Category: Emerging Artists
Showcase rising stars and emerging talents within the African music scene.
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…
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…
What 2025 Sounded Like: 30 Albums, Carefully Curated
As the year winds down, Music Custodian finds itself reflecting on the records that moved culture, sparked conversations, went viral, climbed charts, and ultimately soundtracked our year. Beyond numbers and accolades, these are the albums that lived with us, shaping moments and moods long after release day. 2025 was a defining year for music. Afrobeats,…
MUSIC CUSTODIAN PARTNERS WITH SHIGH TO LAUNCH “MOST WANTED” — A NEW CROSS-GENRE ANTHEM FT. BAGETTI, CANDY BLEAKZ & LADÉ
Lagos, Nigeria — Music Custodian is proud to announce press activation support for “MOST WANTED”, the new single from SHigh, featuring Bagetti, Candy Bleakz and Ladé. The track is an audacious blend of street energy and melodic modern Afrobeats — a club-ready anthem crafted to bridge scenes and amplify rising female voices in the contemporary…
Francophone Renaissance: From Dakar to Abidjan, the New Age of Rap & Afropop
At Music Custodian, we’re tuning our ears to new frequencies. As part of a fresh editorial wave, we’re stepping beyond the familiar rhythms of Afrobeats to explore the vibrant, genre-blending soundscapes flourishing across West Africa — with a spotlight on the often-overlooked Francophone regions. From Dakar to Abidjan, a quiet renaissance is reshaping the sonic…
Ebne Hakim Releases “Tsehaye,” a Stirring Ode to Longing and Hope
Rising Ethiopian artist Ebne Hakim returns with his latest single, “Tsehaye,” a poignant meditation on love, memory, and the quiet strength of hope. The track—whose title means “sun” in Amharic—is a deeply personal ballad wrapped in warm melodies and inspired by the energy and rhythms of Tigrigna traditional beats. Released during Ashenda, an annual cultural…
Tejiri Is the Industry’s Best-Kept Secret and the Blueprint for the Next Generation of Creatives
In our latest Custodian Conversation, we sit with a quietly brilliant mind shaping the contours of today’s most resonant sounds—Tejiri Akpoghene: Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and creative architect behind culture-shifting records like “Wait For U” by Future, Tems, and Drake. Tejiri’s story isn’t the usual linear climb—it’s textured. Woven from the rhythm of his Lagos upbringing,…
Inside the Soul of Xowié: South Africa’s Daring New Voice With a Global Rhythm
When rising South African soulstar Xowié touched down in Kenya for a string of intimate songwriting and collaboration camps and media tour, we knew we had to catch her in motion. Luckily, between studio sessions and soulful exchanges, we carved out time for an inspiring conversation that allowed us to uncover the heart of her…
Meet Florence Dei: Inside Efe Oraka ’s Reinvention and Creative Journey
Long before the spotlight found her, Efe Oraka was already quietly shaping her sound, releasing music in her teens, and crafting songs that carried an intimate kind of magic. Though many were first drawn in by her viral cover performances, her journey had long begun, rooted in a deep love for music and storytelling. Now,…
Jeff Akoh Talks Love, Music, and His Journey Through Grace and Grit
In this heartfelt edition of Custodian Conversations, we journey through melodies, memories, and moments with none other than Jeffrey Ufedo Akoh, fondly known as Jeff Akoh, the Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performing sensation whose voice feels like home. From singing in the warmth of family gatherings to echoing through church pews, Jeff’s beginnings were filled…