Afrobeats Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

They call CKay "Africa's Boyfriend," and his new single is certainly swoon-worthy. The afrobeats singer released the original Sad Romance last Septebmer., and an expanded version is set for release this month.

Since the release of Love, Damini last July, Burna Boy has largely focused on touring the world and letting the accolades pour in. His busy summer includes a headlining slot at Afro Nation Detroit and a stadium show at New York’s Citi Field.

Seun Kuti has been released from police custody after meeting his bail conditions for allegedly assaulting a police officer, and will now embark on a delayed Europe concert tour.Last week (Monday May 15), the youngest son of the Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti was arrested and detained in his hometown of Lagos by local police. Seun Kuti is alleged to have assaulted a police officer, who the 40-year-old claims was drunk.On Wednesday (May 24), it was ruled that the public prosecutor – not the police – had the power to prosecute the musician.

After an absence of three years, J Hus has returned with new music. "It’s Crazy" is produced by Fumes and The Elements and comes with a video in which the London-born artist cruises around town in a black Mercedes Benz.

Asake has announced details of a new album and shared the first single. Work of Art will be released on June 16 and is preceded by "Amapiano," a collaboration with fellow Nigerian artist Olamide.

Asake has announced a one-off London show at The O2 Arena this summer.The Nigerian Afrobeats star will perform at the 20,000 capacity London venue on August 20, marking his first performance in the English capital since a fatal crowd crush at his O2 Academy Brixton gig in December resulted in the death of two people, leaving a third critically injured.“My London family see you this Summer at The O2 Arena,” Asake wrote on social media.My London family see you this Summer at The O2 Arena @TheO2 Sun 20th August 2023.Pre Sale Sign

Since covering The FADER in 2019, Rema has developed his talents with remarkable style and brought his "Afrorave" sound from Nigeria to the global pop charts. He secured a massive hit this year with "Calm Down" and its Selena Gomez-featuring remix, and he'll head out on a 17-date tour of North America this summer.

Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has announced a summer 2023 North American tour, kick off just two days after his previously announced European tour ends. Starting on July 15 at Washington, D.C.’s Broccoli City festival and ending in Los Angeles the following month, the 17-date run crosses the United States and Canada.

Afrobeats star Davido is coming to North America for a brief tour behind his fourth album Timeless, released in March. The arena shows begin in Washington, DC on July 1 and conclude in Toronto, Canada on the city's Budweiser Stage.

Baaba Maal has been appointed a new Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations.Maal will become an honorary spokesperson representing the UN’s interests, raising awareness and mobilising support.“Being made a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador opens up new possibilities for me,” the musician and Mumford & Sons collaborator said of the role. “I’ll use my music and influence to fight desertification, land degradation, and gender inequality.

Asake is a Nigerian artist with a talent for fusing music from the African continent and beyond, creating tracks that frequently entertain Western notions of pop while sounding totally fresh. "2:30," his second single of the year after the Songs You Need-playlisted "Yoga," is another winner.

Burna Boy has added another North American tour date on his ongoing trek behind his 2022 project Love, Damini. The new show will take place at Citi Field in New York City on July 8, 2023.

Kamala Harris has released a Spotify playlist to document her travels across Africa.The playlist, My Travels: Ghana, Tanzania, & Zambia was released in tandem of Harris’ tour around the continent. She included some of the biggest musical names in the diaspora –  including Ghana’s Amaarae, Tanzania’s Harmonize, and Zambia’s Chef 187.The 25-track-long playlist comes simultaneously with the announcement of Harris pledging to support “African Innovation” in Ghana.She said: “Together, we will address the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead. America will be guided not by what we can do for our African partners, but what we can do with our African partners.”The playlist is available on Spotify now.

Baaba Maal has spoken to NME about his new record, making music all over the world, and his legacy whilst hoping “the whales singing in the background aren’t too loud”.He is set to release his 14th studio album ‘Being’ on March 31 – featuring the singles ‘Freak Out’, ‘Agreements’, and ‘Yerimayo Celebration’.His first album release since 2016’s ‘The Traveller’, ’Being’ was created during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. With the world on lockdown “whilst this album was becoming itself”, the Senegal legend found that the key to surviving life’s ups and downs was discovering that “the most important thing is just to be”.“Music shouldn’t be about the struggle,” he told NME.

Davido has confirmed details of a new studio album. Timeless will be released next Friday, March 31 via Columbia Records.

Amaarae has shared the new sultry single ‘Reckless & Sweet’, accompanied by a sensual music video. Check it out below.The single marks Amaarae’s long-awaited return after her global breakthrough track ‘SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY’ featuring Moliy, and its remix featuring R&B singer Kali Uchis, and sees the artist infuse different world flavours to her typical Afrobeats sound.After having “a lot of time to think and reflect on what [she] wanted [her] message to be”, the Ghanaian singer said, “Last time [my message] was about confidence, this time it’s about love and faith.”“‘Reckless and Sweet’ is a sexy song,” Amaarae said.

