Mavo has apologised for past tweets about Davido, Rema, Ayra Starr, Erica and other celebrities after the posts recently resurfaced online.
One of the resurfaced tweets was posted in September 2020 while Erica was a contestant on Big Brother Naija. Mavo wrote, “I hate this Erica babe Fr fr.” After the post resurfaced, Erica quoted the tweet, replying, “Lol wow but you were nice to me when we met.”
Mavo also previously described Ayra Starr as “mid.” The pair have since collaborated on the remix of Mavo’s breakout single “Escaladizzy.”
Since breaking out in 2025, Mavo has also collaborated with Davido on “Nakupenda” and the remix of “Shakabulizzy.”
Addressing his past criticism, Mavo said he was “a bad entertainment critic” when he started university and eventually stopped focusing on criticism to concentrate on his music.
“My criticism sadly unfortunately & unintentionally hurt quite a number of people & i’m honestly sorry,” he wrote. Mavo added that he has met many of the people he previously criticised and found them to be “amazing people,” describing his earlier views as a “misjudgment.”
Davido, Fally Ipupa and Rema have been announced as headliners for Afro Nation Portugal 2027, scheduled for June 9–11 at Praia da Rocha in Portimão, Portugal.
The lineup also includes Omah Lay, Shenseea, Odeal, Valiant, Victony, Bamby, Miimii KDS and South Gidi Experience on the Lit stage. GIMS has also been announced as a special guest.
The Piano People stage will feature Kabza De Small, TxC, Dlala Thukzin, 031 Choppa, 2woBunnies, Young Stunna, Zee Nxumalo and others. The Afrotronic stage lineup includes Caiiro, Djeff, Jamiie, Aniko and JNR SA.
The 2027 edition will take place earlier than the festival’s usual July dates. Afro Nation has confirmed that the three-day event will return to Praia da Rocha, with tickets already on sale.
Rema has shared a video of himself on a call with Aliko Dangote, as the businessman’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO continues to generate attention online.
Dangote Refinery opened its public offer on September 14, offering 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 each. The minimum subscription is 10 shares, priced at ₦5,250, with the offer scheduled to close on October 13.
The video shows Rema and Dangote speaking over a video call with the singer sharing the moment on Instagram.
The interaction as the refinery’s share offer circulates widely across Nigerian social media.
Rema and Dangote have also met previously, including an encounter in March 2026 that was shared online.
The latest interaction comes as Dangote’s refinery moves through its first public share offering.
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.
Rising Afrofusion artist VALOE, has released a new single titled “Sandalili.”
The track is a melodic Afro-fusion record influenced by the sonic styles of Tems, Fireboy DML, Rema, and Omah Lay.
“Sandalili” leans into a smooth, mid-tempo Afrobeats foundation with soft synth elements, rhythmic percussion, and a focus on melody-driven vocals.
The song is built around themes of nostalgia, emotional distance, and memory, drawing from a childhood nursery rhyme in Eastern Nigeria that inspired its core concept.
VALOE describes his sound as Afrofusion shaped by both West African and diaspora influences. Raised in Aba and now based in Atlanta, his music blends Afrobeats, R&B, and soul, with a focus on atmosphere and emotional delivery rather than heavy production or high-energy structure.
“Sandalili” also references Aba, Nigeria through its cover art coordinates, grounding the release in VALOE’s hometown while presenting it within a more modern Afrofusion context.
“Sandalili” by VALOE is out now on all streaming platforms.
Nigerian artist Riick makes his entry into the music industry with “Sanity”, a track built on lush percussion, warm guitar riffs, and emotionally charged vocals.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Victony, Rema, and Burna Boy, Riick fuses Afro-fusion, R&B, and Soul into his music.
“Sanity” by Riick is out now on all streaming platforms.
The nominees for the 2026 American Music Awards have been announced with Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tyla, Rema and MOLIY scoring nominations.
Tyla is the most nominated Afrobeats artist this year. She’s up four awards including Best Afrobeats Artist, Best Social Song of the Year and Best Music Video of the Year both for “Chanel” and Best R& B Female Artist.
American Music Awards Best Female R&B Artist Nominees:
— Afrobeats Head Loves Timothee Ideh (@AfrobeatsHead) April 14, 2026
Nigerian-American artist Shaboozey is also nominated in three categories including Collaboration of the Year, Best Male Country Artist and Best Country Song for “Goodnews”
Blending vibrant drums, rock-inspired energy, and addictive Afrobeat rhythms, “Shake” is a full-throttle party anthem made for dancefloors, nightlife, and high- vibe moments.
Known for his smooth, confident, “cool rebel with a soul” aesthetic, Badboi Jay delivers a track that captures both swagger and fun. Drawing sonic inspiration from Rema, Burna Boy, and Shallipopi, “Shake”
Speaking on the single, Badboi Jay shares:
“‘Shake’ is about letting go and catching a vibe. I wanted something that instantly lifts the room and gets people moving.”
