Category: Regional Soundscapes
Explore the diverse musical traditions and contemporary sounds from different regions across Africa
J. Cole ‘s The Fall-Off Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200
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…
DETU Unveils ‘Madina,’ a Soulful Afro-Fusion Love Song
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 and Apple Music Launch Full Song Streaming & Listening Parties
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…
68th Grammy Awards: What the Night Reveals About Music, Power, and the Future
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…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
Gunna Lights Up Ilubirin as Detty December Hits Its Crescendo
For Detty December, by the time Gunna arrived at the Ilubirin Mixed Use Development on the night of December 29, Lagos had already decided it would not make things easy for anyone , not even the headliner himself. Traffic into the venue was intense, the kind that defines December in the city, with bodies, engines,…
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,…