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  • RAS187 releases new single “Poquito a Poco”

    RAS187 releases new single “Poquito a Poco”

    Baltimore artist RAS187 has released the new single “Poquito a Poco,” the lead track from his bilingual project “Dos Mundos.”

    The Spanish-language song follows a romantic encounter between two strangers who meet during a night out. The story moves from a glance across the room to an invitation to dance, focusing on the early stages of attraction without looking beyond the moment.

    “Poquito a Poco” is paired with “Little by Little,” its English-language counterpart. The two songs present the same encounter in Spanish and English as part of the “Dos Mundos” project.

    The release marks a move from RAS187’s usual hip-hop sound into Afro-Latin and Afropop. The Baltimore-born rapper and songwriter has previously released music spanning East Coast rap, relationship-focused songs and instrumental work.

    “Poquito a Poco” is available on streaming platforms.

  • MENTAVIBE releases new single “MIMI”

    MENTAVIBE releases new single “MIMI”

    MENTAVIBE has released the new single “MIMI,” an Afro-Pop and Dance-Pop track about self-acceptance and living in the present.

    The song features Swahili vocals alongside organic percussion, electronic production and a bass-driven rhythm. Its lyrics focus on embracing one’s identity without comparison, with the refrain “Sio hofu! Ni furaha!” translating to “No fear! It’s joy!”

    “MIMI” was written and produced by Juergen Joe Bauer, who created MENTAVIBE as an independent music project.

    The song is available on streaming platforms.

  • Merchant releases new single “Spotlight”

    Merchant releases new single “Spotlight”

    Jamaican-born artist Merchant has released the new single “Spotlight” through Helix Records.

    The melodic track explores the feeling of being fully present in a significant moment while questioning what the experience means beneath the surface.

    Over the past year, Merchant has received support from Black Coffee, Pete Tong and BLOND:ISH. His remix of “Miracle” was also debuted by Sparrow & Barbossa at Coachella in 2025.

    “Spotlight” is available on streaming platforms.

  • SZA defends Tyla after she was body-shamed over 2026 VMAs appearance

    SZA defends Tyla after she was body-shamed over 2026 VMAs appearance

    SZA has defended Tyla after the South African singer was body-shamed over her appearance at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

    SZA commented on an Instagram post discussing the criticism, writing, “This can’t be real. She’s absurdly beautiful. Stop this shit once and for all!”

    Ghanaian artist Moliy had also spoken about the criticism, questioning the expectations placed on women’s appearances.

    “So yall bully women to look perfect, shame them when they enhance they’re bodies, and the cycle continues, they grow older they’re still criticized for aging, at what point is a woman supposed to feel confident in their skin,” she wrote.

    Moliy also described body-shaming as inconsistent with the belief that people are made in God’s image, writing, “It’s not of God to shame those who are made in Gods image.”

    Tyla attended the 2026 VMAs in a snakeskin bra, matching pencil skirt, choker and heels. She also served as a presenter at the ceremony.

  • Davido and Shizzy trade words over “Dami Duro” production

    Davido and Shizzy trade words over “Dami Duro” production

    Davido and producer Shizzy have exchanged words on social media over the production of Davido’s 2011 song “Dami Duro.”

    Davido and Shizzy trade words over the production credits on “Dami Duro”

    The exchange began after producer Sexy Steel claimed that the beat Davido made for “Dami Duro” was originally his. He said he had never spoken publicly about it but pointed to Davido’s previous comments about the song, including a recent appearance on Carter Efe’s stream.

    Davido responded by saying he began making the beat in August 2011 for Sexy Steel before Shizzy became involved.

    “Facts … 2011 August I actually started making the beat for Dami duro for sexy steel then Shizzi came over it was history …” Davido wrote.

    Shizzy then responded to Davido’s post with, “Distorted stories…🧢”

    Davido followed up by quoting Shizzy’s response and writing, “I know right! @shizzi We Co produced a Classic.”

    He also retweeted a 2011 post from Shizzy in which a user asked whether he produced “Dami Duro.” Shizzy had replied at the time, “Yes with davido!”

    Shizzy has since returned to the matter, writing, “Same Dami Duro wey I dey look all the files like this… ? 💻 Someone is not telling the full story…😂”

    “Dami Duro” was released in 2011 as part of Davido’s debut album, “Omo Baba Olowo.”