Entertainment
Spotify dedicates new site for Afrobeats
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
Bolanle Ninalowo opens up on early career struggles
Bolanle Ninalowo has revealed how he overcame early career setbacks to achieve success in Nollywood.
In an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, Ninalowo said his initial failures ultimately led to his triumph in the entertainment industry.
When asked about his motivation to persevere in an unreleased episode of ‘Off The Top’ podcast, the 44-year-old emphasised that being down can present unexpected opportunities for self-discovery.
Reflecting on his Nollywood journey, Ninalowo credited his initial failures for his eventual success.
“When you fall flat on your face and you are backed against the wall, that is when you get the biggest opportunities to discover yourself. I tell people that when I came to Nollywood, the secrets of my success are buried in my failures,” he said.
Ninalowo’s entry into Nollywood was far from smooth. He began as a producer but faced failure. He then ventured into music, only to find it wasn’t his calling. Undeterred, he returned to acting in the mid-2000s.
His breakthrough came with the 2015 movie ‘Desperate Baby Mamas,’ which propelled him to fame. Since then, the Ikorodu-born actor has appeared in numerous hit films, showcasing his versatility in both Yoruba and English movies.
Some of his notable roles include performances in ‘Fate of Alakada,’ ‘Coming From Insanity,’ ‘Breaded Life,’ ‘Lakatabu,’ and ‘Alter Date.’
Ninalowo’s resilience and determination have made him a household name in Nollywood.
Entertainment
Basketmouth reveals why he stopped being MC at weddings
Basketmouth, the Nigerian standup comedian, has revealed why he stopped being the master of ceremony (MC) at wedding events.
The 46-year-old entertainer described his decision as a “sacrifice” necessary to preserve his artistic integrity.
“Hosting events as an MC feels like adulterating the art,” he said in a chat with journalists at the premiere of his first feature film ‘A Ghetto Love Story‘.
Basketmouth clarified that he only stopped being MC at private gigs like weddings, not entirely quitting duties as host.
He added that if invited to a private gig, “I will be doing standup comedy, not the MC”.
“The only thing I have stopped is private gigs like weddings and all. It is a sacrifice I have to make because I do standup comedy, that is what I do. I did not enter this industry to be an MC of a wedding and all that,” he said.
“So I felt like I was adulterating the art, I felt bad about it and I had to stop. So if I am doing a private gig, I be doing standup comedy, not the MC.
“Let me just do my 30 minutes and bounce, but not as the MC of any event. I cannot do it anymore, that is like I am cheating on my craft. I am losing a lot of money but it is not about the money now.”
Entertainment
Rapper NBA YoungBoy pleads guilty in drug fraud case
NBA YoungBoy, the US rapper, has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a prescription drug fraud scheme.
The Louisiana rapper appeared in a courtroom in Logan, Utah on Monday, where he admitted to two counts of third-degree felony identity fraud, two counts of third-degree felony forgery, and six counts of misdemeanor unlawful pharmacy conduct.
YoungBoy, who is still serving 27 months on federal charges, also entered a “no contest” plea for 36 additional charges. He initially faced 46 state charges.
The plea deal reduced the felony charges to Class A misdemeanors.
Spencer Walsh, the judge, suspended a prison sentence, instead imposing a $25,000 fine.
The judge acknowledged YoungBoy’s prior agreement to serve over two years in prison and five years of probation for a related federal case resolved in September.
Authorities revealed that YoungBoy orchestrated the scheme from his home in Huntsville, Utah, where he posed as a doctor, using stolen identities to call in fraudulent prescriptions.
His associates allegedly collected the drugs from area pharmacies.
During sentencing, Walsh offered words of encouragement for the 25-year-old artiste.
“I’m sure that in your future, once you’re done with your federal prison time, you can be really successful on federal probation and have a really bright future where you can reach your full potential in every aspect of your life,” he said.
YoungBoy, known for his 2018 debut studio album ‘Until Death Call My Name’ and projects like ‘AI YoungBoy 2’ (2019) and ‘Sincerely, Kentrell’ (2021), is also facing an unresolved federal gun case in Louisiana.
The rapper, born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, recently announced plans to release his new album, ‘I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders’, on December 6.
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