Afrobeats Head

Blog

  • Eylsia Nicolas returns to music with contemporary pop single “If You Were Here”

    Eylsia Nicolas returns to music with contemporary pop single “If You Were Here”

    Eylsia Nicolas explores contemporary pop on her latest single, “If You Were Here,” following an unusual path into music that has included professional tennis, technology and a period away from singing.

    Before pursuing music, Eylsia competed in tennis, winning the Irish Open and appearing at Wimbledon and the US Open after entering the Orange Bowl at 10.

    An injury eventually ended her tennis career, after which she moved into music and technology. She later worked in Hollywood on a patented CD format and held executive and academic positions.

    Music remained part of her life, but a subsequent health setback made singing impossible. Eylsia says she lost part of her lung capacity and sustained damage to her vocal cords, leading to a long recovery.

    She eventually returned to creating music through work involving 3D spatial audio and restoration technology developed by her R&D team, which she says helped her rebuild enough of her voice to sing again.

    “If You Were Here” marks a return to music after that period. While Eylsia has explored different languages and orchestral approaches in her work, she describes the new song as contemporary pop at its core.

    The release follows a period in which her music has found an audience in parts of Asia.

    “If You Were Here” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Wave Limit releases “Shake Body”

    Wave Limit releases “Shake Body”

    Wave Limit has added “Shake Body” to its run of 2026 releases.

    The track appears alongside “Omo Alana” and “Sunrise 4 Lagos” in Wave Limit’s current discography.

    “Shake Body” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Davido links up with viral “Bus Aunty” Bemi Orojuogun

    Davido links up with viral “Bus Aunty” Bemi Orojuogun

    Davido has linked up with Bemi Orojuogun, popularly known as “Bus Aunty,” following her rise to internet fame.

    Orojuogun became widely known for her videos filmed alongside London’s iconic red double-decker buses, where her simple reactions to passing buses turned into a viral social media format.

    Since then, her online popularity has extended into brand collaborations, with Orojuogun appearing in campaigns for Burberry, H&M, IKEA, Jacquemus, Maybelline, JBL and MAC Cosmetics.

    Davido has now met the viral creator, with the pair appearing together in a video shared online.

    The link-up is notable for Orojuogun, who previously named Davido as her dream Nigerian TikTok collaborator.

  • Skyy ZNO draws on Yoruba chants and Afro-fusion on “(Act I) JADE / EXITUS”

    Skyy ZNO draws on Yoruba chants and Afro-fusion on “(Act I) JADE / EXITUS”

    Skyy ZNO brings Yoruba chants and multi-dialect vocals into an Afro-fusion setting on “(Act I) JADE / EXITUS,” a track connected to the artist’s exploration of African and diasporic identity.

    The song combines traditional Yoruba vocal elements with contemporary Afro-fusion production, while its multilingual approach reflects the broader themes running through Skyy ZNO’s music.

    The track forms part of “ExitUs,” Skyy ZNO’s debut seven-track album. The project explores the movement of African musical and cultural influences through the Caribbean and into the Americas, drawing on the artist’s own experience of growing up between the United States and the Dominican Republic.

    Musically, Skyy ZNO’s work moves across Afrobeats, Soul, Salsa, Dembow and Reggae. His background also informs the cross-cultural perspective of “ExitUs,” which he co-produced with nine-time GRAMMY-winning producer Joe Nicolo.

    Skyy ZNO began recording music at seven, later performing with a group before pursuing a solo career at 18. In 2024, he co-founded ZNOVerse Entertainment with his father.

    “(Act I) JADE / EXITUS” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Papi Ojo and Doubleaaproved blend Afrobeats, Dancehall and Amapiano on “N.O.L.Y.”

    Papi Ojo and Doubleaaproved blend Afrobeats, Dancehall and Amapiano on “N.O.L.Y.”

    Papi Ojo and DJ and producer Doubleaaproved bring together Afrobeats, Dancehall and Amapiano influences on their collaborative single, “N.O.L.Y. (No One Like You).”

    The track is built around rhythmic grooves and melodic vocals, with Doubleaaproved handling the production and Papi Ojo delivering the vocals.

    The production draws from classic Dancehall riddims alongside contemporary Afrobeats and Amapiano rhythms, giving the song a cross-genre foundation.

    For Papi Ojo, the release adds another entry to a catalogue that moves between Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall and hip-hop. The Lagos-born, New York-raised artist is also known for his work across dance and visual performance, including his appearance as the blue character in Beyoncé’s “Black Is King.”

