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January 25, 2026
Music Custodian

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Tag: African Voice Changemakers

Yemi Alade Shines At African Voices Changemakers’ Special Edition
  • African Music Legends
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Yemi Alade Shines At African Voices Changemakers’ Special Edition

Damilare FarotimiNovember 27, 2024November 27, 202403 mins

CNN recently marked the 15th anniversary of its acclaimed series, African Voices Changemakers, with a vibrant celebration in Lagos.

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Music Custodian

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Amplifying Africa’s top-tier soundscapes while nurturing a creative music community through guardianship, skills development, and storytelling 🎙️

“Imagine the beach at 6pm. Quiet. Breezy. You ca “Imagine the beach at 6pm. Quiet. Breezy. You can hear yourself think.”

We explored her sound beyond genre ; not as a formula, but as a feeling. She doesn’t just describe her sound, she also places you inside it.

From the emotional world behind songs like “Adua”, to how independence has redefined her artistry, @yes_liya describes her music as a space where vulnerability, confidence, calm, and strength coexist.

🎙️ Music Custodian Sessions Ep 6

Watch the full episode out now on YouTube with link in our bio 📍

#MusicCustodianSessions #Liya #AfroFusion #SoundAsFeeling #AfricanMusic
In this episode of Music Custodian Sessions, Liya In this episode of Music Custodian Sessions, Liya sits with us in a moment of becoming ; not spectacle, not celebration, but clarity. 

We speak about growth, identity, and the quiet discipline of finding one’s voice after the noise fades. This is a conversation rooted in nuance: how she understands her sound, how she carries feminine strength without performance, and how Afro-Fusion becomes a language for emotional truth rather than trend. 

At Music Custodian, we do not rush stories ; we let them arrive fully formed, with care, pacing, and context.

Recorded just days before @yes_liya went on to win Best Vocal Performance (Female) at the 17th @the_headies Awards, this episode now stands as a timestamped cultural document ; proof of editorial instinct over reaction. 

Not a post-win interview, but a pre-recognition reflection. Here, @yes_liya represents the post-label, post-hype African artist navigating selfhood with intention. This is not promotion. It is preservation.

Link in our bio 📍

#MusicCustodianSessions #Liya #AfricanMusicCulture #AfroFusion #CulturalStorytelling
Easy energy. Honest conversation. @yes_liya steps Easy energy. Honest conversation.

@yes_liya steps into the Music Custodian space as relaxed, open, and ready to talk about growth, identity, and finding her voice.

🎥 Episode 6 will be out tomorrow, check the link in our bio for premium updates 📍

#MusicCustodian #Liya #AfricanMusicConversations #ArtistToWatch
Instagram post 17988261470927223 Instagram post 17988261470927223
As official media partners of the @dettydecfest , As official media partners of the @dettydecfest , Music Custodian’s coverage focused on presence: the crowd pressed against the stage, the elevated perspectives from the tables, the adrenaline of the grounds, the quiet moments between chaos, and the explosive ones that followed.

From the gridlocked streets leading into the venue, eclectic performances from @shenseea @faveszn @uncle__bubu to the euphoric eruption when @gunna finally took the stage, the night reflected Lagos in its most unfiltered form.

Our documentation of the night translated a convergence of sound, style, and collective energy. Gunna's performance amplified by a surprise @wizkidayo appearance became a shared release, reminding everyone why #Lagos remains the cultural heartbeat of December.

Go to the link in our bio now to read up on all what happened at the fest! 

#MusicCustodian #Gunna #DettyDecFest #Africa #Lagos #Culture #RecapDecember
@gunna headline performance at Ilubirin Mixed Use @gunna headline performance at Ilubirin Mixed Use Development on December 29 marked one of @dettydecfest most electric moments. 

Despite heavy traffic into the venue - a defining Lagos December experience - the night fully ignited when Gunna took the stage close to midnight. 

The alignment of sound, lighting, space, and crowd energy transformed the grounds into a pulsating live arena.

