Category: Music Industry Insights
Analyses on the current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the music industry.
Nyashinski signs landmark deal with Sony Music Entertainment, marking a new dawn for East African Music
In a move that signals a seismic shift for East African music on the global stage, Nyashinski, one of Kenya’s most enduring and influential artists, has signed a groundbreaking recording deal with Sony Music. The partnership inaugurates a new chapter not only for the artist but also for the region’s burgeoning cultural export, positioning East…
Women Behind the Beat: Celebrating Female Trailblazers in African Music
Afrobeats is powered by more than just the stars on stage; the brilliant women behind the scenes also shape it.From producers and songwriters to executives and managers, women across West Africa are redefining the sound and spirit of Afrobeats with bold creativity and quiet force. As Marie Claire notes, their influence continues to shine brightly…
Tems’ Leading Vibe Initiative Launches First-Ever In-Person Pan-African Music Program for Women in Lagos
Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, is moving through 2025 with the quiet confidence of an artist who knows she’s making history in real time. Over the past month, she has been steadily expanding her footprint — not only as a performer but as a cultural architect. From launching the first…
Reinventing Afrobeats: The Quiet Brilliance of Odeal, Gimba, and Melvitto
The year of 2024 marked another sonic explosion in Nigeria’s music scene, as new names joined the growing constellation of Afrobeat stars. Yet beyond the noise and hits, a subtler movement is unfolding—one that challenges what Afrobeats is, and more importantly, what it can become. The story of Afrobeats is one of rebellion, rhythm, and…
Across the Algorithm: AI’s Metamorphosis of Music in 2025
In 2025, artificial intelligence no longer shadows creativity—it’s rewriting the score. Fromcomposition to performance, AI technologies are reshaping the music industry’s landscape,raising questions about authenticity, equity, and artistic evolution. Section 1: The AI Creative Axis — Tools that Compose, Assist, and Replace AI composers like Suno, AIVA, and Lemonaide now craft chord progressions, full arrangements,and…
Ayra Starr Inks Deal with Roc Nation, Marking a New Chapter in Her Afrobeats Journey
Nigerian singer and Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has officially joined the artist roster of Roc Nation, the globally renowned entertainment and management company founded by hip-hop icon and mogul JAY-Z. Speculations about the partnership gained traction after Roc Nation shared a teaser of Starr’s upcoming single, “Hot Body,” across its social media platforms last week….
Angélique Kidjo Becomes First African Artist with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Beninese-French musical powerhouse Angélique Kidjo has secured her place in history, becoming the first African musician ever selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The announcement came via the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during a July 2 press briefing, placing her alongside luminaries like Miley Cyrus, Timothée Chalamet, Shaquille O’Neal, Deepika Padukone,…
Afrobeats in 2025: Songs Defining the Year So Far
Afrobeats is dancing in daring directions this year, fluid, fearless, and full of fire. The genre, a proud pulse of African creativity, continues to expand its orbit, and the top trending Afrobeats songs of 2025 are proof of its undeniable magnetism and evolving genius. In recent years, the culture has wrestled with internal discourse, questions…
Fela Kuti ’s Zombie Inducted Into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame 2025
In a landmark moment for African music history, the Recording Academy has officially inducted Fela Kuti ’s seminal 1977 album Zombie into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame, class of 2025. This honor solidifies Fela’s legacy as one of the most influential and uncompromising voices in global music, marking a proud and powerful chapter in the…
Wizkid Premieres ‘Long Live Lagos’ Documentary at Tribeca Film Festival Is A Powerful Ode to Home and Heritage
The Tribeca Film Festival witnessed a historic moment in African music and cinema as Nigerian global superstar Wizkid premiered his highly anticipated documentary, Long Live Lagos, on June 6, 2025. Screened in the Spotlight+ section under the “Expressions of Black Freedom” theme, the film brought Afrobeats and African storytelling to the heart of New York…