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Spotify marks YBNL’s 10th anniversary with mini-documentary (Video)

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Spotify has put out a mini-documentary to celebrate the 10th anniversary of YBNL, the culture-shifting Afrobeats label founded by Olamide, the Nigerian music icon.

Over the course of a decade, YBNL has developed a reputation for taking the sounds of the street to global ears through showcasing Afrobeats stars and producing definitive hits.

To celebrate the label’s 10th anniversary, Spotify took to the streets of Lagos to document its influence.

Speaking on the label’s impact, Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “Over the last decade, YBNL has become a true Afrobeats success story. Spotify is glad to celebrate the growing legacy of its artists, their music and its influence in Nigeria, across Africa and globally.”

Since 2012, Olamide has discovered, developed, and exported some of Nigeria’s brightest music stars through YBNL.

From inception to date, some of the talents signed or endorsed include Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Fireboy, Asake, Pheelz, Young Jonn, DJ Enimoney, Zlatan, Naira Marley, T.I Blaze, Ycee, Viktoh, Chinko Ekun, and many more.

Here are 10 defining moments in YBNL history that have held significance over the years:

The release of Olamide’s second studio album, titled YBNL, marked the birth of his independent label.

Ghost Mode, a 2012 rap collaboration between Olamide and rapper Phyno was a cultural phenomenon that inspired a joint album. It is remembered as one of the best Afrobeats collaborations.

Led by Eleda Mi O and Durosoke, Baddest Guy Ever Liveth cemented the label’s A-list status. Pheelz, Olamide’s go-to producer, produced all tracks but one.

The success of Shoki Remix, supported by two titans in Davido and Olamide, rapidly elevated the status of Lil Kesh, the first of many young artists signed to YBNL.

Surrounded by signees and affiliates, Olamide made his fourth studio album, Street OT, into a YBNL showcase, giving a platform to B Banks, Viktoh, Chinko Ekun, and Lil Kesh.

Following a successful 2014, Olamide held “Olamide Live In Concert” at Lagos’ Eko Hotel. It was a huge success and became a December staple.

Released in 2018, the YBNL Mafia Family featured songs by all the label’s artists, including the hit Jealous and a certain Fireboy.

In 2020, Olamide announced a joint deal with the international distribution company, EMPIRE, giving YBNL artists greater access to the global audience.

Fireboy’s Peru was released as a freestyle and became one of the most viral Afrobeats songs of 2021. It inspired a remix with Ed Sheeran, which has over 100 million Spotify streams.

With the release of Omo Ope (featuring Olamide), and Asake signing to the label in February 2022, YBNL entered its 10th chapter in style.

To turn back the years, enjoy 10 years’ worth of hit songs from YBNL, featuring past and present members here.

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‘It hurts’ — Don Jazzy laments not having partner

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Michael Ajereh, the Nigerian music executive better known as Don Jazzy, has lamented his relationship status.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the founder of Mavin Records expressed his desire to participate in a trend ‘suspect challenge’.

The ‘suspect challenge’ is a new social media trend in which couples take turns to playfully tease each other.

The 41-year-old entrepreneur said he would like to join the trend but has no partner.

“Suspect wants to do suspect challenge but no suspect partner,” he wrote. In the accompanying caption, the music executive lamented that “it hurts”.

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Dayo Amusa welcomes first child in US

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Dayo Amusa, the Nigerian actress, has announced the arrival of her first child — a baby boy.

Seun Oloketuyi, the founder of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, first broke the news on Monday via Instagram.

“@dayoamusa delivers baby in the US. Congratulations,” he wrote.

Dayo also confirmed the report, sharing her excitement on social media.

In the caption, the 41-year-old wrote, “ALHAMDULILAH 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 My treasure has arrived. It’s a boy”.

The announcement has sparked an outpouring of congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues in the industry.

Tawa Ajisefini, the actress, congratulated Dayo on the arrival of her newborn, she wrote, “Oluwa o shey ooooo… a mo lore 💃💃😀😀🎈🎈🍾🍾🍾💃💃💃❤️❤️❤️. Iya okomi, congratulations sissy🫂🫂🫂🎈🎈 olorun a ka mo wa🤲🤲 Mama na boy💃💃💃💃💃”.

Toyin Adewale, another actress, also joined in the celebration.

“Oluwaseun ooo 🙏💃💃. Allihamdulilahi Robil Al’amin. Iro Ayo lao magbo lagbala olododo 🙏 Adufeade mo ba e yo🤩 @dayoamusa. Ayo na abawa kale Insha Allah 🙏. Welcome home, little Prince 🤴💙,” she wrote.

Details about the child’s father remain undisclosed.

Dayo started acting in 2002 and debuted as a producer in 2006. Known for her versatility, she has starred in Yoruba and English-language Nollywood films. She has also received several accolades for her talent.

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Wizkid unveils tracklist for new album ‘Morayo’

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Wizkid, the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, has unveiled the tracklist for his upcoming album ‘Morayo’.

The highly anticipated project, scheduled for November 22, is a tribute to Jane Dolapo Balogun, Wizkid’s late mother, who passed away in August 2023.

In the tracklist, released on Monday, the singer features artistes like Asake, Brent Faiyaz, Jazmine Sullivan, Anaïs, and Tiakola.

The album comprises 16 tracks including, ‘Troubled Mind’, ‘Karamo’, ‘Kese (Dance)’, ‘Bad Girl’, ‘Time’, ‘Piece of My Heart’, ‘Break Me Down’, ‘Bend’, and ‘A Million Blessings’.

Others are ‘Après Minuit’, ‘Bad for You’, ‘Soji’, ‘Don’t Care’, ‘Slow’, ‘Lose’, and ‘Pray’.

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