She describes the song as a “soul-stirring anthem that personifies Africa as a once-mighty queen—now weary and weathered—watching helplessly as her children are torn apart by war, greed, and fraternal betrayal.”
“The track is both elegy and call-to-action,” she added. “It’s a heartfelt appeal for healing, unity, and rebirth across the continent.
The word “Jota” جوطةis an Arab- Sudanese slang for chaos, and the song channels that energy into rhythm, emotion, and cultural pride.
Born in New York, raised in Oxford, and rooted in Sudan, YK blends global influences into his music which has now amassed over 1 million Spotify streams
Scrilltown MO, a Missouri-based management company affiliated Jay Z’s Roc Nation, is collaborating with two rising Afrobeats stars, Chemmie and Kumzy Pegasus on their new single “No Limit”
Nigerian-American music executive Nate Green Snr personally chose the artists after connecting with them on a “deeper level” as he told me when we spoke about the release.
“No Limit” an empowering anthem about pushing boundaries and claiming new heights, comes out on Friday the 25th of July along with an accompanying video which was shot on a rainy day in Lagos.
I got on a call with Chemmie and Kumzy to talk about the release, their careers and their hopes for the future. It was particularly exciting as I’ve been following Chemmie’s career since I started Afrobeats Head in 2021 and she was my second guest when I started hosting my Twitter Spaces in 2022.
Chemmie
She has since graduated from the Music Business for Africa programme and now combines her career as an artist with her work at DMCE in collaboration with Sony Music Publishing Nigeria.
“I’ve always been curious about what goes on behind the scenes in the music industry,” she tells me when I ask if she’s always planned to combine both roles.
— Afrobeats Head Loves Timothee Ideh (@AfrobeatsHead) April 20, 2022
“So that’s why I did the MBA for Africa programme and I’m happy I did because my knowledge of music publishing makes me feel like I’m a front and and a back end developer at the same time.
As for Kumzy, a singer-songwriter and recording engineer who’s been active since 1998, he’s seen the Nigerian music industry grow and evolve in many ways but thinks most of the songs released today sound exactly like the ones from when he first started his career.
“Most upcoming artists today also sound similar. Nobody wants to take risks or try something new.”
Kumzy Pegasus
Neither Chemmie nor Kumzy have met Scrilltown. They both connected with him on LinkedIn: Chemmie as a guest on one of his Instagram Live shows after he reached out to her and Kumzy connected with the label boss when he randomly decided to DM several industry people on the platform asking for support for his new EP.
Chemmie came up with the idea and title of the song after Scrilltown sent her the beat.
“I spent month trying to come up with something but it wasn’t working,” she recalled. Then I just left it and decided to listen to songs like Despacito and other Latin music records because I figured it had a Latin vibe to it.
On their own musical influences, Chemmie lists Afrobeats greats Davido, Adekunle Gold and Niniola.
“Basically anybody that sounds good. It could be their melodies or even their writing style,” she explained.
“I like Davido a lot. I think he’s one of the most talented artists out there and for Niniola I love her voice. People even tell me we sound alike which is such an honour.”
As for Kumzy, he tells me he “used to be a lover boy” so was influenced by artists like Diddy, Sade Adu, 112, Dru Hill, Wyclef Jean and Sisqo.
“But I’ve stopped being a lover boy because Nigerian girls don’t believe in love”
With a three-way collaboration of this nature I had to ask about how they all handled the split and other financial aspects.
ScrilltownMO Founder/CEO Nate Green Snr
And as expected, Chemmie put her knowledge of publishing and other parts of the music business to good use, having her lawyer look through the contract before signing it.
But Kumzy had a more carefree approach: “I didn’t consult a lawyer. You know why? I was just grateful for the opportunity to finally work on a project like this and promote my music. Also I trust Mr Scrilltown”
Listen to “No Limit” by ScrilltownMO ft Chemmie & Kumzy.
Meaning “sunshine” in Swahili, “Jua” perfectly encapsulates the essence of the track. Andrew Famous masterfully blends intricate melodies with pulsating Afro House rhythms, creating an immersive sonic experience that is both uplifting and deeply soulful.
“I wanted to create something that truly embodies the feeling of sunshine – that warmth, that energy, that undeniable sense of happiness,” says Andrew Famous. “‘Jua’ is my invitation to everyone to embrace the light, dance, and feel good this summer.”
UK-based Afrobeats singer-songwriter Nelz unveils his latest single, “As a Man,” a deeply moving and resonant track that tackles the often-hidden emotional struggles and societal pressures faced by men.
The song, aims to spark vital conversations about male mental health and the importance of emotional expression.
Through Nelz’s evocative lyrics and resonating melody, the track explores the weight of societal norms that often discourage men from showing vulnerability, leading to isolation and unaddressed emotional burdens.
“We don’t talk about these things, like we’re sworn to silence” says Nigerian-born Nelz. “I wrote ‘As a Man’ because I felt it was crucial to give a voice to the internal battles many men face. It’s about acknowledging the strength it takes to carry these challenges, but also highlighting the courage in breaking free from the silence and seeking support.”
The release of “As a Man” comes at a critical time, with increasing awareness around mental health and the unique pressures on men. Nelz hopes the song will serve as an anthem for those who feel unheard and encourage a more open dialogue about male emotions.
Inspired by the tender vibe of Tems’ “Love Me Jeje”, this uplifting track is a heartfelt conversation with the divine—an intimate dialogue between the soul and its source of light.
https://youtu.be/v8lT7zUm3Do?si=9bblwACUMoexZjoh
Panamanian artist Palka brings his signature fusion of cultures and sounds, weaving African-inspired beats with Latin soul.
Sophia Brusasco had spent much of her life learning to express her inner life through music, but when she debuted the Winthrop persona, she was able to truly tap into her authenticity for the first time.
Across five genuinely unpredictable tracks, she fully realizes the potential hinted at by her first singles. While a lifelong fascination with trap and dubstep has always been at the heart of her sound, these new songs also showcase a keen pop sensibility.
“It may be confusing, but that’s by design,” she says. “These songs came from some confusing situations.”
The EP’s title track is perhaps the most poignant of the producer’s young career. It’s her most intricately produced, layering her vocals into a mesmerizing sound.
Listen to Your Heroes Hate You Too by Elend Winthrop
British DJs Rich and Jamie who are collectively known as Audiojack, are tapping into nostalgia with their new single “9pm at the diner” which was inspired by classic American movies of the 80s.
“It’s the sort of track we might play at an outdoor summer party as the sun goes does, feelgood vibes all round,” Audiojack explains.
“The idea for 9pm At The Diner was born when we came across the dusty old chords sample, which reminded us of classic 80s movies, and conjured up feelings of an imagined American youth, riding around on BMXs, going for milkshakes and burgers at the diner etc, so we kept that nostalgic vibe in mind and created the track around that theme.
Paris-based Afrobeats DJ DOTCOM drops his sizzling new single “Sexy Body” — a rhythm- heavy celebration of self-love, confidence, and the raw magnetism of the feminine spirit.
Produced by DJ DOTCOM himself, the track blends seductive melodies with dancefloor-ready grooves, made for both clubs and headphones.
Inspired by a real-life encounter, “Sexy Body” tells the story of a woman who stands out — not by size or status — but by the fearless energy she carries. While surrounded by her friends, it was her confidence that caught DJ DOTCOM’s attention and sparked a rush of wild, unshakable thoughts.
“She was the smallest of the group, but her vibe? Unmatched. She made me feel something I couldn’t ignore,” says DJ DOTCOM.
