Drake’s Iceman Era Arrives at the Most Fragile and Fascinating Point of His Career

Drake’s new project Iceman is no longer functioning as a regular album release. It has become a cultural referendum. Released on May 15, 2026, alongside two surprise companion projects, Habibti and Maid of Honour, the rollout marks Drake’s first major solo statement after the Kendrick Lamar feud reshaped public conversation around his place in rap….

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WITH SEBULENI THE RHYTHM CONTINUES

Nairobi, Kenya – What began as a quiet return has now settled into a steady rhythm. Sebuleni, Nairobi’s evolving deep house listening space, continues its journey on Sunday, May 31st at The Rift, reaffirming its place not as an event, but as a monthly cultural ritual anchored in sound, community, and shared presence. Held every…

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AI Can Make Songs – But Can It Make Culture?

The music industry has encountered disruption before, AI won’t be the first. From the decline of physical sales to the rise of streaming platforms, each technological shift has redefined how music is distributed, consumed, and monetized. Yet the current moment signals something far more fundamental. Artificial intelligence is no longer operating at the margins of…

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Michael Jackson: The Algorithm Still Bows — How the King of Pop Reclaimed the Digital Crown

Sixteen years after his passing, Michael Jackson has once again repositioned himself at the centre of global music consumption; this time not through radio, MTV, or physical sales, but through the very systems that define modern music: streaming and digital metrics. According to Kworb data circulating across platforms, Jackson has ascended to the #1 Global…

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GLOBAL GROWTH, LOCAL QUESTIONS: WHAT THE IFPI 2026 REPORT MEANS FOR AFRICAN MUSIC

Every year, the global music industry pauses to take stock of itself. Numbers are released, charts are analysed, and narratives are shaped. But beyond the headlines and percentages, the real story lies in what those numbers reveal – not just about growth, but about power. The latest report from the International Federation of the Phonographic…

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Lira ’s Return: Music, Neurological Recovery, and the Reconstitution of Artistic Identity

Lira’s return following her 2022 stroke offers a deeper lens into music as therapy, the reconstruction of voice, and the question of sustainability within African music. The trajectory of an artist’s career is often evaluated through continuity. – measured by sustained output, public visibility, and uninterrupted engagement with audiences. Within this framework, interruption is frequently…

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Coachella 2026: Black Musical Centrality and the Expanding Logic of African Sound in the Global Festival Economy

Coachella 2026 highlights the rise of Black music and African sound as central forces shaping the global stage and music industry. The 2026 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is currently underway at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, featuring a historic headlining set by Karol G as the first Latina woman to headline, alongside performances…

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OneRPM

Building the Room: How ONErpm Is Creating Space for Women in African Music

In an industry often defined by access, visibility, and power dynamics, the most radical act is sometimes the simplest: like Onerpm is – creating a room and being intentional about who it is built for. Less than a fortnight ago in Nairobi, ONErpm quietly convened over 30 women across the Kenyan music ecosystem for an…

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