Nigerian Record Labels Oppose NCC’s Proposed MCSN Royalty Framework

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…

Read More
Grammys 2026 Music Custodian Reports

Before the Gold Statues: What the Grammys Still Don’t Fully See About African Music

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…

Read More

Tems Returns to COLORSxSTUDIOS With a Quiet, Devastating Performance of “What You Need”

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,…

Read More
Music Custodian Manifesto

MUSIC CUSTODIAN IS A LIVING ARCHIVE

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,…

Read More

Liya on Growth, Identity, Finding Her Voice & Redefining Afro-Fusion | Music Custodian Sessions Ep 6

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…

Read More

Gospel vs. Secular Music in Nigeria: Does the Line Still Exist?

In Nigeria’s continuously evolving music landscape, the traditional divide between gospel and secular music is becoming increasingly difficult to define. As artists move fluidly between faith-inspired expression and mainstream success, the question is no longer whether gospel and secular can coexist – but whether the line ever truly existed. In Romans 12:2, the apostle Paul…

Read More