on Tuesday amid the platform’s latest removal of streams identified as artificial.
ChartsAfrica reported the figure on X, attributing the drop to Spotify’s monthly purge of fraudulent activity.
Spotify says it conducts regular cleaning to remove artificial streams from public figures. The platform defines artificial streams as plays that do not reflect genuine listening intent, including streams generated through automated processes, and says confirmed cases can result in public stream numbers being corrected.
“Oriadé,” Davido’s sixth studio album, was released on July 31, 2026. The 13-track project includes collaborations with artists including Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura, Leon Thomas, Mayorkun, FOLA and Llona.
Davido has fired back at fellow Nigerian rapper Erigga after Erigga praised musicians who built their careers without coming from family money.
Erigga wrote on X: “Shoutout to all the musicians who don’t come from family money and had to grind for every single dollar they earn.”
Davido responded to the post by pointing to artists who come from wealthy families but still worked to build successful careers.
“No be we say make your pops no guard o,” Davido wrote. “Shoutout to the ones that came from family money and still grind to the top. Comot here with that your useless motivation … imb3cile.”
Davido is the son of Nigerian businessman Adedeji Adeleke. His response appeared to challenge the idea that artists from wealthy families should be excluded from conversations about hard work and perseverance.
Erigga’s original post did not explicitly name any musician.
Shenseea and Yung Miami are drawing attention on X over a reference to “Nigerian scammers” on the international remix of Yung Miami’s “Spend Dat.”
Released on August 27, the remix features Shenseea, Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido and Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel. Shenseea opens the track with a verse referencing scammers from the Caribbean and Africa, including Nigerians, before Davido and Vybz Kartel add their own verses.
The line has since become a talking point online, with reactions focusing on the use of the “Nigerian scammer” stereotype in a song that also features Davido.
The discussion has also extended beyond X. During a recent episode of The Breakfast Club, host Charlamagne Tha God reacted to the line while listening to the remix, joking about the stereotype.
“Spend Dat” originally reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, according to Complex, while the international remix was released alongside a separate U.S. remix featuring Lil Baby and Kodak Black.
Victony has made his debut on the US Billboard World Albums chart, with his sophomore album “STARLIFE” opening at No. 20.
The chart entry marks the Nigerian singer’s first appearance on the World Albums ranking, following the release of the 15-track album on August 21. “STARLIFE” was released through OUTLAWVILLE under exclusive global licence to Encore Recordings.
The album’s release came a week later than originally planned. Victony had initially announced August 14 as the release date for “STARLIFE”, the same day Ayra Starr was scheduled to release her third studio album, “Starrgirl”.
Following criticism from fans over the scheduling, the release was moved to August 21. “Starrgirl” ultimately arrived as planned on August 14, giving Ayra Starr a full week before “STARLIFE” entered the market.
Despite the delay, “STARLIFE” opened strongly in Nigeria, reaching No. 1 on the Apple Music Nigeria Albums chart following its release.
The project expands on the sound Victony established with his 2024 debut album “Stubborn”, moving between Afrobeats, R&B and other contemporary influences. The 15-track album features appearances from BNXN, Blaqbonez, YKB, Young Jonn, Babyboy AV and FOLA, among others.
The album’s creative direction also reflects a more relaxed side of Victony. In an interview published ahead of its release, he described the project as a reflection of freedom, authenticity and having fun with his music. The project itself grew considerably during its creation: what began as a planned four-track EP eventually developed into a full-length album after the recording process continued to expand.
With its No. 20 debut on the Billboard World Albums chart, “STARLIFE” gives Victony his first entry on the US chart and adds another international milestone to the album’s early run.
ODUMODUBLVCK’s legal representatives have said the rapper is not wanted by the Nigeria Police Force and has no outstanding arrest warrant, following an attempted arrest in Lagos on August 29.
In a statement dated August 31, the lawyers representing Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu, known professionally as Odumodublvck, said the rapper has not evaded or resisted any lawful process and has responded to legitimate police invitations through his legal team.
According to the statement, the matter that allegedly led to the attempted arrest is already being handled by the Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit and is also before an Abuja Magistrate Court.
The legal team argued that because the matter is pending before the court, it should not have resulted in a separate invitation or attempted arrest by another police command.
They said a formal response addressing what they described as a duplication of investigative activity across multiple police commands has been sent to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Lagos State Police Command, with a copy sent to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2.
