Davido’s “Oriade” reportedly lost more than 1.34 million Spotify streams on Tuesday amid the platform’s latest removal of streams identified as artificial.
ChartsAfrica reported the figure on X, attributing the drop to Spotify’s monthly purge of fraudulent activity.
Spotify says it conducts regular cleaning to remove artificial streams from public figures. The platform defines artificial streams as plays that do not reflect genuine listening intent, including streams generated through automated processes, and says confirmed cases can result in public stream numbers being corrected.
“Oriadé,” Davido’s sixth studio album, was released on July 31, 2026. The 13-track project includes collaborations with artists including Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura, Leon Thomas, Mayorkun, FOLA and Llona.
Victony has made his debut on the US Billboard World Albums chart, with his sophomore album “STARLIFE” opening at No. 20.
The chart entry marks the Nigerian singer’s first appearance on the World Albums ranking, following the release of the 15-track album on August 21. “STARLIFE” was released through OUTLAWVILLE under exclusive global licence to Encore Recordings.
The album’s release came a week later than originally planned. Victony had initially announced August 14 as the release date for “STARLIFE”, the same day Ayra Starr was scheduled to release her third studio album, “Starrgirl”.
Following criticism from fans over the scheduling, the release was moved to August 21. “Starrgirl” ultimately arrived as planned on August 14, giving Ayra Starr a full week before “STARLIFE” entered the market.
Despite the delay, “STARLIFE” opened strongly in Nigeria, reaching No. 1 on the Apple Music Nigeria Albums chart following its release.
The project expands on the sound Victony established with his 2024 debut album “Stubborn”, moving between Afrobeats, R&B and other contemporary influences. The 15-track album features appearances from BNXN, Blaqbonez, YKB, Young Jonn, Babyboy AV and FOLA, among others.
The album’s creative direction also reflects a more relaxed side of Victony. In an interview published ahead of its release, he described the project as a reflection of freedom, authenticity and having fun with his music. The project itself grew considerably during its creation: what began as a planned four-track EP eventually developed into a full-length album after the recording process continued to expand.
With its No. 20 debut on the Billboard World Albums chart, “STARLIFE” gives Victony his first entry on the US chart and adds another international milestone to the album’s early run.
Seyi Vibez has announced his forthcoming album, “Swaguu,” with Burna Boy attached as executive producer.
The 14-track project is set for release on September 18.
The album follows the pair’s 2023 collaboration on “Giza,” which appeared on Burna Boy’s “I Told Them…” album. Released in August 2023, the song featured Seyi Vibez and was later accompanied by a music video directed by TG Omori.
Seyi Vibez released two albums in 2023, “Vibe Till Thy Kingdom Come” and “Thy Kingdom Come,” before following with “Loseyi Professor” in 2024 and “Fuji Moto” in 2025.
“Swaguu” will mark Seyi Vibez’s latest full-length release. Further details about the album’s tracklist and Burna Boy’s contributions have not been disclosed.
“Swaguu” will be available on streaming platforms from September 18.
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.
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.
Nigerian artist Jaysun has released a new single titled “Para,” taken from his latest album Grace & Madness.
The track is an Afro-fusion record that blends Afrobeat-inspired melodies with atmospheric and cinematic production elements.
“Para” is built around themes of emotional tension, with the artist framing it around patience, hope, and persistence through uncertainty and personal struggle.
Jaysun describes the project as part of a broader creative direction focused on emotional storytelling and alternative African music narratives.
“Para” by Jaysun is available on streaming platforms
Senegalese singer FANIA has released a new album titled L’EMPREINTE” (The Imprint), a self-composed and self-produced project that continues her blend of African rhythms, world music influences, and contemporary production styles.
The album positions itself as an introspective body of work, with FANIA describing her artistic identity as rooted in originality and independence. “I am the imprint of an artist. I will never be a copy, nor a robot,” she notes in her artistic statement, framing the project around themes of identity, spirituality, and personal expression.
A multilingual and cross-genre approach
On L’EMPREINTE, FANIA moves across multiple languages including Wolof, Pulaar, Soninké, French, and English. This multilingual approach reflects her Senegalese background and broader intent to reach audiences beyond regional boundaries.
Musically, the album incorporates African instrumental influences with elements of world music and modern production textures. Rather than sticking to one genre, the project leans into a fusion style that prioritizes atmosphere and vocal delivery over commercial formatting.
Production and recording
The album was recorded in Dakar at Pape Armand Boye’s studio before being mixed in Paris at Studio 180 by Arnaud Bascuñana.
The production credits highlight a collaborative but instrumentally grounded setup, featuring live musicians such as Stanway (piano), Jean Mermoz Deguénou (Rhodes), Sékou Diabaté (guitar), Alassane Cissé (bass), Laye Lô (drums), Thio Mbaye (percussion), and Milda (trumpet).
A focus on artistic control
Unlike many mainstream releases, L’EMPREINTE is positioned as a fully artist-led project, with FANIA handling writing and composition herself.
As she continues to build her catalog, FANIA’s latest album adds to a growing body of work that sits between traditional African sounds and global music experimentation, without fully aligning to mainstream commercial Afrobeats structures.
L’EMPREINTE by FANIA is out now on all streaming platforms.
Nigerian-Canadian artist Whispering Beyond has released a new project titled Rhythm II Energy.
Described as a blend of rhythm, soul, emotion, and energy, the project explores different moods and sounds through melodic production and reflective songwriting. According to the artist, the release is intended to take listeners through a journey of vibrant sounds, atmospheric moments, and personal expression.
The project also reflects themes of resilience, passion, and artistic growth, with each track contributing to the overall direction and identity of the release.
Rhythm II Energy by Whispering Beyond is out now on all streaming platforms.
The Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA proudly announces the release of their third studio album, CROSSING OVER, a bold and dynamic work that captures the band’s evolving sound at the intersection of jazz, funk, rock and global influences.
Following a series of acclaimed live performances across the United States and Europe, including sold-out shows at SFJAZZ and appearances at major international festivals, CROSSING OVER represents both a musical milestone and a forward-looking statement from the band.
The album features:
Ken Okada – electric bass
YOYOKA – drums
Ben Torres – tenor sax
Hristo Vitchev – guitar
Murray Low – piano & keyboards
Shido Soma – guitar (featured on “Oops My Bad”)
The music is driven by Okada’s compositional vision, blending rhythmic sophistication with melodic storytelling. The presence of YOYOKA—whose global recognition as a young drumming phenomenon continues to grow—adds explosive energy and precision throughout the record.
“CROSSING OVER is about pushing past predictability,” says Okada. “In jazz, that’s one of the biggest challenges. You have to break out of familiar patterns and go somewhere new. This album reflects that process—and how the band itself continues to shape where the music goes next.”
CROSSING OVER by Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA is out now on all streaming platforms.
Berlin-based artist Giddens returns with his new single “We No Play,” the first entry point into his upcoming concept album FTM.
“We No Play” is positioned as a defining statement rather than a standalone release.
The track captures cycles of pressure, resilience, and forward motion, introducing the central idea behind the album: that constant adaptation can sustain you, but also gradually dissolve a stable sense of self.
Rooted in experiences between Berlin and Accra, the single reflects themes of identity under pressure, emotional endurance, and the tension between self-preservation and belonging.
FTM builds on this foundation as a concept-driven project exploring fragmentation, diaspora, and emotional survival. Instead of a linear narrative, the album unfolds through layered fragments—like memory being continuously rewritten—mirroring the instability and repetition that shape modern identity.
“We No Dey Play” by Giddens is out now on all streaming platforms.
