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Apple Music’s 5 Biggest Nigerian Artists of All Time — and 5 On the Rise

Published

2 months ago

September 29, 2023

As Nigeria celebrates its 63rd year of independence, Apple Music is celebrating once again with Oshe Naija, a campaign highlighting Nigerian music’s rich history — as well as the ever-growing influence it has on culture today.

Over the past few years, time and again Nigerian artists have set new, bigger milestones on Apple Music, helping bring the music to an ever-growing global audience. Just look at the feats of the five biggest Nigerian artists of all time.

Burna Boy, the (No. 1) most-streamed Nigerian artist of all time on Apple Music, has smashed record after record with his blockbuster albums, and his latest was no exception: I Told Them… not only broke the African record for first-week streams, but also topped the albums chart in 69 countries simultaneously worldwide, a new record for the genre. Hitmaker Wizkid (No. 2) still holds the record for the most-streamed African song of all time with “Essence (feat. Tems),” which has reached the Daily Top 100 in more than 100 countries worldwide, and continues to reach the charts three years after its release. Davido (No. 3) had a record-breaking release with his 2022 album Timeless, and singer and rapper Rema (No.4) has had one of the biggest songs of the summer on Apple Music worldwide with the Afrobeats hit “Calm Down,” which now holds the record for the African single with the longest run in the top 15 of the Global Daily Top 100. Rounding out the top five is Asake, who’s seen an impressive 11 songs reach the Global Daily Top 100.

And with a whole new class of Nigerian artists on the rise, big moments like these will keep coming. Read on for five of the biggest breakthrough Nigerian artists on Apple Music right now.

1. Seyi Vibez

Seyi Vibez has started to get listeners worldwide hooked on his modernist take on Apala, a traditional Yoruba-rooted genre, that draws on elements of Fuji, Amapiano, Hip-Hop, Afro-soul music. Since the release of 2021“s “God Sent,” which became his first song to reach Apple Music’s Daily Top 100, the 23-year-old has seen more than 50 songs reach the chart in 20 countries. Seyi Vibez reached new heights last November with the release of his album Billion Dollar Baby and more successes have followed, including his first No. 1 on Nigeria’s Daily Top 100 and a feature on Burna Boy’s star-studded I Told Them… All told, Seyi Vibez’ streams have grown more than five-fold (+435%) in the past year.

2. Odumodublvck

With a sound that hops between Drill, Grime and Afrobeats and more, Odumodublvck is one of the hottest rappers coming out of Nigeria. After a co-sign by Skepta and signing to NATIVE Records, his November single “Picanto” became his first song to reach the Daily Top 100 in Nigeria. But it was with the release of his March single “Declan Rice” that his streams really started to soar. The song became his first song to top the chart in Nigeria, and also reached the chart in 11 other countries. In the past year, Odumodublvck’s streams have soared over 3,500% on Apple Music worldwide.

3. Shallipopi

Shallipopi has had a whirlwind year thanks to his viral Afrobeats hit “Elon Musk.” The song first heated up in March, when it became Shallipopi’s first song to reach Nigeria’s Daily Top 100, and paved the way for Shallipopi’s big breakthrough. This summer, he scored his first No. 1 in Nigeria with “Ex Convict,” sent seven other songs to the charts in 12 countries worldwide and was named an Apple Music Up Next artist in Nigeria, joining the likes of Khaid, Pawzzz and Novemba. In late June, Afrobeats star Fireboy DML hopped on a remix of “Elon Musk,” which helped Shallipopi’s streams soar 508% in Nigeria and 467% worldwide in one week.

4. Victor Thompson

Year after year, Nigeria and other African nations far outpace other nations in Christian and Gospel listening — with the genre accounting for a larger percentage of listening, and more songs reaching the Daily Top 100. It’s fostered the rise of artists like Gospel singer-songwriter Victor Thompson, who had a breakthrough in January with “This Year (Blessings).” The song has been Thompson’s biggest chart hit to date, reaching the Daily Top 100 in 58 countries, including 10 where it’s reached the top 10. All told, Thompson’s music has seen a 244% lift in streams worldwide year on year.

5. Bayanni

Team-ups between Nigerian and American artists are becoming more and more common each year, and each year, they climb higher and higher up the charts. Case in point: “Ta Ta Ta,” a teamup between Nigerian singer Bayanni and American pop star Jason Derulo. After the song was originally released on Bayanni’s 2022 self-titled EP, and started gaining steam late last year, Derulo hopped onto a remix in spring, helping it become an even bigger global hit. “Ta Ta Ta” has reached the Daily Top 100 in 54 countries, including 20 where it’s reached the top 10.

Celebrate Nigerian Independence at Apple Music’s Oshe Naija dedicated space.