The lawyers have also requested an urgent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the events of August 29.
The statement further said Odumodublvck continues to cooperate with the appropriate authorities through his legal representatives and remains committed to due process.
The legal team urged the public and media to disregard speculation about the matter and rely on verified statements from his representatives.
The statement was signed by Adokiye, legal representative to Tochukwu Gbubemi Ojogwu.
ODUMODUBLVCK reportedly faced an attempted arrest after performing at BOHO on Saturday morning.
Daygenius, an associate of the rapper and podcaster, claimed in a post that individuals attempted to arrest ODUMODUBLVCK following his performance.
At the club this morning, they tried to illegally arrest ODUMODUBLVCK after his electrifying performance at BOHO. He showed them a document that nullified the arrest. Shebi the matter dey court, and his lawyers are attending to it. Why are they trying to illegally pick him just… pic.twitter.com/rWXP0OiWOa
According to Daygenius, the rapper presented a court document that prevented the arrest from going ahead. He also stated that the matter is already before the court and that ODUMODUBLVCK’s lawyers are handling it.
The circumstances surrounding the reported incident, including the identity of those who allegedly attempted to make the arrest and the basis for it, have not been independently confirmed.
Afrobeats Head will update this story as more information becomes available.
The rapper appears in the video alongside her Vixens, with the group wearing pieces from the Nigerian label as part of the video’s styling.
Meji Meji is a Nigerian fashion label known for its contemporary designs, and its pieces have previously been worn by Nigerian entertainers and personalities.
The appearance adds Meji Meji to the fashion credits of Cardi B’s latest visual, connecting the Nigerian label with one of the biggest names in American hip-hop.
Seyi Vibez has announced his forthcoming album, “Swaguu,” with Burna Boy attached as executive producer.
The 14-track project is set for release on September 18.
The album follows the pair’s 2023 collaboration on “Giza,” which appeared on Burna Boy’s “I Told Them…” album. Released in August 2023, the song featured Seyi Vibez and was later accompanied by a music video directed by TG Omori.
Seyi Vibez released two albums in 2023, “Vibe Till Thy Kingdom Come” and “Thy Kingdom Come,” before following with “Loseyi Professor” in 2024 and “Fuji Moto” in 2025.
“Swaguu” will mark Seyi Vibez’s latest full-length release. Further details about the album’s tracklist and Burna Boy’s contributions have not been disclosed.
“Swaguu” will be available on streaming platforms from September 18.
Poco Lee is due back at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026, for plea and trial preparation.
The case follows earlier reports concerning allegations against the dancer. His management and legal representatives have previously urged the public to allow the legal process to take its course.
Poco Lee has not been convicted of any offence, and the charges remain allegations.
Dolly Parton’s music is seeing renewed interest in Nigeria following the country music icon’s death on August 25, with two of her classic songs appearing on Spotify Nigeria’s Daily Top Songs chart for the first time in her career.
“Coat of Many Colors” debuted at No. 126 with 40,086 streams, while “Jolene” entered at No. 155 with 36,015 streams.
Parton also made her first appearance on Spotify Nigeria’s Daily Top Artists chart, debuting at No. 42.
The chart appearances come after Parton died at 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her death prompted an international outpouring of tributes and renewed attention to her catalogue, including songs that have remained influential across generations.
Released in 1971, “Coat of Many Colors” is one of Parton’s most personal songs, drawing from her childhood and her family’s financial struggles. “Jolene,” released in 1973, became one of her signature songs and has since been covered and reinterpreted by artists across different generations and genres.
Their appearance on the Nigerian chart highlights the renewed reach of Parton’s catalogue following her death, extending beyond the country music audience that made her a global star.
Nigerian singer Siraheem, born Raheem Okoya, has announced his decision to stop releasing new music, describing the move as a “professional exit” from the music industry.
The singer shared the announcement in a statement on Wednesday, reflecting on a musical journey that began as a hobby with his friends before becoming a professional pursuit.
“My career began simply; music was a hobby I made with my boys as a means of bonding and connection before it was anything else,” he wrote.
According to Siraheem, balancing music with his other commitments has become increasingly difficult over the past year. He said he no longer feels able to give music the “effort, patience, and dedication” it deserves.
“So I owe it to my true fans, and to my colleagues in this industry, a professional exit. I have decided to stop putting out new music,” he said.
