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  • Dray blends confessional rap and Afro-fusion on “stupidity”

    Dray blends confessional rap and Afro-fusion on “stupidity”

    DRAY has released “Stupidity,” the opening track and lead single from his debut EP, Reflection.

    The London-based artist, who is from Lagos, describes the sound as “Afro-Reflection,” combining confessional rap with Afro-fusion. The song examines the desire for validation, addiction, isolation within the diaspora and the experience of pursuing music without support from the people closest to you.

    At the centre of “Stupidity” is a question about seeking approval from people who may not understand or appreciate what you are doing: whether continuing to look for that validation is foolishness or a way of coping.

    The song is performed in English and Nigerian Pidgin and introduces the themes explored across Reflection.

    “Stupidity” is the first release from DRAY’s debut EP.

    The track is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Fordanz blends electronic and House sounds on new single “Tus ojos se quedaron en mi”

    Fordanz blends electronic and House sounds on new single “Tus ojos se quedaron en mi”

    Fordanz has released “Tus ojos se quedaron en mi,” the first single from an upcoming album, combining melodic electronic elements with modern house production.

    The song draws on the idea of connections that remain meaningful even after someone has left your life. Its concept focuses on people who may only pass through your life once but leave a lasting impression.

    The production pairs melodic electronic textures with house rhythms, giving the track an upbeat quality alongside its reflective subject matter.

    “Tus ojos se quedaron en mi” is the first release from fordanz’s forthcoming album.

    The track is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Bizy Boy shares Afropop single “Face Card”

    Bizy Boy shares Afropop single “Face Card”

    Bizy Boy has released “Face Card,” a new Afropop single about the aftermath of a breakup and the possibility of reconciliation.

    The song centres on someone hoping for a second chance after a relationship has ended, with the narrator looking to correct mistakes that contributed to the breakup.

    Bizy Boy is an Afropop artist based in Hull, UK, with roots in Nigeria.

    “Face Card” is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Sends Ayra Starr Purple Flowers to Celebrate “Starrgirl”

    Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Sends Ayra Starr Purple Flowers to Celebrate “Starrgirl”

    Fenty Beauty has sent Ayra Starr a bouquet of purple flowers following the release of her third studio album, “Starrgirl.”

    Ayra Starr shared the flowers from the brand which was founded by Rihanna, on her Instagram Story as the album rollout continues to centre the colour purple. The colour has featured prominently in the project’s visual campaign, including images in which her signature purple gele was digitally placed on iconic landmarks.

    In one of the images shared ahead of the album’s release, the Statue of Liberty appears wearing a purple gele, while another image places the gele on the Hollywood Sign.

    The purple theme has also appeared in Lagos, where purple fireworks were set off on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge following the album’s release.

    “Starrgirl” is a 16-track project featuring Wizkid, Rema, Zayn Malik, Leon Thomas, Danny Ocean, Theodora and Kwin. The album includes previously released tracks such as “Gimme Dat,” “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl” and “Tornado.”

    The bouquet from Fenty Beauty adds another moment to the purple-themed rollout surrounding “Starrgirl.”

  • Ayra Starr Marks “Starrgirl” With Purple Fireworks on Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge

    Ayra Starr Marks “Starrgirl” With Purple Fireworks on Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge

    Ayra Starr’s third studio album, “Starrgirl,” has been marked by a series of purple-themed visuals, including a fireworks display on Lagos’ Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge.

    The display follows earlier imagery shared by Ayra Starr as part of the album rollout, in which the purple gele associated with her new era was digitally placed on iconic landmarks. The Statue of Liberty was depicted wearing the gele, while another version was placed on the Hollywood Sign.

    The concept has also carried into Lagos, with the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge illuminated by purple fireworks following the album’s release.

    “Starrgirl” is a 16-track project featuring Wizkid, Rema, Zayn Malik, Leon Thomas, Danny Ocean, Theodora and Kwin. It includes the previously released tracks “Gimme Dat,” “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl” and “Tornado.”

