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  • Ayra Starr earns first US platinum certification with “Rush”

    Ayra Starr earns first US platinum certification with “Rush”

    Ayra Starr has earned her first Platinum certification in the United States after her 2022 single “Rush” reached the milestone through the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

    Ayra Starr’s “Rush” has been certified Platinum in the US.

    The certification recognises at least one million units in the US, calculated through a combination of sales and eligible streams. “Rush” was released as a single from the singer’s debut album, 19 & Dangerous, and became one of her most widely recognised songs internationally.

    Ayra Starr joins a list of Nigerian artists with Platinum-certified songs in the USA.

    The achievement adds Ayra Starr to a growing list of Nigerian artists whose recordings have received Platinum certifications in the US. These include Rema’s “Calm Down,” which features Selena Gomez; Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence”; and Tems’ solo record “Free Mind.”

    CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” has reached an even higher milestone, earning an eight-times Platinum certification in 2024. Tems’ “Free Mind” was certified double Platinum in 2025, while “Essence” had reached four-times Platinum by February 2024.

    “Rush” marks Ayra Starr’s first song to receive the US Platinum certification, adding another milestone to her career.

  • Lil Baby’s “FRESH” debuts at No. 4 on Apple Music Nigeria albums chart

    Lil Baby’s “FRESH” debuts at No. 4 on Apple Music Nigeria albums chart

    Lil Baby’s new album, FRESH, has entered the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums Chart at No. 4, placing the project among the five most-streamed albums on the platform in the country.

    Released on November 6, 2026, FRESH is the Atlanta rapper’s fifth studio album. The 17-track project features collaborations with Future, Young Thug and Rylo Rodriguez, with production contributions from Pharrell Williams, Metro Boomin and London On Da Track. Its tracklist includes “Dead Fresh,” the Pharrell-produced single that reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

    The album follows WHAM, released in January 2025, and the mixtape The Leaks, which arrived later that year. It also continues a run of commercially successful projects that includes Harder Than Ever (2018), My Turn (2020) and It’s Only Me (2022).

    Born Dominique Jones, Lil Baby began gaining attention in 2017 with mixtapes including Perfect Timing and Too Hard. His breakthrough came with Harder Than Ever, which featured Drake on the hit single “Yes Indeed.” His 2020 album My Turn reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became the best-selling and most-streamed album across all genres in the United States that year.

    Over the course of his career, Lil Baby has earned multiple Billboard chart-topping albums, platinum-certified releases and a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance as a featured artist on Kanye West’s “Hurricane.”

  • Nelson Wave celebrates African identity on “Africa Stand Up”

    Nelson Wave celebrates African identity on “Africa Stand Up”

    UK-based Nigerian artist Nelson Wave explores themes of African identity, resilience and unity on “Africa Stand Up,” a track from his EP MY WAVE.

    The Afrobeats and Afropop song centres on African pride and togetherness, encouraging listeners to embrace their roots and consider a shared future.

    “Africa Stand Up” is part of MY WAVE, a collection that spans heartfelt melodies and upbeat, motivational tracks. Nelson Wave’s music draws on Afrobeats, Afropop and Afro-R&B, with influences from African culture and everyday experiences.

    The song is available on streaming platforms.

  • ZAMREEN releases new single “ZAMREENOnly Holding On”

    ZAMREEN releases new single “ZAMREENOnly Holding On”

    ZAMREEN has released “Only Holding On,” a new single issued through Music Interface Records on September 21, 2026.

    The release adds to the artist’s catalogue, which includes the earlier single “No Pressure,” released in June 2023. Other titles associated with ZAMREEN include “NSA NSAMUSHYA.”

    “ZAMREEN Only Holding On” is available on streaming platforms.

  • Alex Alidor explores resilience on new single “Suffering”

    Alex Alidor explores resilience on new single “Suffering”

    Guadeloupean singer and songwriter Alex Alidor has released a new single, “Suffering,” drawing on a range of Afro-Caribbean musical influences, including reggae, Gwo Ka and Afro-fusion.

    The track forms part of Alidor’s broader musical approach, which brings together Caribbean rhythms and influences from slower styles such as bolero. His work also incorporates elements of chanson, reflecting an interest in moving between genres rather than working within a single musical tradition.

    Alidor distributes his music independently through DistroKid. Alongside his current musical work, he is writing his first book, which is expected to explore themes of love, resilience and personal struggles.

    “Suffering” is available on streaming platforms.