Entertainment
Spotify launches platform for tracking growth of Afrobeats
Spotify, the streaming platform, has launched a new website dedicated to gathering data and tracking the growth of Afrobeats.
The company announced the platform, titled ‘Afrobeats: Journey of a Billion Streams’, in a statement on Thursday.
Spotify said the platform will house Afrobeats-related data, including infographics and visual elements.
The organisation added that the initiative is aimed at promoting Afrobeats, which has become one of Africa’s “biggest cultural exports”.
Spotify added that the website will be updated on biweekly basis and will educate listeners on new “Afrobeats moments”.
“The site will act as a repository for this cultural phenomenon housing text, infographics, and visual elements, including Spotify streaming data and results from the Spotify commissioned April 2023 Afrobeats survey. The survey, conducted by research firm Kuvora, tracks the rise of Afrobeats and its cultural impact over decades,” the statement reads.
“The site will be updated on a biweekly basis for the next 8 weeks but will remain active beyond this as an always-on resource, with frequent updates on new Afrobeats moments. It will also include an interactive experience for fans to discover and connect with new knowledge on Afrobeats.
“The site will also include key Afrobeats timelines over the years, interesting Spotify data, excerpts from interviews with industry experts and man on the street videos from key markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, managing director of Spotify in sub-saharan Africa, said the website will enhance understanding of Afrobeats.
“There is no doubt that Afrobeats as a genre is here to stay, and will only continue to shatter more ceilings. In 2023 alone, the genre has been played for more than 223 million hours with streams exceeding 7.1 billion on Spotify,” it added.
“We created this site for both new and longtime fans of the genre, who would like to have a better understanding of how and where this explosive sound came to be.”
Entertainment
Ali Baba says Northern elites are responsible for the way things are in Nigeria
Nigerian comedian Ali Baba has raised concerns about the serious issues facing Nigeria, especially in the northern region.
In an Instagram post yetserday, he shared a video showing many schoolchildren in the North who were out of school and begging on the streets, calling for urgent action.
Ali Baba recalled discussions he had over five years ago with friends from top universities. They created a WhatsApp group to brainstorm solutions for Nigeria’s problems. He noticed that some members from the North were sensitive when it came to discussing the high number of out-of-school children.
He wrote in part, “Many, who believed, like me, that the failure of the government to properly educate the young children from birth to age 10 was going to be a time bomb waiting to explode. We agreed it was happening in the south, too, but the rate and number of out-of-school children were becoming alarming, especially in the northern parts of Nigeria.”
“This woman from the North protested about the discussions. Vehemently. Then, at another time, time the matter on the front burner was grazing. Where my position was, the rearing and trading in livestock was a personal business…” he added.
He noted that the discussions took a different turn after a video of children begging for food was sent to the group.
“Then, a video surfaced, showing hundreds of children begging for food. Not in an IDP camp oooo. Inside Kano. As soon as we started discussing the issue, a certain Northern lady pounced on me as one who always has the negative narrative,” the comic continued.
Ali Baba highlighted the responsibility of Nigeria’s elite to address the educational and social issues facing the country, especially in the North.
“I kuku left the group. Now, only the Northern people are complaining about what I complained about. But I don’t feel vindicated, I just realised that some of the Northern elites are responsible for the way things are. The way I see it, the number of kids as seen I the posted video is mind-boggling. And it’s not 10 years yet, like I warned. Dem go feel it!” he concluded.
Entertainment
Banky W relocates to US with family to pursue master’s degree
Bankole Wellington, the music executive fondly called Banky W, has announced his relocation to the United States with his family.
In an Instagram post, Banky W shared the reasons behind his decision, saying “family, faith, and finding purpose”.
The singer also revealed that he will be pursuing a masters degree in Policy Management at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
He posted photos with his wife Adesua and their son at the airport, as well as snapshots with loved ones, including music executive Eldee.
“For family. For faith. For finding purpose. For the next year of earning a Masters degree in Policy Management at Georgetown University in Washington DC,” he wrote.
Adesua added, “home is wherever you are” in the comment section.
Entertainment
Reekado Banks, partner welcome first child
Reekado Banks, the Nigerian singer, and his girlfriend have welcomed their first child.
In a post via Instagram, the singer shared a video of himself leaving the hospital with his newborn and expressed gratitude for the “blessings of fatherhood”.
“Cos, how is it 2 years after, I’m leaving the hospital, thankful for the blessings of Fatherhood,” he wrote.
Banks also showered appreciation on his partner for her strength and resilience throughout the pregnancy.
“Nothing but deep appreciation to my woman for 10 months of absolute show of grit and strength. Love you forever,” he added.
However, the singer did not reveal the name or gender of the child.
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