    The purple imagery has become one of the defining visual elements of the album rollout, connecting the international landmarks with Ayra Starr’s home city of Lagos.

  • Alex Alidor blends Caribbean influences and Afrobeats on “artie”

    Alex Alidor blends Caribbean influences and Afrobeats on “artie”

    Alex Alidor has released “Artie,” a new single that brings together Afrobeats rhythms and Caribbean influences.

    According to Saint-Denis Records, “Artie” draws from the musical traditions of the Caribbean while incorporating contemporary Afrobeats elements. The release reflects Alidor’s interest in bringing the two sounds together without being confined to a single musical style.

    The track is described as a dance-oriented record, with its production centred on the rhythmic relationship between African and Caribbean music.

    “Artie” is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Ayra Starr Features Wizkid, Rema and Zayn Malik on Third Album “Starrgirl”

    Ayra Starr Features Wizkid, Rema and Zayn Malik on Third Album “Starrgirl”

    Ayra Starr has released her third studio album, “Starrgirl,” a 16-track project featuring collaborations with Wizkid, Rema, Zayn Malik, Leon Thomas, Danny Ocean, Theodora and Kwin.

    The album includes the previously released singles “Gimme Dat,” “Hot Body,” “Who’s Dat Girl” and “Tornado,” alongside 12 new tracks.

    https://x.com/afrobeatshead/status/2085022205583237565?s=46

    The release also introduces a visual identity built around the colour purple, with Ayra Starr adopting the purple gele as a signature element of the album era.

    On Friday morning, purple fireworks were set off around the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos as part of the album’s rollout.

    The album has also received a nod from Fenty Beauty, with Ayra Starr sharing an Instagram Story showing a bouquet of purple flowers from the brand.

    “Starrgirl” is Ayra Starr’s third studio album.

  • jcSubterfuge Blends Jungle Breakbeats and Atmospheric Sounds on “A Little Faith…”

    jcSubterfuge Blends Jungle Breakbeats and Atmospheric Sounds on “A Little Faith…”

    Detroit-based electronic producer jcSubterfuge has released “A Little Faith…,” a jungle track that combines fast breakbeats with deep bass and atmospheric textures.

    The production draws from the rhythmic patterns of 1990s jungle, alongside a vocal sample that introduces a more reflective element to the track. The song was described by jcSubterfuge as a late-summer festival track with a love story woven into it.

    “A Little Faith…” also incorporates analog hardware and digital production techniques, reflecting jcSubterfuge’s focus on breakbeat, jungle and drum & bass.

    The track is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Alex Alidor Blends Afrobeats and Caribbean Influences on “Bongo”

    Alex Alidor Blends Afrobeats and Caribbean Influences on “Bongo”

    Alex Alidor has released “Bongo,” a track that brings together Afrobeats with Caribbean musical influences.

    The Guadeloupe-based singer-songwriter draws from styles including Gwo Ka, reggae, bolero and chanson. Those influences inform “Bongo,” which combines African-rooted rhythms with elements of Caribbean music.

    The song reflects Alidor’s broader approach to working across genres rather than staying within a single musical style. He releases his music independently and is currently based in Guadeloupe.

    “Bongo” is the latest single in Alidor’s catalogue and follows his work exploring the relationship between African and Caribbean musical traditions.

    The track is now available on streaming platforms.

  • Lilwaboy Shares Afrobeats Single “File”

    Lilwaboy Shares Afrobeats Single “File”

    Lilwaboy has released “File,” an Afrobeats single built around a playful Nigerian expression about respecting what belongs to someone else.

    The song uses the phrase, “File, no touch am o, if no be you get am, make you no touch am o,” as its central hook. The expression essentially means that if something does not belong to you, you should not touch it.

    “File” combines Afrobeats rhythms with a street-influenced sound, with the repeated phrase giving the song its main lyrical refrain.

    Lilwaboy is an independent Afrobeats artist based in Spain with Nigerian roots.

    The track is now available on streaming platforms.