Afrobeats Head

Author: Chioma Ugo Nwachukwu

  • Shakira submits Burna Boy collaboration “Dai Dai” for 2027 Grammys

    Shakira submits Burna Boy collaboration “Dai Dai” for 2027 Grammys

    Colombian singer Shakira has submitted six entries for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards, including “Dai Dai,” her collaboration with Nigerian singer Burna Boy, according to a list shared by The Grammy Guru and published by Showbiz by PS.

    “Dai Dai,” released as an official song for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was submitted for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Global Music Performance and Best Music Video. The song blends Afrobeats with Caribbean influences and features vocals from both artists. Shakira previously said she waited about 20 days for Burna Boy to deliver his verse before completing the track.

    Burna Boy and Shakira perform “Dai Dai” at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony

    Shakira also submitted “Zoo” for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media and Best Music Video. “Choka Choka” was entered for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Music Video.

    Her “Hips Don’t Lie (Anniversary Edition),” featuring Ed Sheeran and Beéle, was submitted for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. “Algo Tú” was entered for Best Latin Song, while the Clean Bandit remix of “Dai Dai” was submitted for Best Remixed Recording.

    “Dai Dai” has also performed strongly in Germany, where it spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the official singles chart, according to Sony Music Germany. The label reported in October that the track had earned a Gold certification in the country.

    These are submissions for consideration, not confirmed Grammy nominations. The Recording Academy’s first-round voting runs from October 12 to 22, with nominees for the 2027 awards scheduled to be announced on November 16. The ceremony will take place on February 7, 2027, in Los Angeles.

  • Davido submits “Oriadé” and four songs for 2027 Grammy consideration

    Davido submits “Oriadé” and four songs for 2027 Grammy consideration

    Nigerian singer Davido has submitted his album “Oriadé” and four songs for consideration in multiple categories at the 2027 Grammy Awards, according to a list shared by The Grammy Guru.

    “Oriadé,” released on July 31, 2026, was submitted for Album of the Year, Best Global Music Album, Best Engineered Album and Best Album Cover. The 13-track album draws on Afrobeats and other influences, with songs including “B4 B4,” featuring Mayorkun and FOLA, and “Nakupenda.”

    Davido/Oriadé

    “B4 B4” was submitted for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance. “Nakupenda” was submitted for Song of the Year and Best African Music Performance, while “Le Show” was entered in the Best African Music Performance category. “I Know Who I Be” was submitted for Best Music Video.

    These entries are submissions for consideration, not confirmed nominations. According to the Recording Academy, submissions are reviewed for eligibility before voting members determine the nominees. The 2027 Grammy nominations are scheduled to be announced on November 16, 2026, ahead of the ceremony on February 7, 2027, in Los Angeles.

  • Tems submits Justin Bieber and Dave collaborations for 2027 Grammys

    Tems submits Justin Bieber and Dave collaborations for 2027 Grammys

    Nigerian singer Tems has submitted her EP “Love Is a Kingdom” and four songs for consideration in multiple categories at the 2027 Grammy Awards, according to a list shared by The Grammy Guru.

    Tems and Justin Bieber perform at Coachella 2026

    The submissions include “I Think You’re Special,” her collaboration with Justin Bieber, and “Raindance,” featuring British rapper Dave.

    “Love Is a Kingdom” was submitted for Album of the Year, Best Global Music Album, Best Engineered Album and Best Album Cover. “Raindance” was submitted for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Melodic Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video.

    Her song “What You Need” was submitted for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Solo Performance, Best R&B Song and Best Music Video. “Big Daddy” was submitted for Best African Music Performance, while “I Think You’re Special,” featuring Justin Bieber, was submitted for Best R&B Duo/Group Performance.

    Tems and Dave for their collaboration “Raindance”

    These are submissions for consideration, not confirmed Grammy nominations. The Recording Academy’s first-round voting runs from October 12 to 22, with nominees for the 2027 awards scheduled to be announced on November 16. The ceremony will take place on February 7, 2027, in Los Angeles.

  • Temidayo Balogun and AKÉDE release new album “Afrolution”

    Temidayo Balogun and AKÉDE release new album “Afrolution”

    Temidayo Balogun and AKÉDE released their album “Afrolution” on July 3, 2026, through BTmA Records. The project explores African political thought, Pan-Africanism and the relationship between African musical traditions and jazz.

    The album’s title is derived from “Afro-centric Solution,” a concept centred on addressing Africa’s challenges through ideas and approaches rooted in African perspectives and experiences. Its themes include self-determination, collective responsibility and the legacy of colonialism, drawing on the Pan-African ideas of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.

    Across the project, the music incorporates African traditions, jazz and political commentary. “Ori I: Concept of Democracy” draws on Yoruba cosmology and the concept of Ori, which refers to an individual’s inner essence or destiny. Its companion piece, “Ori II,” continues the exploration of personal agency and the role of individual conviction in social change.

    “Òṣùṣù Ọwọ̀,” which translates to a bound broom, uses Yoruba percussion instruments including dùndún, omele, agogo and sekere. The composition draws on Yoruba rhythmic structures and language to explore unity and collective strength.

    Other tracks address African political history and activism. “African Revolution” incorporates a musical motif derived from elements of South Africa’s national anthem, while “ttowgfuth – Jan 17th 1961” references Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese independence leader assassinated on January 17, 1961. “Struggle Continues” commemorates the 2020 #EndSARS protests and connects the movement to the album’s wider themes of political change and African self-determination.

    “Afrolution” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Joyceamara releases new single “Omo, I Don Blow”

    Joyceamara releases new single “Omo, I Don Blow”

    Independent artist Joyceamara released “Omo, I Don Blow” on October 2, 2026. The Afrobeats and Afropop track explores gratitude, personal progress and the experience of achieving something once hoped for.

    The song centres on a breakthrough after a period of effort and prayer. Its lyrics include the lines, “My enemies dey wonder, ‘Wetin happen?’ / I tell dem, ‘Na God, no be connection,’” framing the artist’s success as a result of faith rather than personal connections.

    Released through Joyceamara Music, the track combines rhythmic Afrobeats production with melodic vocals. Joyceamara’s music draws on Afrobeats, Afropop, Afro-fusion and R&B, with themes including ambition, love and resilience.

    “Omo I Don Blow” is available on streaming platforms.