Fans sang along word-for-word as Gunna ran through a powerful set drawn from across his catalogue, before sending the crowd into euphoria with a surprise appearance from Wizkid for a joint performance. 

The festival grounds, one that is complete with immersive lighting installations, food vendors, and open-air design duly reinforced Lagos’ reputation as a global December destination.

As official media and storytelling partners for Detty December Fest, Music Custodian documented the night from the heart of the crowd, capturing a performance defined by intensity, connection, and cultural resonance.

Swipe to enjoy moments from the night, with captivating moments by our InHouse media associates and the DDF team 📸

#MusicCustodian #DettyDecember #LiveSpot #AfricanMusicCommunity #2025
There are concerts, and then there are moments tha There are concerts, and then there are moments that feel like history folding in on itself. 

On December 28, 2025, @wizkidayo returned to Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) not just as a global superstar, but as a cultural constant ; one whose story remains inseparable from the city that raised him.

Branded as the “G.O.A.T: Greatest of All Time Experience,” the concert was a defining chapter in Detty December’s crescendo, drawing thousands of fans into the heart of Lagos Island. 

From early evening, the streets around TBS pulsed with anticipation, as fans poured in - young, old, local, diasporan — all converging for one reason: Wizkid, at home.

What made the night resonate wasn’t perfection; it was truth. Wizkid didn’t overperform. He didn’t oversell. He simply showed up as confident, grounded, fully aware of who he is and where he comes from.

We didn’t think this was not a victory lap, rather it was a homecoming affirmation.

In a Detty December crowded with shows, pop-ups, and performances, Wizkid’s TBS concert stood apart because it felt necessary. It reminded us that global success doesn’t dilute roots , it deepens them.

As Lagos continues to assert itself as a world capital for music and culture every December, nights like this explain why. Not because of hype, but because of history, connection, and moments that linger long after the lights go out.

Wizkid at TBS wasn’t just a highlight of Detty December , it was a reminder of what legacy looks like when it comes home.

#MusicCustodian #DettyDecember #Wizkid #GOAT #Lagos
2025 did not demand that African music become some 2025 did not demand that African music become something else.
It asked it to become more itself.

These albums reflect a year where artists chose honesty over algorithms, meaning over momentum, and longevity over spectacle. As custodians of culture, our responsibility is not only to amplify what is loud ; but to preserve what is lasting.

This is how we heard the year.
And we’re grateful to everyone who listened alongside us.

Music Custodian presents to you a cultural document of how 2025 sounded across Africa and its diaspora ; with the link in the bio , please access how we heard the year 🏋🏼‍♂️✊🏾🎧

#MusicCustodian #AfricanMusicCommunity #AlbumsOf2025 #CultureDocumentation #Archive
Music Custodian is official storytelling and media Music Custodian is official storytelling and media partners w/ @dettydecfest as @gunna takes Ilubirin next Monday.

As Detty December hits full throttle, the Atlanta hitmaker brings his world-building sound to Lagos for a night set to move the culture. If you’re outside on the 29th of December, 2025, this is one you don’t miss. 🎟️

Tickets are moving fast so gather your people and secure your spot.

#MusicCustodian #DettyDecFest #GunnaLive #GunnaInLagos #DettyDecember #LiveMusic #LagosNights #CultureInMotion
To every artist who trusted us with their story, e To every artist who trusted us with their story, every publicist who believed in the vision, every reader who stayed curious, every supporter who amplified our work — thank you.

Music Custodian exists because of community. Because of shared belief. Because culture deserves to be documented with care.

From all of us, we wish you rest, warmth, and joy today.

Merry Christmas , Happy Holidays to all of our families around the world 🎄❤️

#MusicCustodian #MerryChristmas #ChristmasDay #Congratulations #AfricanMusicCommunity #AfricanDiaspora #Culture #Creativity #Music #Community #Africa
As we enjoy this Christmas gift from @wizkidayo (r As we enjoy this Christmas gift from @wizkidayo (remember he promised us a little while back (check our stories) 📍

Music Custodian is not just a platform; it is a living community shaped by writers, artists, DJs, producers, partners, readers, and listeners who believe that African music deserves depth, context, care, and respect. 