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DJ Ashmen Celebrate Legendary Music group VIP with Ahomka wom Amapiano version

Published

2 days ago

December 1, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

In a musical fusion that would ignite and capture the hearts of music lovers across Ghana and the continent, DJ Ashmen has unveiled “Ahomka Wom Amapiano”, a masterpiece of a remake.

With an illustrious career spanning decades, DJ Ashmen has consistently pushed the boundaries of Ghanaian music and this latest project further solidifies his already existing reputation.

DJ Ashmen is a well-versed DJ who has firmly established himself as a luminary in the Ghanaian music industry. His journey, marked by unwavering dedication and innovation has left an indelible mark on the hearts of music lovers.

The original “Ahomka Wom” by VIP, recorded in 2003, remains an iconic anthem that once swept across Ghana, Nigeria, and various parts of Africa and the world at large

Various top artists across the continent have sampled the Jay Q-produced song including Nigeria’s Wizkid, Patience Ozokwor aka Mama G, a development that celebrates the lasting impact of this unforgettable track and its impact on African music space.

DJ Ashmen’s “Ahomka Wom Amapiano” introduces the vibrant Amapiano genre to this classic. Originating in South Africa, Amapiano brings a modernized groove to the original Hiplife masterpiece, promising to elevate the timeless classic to new heights and make it extremely appealing to the predominant Gen-Z music consumers.

DJ Ashmen’s transformation of this iconic track into an anthem of celebration, connecting generations through its timeless rhythm not only pays homage to the songs roots but also propels it into the future, reaffirming his status as a musical genius.

Audiomack : https://audiomack.com/dj-ashmen/song/ahomka-wom-amapiano

YouTube : https://youtu.be/_bWmYeke_Uc?si=7InKRtA-_AybwqPx

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Amartey previews forthcoming EP with all-new single ‘Listen’

Published

2 days ago

December 1, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

Amartey previews forthcoming EP with all-new single ‘Listen’

Whenever Mr. More Energy is around the corner, you know you’re in for the thrill of a lifetime! And one listen of his latest single is enough to understand why. The ‘Dey Inside’ crooner pulls on the right heartstrings with a simple yet effective title. He presents ‘Listen,’ a beautiful homage to his hometown and the first preview of his forthcoming EP “House of Energy,” slated for a 2024 release. ‘Listen’ is available on all digital streaming platforms globally here: https://share.amuse.io/track/amartey-listen

With Amapiano’s popularity saturating every inch of the Atlantic, Amartey is ready to be one of its focal points in Europe and of course, back home. A result of this ambition is ‘Listen.’ Over nifty log drum grooves and soothing melodies, Amartey invites fans to hear him out as he paints an expressive picture of where he longs to be: Teshie Penny–a suburb in Accra, Ghana. His vivid description makes for a striking premise that captures his heart and flair in a captivating mold full of authentic West African vibes.

A man on a mission to win over listeners, Amartey is a singer-songwriter and performer born and raised in Amsterdam-Zuidoost with Ga- Adangbe blood pumping through his veins. His versatility and knack for producing quality music have not only seen him sell out two headline shows at Melkweg but have spun viral radio hits such as ‘Nobody Like You’ (2015) and recently ‘Dey Inside’ (2022), which has approximately 500,000 streams on Spotify as of November 2023.

Amartey’s versatility has also seen him bounce between Afrobeats, R&B, Pop and now Amapiano–a genre quickly taking over Amsterdam’s nightclub scene by storm. From his splendid showcase at Eurosonic Noorderslag to performing on the Dutch TV program De Wereld Draait Door and winning the Grote Prijs van Nederland, the talented singer has proved himself a big stepper in the Dutch music scene. Largely thanks to his 2017 EP, ‘YBFTS,’ which ranked #1 and #16 on Apple’s iTunes World Music and iTunes Music charts, respectively.

‘Listen’ is produced by Ghana’s StreetBeatz. It is a tribute to Amartey’s roots and a showcase of his ability to switch between genres seamlessly. Don’t miss the chance to experience this thriving sound.

Instagram: amarteymusic
Twitter/X: @amarteym

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Kweku Flick teams up with Rocky Dawuni for ‘Praise’

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

After a successful year, Kweku Flick, best known for his “Money” making songs with his hit breaking song “Money” decides to drop a thankful song on which he displayed his vocal priors on a jam rock rhythm.

Kweku Flick, Ghana’s King of Melodies, sets the web ablaze as he decides to praise the Most High for all His guidance as he took to the career of being an artiste.

Praise, is an afro reggae music that is set to put its listeners in a conscious mood and at the same time, send a message of vocal dexterity that makes him live up to the fact that his fans call him the KIng of Melodies.

On this single is a Grammy Award nominee, one of the biggest musical exports from Ghana, Rocky Dawuni, who laid a very powerful verse on this song.

