Afrobeats Head

Author: Chioma Ugo Nwachukwu

  • DEMS and De La Noise join forces on Afro House collaboration “Without Borders”

    DEMS and De La Noise join forces on Afro House collaboration “Without Borders”

    Dutch DJs and producers DEMS and De La Noise have released “Without Borders”, their first official collaboration, through Afroholic Records and Amajoyo Records on 16 October 2026.

    The track sits between Afro House and Afro Tech, built around rolling percussion, a heavy bassline and brooding synths. Its arrangement gradually builds from filtered percussion into a denser rhythmic section, with moments of silence and industrial-sounding electronic elements adding contrast and tension.

    “Without Borders” brings together the production styles of two artists with different paths through the electronic music scene. DEMS is known for blending melodic elements with driving Afro House and Afro Tech rhythms, with releases including “Exchange”, “Mandalorian” and “Money Check”.

    De La Noise, a Dutch DJ with more than two decades of experience, draws on Afro House, Afro Tech and uplifting house music. He is also the founder of Amajoyo, an Afro House platform and record label that has hosted artists including Nitefreak, Kasango and Kususa.

    In a joint statement, the artists explained that they had worked together on several projects before making “Without Borders” their first official release as a duo. They also described the track as a reflection of music’s ability to connect African and European electronic music scenes.

    The release preceded Amajoyo presents Afroholic at Amsterdam Dance Event on 23 October, a showcase featuring Nitefreak, De La Noise, Wilson Kentura, Thami The Unknown, Elson Soares, Randoree and Marinus.

    “Without Borders” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Brannen explores unresolved emotions on “Closure (All I Want Is)”

    Brannen explores unresolved emotions on “Closure (All I Want Is)”

    Scottish producer, musician and drummer Brannen examines the emotional weight of unfinished chapters on his latest release, “Closure (All I Want Is)”. The track centres on the feelings, memories and unanswered questions that remain when an experience has yet to find a clear ending.

    Drawing on his background in live music and more than two decades of musical experience, Brannen’s production combines melodic depth, atmospheric textures and driving electronic rhythms. His sound sits between melodic and progressive house, with an emphasis on harmony, gradual progression and emotive songwriting.

    His musical influences include Ben Böhmer, Marsh, Lane 8, Yotto and RÜFÜS DU SOL, alongside artists working across progressive and alternative electronic music.

    “Closure (All I Want Is)” follows previous releases “Tulips” and “Keep Dancing With Me”, continuing Brannen’s exploration of melody and atmosphere within electronic music.

    The song is available on streaming platforms.

  • loveoleglove’s “One Word (Dasha’s Version)” captures the aftermath of an argument

    loveoleglove’s “One Word (Dasha’s Version)” captures the aftermath of an argument

    “One Word (Dasha’s Version)” is the original Russian-language form of loveoleglove’s song “One Word”, with the English version released later. The track explores the aftermath of a phrase spoken during an argument and the emotional distance that follows.

    At the centre of the song is a relationship in which one person is still trying to repair the damage, while the other has stopped responding. The resulting silence leaves behind a sense of emotional emptiness.

    The song was written from within that experience, with the realisation preceding the lyrics and the music following afterwards. Its central idea is the attempt to understand what has happened while still searching for a way out of the pain.

    Musically, the track draws on melodic house, using atmospheric electronic textures to support the vocal and its emotional weight.

    A version not originally intended for release

    The Russian-language version was not initially intended for release. According to loveoleglove, the decision to make it public came after his youngest daughter encouraged him to release the track.

    “One Word (Dasha’s Version)” preserves that moment of realisation in sound, tracing the distance between a word spoken in anger and the consequences that follow.

  • Burna Boy and Paul Pogba reunite backstage after NFL Paris halftime show

    Burna Boy and Paul Pogba reunite backstage after NFL Paris halftime show

    Burna Boy and Paul Pogba reunited backstage at Stade de France following the singer’s halftime performance at the NFL Paris Game on Sunday.

    In a video circulating on social media, the Nigerian singer and French footballer embraced and exchanged greetings. “My brother, how you doing, bro? All good,” Pogba asked, prompting Burna Boy to reply, “Where the hell have you been, bro?”

    “I’ve been here, you are the one travelling,” Pogba responded.

    Burna Boy performed “Ye,” “Last Last” and “On the Low” during halftime of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ matchup against the New Orleans Saints, marking his return to Stade de France, where he became the first African artist to headline a solo concert in April 2025.

  • Burna Boy returns to Stade de France for NFL Paris halftime show

    Burna Boy returns to Stade de France for NFL Paris halftime show

    Burna Boy performed “Ye,” “Last Last” and “On the Low” during the halftime show at the NFL Paris Game on Sunday, October 25, at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France.

    The performance marked a return to the stadium for the Nigerian singer, who headlined a solo concert there on April 18, 2025. That show made him the first African artist to headline a solo concert at the venue.

    Burna Boy’s appearance at the NFL game follows Ayra Starr’s halftime performance at the NFL London Game on October 11. The Nigerian singer performed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.