This year, we told stories across borders, amplified emerging voices, held space for culture, and showed up — consistently — even when it wasn’t easy.

Thank you to every artist who trusted us with their work, every reader who stayed with us, every collaborator who believed in the vision, and every silent supporter who shared, listened, and leaned in. 

You are the reason this work matters.

Merry Christmas Music Custodians! 

#MusicCustodian #MerryChristmas #AfricanMusicCommunity #Holidays #HappyHolidays #ChristmasGift
The Recording Academy has announced Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti as a recipient of its 2026 Special Merit Award for Lifetime Achievement, formally recognising the late Nigerian icon as one of the most influential architects of modern music history. 

The honour will be presented on January 31, 2026, placing Fela among an elite lineage of global figures whose work has fundamentally reshaped culture, sound, and social consciousness across generations.

Widely regarded as the father of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti forged an entirely new musical language in the 1960s by fusing funk, jazz, highlife, calypso, and traditional Yoruba rhythms into a sound that was as politically charged as it was rhythmically radical. 

Beyond music, Fela stood as a cultural revolutionary and a fearless political dissident, Pan-African thinker, and activist who used his art as a weapon against oppression, corruption, and colonial residue. 

His influence not only shaped Nigeria’s musical identity but laid the foundation for what the world today broadly recognizes as Afrobeats.

Decades after his passing, Fela’s legacy continues to reverberate globally ; inspiring artists across continents and genres, from contemporary African stars to global icons in pop, rock, jazz, and alternative music. 

His ideological and musical imprint lives on through institutions such as the Kalakuta Museum and the New Afrika Shrine, as well as through generations of artists who continue to draw from his unapologetic spirit. 

The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award stands as a long-overdue global acknowledgment of Fela Kuti’s immeasurable contribution ; not just to music, but to cultural resistance, artistic freedom, and African excellence on the world stage.

#FelaKuti #LifetimeAchievementAward #RecordingAcademy #Afrobeat #AfricanMusicHistory #MusicCustodian #CulturalIcons #PanAfricanLegacy #AfricanMusicCommunity
“The day I made Skin Tight was the day I thought “The day I made Skin Tight was the day I thought Arsenal was going to win the league.” ⚽️🎶

What started as a football high turned into one of Afrobeats’ most defining records.

In this episode of Music Custodian Sessions, @julsbaby_ breaks down the exact moment Skin Tight was born — from a @mreazi acappella, to raw instinct, to a global hit… even if @arsenal didn’t take the title that year 😅

📺 Full episode now live on YouTube
Watch. Like. Follow. Subscribe.
Tap in with intention. Link in Bio 🎺

#MusicCustodianSessions #JulsBaby #SkinTight #AfrobeatsHistory #DiasporaSound #AfricanProducers #FromTheStudio #CulturalArchives #MusicCustodian #AfricanMusicCommunity
As 2025 draws to a close, Barack Obama has once ag As 2025 draws to a close, Barack Obama has once again continued a tradition that began during his time in the White House: sharing his annual list of favourite music, books, and films. 

Over the years, these lists have evolved beyond personal taste into cultural markers ; offering a snapshot of the sounds, stories, and emotions that shaped the year across borders.

This year’s music list is particularly expansive, cutting across genres, generations, and geographies. From introspective soul and folk to Afrobeats, hip-hop, pop, and experimental global sounds, Obama’s selections reflect a year defined by emotional honesty, musical craftsmanship, and cross-cultural exchange.

In his accompanying message, Obama shared:
“As 2025 comes to a close, I’m continuing a tradition that I started during my time in the White House: sharing my annual lists of favorite books, movies, and music. I hope you find something new to enjoy—and please send any recommendations for me to check out!”

If 2025 taught us anything through sound, it’s this: the future of music belongs to artists who know who they are, where they come from, and aren’t afraid to let the world listen.

