Lagos has inspired countless artists, but for Suki Salaam, the city extends beyond the music itself. It influences the visuals, fashion and creative identity that surround his work.
Suki Salaam in Lagos
Also known as POPGOD, the Lagos-based artist blends Afrobeats, R&B, soul, jazz and dancehall into a sound that reflects his diverse musical influences. That approach carries into his visual storytelling, with music videos that feature the city’s streets, architecture and scenery as part of a broader artistic direction.
For Suki, the connection between music and Lagos is intentional.
“I believe that music is more than just sound; it’s a lifestyle. By combining the vibrant fashion scene and the tropical essence of Lagos with my music, I aim to create an experience that resonates on multiple levels and showcases the soul of our city to the world.”
Rather than treating fashion and visuals as separate elements, Suki sees them as extensions of his music, using them to express the character of the city that continues to shape his creativity.
As artists increasingly build identities that stretch beyond their music, Suki’s work reflects a growing emphasis on connecting sound, style and storytelling into a single creative vision.
Suki Salaam is set to release a new album this year
Suki is expected to release a new album later this year, alongside a series of live performances. The forthcoming project will continue to explore the blend of genres and visual storytelling that has become central to his artistry.
The album has not yet received a release date. It will be available later this year.
From Victoria Island to Mushin, Phanxx has been on a journey most people haven’t noticed… yet. He started writing poems at seven, turned them into songs, and has been chasing every studio, audition, and performance opportunity along the way.
With two EPs ready and a new single coming soon, one thing is clear: we’ve decided it’s time to stop gatekeeping Phanxx.
Okay first — where did the name even come from?
My name is Ope which means Thanks so I just decided to spell it out as Phanxx.
Tell me about early life- where were you born and where did you go to school?
I was born in Victoria Island, Lagos, till about 9 years when my parents moved to Mushin in Lagos. I attended Command Children School for my primary education & Command Secondary School Lagos for my secondary education. I hold a B.sc in Criminology & Security Studies.
How and when did you start making music?
Music started for me as a hobby, I listened to all sorts of music growing up, but my major influence was seeing my elders sibling doing choir rehearsals at home. But I started writing poems at about 7 years of age & started writing my own music from Secondary School. After I got out of Secondary school, I attended almost every musical audition. From here, I knew I wasn’t turning back.
At what point did you think, “yeah… this music thing is actually serious”?
After I won a musical audition in Lagos, then I was given the reward of cash prize & free recording sessions in a state of the art music studio, which introduced me properly into the music industry.
What kind of mood are you usually in when you’re creating?
Most times, it’s free flow, I don’t try to engineer my mood, I just go with the flow, but most times, I like to be happy when I’m recording.
What’s something about you people always get wrong?
That I’m shy because I don’t talk too much, or that I’m not capable of being vengeful.
What song of yours feels the most like you?
I love all my songs, but for now I will say *Calvary* .
— Afrobeats Head Loves Timothee Ideh (@AfrobeatsHead) September 1, 2025
What’s the toughest thing about being an independent artist?
Funding and people always trying to one up you or humble you in the creative industry.
How do you promote your music as an independent artist?
Social media is one, I make appealing videos & I also use every traditional method of music promotion; blogs, radio, TV, etc.
How easy is it for you to create content to promote your music?
It’s actually not the best part, but I have to do what I have to do to get my music out there. Most times I enjoy the process, sometimes it’s just a necessity for visibility.
Has there been a moment you almost gave up?
I have never had moments like this, I know I’ll surely get to the top, so no matter what the situation is, I’m always optimistic about the reward my music will bring me.
What’s been inspiring you lately?
I have a lot of music inside of me, & I want to make sure I maximise all my potential while I’m here.
Tell me about your new song “Shine” and what inspired it?
Shine is just a record that speaks about someone who wants to achieve success in his/her aspirations. Being successful to me means I’m shining.
What are you currently working on that you’re excited about?
I have 2 EP’s ready & will be dropping a new single next month.
If someone meets you for the first time today, what should they know?
I would love them to know that I’m simple, not performative, love to treat people the way i want to be treated & that I’ll definitely be one of the greatest musical export from Africa.
Vuga Kvngz, born Chiedozie Eze Walter, is a Nigerian recording artiste from Imo State, currently based in Istanbul, Turkey.
Known for his genre-blending sound called Vuga Vibes, KVNGZ fuses Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, Alternative, and Reggae influences to create music rooted in real-life experiences, culture, and ambition.
His debut album, V.V.S (Vuga Vibes Sound), is a 10-track body of work that showcases his artistic growth, versatility, and global perspective, featuring collaborations with Hotyce, Oduduwa, Zilla Oaks, and BodyBeatz.
— Afrobeats Head Loves Timothee Ideh (@AfrobeatsHead) February 9, 2026
Beyond music, KVNGZ is a co-founder of World Boyz Entertainment, a creative platform supporting music, fashion, and cultural events in Istanbul. V.V.S (Vuga Vibes Sound) is available on all major streaming platforms.
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 .
The resurgence of the “Port-Harcourt first son,” Duncan Mighty, into the mainstream in 2018 was nothing short of spectacular, you really had to be there to witness it.
After years away from the mainstream, 2018 marked a powerful reignition of Duncan Mighty’s career, a comeback that few saw coming. What some considered just a return turned into a dominant force in Nigerian music: Duncan Mighty was everywhere, collaborating with every A-list artist of the time.
His dominance began with the hit song “Fake Love” featuring Wizkid, which instantly went viral. The catchy lyrics, “Only fakers be loving when you have… When e red, them tuwama when e red,” quickly became a staple on radio and in clubs across the country.
Duncan Mighty and Wizkid in the “Fake Love” video
What initially seemed like a one-off collaboration blossomed into a wave of features.
Duncan Mighty and Tiwa Savage in the “Lova Lova”
Every top artist wanted a piece of Duncan Mighty’s magical sound. Notable collaborations include “Lova Lova” with Tiwa Savage, “Aza” with Davido and Peruzzi, “Bio Bio” with Reekado Banks, “Gimme love” with DJ Xclusive, and “what I see” with Phyno.
Duncan Mighty, Davido and Peruzzi in the “Aza” video
Through this period, Duncan Mighty reminded the industry of his legendary talent and cemented his place as a living legend of Afrobeats.
This, without doubt, stands as one of the greatest comebacks in Afrobeats history.
About the Writer
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 .
