Afrobeats Head

Author: Chioma Ugo Nwachukwu

  • Tmax and Nolly blend Igbo and English on AfroGospel single “Check Am”

    Tmax and Nolly blend Igbo and English on AfroGospel single “Check Am”

    Tmax has released “Check Am,” a new AfroGospel single featuring pioneering indigenous gospel rapper Nolly.

    Performed in both Igbo and English, the track combines traditional highlife percussion and indigenous rhythms with contemporary Christian Afrobeats. Centered on themes of gratitude, testimony, and faith, “Check Am” celebrates God’s goodness through energetic production and bilingual lyricism.

    The collaboration brings together Tmax, whose music reflects his Nigerian roots while living in Canada, and Nolly, a pioneering figure in indigenous Christian hip-hop known for blending rap with Igbo and English lyrics. Together, they merge traditional African musical influences with modern gospel sounds that connect with listeners in Nigeria and across the diaspora.

    “Check Am” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • NEY B ONE explores love and emotional distance on “Perto Demais, Longe Demais”

    NEY B ONE explores love and emotional distance on “Perto Demais, Longe Demais”

    NEY B ONE has released “Perto Demais, Longe Demais” (“Too Close, Too Far”), a new Afrobeats single that examines the complexities of relationships shaped by different ways of expressing love.

    The song follows two people who care deeply for one another but struggle to bridge emotional distance. Through smooth melodies and Afrobeat-inspired rhythms, it explores themes of vulnerability, attachment, and the challenge of balancing the need for closeness with the need for personal space.

    Originally from Guinea-Bissau and now based in Germany, NEY B ONE blends Afrobeat, Afropop, and Lusophone influences in music that reflects his multicultural background and focuses on personal storytelling.

    “Perto Demais, Longe Demais” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Olorunfemi continues his solar system-inspired lo-fi series with ‘Uranus (Double Pulsar)’

    Olorunfemi continues his solar system-inspired lo-fi series with ‘Uranus (Double Pulsar)’

    UK-based Nigerian producer Olorunfemi, who records as Beat By Femi, has released Uranus (Double Pulsar), the latest installment in his ongoing series of space-inspired lo-fi projects.

    The EP follows earlier releases including Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn (Sátúrùn), Jupiter, and Moonlight, each drawing inspiration from different celestial bodies. Across Uranus (Double Pulsar), warm melodies, ambient textures, and understated rhythms come together to create instrumental music intended for relaxation, focus, and quiet reflection.

    Originally from Ogun State, Nigeria, Olorunfemi combines cinematic lo-fi production with subtle African influences, developing a body of work that explores themes of space, atmosphere, and contemplation through instrumental soundscapes.

    Uranus (Double Pulsar) is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Julian Faith pays tribute to Finland’s landscapes on “The Call of the Wild”

    Julian Faith pays tribute to Finland’s landscapes on “The Call of the Wild”

    Julian Faith has released “The Call of the Wild,” an electronic track that blends breaks, rave, and experimental influences while drawing inspiration from Finland’s natural landscapes.

    Built around driving rhythms, atmospheric production, and mantra-like vocal chants, the largely instrumental composition reflects the experience of hiking through forests and the remote fells of Finnish Lapland. Rather than following a traditional song structure, the track focuses on creating an immersive atmosphere inspired by solitude and the connection between people and nature.

    According to Julian Faith, “The Call of the Wild” was inspired by time spent exploring Finland’s wilderness, translating the feeling of quiet, open landscapes into an electronic soundscape that balances energetic beats with reflective textures.

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    “The Call of the Wild” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Tenna Star explores cinematic liquid drum & bass on “Wake The Town”

    Tenna Star explores cinematic liquid drum & bass on “Wake The Town”

    Tenna Star has released “Wake The Town,” a melodic drum & bass single featuring producers Chr1s Love and Kos Dillon.

    Influenced by the atmospheric side of liquid drum & bass, the track combines rolling breakbeats with warm trumpet melodies, layered synthesizers, and cinematic production. Rather than relying solely on high-energy rhythms, “Wake The Town” alternates between reflective passages and more expansive moments, creating a sound that balances movement with emotion.

    The collaboration highlights the evolving direction of contemporary drum & bass, drawing on melodic textures while incorporating live instrumental elements that give the production a distinctive character.

    “Wake The Town” is out now on streaming platforms.