Siraheem’s music career included songs such as “Bad Bitch Syndrome” and “Credit Alert”, as well as collaborations with artists including Teni and Bloody Civilian. “Bad Bitch Syndrome Part II”, featuring Teni, Bloody Civilian and Deto Black, was released in May 2026.
His decision comes as he continues to balance music with his corporate responsibilities. Siraheem is an executive director at Eleganza Industrial City Limited, the company founded by his father, billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya. Earlier this year, he discussed the difficulty of managing both careers, describing the executive role as demanding while also pursuing music.
Despite stepping away from music professionally, Siraheem said his creativity is not going anywhere. He plans to explore other creative fields and return with new ventures.
“The ‘Siraheem music’ era may be closing, but the creative in me is still hungry for new challenges,” he said.
He also revealed that he has an unreleased album recorded over the past year, which he considers some of his best material yet. While he has decided against putting out new music for now, he suggested the project could still be released in the future.
“Music still remains therapeutic for me,” he wrote. “With time, maybe the album finds its way into the world somehow after all.”
Siraheem thanked the fans, colleagues and supporters who invested in his music career, saying he was grateful for the opportunity to pursue the dream.
For now, the singer appears to be closing the music chapter while leaving the door open to whatever comes next.
Poco Lee’s team has denied reports that the Nigerian dancer is facing allegations of drink spiking in the UK.
In a statement on Tuesday, the team said “drink spiking” does not form part of the allegations or charges before the court and urged the public to disregard unverified reports.
Poco Lee, whose real name is Iweh Pascal Odinaka, is currently facing a UK court case over separate allegations. He is due to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 15, 2026.
His team stressed that the allegations remain unproven and that the case should be allowed to proceed through the legal process.
The Headies has unveiled the nominees for its 18th edition, with Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Mavo, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake and several of Nigeria’s leading artists featuring across the categories.
The nominations were announced on Tuesday, August 25, ahead of the ceremony, which will take place on October 25 in Toronto, Canada. The 18th edition is themed “Africa to the World,” marking another international outing for the Nigerian music awards.
Wizkid is among the most nominated artists this year, picking up six nominations. His 2024 album Morayo is in contention for Afrobeats Album of the Year, while he is also nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste and Headies’ Viewers’ Choice. His collaborations with Asake on “MMS” and “Jogodo” are nominated for Song of the Year and Afrobeats Single of the Year respectively.
Ayra Starr has five nominations, including Song of the Year for “Hot Body”, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Female Artiste, Best Performer (Live) for her Global Citizen Festival 2025 performance, and Headies’ Viewers’ Choice.
The nominations also give significant recognition to Mavo, who is shortlisted for Next Rated alongside Fido, Fola, Llona and Shoday. He is also nominated for Digital Artiste of the Year and Best Male Artiste.
Fola is another prominent name among the emerging acts, earning nominations for Next Rated, Digital Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste, Best R&B Album for Catharsis, and categories recognising his songs “You” and “Who Does That?”.
Elsewhere, Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You” is nominated for Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year and Best Recording of the Year, while Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness competes for Afrobeats Album of the Year. Burna Boy is also nominated for Best Male Artiste, with “Bundle by Bundle” receiving an Afrobeats Single of the Year nomination.
The Song of the Year category brings together Kunmie’s “Arike”, “Hey Jago” by Poco Lee, Shoday and Rahman Jago, Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body”, Fido’s “Joy Is Coming”, Asake and Wizkid’s “MMS”, and Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You”.
For Afrobeats Single of the Year, the nominees are Rema’s “Fun”, Asake and Wizkid’s “Jogodo”, Shallipopi’s “Laho”, Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You”, Fola’s “You”, and Burna Boy’s “Bundle by Bundle”.
The 2026 nominations follow an eligibility period covering music released between August 1, 2024 and April 30, 2026.
The 18th Headies will hold on October 25, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
Meeting your favourite artist can be surreal. For one Ayra Starr fan, the moment apparently required a little physical verification.
During Ayra Starr’s “Starrgirl” fan signing pop-up in Camden, London, a fan shared a TikTok showing herself embracing the singer before pinching her.
Ayra immediately winced in pain, seemingly caught off guard by the unexpected pinch, while the fan appeared to be confirming that the singer was, in fact, real.
