American artist A.L.I.A.S returns with “IMPRESSIONS,” a high-energy blend of R&B, Afrobeat, and Amapiano built for day parties and nightlife.
Inspired by artists like Tyla, Davido, and Chris Brown, “IMPRESSIONS” delivers a confident, feel-good record designed to move crowds while keeping a melodic edge.
“IMPRESSIONS” by A.L.I.A.S is out now on all streaming platforms.
The nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards were announced today and as expected, some of Afrobeats biggest names are in the running for the music industry’s biggest awards
Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness is up for the Best Global Music Award along with Youssou N’Dour’s World and The Eclairer le monde : Light the Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) album by Shakti
While the nominees for Best African Music Performance include Davido, Tyla, Ayra Starr and Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo
While African music icon Angélique Kidjo leads the nominations for Global Music Performance
The 2026 Grammy Awards will place Sunday, February 1, 2026 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
Follow:
Chemmie on Instagram, Facebook and X
Kumzy Pegasus on Instagram, Facebook and X
Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), one of Africa’s leading record labels, is proud to announce the official signing of Boi Chase, a sensational rising artist set to take the music industry by storm. The milestone moment was sealed over an intimate dinner attended by Mayorkun, Ubi Franklin and other close friends, family, and members of the DMW team.
Known for his unique sound, captivating energy, and undeniable talent, Boi Chase is ready to elevate his career under the mentorship of Davido and the powerhouse team at DMW.
This signing marks a new era for the label as it continues to push the boundaries of Afrobeats and expand its global dominance.Boi Chase, a gifted singer and songwriter, first caught Davido’s attention in 2022, with his star potential immediately recognized. Speaking on the signing, Davido expressed excitement about the newest addition to the DMW family.
“Boi Chase is a superstar in the making. His talent, passion, and energy were evident way back in 2022. Fast forward to 2025… a new chapter begins.”
With his hit single “Darling – Focus Refix” going viral on TikTok, amassing over a million posts using the sound and gaining traction on Spotify, Boi Chase is gearing up to make an unforgettable impact on the industry. Fans can expect new music and major announcements in the coming weeks as he embarks on this exciting journey.
Davido might be collaborating with a popular K-pop artist in 2025.
This is according to music industry experts, Jaese Productions which includes publicists Joella Nuer, Ella Okunmwendia, and AyòÌféolúwa.
Last year, the Grammy-nominated singer also hinted at a potential K-pop song in an interview with the UK’s Kiss Fresh FM
In light of recent interactions and conversations, the trio made nine bold predictions for 2025, mainly on the expanding influence of K-pop in Africa:
An increasing number of African fans are showing a growing interest in purchasing albums and merchandise, drawing attention to the continent. Group orders have become a popular trend as fans eagerly seek more. This surge in demand leads us to predict that a licensing deal is on the horizon, making official merch and other collectibles more accessible and affordable.
Over the past decade, K-pop auditions have spread globally, piquing interest in African fans. Along with the rise of numerous K-pop dance competitions across the continent, Jaese foresees a K-pop agency or producer actively seeking talents in Africa.
With K-pop artists increasingly meeting African musicians at major events like Fashion Weeks, Jaese believes the likelihood of a collaboration is high. Notable interactions, such as GOT7 members Jackson Wang and Bambam with Adekunle Gold and Rema with Vernon, set the stage for future partnerships. G-Dragon’s mention of Africa in his single “Power” further underscores his interest in the continent, especially with his recent signing to Empire, a label that represents African stars like Asake and Black Sherif. On the African side, Nigerian singer Davido has hinted at a potential collaboration with a K-pop artist in 2025. Similarly, in November 2024, Nigerian music mogul Mr. Eazi visited Jay Park’s More Vision, having long expressed his desire to collaborate with a K-pop artist since 2019. Jay Park on the other hand, has also expressed interest in touring in Nigeria and other African countries.
Following ATEEZ’s groundbreaking appearance at the Mawazine Festival in Morocco, it’s highly likely that a major K-pop group will follow in their footsteps. Additionally, Jaese predicts that a K-pop artist will include Rabat, Nairobi, and Johannesburg as stops on their 2025 tour. African K-pop fans have united on the fan-driven global touring platform TOORLY to show their enthusiasm for bringing K-pop acts to their cities. Notably, up-and-coming Korean artists tend to explore newer regions before the more established acts. With Must B’s visit to South Africa and Henny’s performance in Angola, we anticipate that a rising K-pop act will hold a tour in Africa. Potential tour stops include South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt.
According to the TurnTable Charts in Nigeria, K-pop captured 2% of the Nigerian charts in 2024. Artists like Rosé, aespa, NewJeans, and Jimin achieved significant success in the West African nation. Following the return of G-Dragon, EXO’s KAI, BTS, BLACKPINK, and GOT7—artists who paved the way for K-pop’s rise in Africa—Jaese predicts that streaming numbers are set to increase even further this year.
In 2024, over 20 K-pop acts released songs incorporating influences from the African continent. Artists from other Asian countries including Thailand, China, and Malaysia equally dabbled into sounds from Africa and enjoyed great success. Jaese predicts a rise in Afro-influenced tracks in 2025, with some artists drawing inspiration from Tyla’s 2024 hits, including “Truth or Dare.” This time, we may see collaboration with African producers and songwriters, further blending the sounds of both continents.”
In 2024, Jaese facilitated or published interviews with P1Harmony, Kep1er, BM, Fatou, and Blackswan. This year, we can expect even more K-pop artists to engage with their African fans across various media platforms. While most of these interviews were hosted by South African and Ghanaian outlets, Jaese envisions an expansion to other countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco.