The Afrobeats Power Rankings for February 2025 by NotJustOk are here, and they’re telling an exciting story about a genre that’s always on the move. Based on a mix of streaming numbers, chart success, social media hype, and real influence in the music world, this list shows off the staying power of big names and the thrilling rise of new stars.
Let’s break down the Top 10, cheer on the artists who made the biggest jumps from January, and give a shoutout to newcomers like Kunmie, whose debut song Arike and EP Before We Became Strangers have landed him a spot in the spotlight.
What’s the Afrobeats Power Rankings All About?
The Afrobeats Power Ranking by NotJustOk is like a monthly report card for Afrobeats artists. It looks at streaming numbers, chart performance, social media influence, and overall industry impact to figure out who’s running the game. It’s not just about who’s got the most plays—it’s about who’s making waves and shaping the sound.
See the full scoop on how the Afrobeats Power Ranking is compiled.
Top 10: Who’s Leading the Pack?
1. Tyla (982 points) – She wasn’t even on the list last month, but Tyla’s Push 2 Start remix with Sean Paul has taken her straight to #1. It’s a worldwide banger!
2. Rema (541.09 points) – Dropping from #3 to #2, Rema’s still a big deal and not going anywhere.
3. Seyi Vibez (505.19 points) – Zooming up from #13 to #3, thanks to his hot Children of Africa EP.
4. Asake (288.71 points) – Up one spot from #5, Asake’s good vibes keep him climbing.
5. Victony (287.38 points) – Jumping from #16 to #5 with his dope track Pity This Boy featuring ODUMODUBLVCK.
6. Burna Boy (263.92 points) – Down from #2 to #6, but still a king in the game.
7. ODUMODUBLVCK (199.25 points) – New to the list at #7, riding the wave of Pity This Boy.
8. Ayra Starr (198.94 points) – Slipping from #6 to #8, but still shining bright.
9. Wizkid (161.68 points) – The old #1 now at #9—his star power’s still strong.
10. Ruger (132.30 points) – Up from #14, Ruger’s hustle is paying off.
The Biggest Climbers: Songs That Changed the Game
February 2025 was wild, with some artists leaping up the list thanks to killer tracks. Here’s who made the biggest moves:
● Tyla (Unranked to #1) – Tyla’s Push 2 Start remix with Sean Paul is everywhere—streaming like crazy and blowing up TikTok with dance videos. She’s the new global face of Afrobeats.
● Seyi Vibez (#13 to #3) – Up 10 spots, Seyi Vibez dropped the Children of Africa EP, and its street-pop vibes—especially the title track—are ruling Nigeria right now.
● Victony (#16 to #5) – A huge 11-spot jump! His song Pity This Boy with ODUMODUBLVCK is real and raw, getting tons of love on X.
● Adekunle Gold (#34 to #19) – Climbing 15 spots, Obimo—a sweet, highlife-flavored love song—has brought him back into the spotlight.
● Bella Shmurda (#29 to #22) – Up 7 spots with Verily, a chill, thoughtful tune that’s winning fans over.
● Joeboy (#36 to #25) – A solid 11-spot rise, thanks to his steady stream of hits.
New Kid on the Block: Kunmie’s Big Entrance
February wasn’t just about the usual suspects—new talent crashed the party too. Leading the pack is Kunmie, who landed at #16 with 71.00 points. His breakout hit Arike, released February 15, 2025, is a soulful love song that’s taken over TikTok with 186,000+ videos and scored 7 million Spotify streams in less than a month. It peaked at #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart and hit #1 on Nigeria’s Viral 50—talk about a debut! Then, in early March, he dropped Before We Became Strangers, a four-song EP with tracks like the deep I Admit, the upbeat Majekaja, and the romantic Arike and One More Chance.
This combo of a viral single and a solid EP shot Kunmie into the rankings, making him a name to watch.
Other fresh faces like ODUMODUBLVCK (#7) with Pity This Boy and Moliy (#15) are also shaking things up, but Kunmie’s fast rise from nowhere to #16 shows how a big song and a strong project can make you a star in Afrobeats today.
What’s the Vibe?
This month’s rankings feel like a tug-of-war between the young crew—Seyi Vibez, Victony, Kunmie—and the OGs like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido (#13). Tyla’s #1 takeover proves Afrobeats is going worldwide, and newbies like Kunmie and ODUMODUBLVCK show there’s tons of fresh energy in the mix. Some January faves like BhadBoi OML and DJ 4kerty didn’t make the cut this time, which just proves how tough this game is.
Songs like Push 2 Start (Remix), Children of Africa EP, Pity This Boy, Obimo, Verily, and Arike show off Afrobeats’ flavors—big collabs, street jams, and smooth love tunes—pushing artists up and keeping the genre exciting.