The interaction has since made its rounds online, turning what was already a memorable fan encounter into a particularly funny one.
Ayra was in Camden for the “Starrgirl” fan signing, with footage from the event showing her meeting fans and signing copies of her latest album.
The Camden appearance forms part of the rollout for Starrgirl, Ayra’s third studio album, which was released in August 2026. The project continues the singer’s evolution from the breakout success of “Rush” into one of Afrobeats’ most recognisable young stars.
For this fan, though, meeting Starrgirl wasn’t quite enough. She needed to make sure the Starrgirl in front of her wasn’t a very convincing hologram.
And apparently, a pinch was the best way to find out.
Davido has revealed that Wande Coal had been trying to reach him weeks before their recent exchange over the unreleased “Come My Way” collaboration.
Speaking during a TV interview shortly after the artists traded words on X, Davido said Wande had asked for his phone number about two weeks earlier. He said he instructed the person who received the request not to share it.
Davido also showed a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation dated July 22. In the exchange, someone informed him that Wande had been asking for his number and asked whether they should give it to him.
According to Davido, he declined and said Wande was “acting like a baby.”
The revelation comes after the two artists publicly disagreed over “Come My Way”, a collaboration that gained attention through its unreleased snippet.
Davido previously explained that Wande had contacted him to record a verse for the song, but that he did not agree with the proposed plan to release Wande’s version first and add his contribution later as a remix.
Wande responded that Davido was trying to dictate the release of a song that was not his, adding that the song had already done well without him.
The exchange then became more personal, with Davido calling Wande “Mr Little 🍆” and Wande responding with “Mr. Toto beggar 😂.”
Davido’s latest comments add another layer to the disagreement, suggesting that Wande had attempted to establish direct contact before the exchange played out publicly.
Seyi Vibez has called out chef Hilda Baci in a series of posts on X as his dispute with his former label boss Dapper Music continues.
Seyi Vibez and Dapper Music parted ways in September 2024 after the singer had been signed to the label. Hilda Baci has been in a long-term relationship with Dapper.
In one of his posts, Seyi Vibez alleged that Hilda Baci’s BBL was funded with income generated from the catalogues of artists signed to Dapper Music. He did not provide evidence for the allegation.
In another post, the singer alleged that he nearly died after eating food prepared by Hilda Baci. He also did not provide evidence to support the claim.
The posts came on the same day that T.I Blaze, another artist signed to Dapper Music, publicly accused the label of licensing his intellectual property without his agreement. T.I Blaze did not provide further details about the alleged licensing arrangement in the post.
T.I Blaze has publicly called out Dapper Music, accusing the label of licensing his intellectual property without his agreement and questioning how revenue from his music has been handled.
In a post shared on X on August 14, the singer asked how Dapper Music could license another person’s intellectual property “without mutual agreement,” adding that the label had “finally” filled its cup.
In another post, T.I Blaze questioned the involvement of Virgin Music in the business relationship, referring to an alleged 30 percent share and asking whose portion Virgin was receiving. He also questioned how ₦1.2 billion in revenue had gone “unexplained” and called on Dapper Music to provide answers.
T.I Blaze also revealed that his contract with the label had expired. He said he had waited seven months without releasing new music and claimed that Dapper Music had asked him for $185,000 after generating more than ₦1 billion in revenue. He rejected the demand and said he would instead pay for his catalogue to be returned.
The posts come amid renewed scrutiny of Dapper Music’s relationships with artists signed to the label, with Seyi Vibez also publicly criticizing his former label boss earlier in the day. T.I Blaze remains signed to Dapper Music.
Fenty Beauty has sent Ayra Starr a bouquet of purple flowers following the release of her third studio album, “Starrgirl.”
Ayra Starr shared the flowers from the brand which was founded by Rihanna, on her Instagram Story as the album rollout continues to centre the colour purple. The colour has featured prominently in the project’s visual campaign, including images in which her signature purple gele was digitally placed on iconic landmarks.
In one of the images shared ahead of the album’s release, the Statue of Liberty appears wearing a purple gele, while another image places the gele on the Hollywood Sign.
The purple theme has also appeared in Lagos, where purple fireworks were set off on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge following the album’s release.
“Starrgirl” is a 16-track project featuring Wizkid, Rema, Zayn Malik, Leon Thomas, Danny Ocean, Theodora and Kwin. The album includes previously released tracks such as “Gimme Dat,” “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl” and “Tornado.”
