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Spotify dedicates new site for Afrobeats

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Spotify, the streaming platform, has launched a dedicated website for the Afrobeats genre of music.

‘Afrobeats: Journey to a Billion Streams’ is a dedicated site that will track all things related to the genre; from its origins in Ghana, its popularisation in Nigeria, its fusion with other genres as well as how it has become one of the continent’s biggest cultural exports.

The website will be updated on a biweekly basis and remain active as an always-on resource, with frequent updates on new Afrobeats moments.

“Afrobeats ascending to where it is today has taken a proverbial village. Multiple players from the artistes themselves to DJs on the continent and in the diaspora, and the very loud and proud fans have helped shape the music which draws from an array of sonic influences,” said Phiona Okumu, the head of music for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Today Afrobeats is an undeniable influence on global pop culture thanks to these contributors.”

The updated Afrobeats website showcases the genre’s constant thirst for reinvention, with research conducted on behalf of Spotify by research firm Kuvora. The findings showed that 90% of fans expect Afrobeats to continue evolving.

The latest updates to the site explore the evolution of Afrobeats through three distinct eras of creativity that laid the foundation for Afrobeats’ connection to global audiences. From the early era of Hip Hop-influenced but locally rooted sounds to the infusion of foreign influences and local lyrics, and the definitive hits that marked pivotal moments, the website provides a comprehensive exploration of Afrobeats’ journey.

The evolution story also explores the key figures who have played significant roles in shaping and propelling Afrobeats forward. From trailblazers like 2Baba, P-Square, and Wande Coal to influential women such as Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade, these artistes have defied stereotypes, broken barriers, and taken Afrobeats to unprecedented heights.

Spotify will also be sharing new data including:

The top streamed Afrobeats artists of all time

The number of hours of Afrobeats music streamed last year

The top-streamed songs in the top streaming cities

“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. 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,” said Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Entertainment

The ELITES Magazine Edition Is Out!!!

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The ELITES Magazine Edition Is Out!!!

To read this edition, click on the PDF links below👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yGDqvAjxaJzusa0IfkEQG0zL_Vn0WGJG/view?usp=sharing

This 110-page edition is specially packaged to celebrate the life and times of Madam Lilian Oritselumewo Jeremi, the mother of Sholaye Jeremi, the billionaire oil and gas magnate.

Fondly called Ogiedi by her loved ones, Mama Jeremi died on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy that will forever echo in the many lives she touched. Her life was a testament to faith, love and generosity.

Predictably, Sholaye Jeremi put all his clout to excellent use by hosting a very befitting burial for his beloved mother.

Enjoy this special edition, as we take you through tributes and a pictorial tour of the grandeur and class that characterised the burial ceremony of Madam Lilian Oritselumewo Jeremi (Ogiedi).

To read this edition, click on the PDF links below👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yGDqvAjxaJzusa0IfkEQG0zL_Vn0WGJG/view?usp=sharing

Happy reading!

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Entertainment

Ayra Starr reveals why she prefer Ghanaian jollof rice

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Ayra Starr, the award-winning songstress, has revealed why she prefers Ghanaian jollof rice over the Nigerian version.

There has been years-long rivalry on social media over which country serves the best jollof rice, with Nigerian and Ghanaian users often taking sides.

In a recent game of 21 questions on BET Amplified, the ‘Bad Vibes’ hitmaker said she enjoys Ghanaian jollof rice, citing the garnishing as the reason for her choice.

The 21-year-old music star also explained the differences between the two countries’ jollof rice traditions.

When asked which country’s jollof rice she enjoys more, Starr said: “Ghanaian jollof”.

“I mean they are both really amazing. I grew up with Nigerian jollof rice. Nigerian jollof is practically called party rice, so people eat it at parties. It is like a celebratory food,” she said.

“The culture around it is that they usually use a big pot to cook it outside, so it kind of burns and it is smoky. So it is smoky jollof rice, that is what it is called. Ghanaian jollof rice has like things inside but for Nigerian jollof, the protein, vegetables are outside if you are having anything else. So it is two different vibes.”

With numerous awards and accolades, Starr has become one of the continent’s fastest-rising artistes.

She was among the Nigerian music stars nominated for this year’s Grammy Awards. She was nominated in the maiden ‘Best African Music Performance’ category for her hit song ‘Rush’.

The music star, however, lost to Tyla, the South African singer.

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Entertainment

Toyosi Adesanya narrates how she lost multiple pregnancies, had failed IVFs

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Toyosi Adesanya, the actress famous in the Yoruba film industry, has opened up about her struggle with pregnancy losses and infertility.

The actress, in an interview with Talk To B, disclosed that her challenges began in 2007 when she lost her first pregnancy shortly after her wedding.

The film star recalled having a disturbing dream where she saw blood, which turned out to be a reality when she woke up. Her then-husband attributed the loss to stress.

Determined to conceive again, Adesanya said she sought help from a traditional healer in 2008, courtesy of her colleague Fathia Balogun. Unfortunately, she lost her second pregnancy.

Undeterred, the actress said she underwent laparoscopy and two failed IVF attempts in 2009 and 2011. She narrated how she sold her valuables to afford the procedures, which cost N900,000 – N1 million at the time.

“I got married in 2007 and I was already pregnant during our wedding ceremony,” she said.

“Two months after we travelled back to Akure where my husband stays, I saw blood in my dream and also when I woke up. I told my husband (now ex), and he said I might have lost the pregnancy due to stress.

“Meanwhile, I have not gone to any location, the one I had to go to was till December 2007 and I already lost the pregnancy in September 2007.

“In 2008, Fathia Balogun encouraged me to try for pregnancy again and introduced me to a woman.

“I went to the woman, she gave me some herbal medications and I got pregnant again. After a while, I lost the pregnancy.

“Then, I went to do laparoscopy and that is how I started the journey of trying to give birth.

“In 2009, I tried IVF but it failed. Then IVF cost N900,000 to N1 million so I sold all I owned, including my gold, to do the IVF but it failed.

“I tried IVF again in 2011 and that failed as well so I stopped and started waiting on God.”

Adesanya said she became pregnant again in 2019 but faced a threatened abortion.

The actress said her doctor advised her to terminate the pregnancy. She said this was after a disturbing dream where people with knives threatened to abort her pregnancy.

“… In January 2019, I got pregnant again but I did not tell my husband (now ex). Then I had a dream where some people with knives were saying they would abort my pregnancy,” she added.

“So, I called my pastor. He prayed for me and told me to leave the house I was staying in Akure.

“Then someone introduced me to a doctor in Lagos. When I got to the doctor, he confirmed I was pregnant but told me I had threatened abortion.

“He admitted me for two days but later advised me to evacuate the pregnancy.

“…After leaving my husband due to our marital issues, I got into a new relationship. And in 2022, I got pregnant again but lost it. After that, my doctor advised me so for now, I have forgone pregnancy.”

Adesanya delved into the Yoruba film industry over thirty years ago.

She has starred in films like ‘Alagogo Ide’, ‘Oru’, ‘Iwo’ and ‘Adeda’. She has also been recognised for her talent.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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