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  • Captain of the Culture: Don Julio Fuels BNXN’s Album Celebration

    Captain of the Culture: Don Julio Fuels BNXN’s Album Celebration

    Lagos was on fire this past weekend as Afrobeats star BNXN unveiled his long-awaited album, Captain. 

    The night was everything fans expected bold, energetic, and unapologetically cultural. From the music, the Don Julio drinks, to the electric crowd, the event was a showcase of confidence and celebration, setting the tone for what an Afrobeats album launch should feel like.

    Afrobeats artist Taves and music executive Bizzle Osikoya at BNXN’s album launch hosted by Don Julio

    At the center of the experience was Don Julio, the world’s leading luxury tequila, raising the bar for how milestones are celebrated in Nigeria’s music scene. Guests sipped on signature Don Julio cocktails curated to match the rhythm and pulse of the night smooth, stylish, and full of energy. Each toast amplified the spirit of BNXN’s “Captain” persona, making The Captain’s favourite tequila the perfect match for a night defined by achievement and cultural pride.

    Big Brother Naija Hermes at BNXN’s album launch hosted by Don Julio Tequila

    The event brought together some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, all sharing in BNXN’s moment while experiencing Don Julio as more than just a drink it was the spirit that fueled the celebration.

    “BNXN has carved out his place as a true captain of Afrobeats, and nights like this deserve to be celebrated in bold style,” said Ifeoma Agu, Group Head of Culture, Influencers & Advocacy, Diageo South, West & Central Africa. “Don Julio is built on the same foundation of craftsmanship and confidence, which is why it belongs at the heart of moments like this.”

    BNXN parties at his Captain album launch hosted by Don Julio Tequila

    With the BNXN Captain album launch, Don Julio showed once again why it’s becoming The Icon of Celebration present at the high points of culture, artistry, and success, and redefining how Africa toasts its brightest stars.

    About Don Julio

    Founded on the pursuit of perfection, Don Julio Tequila is the world’s most popular luxury tequila. The brand is committed to celebrating the intentional moments in life, honoring the legacy of its founder, Don Julio González, who began crafting the world’s first luxury tequila in 1942. Don Julio encourages consumers to drink responsibly.

    For more information, visit: https://www.donjulio.com/

  • Korean-Nigerian Artist The Ayami Shares Afrobeats Single “Papa”

    Korean-Nigerian Artist The Ayami Shares Afrobeats Single “Papa”

    Rising Afrobeats artist The AYAMI has shared her new single “Papa”, an Afrobeat/Afropop song that speaks to resilience after heartbreak. 

    The song explores the emotional aftermath of deep love, guiding listeners through a journey of heartbreak, self-discovery, and personal growth.

    “Papa” is a heartfelt ode to resilience and transformation. 

    Born Olena Kim in Ukraine with Korean and Nigerian roots, The AYAMI reflects on past relationships through the song, embracing forgiveness and the lessons learned, while confidently stepping into a stronger, wiser version of herself. 

    “Papa is the first song where my soul truly speaks on its own, without fear or pressure” The AYAMI shares. “After years of emotional dependence and losing many projects, I finally took control, rebuilt myself, and chose to move forward. This track is not just music—it’s my declaration that nothing and no one will ever stop me again.”

    Stream “Papa” by The Ayami

    @the.ayami

    Follow The Ayami on Instagram

  • French DJ ARTO Shares Electronic Music Single “Rìo Güeppi” Featuring Stéphane Salerno

    French DJ ARTO Shares Electronic Music Single “Rìo Güeppi” Featuring Stéphane Salerno

    French artist DJ ARTO has released his new single “Rìo Güeppi” a collaboration with fellow DJ Stéphane Salerno.

    DJ ARTO is known for fusing tribal chants, African guitars with high-impact percussive drops.

    While Italian native Stéphane Salerno describes his music as “Vinyl soul meets digital groove” and includes elements of funk, deep house and Afro House music in his works.

    Stream “Rìo Güeppi” by ARTO and Stéphane Salerno

    Follow ARTO on Instagram

  • Canadian Latin Pop Singer François Marius Shares Reggae Single New York

    Canadian Latin Pop Singer François Marius Shares Reggae Single New York

    Canadian singer-songwriter Fançois Marius has released a new single “New York” 

    In his usual style, the track is a fusion of Latin pop, reggae and rock influences.