The bouquet from Fenty Beauty adds another moment to the purple-themed rollout surrounding “Starrgirl.”
Ayra Starr’s third studio album, “Starrgirl,” has been marked by a series of purple-themed visuals, including a fireworks display on Lagos’ Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.
The display follows earlier imagery shared by Ayra Starr as part of the album rollout, in which the purple gele associated with her new era was digitally placed on iconic landmarks. The Statue of Liberty was depicted wearing the gele, while another version was placed on the Hollywood Sign.
The concept has also carried into Lagos, with the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge illuminated by purple fireworks following the album’s release.
“Starrgirl” is a 16-track project featuring Wizkid, Rema, Zayn Malik, Leon Thomas, Danny Ocean, Theodora and Kwin. It includes the previously released tracks “Gimme Dat,” “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl” and “Tornado.”
The purple imagery has become one of the defining visual elements of the album rollout, connecting the international landmarks with Ayra Starr’s home city of Lagos.
Ayra Starr has released her third studio album, “Starrgirl,” a 16-track project featuring collaborations with Wizkid, Rema, Zayn Malik, Leon Thomas, Danny Ocean, Theodora and Kwin.
The album includes the previously released singles “Gimme Dat,” “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl” and “Tornado,” alongside 12 new tracks.
The release also introduces a visual identity built around the colour purple, with Ayra Starr adopting the purple gele as a signature element of the album era.
Cyril Thys has released “Paris Dafay Yengu,” a 2026 single that incorporates Wolof-language vocals.
The track was released on July 30, 2026, and runs for 2 minutes and 48 seconds. It is among Thys’ recent releases, following singles including “Wi Deh Ina War,” “So” and “Dedicass lache toa.”
Nigerian artist IdyMee explores pressure, struggle and ambition on “Paddy,” an Afro-fusion track that combines melodic Afrobeats with a street-inspired sound.
The song draws from lived experiences and the challenges of navigating uncertainty while pursuing bigger goals. IdyMee delivers the track through a melodic vocal style, with reflective songwriting at the center of the record.
VOS has released “JABULA,” an Afro House track built around a four-on-the-floor rhythm, log drums, shakers, hand percussion and a rolling bassline.
The song uses Zulu-inspired call-and-response vocals, with the word “jabula” meaning “to be happy” or “to rejoice” in Zulu. The vocal arrangement moves from a lead chant into a repeated refrain that is answered by a crowd.
The accompanying music video follows a group of dancers across a single night, beginning with one person dancing alone before gradually bringing more people into the scene. The video was created, produced and visually directed by VOS.
Nigerian artist Tdooooo explores loss, hardship and emotional struggle on his latest Afrobeats release, “Booze.”
Dedicated to his late uncle, the song draws from experiences of grief and the difficulties surrounding mental, emotional, financial and spiritual struggles. Alcohol features prominently in the story, but the track approaches it as a coping mechanism rather than something to celebrate.
Musically, “Booze” combines contemporary Afrobeats and Afro-fusion with melodic vocals and emotionally driven songwriting. Tdooooo uses the song to examine the ways people can respond to difficult circumstances when they feel they have run out of options.
Despite its subject matter, the song ultimately leaves room for the possibility of finding a way forward through difficult periods.
Lumina Adictiva has released “Suavecito”, a Spanish-language single that blends Latin influences with contemporary Afro-dance sounds.
The track combines Afrobeats and Amapiano elements with Latin-pop influences, with Spanish vocals sitting over a percussion-led production.
“Suavecito” is part of Lumina Adictiva’s growing catalogue, which includes previous releases such as “Animal”, “Bahia”, “Pistolero” and “La Alegría Es Medicina”.
The song explores themes of sensuality and attraction, continuing the artist’s focus on urban and Latin-influenced sounds.
Chris Siegel has released “Ride For Me”, a dance track drawing from Dancehall, Reggaeton and hybrid electronic pop.
The track combines electronic production with rhythmic influences from Dancehall and Reggaeton, placing it within Siegel’s broader approach to blending electronic music with R&B, pop and Caribbean sounds.
“Ride For Me” follows Siegel’s earlier releases, including his experimental debut single “Jersey”, and work released through OTODAYO, Sundae Sauuce and noh life.