    Doubleaaproved, who is based in Brooklyn, brings his work as a DJ and producer to the collaboration, with a sound that also incorporates Dancehall, Soca and contemporary club music.

    “N.O.L.Y. (No One Like You)” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • LODIC explores the silence after a relationship ends on “HEY”

    LODIC explores the silence after a relationship ends on “HEY”

    LODIC explores the moment of reaching out to someone who has already left on “HEY,” a melodic electronic track built around the uncertainty of whether they will respond.

    The song focuses on the impulse to call after someone who is walking away, even when there may be little reason to expect an answer. Its lyrics centre on the words left unsaid and the distance that follows the end of a relationship.

    “HEY” pairs cinematic electronic production with synth-led melodies, while its chorus arrives early in the track and becomes a central part of the arrangement.

    The song is part of LODIC’s broader series of interconnected releases, which explores themes including identity, belonging and the search for home. The artist has previously released “DROWN” and “SCARED” as part of the project.

    Rather than focusing on the breakup itself, “HEY” turns its attention to what comes after—the silence, lingering attachment and instinct to make one final attempt at being heard.

    “HEY” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Ola Gerald captures instant attraction on “On My Way”

    Ola Gerald captures instant attraction on “On My Way”

    Ola Gerald explores the excitement of an instant connection on his latest song, “On My Way.”

    The Afropop track follows the moment of noticing someone who immediately catches your attention and choosing to express that attraction rather than hold back.

    Gerald pairs the romantic theme with a confident, playful approach, using smooth melodies and a rhythmic groove to carry the song.

    “On My Way” centres on the early stages of attraction, where curiosity and confidence meet the uncertainty of approaching someone new.

    Written and performed by Ola Gerald, the song focuses on love, attraction and the possibility of a genuine connection.

    “On My Way” is out now on streaming platforms.

  • Cyril Thys explores Paris and love on “Paris Ezali Bolingo”

    Cyril Thys explores Paris and love on “Paris Ezali Bolingo”

    Cyril Thys turns his attention to Paris on his latest release, “Paris Ezali Bolingo.”

    The song’s title combines French and Lingala, translating to “Paris is love,” and places the French capital at the centre of the track’s concept.

    Thys works across reggae, pop, electronic music and rap, and describes his music as an attempt to move between genres rather than remain within a single sound.

    “Paris Ezali Bolingo” follows other releases that have drawn from his connection to Paris. His catalogue includes “Un bain sur les quais parisiens,” a song inspired by moments spent along the Seine, as well as “Salam Alikoum,” which takes a roots reggae approach.

    “Paris Ezali Bolingo” is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Summer Walker Covers Victony’s ‘Slick’

    Summer Walker Covers Victony’s ‘Slick’

    Summer Walker has covered Victony’s new single, “Slick,” giving the viral Afrobeats track her own R&B interpretation.

    The American singer shared her cover on her Instagram Story, adding her vocals to the song and putting her own spin on Victony’s latest release.

    Walker’s cover comes just days after Lauryn Hill was spotted vibing to “Slick” during soundcheck ahead of her performance with live band The Compozers last Sunday.

    The moment showed Hill enjoying the song ahead of her performance, while Walker has now taken her appreciation a step further by recording her own version.

    The two moments come as “Slick” continues to gain attention beyond its Afrobeats audience, with the song reaching established international artists from different corners of music.

    For Victony, having artists such as Summer Walker and Lauryn Hill engage with “Slick” offers another indication of the song’s growing reach and its ability to connect across genres and audiences.

  • Yemi Alade says she underwent MRI and CT scan after fall

    Yemi Alade says she underwent MRI and CT scan after fall

    Yemi Alade has revealed that she underwent an MRI and a CT scan after suffering a fall that has left her dealing with persistent pain.

    The singer shared the update in a recent Instagram video, explaining that she has been advised to take it easy with physical activities while she recovers.

    For someone who is known for maintaining an active lifestyle, Alade said the restriction has meant putting some of her usual activities on hold, including boxing.

    She acknowledged that slowing down has been difficult because of how much she enjoys being active, but said she is trying to get past the experience.

    Alade also revealed that she is still experiencing pain, turning around during the video to point to her lower back as the area where she is hurting.

    While she has had to step back from more strenuous activities, Alade said she was advised to try yoga. Parts of the video show her practising yoga with an instructor as she explores a gentler way to remain active.

    She also said she has found that spending time in a jacuzzi helps with the discomfort, with footage showing her relaxing in the water.

    Alade did not disclose the results of her MRI or CT scan, nor did she provide further details about the extent of her injury. For now, she appears to be focusing on recovery, using lower-impact activities and rest while giving herself time to heal.