    Stream “New York” by François Marius

    Follow François Marius on Instagram

  • South African Artist Medskolar Shares Burna Boy-Inspired Afrobeats/Hip Hop Single “Motion”

    South African Artist Medskolar Shares Burna Boy-Inspired Afrobeats/Hip Hop Single “Motion”

    South African artist Medskolar has released a new single “Motion” is a soulful blend of Hip Hop, Afrofusion, and R&B that captures the energy of resilience, love, and forward momentum. 

    Medskolar’s storytelling style fuses sharp lyricism with melodic rhythms, creating a track that speaks to both personal growth and universal connection. 

    “Motion” is more than a song; it’s an anthem for those pushing through challenges and chasing their own rhythm in life,” says Medskolar.

    Inspired by the likes of Burna Boy, J. Cole, and Tems. Medskolar is an emerging voice redefining Afro-inspired hip hop — bold, reflective, and emotionally charged. 

    Stream “Motion” by Medskolar

    @medskolar

    Follow Medskolar on Instagram, Facebook and Deezer

  • Nigerian Artist Zion Shares his Personal Relationship Experience on Debut Single  “Are You On That?” 

    Nigerian Artist Zion Shares his Personal Relationship Experience on Debut Single  “Are You On That?” 

    Zion, a Nigerian artist based in Finland, has released his debut single  “Are You On That?” a  blend of AfroRnB and chill rap. 

    On the song he tells the story of being stood up by a girl, but they talk things through later and actually get together. 

    The track combines smooth AfroRnB melodies with laid-back rap flows, reflecting both his Nigerian roots and the influence of his life in Finland. 

    Stream  “Are You On That?” by Zion

    Follow Zion on Instagram

  • Emmy Award Winner Dustin O’Halloran Shares Piano Solo Single “Red” off his Forthcoming EP ‘The Chromatic Sessions’

    Emmy Award Winner Dustin O’Halloran Shares Piano Solo Single “Red” off his Forthcoming EP ‘The Chromatic Sessions’

    American artist and Emmy Award winner, Dustin O’Halloran has released a new single entitled “Red”

    An improvised piano piece recorded in a single take in his Reykjavík studio, it’s the second of three tracks that will form The Chromatic Sessions EP.

    “Red” is a partner piece to Gold — released in July — with a final chromatic track called “Blue” set to follow. 

    The theme of colours emerged organically during the process of writing and recording. “It wasn’t something pre-planned,” says Dustin, who has also been nominated for an Academy Award. “I was improvising on the piano every day, and I realised I was always thinking about colours as I wrote. When you have the mic set up and you’re recording, it puts you into deep focus. There’s something about that red light being on that really pulls you into the moment.”

    O’Halloran has long experienced synaesthesia — a mingling of the senses that may sound familiar to many. It can be something as simple as a taste snapping us back to a place we’ve been, a familiar scent triggering a powerful emotional flashback, or — in Dustin’s case — a certain sound evoking the feeling of a colour.

    “I believe that people are more synesthetic than they realise,” he says. “It’s something that you can tune into. All sensations are ultimately translated in the brain — and I think you can learn to connect different parts of those sensations together.”

    Such connections are a theme that runs through The Chromatic Sessions — including the connection between Dustin and his audience. All of the Chromatic singles come with downloadable sheet music when bought on Bandcamp, allowing listeners to play the music themselves. 

    It’s a gesture born of O’Halloran’s wish to forge a closer relationship with his listeners.

    “Releasing music digitally feels so distant and disconnected,” he says. “And I think we’re all looking for connection. When people get involved in playing the music, it becomes part of them in a different way. It becomes communal. It becomes theirs.”

    Stream “Red” by Dustin O’Halloran

    Follow Dustin O’Halloran on Instagram

  • Tiwa Savage and Don Julio Host Star-Studded Bash to Celebrate Her ‘This One Is Personal’ Album at the Library Lagos

    Tiwa Savage and Don Julio Host Star-Studded Bash to Celebrate Her ‘This One Is Personal’ Album at the Library Lagos

    Tiwa Savage and Don Julio tequila hosted a release party at swanky Lagos nightclub The Library to celebrate her new album This One Is Personal.

    The album recently debuted at number one on the iTunes UK R&B/Soul Albums chart and #18 on the UK HipHop/R&B Albums chart.

    I’ve loved Tiwa Savage since I first watched the “Kele Kele Love” in my uncle’s living room in Abuja in 2011 so when her team reached out to ask if I’d like to attend the event I was like of course!

    Once at  The Library Lagos I was greeted by a beautiful young lady who offered me ice cold water and a Don Julio cocktail. 

    She asked me to knock on a tiny door and a hand reached out with my ice cold cocktail.