#MusicCustodian #GlobalSound #AfricanMusicToTheWorld #AfrobeatsCulture #2025InMusic #SoundAsCulture
#PanAfricanMusic #BorderlessMusic #MusicAnalysis
#CulturalReportage #BarackObama2025MusicList
As Afrobeats continues to expand across global sta As Afrobeats continues to expand across global stages, streaming platforms, and cultural conversations, one question grows increasingly important: what truly sustains a long music career?

@mrmoney and @wizkidayo ’s conversation echoes a growing Afrobeats longevity philosophy.

In this light-hearted yet revealing sit-down, the two Nigerian superstars exchanged mutual praise, discussed life beyond fame, and distilled what they believe truly sustains a long music career.

When asked what determines longevity in the industry, Asake was emphatic.

“You have to be authentic. You don’t have to sound like someone else. You just have to go with the way you can do your own and be proud of it,” he said, before adding that collaboration is equally essential.
“You also have to work with good musicians, because you can’t do it alone.”

Wizkid reinforced the point, highlighting discipline and consistency as crucial ingredients.

“Hard work is what actually determines how far you get,” the Grammy-winning artist added.

Beyond music, the conversation revealed a more intimate side of both artists. Asake named God, family, and peace of mind as his top priorities in life, while Wizkid spoke tenderly about fatherhood, saying his daughter gives him daily joy, alongside music and faith.

This conversation arrives at a time when Afrobeats continues its global expansion, offering emerging artists a rare, unfiltered blueprint from two of Nigeria’s most influential voices — one rooted in authentic expression, the other in longevity through discipline.

#MusicCustodian #Wizkid #Asake #Afrobeats #Naija #AppleMusic #CloseFriendsOnly #AfricanMusicCommunity
@adekunlegold has officially announced a headline @adekunlegold has officially announced a headline concert at the New National Theatre, Lagos — a historic moment that will see him become the first artiste to headline the newly revamped National Theatre. @nationaltheatrenigeria 

Set to deliver an extraordinary live experience, the concert will feature a 55-piece MUSON Orchestra, alongside Adekunle Gold’s live band, The 79th Element. The performance promises a rare fusion of orchestral arrangements and contemporary Afropop, reimagining Adekunle Gold’s catalogue in a grand, cinematic format.

This milestone concert positions Adekunle Gold at the forefront of live music innovation in Nigeria, marking a significant cultural moment for both the artiste and the iconic national venue.

More details to follow.

#AdekunleGold #MusicCustodian #DettyDecember #Fuji #MusonOrchestra #79thElement #LiveMusicInnovation
Veteran Nigerian folk musician Beautiful Nubia has Veteran Nigerian folk musician Beautiful Nubia has spoken out against the widespread destruction of trees and green spaces along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, using music and reflection to raise concerns about Nigeria’s relationship with nature.

In a video shared on Instagram, the singer recounted driving along the route and noticing that large stretches of trees had been cleared within weeks. 

“We have a war against trees.”

@beautiful.nubia speaks on environmental destruction, using music to question Nigeria’s relationship with nature; a reminder that development without preservation comes at a cost.

Known for using music as social commentary, Beautiful Nubia’s message extends beyond environmental advocacy into cultural reflection. 

His remarks highlight a growing tension between urban expansion and ecological responsibility in Nigeria, reminding audiences that progress without preservation is ultimately self-destructive. 

As cities continue to expand, his call serves as a timely prompt to reconsider how development is imagined — and what is lost along the way.

#BeautifulNubia #MusicCustodian #CultureAndConscience #EnvironmentalAwareness #NigerianVoices #AfricanArtists #Sustainability #CustodianNotes
MUSIC CUSTODIAN — MONDAY MOTIVATION “Part of MUSIC CUSTODIAN — MONDAY MOTIVATION

“Part of growing up and moving into new chapters of your life is about catch and release… Decide what is yours to hold and let the rest go.” — @taylorswift 

As we move into a new week at Music Custodian, this simple truth from Taylor Swift should be a philosophical practice. In a year defined by rapid change, cultural pivots, and creative acceleration, knowing what to carry forward and what to release has become a defining ritual for sustained impact. 

