• When the Party Costs Too Much: Detty December’s New Price Tag and the Decline of True Vibes

    For years, December in Nigeria especially in Lagos has been more than a month. It’s a season, an attitude, and a reunion of sorts. “Detty December” became a global term, a cultural calendar that turned Nigeria’s nightlife into a homecoming pilgrimage for the diaspora and a celebration for locals who made it through another chaotic…

  • The Fall of Alaba Market: How Digitalization Ended an Era in Nigerian Music

    For nearly two decades, Alaba International Market in Lagos was the heart of Nigeria’s music economy. Long before streaming platforms, DSPs, and social media marketing, Alaba was where hits were made not in the studio, but on the streets. The market’s powerful network of music distributors, marketers, and CD vendors determined which songs reached listeners…

  • Teni and Gunna Tease “SPEED”: Afrobeats Meets Trap in a New Global Wave

    Late October 2025, Teni dropped a snippet of her upcoming collaboration with Gunna a track titled “SPEED”. The clip is bold: fast-paced, slick production, Teni’s distinctive vocal energy meeting Gunna’s rhythmic trap flow. The announcement has stirred fans across Nigeria, the US and beyond and for good reason. Teni has long carved a path through…

  • The Price of Stardom: How Overpricing Is Quietly Hurting Afrobeats

    The Price of Stardom: How Overpricing Is Quietly Hurting Afrobeats There’s a quiet tension brewing beneath the glossy surface of Afrobeats’ global success one that isn’t about talent, creativity, or sound, but money. Fees are skyrocketing. Show rates, feature prices, appearance charges everything has inflated to a level that even insiders are beginning to call…

  • TikTok Has Been Creating Hits But Is the Era Fading?

    For several years now, TikTok has been a dominant force in music discovery. A snippet of a track, once living quietly on streaming platforms or tucked away in the back catalogue, could be catapulted into global prominence through a viral trend, dance challenge, or meme. The app’s algorithm driven “For You Page” gave artists unprecedented…

  • “Marketing Advance for Afrobeats: A Blessing or a Curse?

    Marketing Advance for Afrobeats: A Blessing or a Curse? The global rise of Afrobeats has been one of the most remarkable cultural movements of the 21st century. What began in Lagos studios and Accra nightclubs has become a worldwide phenomenon, with artists selling out arenas from London to Los Angeles. But behind the hits, the…

  • Tiny Desk, Big Stage: How Afrobeats Is Still Learning to Breathe Live

    When Afrobeats stars started popping up on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, fans thought the genre had truly arrived. After all, Tiny Desk isn’t just a stage it’s a ritual. It’s where artistry is stripped bare, autotune takes a nap, and microphones tell no lies. But as the dust (and some off-key notes) settled, one thing…

  • oShamo’s IDRIS: A Milestone in a Rising Journey

    oShamo’s “IDRIS” Marks the Moment a Rising Star Becomes His Own Story There’s something quietly significant about oShamo’s new project, IDRIS. It doesn’t scream for attention it demands to be listened to. For an artist who first caught ears through playful bangers and viral energy, this new body of work feels like a turning point,…

  • Peruzzi’s “Sabali”: A Testament to Growth, Patience, and Musical Mastery

    Peruzzi’s “Sabali”: A Testament to Growth, Patience, and Musical Mastery When Peruzzi released Sabali, it immediately became clear that this was not just another Afrobeats album it was a personal statement, a declaration of patience and growth from one of Nigeria’s most talented yet underappreciated voices. After a quiet stretch following Rum & Boogie, Peruzzi…

  • Hope on a Slip: How Gambling Became the New Hustle for Nigerian Youths

    The Betting Generation: How Gambling Became Nigeria’s Quiet Youth Epidemic In today’s Nigeria, a betting slip has become as common as a debit card. From Lagos Street corners to university hostels in Enugu, young Nigerians are staking their last few naira on virtual games, live football matches, and prediction apps that promise a way out…