    Once inside The Library Lagos the music was hitting and the performances were amazing but Tiwa Savage arrived about an hour later and the energy went from good to great.

    Tiwa Savage at her This One Is Personal album release party sponsored by Don Julio

    She was joined by Taves, Shine TTW, her PR Manager Vanessa Amadi, Simi Badiru of TRACE and other members of her team.

    Tiwa Savage and Flavour share a hug at her album release party

    We spent all night dancing to her songs- both classics like “Kele Kele Love” “Eminado” “Love Me”  “Diet” “Loaded” and new ones from the new album like “You4Me” “On The Low” “Holding It Down” and more and like the hypeman kept reminding us, it was hit after hit after hit.

    Uti Nwachukwu walks the red carpet at the Tiwa Savage and Don Julio event

    Other celebrities like Uti Nwachukwu, Jay Jay Okocha Flavour N’Abania were also there to support her.

    Tiwa Savage was in high spirits, as she danced and passed out shots of Don Julio around.

    The night finally ended at around 4 am. I was so tired but I’d had the time of my life.

    A 10 over 10 night for real. 

  • Is Llona The New Face of Emo-Afrobeats?

    Is Llona The New Face of Emo-Afrobeats?

    By Ibeh Fortune Chidinma

    In a genre dominated by celebration, Llona positions himself not as a party-starter, but as a preacher of introspection. He draws on pain and trauma from his experiences within his nomadic community, offering a form of musical self-therapy.

    While his message is potent, its consistent solemnity may limit his commercial reach—a trade-off that arguably strengthens his artistic authenticity. His music delivers a piercing resonance, a reflection so potent it makes the hairs on your skin stand on end.

    His recent release, “Dead Flowers,” solidifies his place among Afrobeats‘ growing emotional voices. The track is a vital contribution to an expanding “afro-emotion” subgenre. Llona frames himself as a change agent, singing, “I believe / yes, I believed / I will build a future that’s just not for me / take away the chaos, advocate for peace.” He emphasizes an internal competition, needing no external validation: “I don’t care who is next / not the reason that I’m here.”

    This is more than an expression of past pain; it’s a declaration of arrival. He signals a readiness to reveal the “hidden Super Star” he has realized he is.

    This artistic identity was forged in his debut album, “Homeless,” which marked him as a distinctly introspective voice. The project expressed vulnerability, struggle, and resilience, often using dark humor to navigate despair. In “Still Scared,” he sings, “stuck in the place where they can’t save us… running and running like a stray dog / death is the only thing that saves us.”

    Llona is actively building the foundation to become the face of “Emo-Afrobeats.” A key strategy is his ambitious “Homeless” nationwide tour, a rarity in the Nigerian music scene due to significant economic and logistical challenges. While major artists often focus solely on commercial hubs, Llona leveraged this tour to connect with the grassroots, performing in cities like Ogbomosho, Benin, Lokoja, Awka, Owerri, Lafia and Abeokuta. This grassroots focus builds a dedicated fandom and gives audiences what they yearn for “to see artists perform live”.

    His music might not be “party flow,” but it speaks to the everyday Nigerian’s reality. The “Homeless” tour has skyrocketed his listenership, proving that his message of vulnerability and self-found therapy is not just artistically sound, but a viable path to building a legacy. Llona is a phenom to watch, potentially steering clear of his peers by forging one of the most strong, connected fandoms in the industry.

    About the Author

    Ibeh Fortune Chidinma is a media creative, podcaster, and culture writer passionate about music and entertainment space. He explores Afrobeats and African pop culture with a focus on the artists shaping today’s sound. When not writing, he is hosting the Spillers Podcast, where bold conversations meet social commentary. Follow him on X @Datafricanboy .

  • Ghanaian-German Afrobeats Artist Giddens Reflects on his Identity as a Mixed Race Man on  Twi Language Single “Obroni Kokoo”

    Ghanaian-German Afrobeats Artist Giddens Reflects on his Identity as a Mixed Race Man on  Twi Language Single “Obroni Kokoo”

    German artist Giddens is  back with a new single “Obroni Kokoo” a blend of Afrobeats,  Afro fusion and Afrohouse rhythms.

    “Obroni Kokoo”  blends Ghanaian Pidgin storytelling and the title means “Red Foreigner” in Twi — a nickname he grew up with as a mixed-race kid between Accra and Germany. 

    This track captures hi dual identity: diasporic roots, raw emotion, and global sound. 

    Stream “Obroni Kokoo” by Giddens

    Follow Giddens on Instagram