J. Cole has once again proven that longevity in hip-hop is not accidental, rather – it is architectural. With The Fall-Off debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, opening with approximately 280,000 equivalent album units, Cole secures his seventh chart-topping project. In a streaming-dominated era where virality often overshadows discipline, this debut stands as…
Nigerian-Ghanaian artist DETU returns with his heartfelt new single, “Madina,” a love song crafted for the season of love. Rooted in emotional vulnerability, intimacy, and devotion, the track captures love through a distinctly African lens — warm, soulful, and deeply relatable. DETU, whose name translates to “Symbol of Hope,” blends Afrobeats, soulful melodies, and cinematic…
TikTok has expanded its music streaming integration through a new partnership with Apple Music, introducing full-song playback and real-time Listening Parties within the social video platform. The beta rollout signals a deeper convergence between short-form video, streaming services, and digital music monetization, reshaping how fans discover and consume music directly inside TikTok. TikTok’s “Play Full…
Across Africa’s vast soundscape, a new rhythm is rising — one that refuses to stay confined by language, genre, or geography. From our last exploration of the Francophone Renaissance, we now journey northward into the Maghreb, where a quiet revolution hums beneath desert winds and neon skylines. In Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt, tradition meets trap,…
The 68th Grammy Awards returned to Los Angeles with all the theatre, prestige, and cultural tension that now defines Music’s Biggest Night. Held in the heart of L.A. and organised by the Recording Academy, the ceremony once again reminded the world that the Grammys are not just an award show; they are a mirror reflecting…
Nigeria’s music industry is once again at a critical crossroads—this time, not over charts, streams, or global recognition, but over who controls the money generated by the music record industry. Behind closed doors, a high-stakes dispute is unfolding between the Record Label Proprietors Initiative Ltd/Gte (ReLPI) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) over the proposed…
As the global music industry turns its attention to the 2026 Grammys, the conversation once again drifts toward trophies, speeches, and red carpets. But long before the gold statues are handed out, the real story has already been written ; in studios across Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, London, Atlanta, Kingston, and beyond. It lives in…
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has made a striking return to COLORSxSTUDIOS, delivering a stripped-back performance of “What You Need” that leans fully into restraint, vulnerability, and emotional precision. Premiering just over an hour ago, the session has already drawn thousands of viewers, reaffirming Tems’ rare ability to command attention without spectacle. Against COLORS’ signature minimal backdrop,…
In an era where attention is fleeting and culture is often reduced to trends, Music Custodian exists as a living archive , we think of a space where African music is not just announced, but understood; not just amplified, but contextualized; not just celebrated, but protected. From its earliest days as a bespoke communications consultancy,…
Liya is an Afro-Fusion singer whose music carries emotion, softness, strength, and quiet conviction — and in this episode of Music Custodian Sessions, she opens up about her journey, growth, and the freedom of truly finding her voice. In this intimate conversation, Liya reflects on her early beginnings, her time as the first female artist…