Rocky Dawuni, whose reputation as a reggae artiste exceeds him, has been Kweku Flick’s topmost artist that he had always wanted to work with, just to wake up one day to a story where Rocky Dawuni was praising his talent.

The chemistry between these two acts is amazing when you listen to this single.

This song was produced by Ghanaian Stallion and was mixed and mastered by Apya.

Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-AvM1XA1j8AyZSZ_Qsw1gmkDKKImT2Wm

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Listen UP: DopeNation – Tupac

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

The exceptionally talented Ghanaian twin duo, DopeNation, skillfully combines elements of Amapiano and hip-hop in their latest creation, “Tupac”. This innovative fusion results in a captivating and harmonious groove that sets a fresh tone in the music scene.

In crafting this track, we were inspired by the profound influence of one of hip-hop’s legendary figures, Tupac Amaru Shakur, whose contributions to global music remain immeasurable. It only felt right to pay homage to him by creating a dance track that exudes the spirit and energy synonymous with the legend, Tupac.

With “Tupac”, we aim to not only honor an icon but also infuse the essence of his legacy into a vibrant musical experience that resonates with audiences worldwide. This track stands as a testament to the enduring impact Tupac has had on the music industry and serves as a fitting tribute to his enduring influence.

Stream Tupac here – https://dpn.fanlink.to/tupac

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Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida This Friday with Grammy Award Nominee Musa Keys

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Musa Keys, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week, Africa Rising and Nandi Madida’s Favourite Track of the Week!
Tune in to Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida this Friday, December 1st at 9a London / 10a Lagos/Paris / 11a Johannesburg / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

Cover Star Interview
South African amapiano star and Grammy award nominee Musa Keys joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest track, “Izinyembezi (feat. Chley & Cheez Beezy)”. He also discusses his new EP, ‘Becoming Him’, the evolution of his sound, inhabiting dual roles as a producer and a vocalist, and his global aspirations.

The Big 5
Nandi Madida shares the 5 hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Jeriq, Smallgod, Kweku Flick & Young Lunya, Rayvanny, Reekado Banks & Lexsil, Blxckie, and Tyla.

Africa Rising
Kenyan soul singer Maya Amolo—Apple Music’s latest Up Next: East Afrcia featured artist—is the latest artist featured from Apple Music’s Africa Rising playlist, a campaign which shines a light on the next generation of African superstars, and this week’s show features her singles, “Wildin’,” and the Xenia Manasseh collab, “Love Letters.” Listen HERE.

Nandi’s Song of the Week
Each week, Nandi Madida chooses her favourite track from one of Apple Music’s African playlists. This week she spotlights South African amapiano DJ Kabza De Small and soul vocalist Mthunzi and their collab, “Imithandazo (feat. Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine & Umthakathi Kush),” from Apple Music’s Ke Dezemba, playlist, showcasing South Africa’s most infectious summer hits. Listen HERE.

Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, December 1st at 9a London / 10a Lagos/Paris / 11a Johannesburg / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.

Musa Keys tells Apple Music about his ‘Becoming Him’ EP

My ‘Becoming Him’ EP is a prompt to my album. I’m just saying goodbye to who I was, and welcoming my new self. I believe my music is different now, I’ve grown so much and now fully have an understanding of what works for me and what sound is best for me, what best translates what I feel to the rest of the people.

Musa Keys tells Apple Music about his Dual Roles as Producer and Vocalist

Somebody actually asked me what would I do if I had to choose between producing music and actually becoming more of a vocal artist. What would I choose? It was a very difficult choice for me, mainly because I think I’m pretty dominant in both, and the way I have so much intent I know what I want in the sense of what I want it to sound like, and that’s one thing I always say working with other artists – maybe I find I’ve produced the song, but I just feel like they’re not connecting with the song the way I’m imagining it in my vocal mind – so I believe I’m everything. Don’t classify me!

Musa Keys tells Apple Music about Taking his Music International

I should even change my Instagram bio to ‘Young Global Superstar’! I believe that I’ve reached quite a beautiful point in my life in South Africa where I’ve built my brand, and now it’s time to take it to the rest of the world.

Not only South Africa, Africa as a whole you know. I’ve done a couple of shows around Africa, which is where I’m going next now for my own shows. I want to have my own one-man shows outside of South Africa just to actually put a stamp that yo, I’m actually him.

Despite that I just believe that my music is in a different place now, I feel like I am where I should be. I feel like the music is really about who I’ve grown to become.

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Kimilist Addresses The All-Consuming Nature of New Love On “Confession”

Published

4 days ago

November 30, 2023

VJ Scaro

Talented singer/rapper under MimLife Records, Kimilist, has returned with his newest single, “Confession”: a smooth danceable fusion that captures the overpowering nature of newfound love interests. (more…)