African fans of Korean music and culture with a passion for journalism will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop led by seasoned K-entertainment writers from around the world. To take part in the workshop, individuals must sign up for the Jaese Writers Club.
The teaser for the fourth edition of MNET’s Street Woman Fighter was released, featuring a mention and display of the Ghanaian flag. Jaese believes that a Ghanaian dancer or dance team will feature in this year’s edition of the popular dance show.
A GREAT YEAR FOR K-POP IN NIGERIA
In 2024, K-pop acts made a notable impact on Nigeria’s premier chart system, the TurnTable Charts, accounting for 1% on the Official Artist Top 100, 2% on the Official Streaming Songs and Official Radio Songs charts, 3% on the Official Nigeria Top 100, and 16% on the Official Top 100 Albums.
BLACKPINK member ROSÉ emerged as the top charting K-pop artist in Nigeria in 2024. Armageddon The 1st Album by SM Entertainment’s aespa held the title of the most-streamed K-pop album in Nigeria. Women continued to dominate the charts with DAY6, Jimin, and Stray Kids being the only male acts. Other notable highlights were K-bands DAY6 and QWER making an appearance on the Album chart for the first time.
Davido and Lojay have each made their debut on the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to Chris Brown’s “Sensational”
The October 2023 collaboration on which they’re both featured, has debuted on Number 96 on this week’s chart.
They join Wizkid, Burna Boy Tems, Ckay, Fireboy DML and Rema as the only other Nigerians on the Billboard Hot 100.
Burna Boy and Tems, who each have five entries jointly hold the record for the most charting Nigerians on the chart.
Wizkid has four entries while Rema, CKay, Fireboy DML all have a single entry.
Davido’s debut on the Billboard Hot 100 is the latest in a string of achievements for him, having recently earned his first Grammy nominations and performed a sold-out show at the O2 Arena for the third time.
“Sensational” is his second collaboration with Chris Brown, having featured the American RnB star on his 2019 song “Blow my Mind”
And there may be more to come as he had previously named the 34-year-old as the American artist he’d with whom he’d love to make a joint album
“If I were to create a collab album with anyone from the United States, it would definitely be Chris,” he said while appearing on the Bootleg Kev podcast in May 2023.
“Chris and I have a collection of ten unreleased songs. We have indeed discussed the possibility of creating an album together.”
Nigerians with the Highest Entries on the Billboard Hot 100
Tems
1. Essence -Wizkid ft Justin Bieber and Tems (peaked at number 9)
2. Move- Beyonce ft Grace Jones & Tems (peaked at number 54)
3. Fountains by Drake (peaked at number 26)
4. Wait for You – Drake ft Future and Tems (peaked at number 1)
5. Free Mind – Tems (peaked at number 46). made her the only Nigerian female artist with a solo entry on the chart
Burna Boy
1. Last Last (peaked at number 44)
2. Talibans II with Byron Messia (peaked at number 99)
3. Loved by You -Justin Bieber ft Burna Boy(peaked at number 87)
4. Just Like Me by 21 Savage ft Burna Boy and Metro Booming (peaked at number 67)
5. Sitting on Top of the World (peaked at number 80)
Wizkid
1. One Dance -Drake ft Wizkid & Kyla (peaked at number 1)
2. Essence with Justin Bieber and Tems (peaked at number 9)
3. Brown Skin Girl- Beyonce ft Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN & Wizkid (peaked at number 76)
4. Call Me Everyday- Chris Brown ft Wizkid (peaked at number 76)
Ckay
Love Nwantinti (peaked at number 80)
Fireboy DML
Peru Remix with Ed Sheeran (peaked at number 53)
Rema
Calm Down Remix ft Selena Gomez (peaked at number 3
Davido
Sensational- Chris Brown ft Davido and Lojay (debuted at number 96)
Lojay
Sensational- Chris Brown ft Davido and Lojay (debuted at number 96)
Davido’s song “Unavailable” which features South African artist Musa Keys, has been certified Silver in the UK.
The Grammy-nominated song, which is off his latest album Timeless, earned the title after selling 200 thousand copies in the country.
This is the latest in a series of accolades for the record which was named the best song of 2023 by Rihanna.
The Bajan superstar named it her all time favourite song of 2023 after she was spotted doing the viral “Unavailable” challenge at a recent event for her brand, Fenty.
While answering questions from Complex Magazine, the singer revealed that she may not be an “album girl” when asked about her favourite project of the year.
She, however, revealed that she can’t get enough of Davido’s “Unavailable”
And Riri is not the only international artist who’s got the “ Unavailable” fever. Chris Brown has also joined the TikTok challenge.
While Latto, Sean Paul and Major Lazer are featured on different remixes of the record.
Davido reacted to the clip on Twitter, calling her “My Ri Ri”
In addition to a nomination for Best African Music Performance at the 2024 Grammys, Unavailable has been certified Gold in Canada and Sweden.
It also peaked at number 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart where it spent five weeks and reached number 3 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
Rolling Stone has released it list of the best Afropop songs of 2023.
As expected, the list includes the big names like Burna Boy, Tems and Rema and recent Grammy nominees Davido, Asake and Ayra Starr.
Also on the list are less recognizable names such as Jungeli, Nviiri the Storyteller and Dlala Thukzin.
Odumodublvck , Spyro, Libianca, Bloody Civilian other breakout stars of the year occupy a coveted spot on the coveted list.
While 23-year-old South African singer Tyla who took over TikTok with her smash hit “Water” occupies the top spot.
Click here for the full list