We must choose rhythm over noise, vision over distraction, and purpose over accumulation. It’s in those choices that space opens for deeper growth, lighter joy, and sharper clarity.

As documented in her new Disney+ series The End of an Era, the pop icon personally gifted nearly $197 million in bonuses to the dancers, technicians, drivers, and behind–the–scenes heroes who powered the tour’s 149-city journey. 

Each bonus arrived with a handwritten note, acknowledging sacrifice, craft, and collective effort ; a reminder that gratitude and recognition are as powerful as ambition itself.

This kind of leadership that is rooted in acknowledgment and intentional generosity is exactly what our creative community needs. 

Whether you’re building platforms, organising communities, creating music, or telling the stories of the next wave of African soundmakers, remember: success is not just what you achieve, but who you bring along with you.

Here’s to a week of choosing what matters, creating with purpose, and celebrating the brilliance around us. ✨

#MusicCustodian #MondayMotivation #TaylorSwift #ErasTour #CreativeLeadership #AfricanMusic #CulturalGrowth #StorytellingEconomy #GratitudeInAction #Inspirational
A new week calls for refined listening, and Custod A new week calls for refined listening, and Custodian Gems returns with a carefully curated selection spotlighting artists shaping the quieter, deeper edges of contemporary African sound. 

This week, @elestee__ leads as our cover artist — fresh off a run of new releases and media moments that signal an artist stepping firmly into her own lane. 

“Company” sits at the heart of this update: poised, intimate, and confidently understated.

From @bobbyibo textured “Mara Nma” to the reflective grit of @pabrymo & @psychoyp on “Lifestyle II”, this playlist moves with intention. 

@rsko_ganng x @minznse bring late-night ease on “2MYROOM”, while @abstraktt “Taliban” and @mejiverse @stillgoji & @boykylez “Sandalili” inject character and movement. 

There’s balance here — @topgirldiya “Balance” lives up to its name, and @ceesidemusic “Ocean Eyes” offers a moment of calm amid the pulse.

As always, Custodian Gems is about discovery, resonance, and staying ahead of the curve without shouting. These are songs that linger — built for replay, reflection, and quiet confidence as the week unfolds.

Cover Artist: @elestee__ - go run the playlist up and save to your respected music taste on @spotifyafrica @audiomack @spotify @audiomackafrica 🎸

#CustodianGems #MusicCustodian #Elestee #AfricanAlté #NewMusicAfrica #AfricanSoundscape #CuratedListening #EmergingArtists #DiasporaSounds
Detty December has officially clocked in and Lago Detty December has officially clocked in  and Lagos is already in full motion. 🌍✨

The grand opening of @dettydecfest was both a night out, as it was a cultural signal. From cinematic staging to high-energy performances, the city welcomed December the only way it knows how: loud, layered, and unforgettable. 

With the season now in full swing, Lagos once again takes its place as the global homecoming point for African music, culture, and community.

And now the lineup speaks even louder. 🚨🔥
@gunna joins @juma_jux and @bustarhymes for what promises to be a defining run of live moments across the festival calendar. 

Different worlds, shared energy, one city. Detty December Fest 2025 is happening, and it’s unfolding in real time, and the world is invited.

See the link in our bio for your multiple updates 🎸

#DettyDecemberFest #DettyDecember2025 #LagosCulture #AfricanMusic #GlobalSound #DiasporaHomecoming #LiveMusic #MusicCustodian #CultureInMotion #LagosDecember
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We are amplifying Africa’s top-tier soundscapes while nurturing a creative music community through guardianship, skills development, and storytelling.

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  • The Ultimate December Kickoff: A First Look at Detty December Festival 2025’s Grand Opening Night
  • Juls Baby Is Soundtracking the Diaspora & Redefining Global Music — Music Custodian Sessions Returns With a New Episode

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