Amaarae has shared details of a new studio album and dropped the first single. "Reckless & Sweet" will appear on Fountain Baby, which is due later this year. An official release date for the album, the follow-up to 2020’s The Angel You Don’t Know, is unconfirmed at the time of writing.

Burna Boy has been announced to co-headline this year’s UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi.The Nigerian Afrobeats star will perform at the sporting final on June 10 at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium, alongside another soon-to-be-announced “global sensation”, according to a press release.“As a huge football fan myself, I know it doesn’t get any bigger than the UEFA Champions League!” Burna Boy said in a statement.“That’s why I’m so excited to be performing on the Pepsi MAX stage at this year’s final. Music and football are the ultimate combination, so you already know I’ll be bringing the vibes and making magic in Istanbul.

Baaba Maal has released ‘Freak Out’ featuring the Malawian duo The Very Best, ahead of his 14th studio album, ‘Being’.The new worldbeat track is mysterious as the Senegalese musician draws on the idea of privacy.“There are things you should keep to yourself,” he said. “Mystery is important in life; you don’t need to shine a light on every little thing you do.

Asake gig on December 15, 2022 tried and were able to force their way in to the show, leading to overcrowding and the gig being cancelled half way through. Rebecca Ikumelo, aged 33 and Gaby Hutchinson, 23 died in the following days.Now, insiders at the venue’s medical provider – Collingwood Services Ltd – have approached BBC Radio 4’s File On 4 programme to reveal that only half of the recommended medical presence at a gig of that size were present on the night, as BBC News reports.Claiming that the medical cover at the gig had been “inadequate,” one whistleblower said: “[They] had two student paramedics, so they’re basically unqualified.

The NBA All-Star Game arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sunday evening, and alongside a basketball game featuring the NBA's best players, viewers were treated to performances from some similarly talented artists, as well as Post Malone. Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems each took the stage for the evening's musical showcase, with Post Malone performing at the pre-game tip-off event with some help from 21 Savage.

On Monday (February 6), Nigerian Afrobeats artist and music exec Mr Eazi called out Bad Bunny on Twitter, claiming the Puerto Rican emcee ripped off a track by two artists on Eazi’s label, emPawa Africa. “Yo [Bad Bunny] you need to tell your lawyers to stop messing around and clear that Joeboy rip off on your album,” he wrote.

Ghanaian afrofusionist Black Sherif has shared a new visual treatment for “45” — a track from his debut album, The Villain I Never Was, released on October 6 via Blacko Management with global support from EMPIRE. The video comes courtesy of “Boy Director” TG Omori, a leading force in the visual landscape of contemporary African pop.

Ghanian artist Black Sherif has shared his debut album. The Villain I Never Was features recent single "Kwaku The Traveller" plus the Burna Boy remix of his breakout hit "Second Sermon." Mixing afrobeats with asakaa (Ghanian drill) "Second Sermon" was No.

A new music festival from Davido called Are We African Yet? is on its way stateside. On November 18 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Davido will perform a headlining set with music from Kizz Daniel, Wande Coal, Lojay, Pheelz, Oxlade, BNXN, Focalistic, and Victony.

In late August, Selena Gomez blessed “Calm Down,” a standout from Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema’s March debut LP, Rave & Roses, with a remix. And today, a new visual treatment for the track’s Gomez redux has arrived. While not a direct remake, the new video stays close to the color palette and general aesthetic of the original song’s accompanying clip, with Rema and Selena gliding through a series of stylish outfit changes in an array of tastefully decorated rooms.

Asake’s debut album has arrived. Mr. Money With The Vibe, out today via YBNL Nation with with global support from EMPIRE, is a 12-track, 30-minute tour de force from the rising Afrobeats star.

"Calm Down," the feelgood smash hit from afrobeats singer Rema has received an official remix featuring Selena Gomez. An official video for the remix will be released next week but the song can be streamed below, now.

Afrobeats and indie rock might not seem like musical neighbors, but for artist Duncan Daniels—who straddles between both genres in his repertoire—they make for perfect bedfellows. Born in Boston and raised between the UK and Nigeria, Daniels’ musical palette speaks to his diverse upbringing; working as a producer and engineer alongside pre-breakout WizKid and Burna Boy while also pulling songwriting inspirations from unlikely sources.

Burna Boy has announced his touring plans for summer 2022, revealing a short nine-date run in the second half of July. The tour will support the Nigerian superstar's sixth studio LP, Love, Damini, set to drop at 7 p.m. EDT on June 30 in celebration of his 31st birthday, which falls on a Saturday (July 2).