Afrobeats Head

Author: Chioma Ugo Nwachukwu

  • Nathaniel Bassey becomes first African gospel artist to surpass 1 billion YouTube views

    Nathaniel Bassey becomes first African gospel artist to surpass 1 billion YouTube views

    Nigerian gospel singer and worship leader Nathaniel Bassey has become the first African gospel artist to surpass one billion total views on YouTube, marking a major milestone in his music and ministry career.

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    His official YouTube channel, Nathaniel Bassey Main, crossed the milestone in the final days of October 2026, with over 5.23 million subscribers and more than 480 uploaded videos.

    A significant part of the channel’s growth has come from the Hallelujah Challenge, the online praise and prayer gathering Bassey launched in June 2017. What began as a midnight worship session on Instagram Live has developed into a global online gathering, attracting participants from different countries through platforms including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

    The challenge features extended periods of praise, worship and prayer, with Bassey often leading participants through spontaneous worship sessions. Its growing reach has been reflected in the millions of views recorded by individual livestreams, including sessions from its 2026 editions.

    Beyond the Hallelujah Challenge, Bassey’s music catalogue has continued to attract audiences online. His popular worship songs include “Imela”, “Onise Iyanu”, “Olowogbogboro”, “Yahweh Sabaoth” and “Jesus Iye”.

    A recording artiste, songwriter, producer and trumpet player, Bassey began his music ministry as a member of several musical groups before going into full-time gospel ministry. He has released several projects, including “Elohim”, “The Son of God”, “This God Is Too Good”, “Hallelujah Again” and “The Names of God”.

  • Goodluck Jonathan, Emir of Kano Sanusi, others attend L.A.X and Ella’s Ijaw traditional wedding

    Goodluck Jonathan, Emir of Kano Sanusi, others attend L.A.X and Ella’s Ijaw traditional wedding

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and other prominent guests attended the Ijaw traditional wedding of Nigerian singer L.A.X and his wife, Ella, on Sunday, November 1.

    Former First Lady Patience Jonathan and the Oba of Elegushi, Oba Saheed Elegushi, were also present at the ceremony.

    The event brought together political and traditional leaders to celebrate the couple as they formalised their union through Ijaw wedding rites.

    The traditional wedding followed the couple’s Muslim Nikkah ceremony on Friday, October 30, and their wedding celebration in Malta.

    L.A.X, whose real name is Damilola Afolabi, is the son of businessman Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, founder and Group Chairman of SIFAX Group. The company has interests in maritime, aviation, logistics, oil and gas, financial services and hospitality.

    L.A.X is also an Executive Director at SIFAX Logistics, a subsidiary of the group.

    The couple had earlier held their family introduction in Warri, Delta State, in June, ahead of the wedding festivities.

  • Blaqbonez becomes first rapper to top UK Afrobeats Chart with Asake collaboration “IKEBE 3000”

    Blaqbonez becomes first rapper to top UK Afrobeats Chart with Asake collaboration “IKEBE 3000”

    Blaqbonez has made chart history as “IKEBE 3000”, his collaboration with Asake, reaches No. 1 on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart.

    The song climbed from No. 2 to the top spot in its fourth week on the chart, according to the latest ranking published by the Official Charts Company. It previously debuted at No. 2 and maintained that position for three consecutive weeks before moving to No. 1.

    The achievement makes Blaqbonez the first rapper to top the UK Official Afrobeats Chart.

    “IKEBE 3000” marks another collaboration between Blaqbonez and Asake, following their earlier joint effort “Chanel”.

  • Mavo Brings Out NO11 as He Performs ‘Money Constant’ at O2 Indigo Headline Show

    Mavo Brings Out NO11 as He Performs ‘Money Constant’ at O2 Indigo Headline Show

    Nigerian singer Mavo brought out fellow artist NO11 as a surprise guest during his headline show at indigo at The O2 in London on Friday, October 30.

    NO11 joined Mavo on stage to perform “How Far”, his viral collaboration with Ayjay Bobo and Monochrome. The song has gained traction on social media, making the guest appearance one of the notable moments of the night.

    Mavo also treated the audience to performances of his popular records, including “Money Constant”, featuring Wizkid, DJ Tunez and DJ Maphorisa. The track got fans singing along as he delivered one of the songs that has contributed to his growing popularity.

    He also performed “Escaladizzy”, the record that helped bring him into the spotlight and introduced his sound to a wider audience.

    The concert marked Mavo’s headline show at the 2,800-capacity London venue and formed part of his Business Crusade UK Tour.

  • Bloody Civilian Poses in Bikini as She Shares Highlights From A*POP Tour With Tyla

    Bloody Civilian Poses in Bikini as She Shares Highlights From A*POP Tour With Tyla

    Nigerian singer Bloody Civilian has shared photos from her time as a special guest on Tyla’s “A*POP” World Tour, including a picture of herself in a brown string bikini.

    Bloody Civilian stuns in a brown string bikini as she shared highlights of her time with Tyla on the “A*POP” tour

    In an Instagram post, the singer reflected on touring with the South African star, revisiting Liverpool, where she lived as a child, and taking a road trip around northern England.

    Bloody Civilian revealed that she lived in Liverpool as a child as she returned to the city to look for her favorite teacher

    “toured with @tyla my love, went back to Liverpool to look for my favorite teacher (I never mentioned it before but I lived there as a kid), rented a car and drove around the North (uk), stayed in an Airbnb and nearly got tetanus,” she wrote.

    Tyla announced Bloody Civilian and South African DJ Royal MusiQ as special guests on the European leg of her “A*POP” World Tour

    Tyla announced Bloody Civilian as a special guest on the European leg of her “A*POP” World Tour on October 1, alongside South African DJ and producer Royal MusiQ. Bloody Civilian was listed on selected dates, including performances in London and Manchester.