All articles tagged with #afrobeats
Nigerian singer Tems, known for her collaborations with Beyoncé, Drake, and Rihanna, is set to release her debut album "Born in the Wild" on June 7. Having already achieved significant milestones, including a Grammy win and a Billboard Hot 100 debut, Tems is preparing for her first headlining world tour and a performance at Coachella.
The Grammys will introduce three new categories for this year's awards, including "Best African Music Performance," featuring global superstar nominees such as Burna Boy and Tyla. CNN's Stephanie Busari explores the rise of the Afrobeats genre and speaks to Grammy insiders about the new category for African music.
The nominees for the inaugural Best African Music Performance at the 2024 GRAMMYs have been announced, showcasing the commercial and cultural impact of African music. Nigerian Afrobeats stars Burna Boy, ASAKE, Davido, and Ayra Star are among the nominees, with three of the five tracks nominated drawing inspiration from the popular South African genre amapiano. The awards ceremony will take place on February 4, 2024. Additionally, the nominees for Best Rap Song at the 2024 GRAMMYs have also been revealed, featuring artists such as Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Lil Uzi Vert, Drake, and 21 Savage. The 2024 GRAMMYs will be held on the same date.
Nigerian police have detained Afrobeats star Naira Marley for questioning in relation to the death of singer MohBad. MohBad's death in September sparked grief among fans and raised concerns within the Afrobeats music genre. Marley, who had been feuding with MohBad after the singer left his label, denied any involvement in the death. The cause of MohBad's death remains unclear, and police have exhumed his body for an autopsy. Fans have called for a thorough investigation, and artists from around the world have paid tribute to MohBad. The case highlights the challenges faced by artists in the Nigerian music industry, including unregulated contracts and harassment.
Hundreds of young Nigerians gathered in Lagos for a candlelight procession to honor the late Afrobeats star Mohbad, whose mysterious death has sparked outrage and protests. Videos showing attacks allegedly sponsored by fellow musician Naira Marley, as well as allegations of mistreatment and unpaid royalties, have exposed the dark side of the Nigerian music industry. Fans are demanding a thorough investigation into Mohbad's death and calling for justice. The police have exhumed his body for an autopsy, and the Lagos state governor has invited Nigeria's secret police to assist in the investigation.
Nigerian artist Rema continues to make waves in the music industry, winning the best Afrobeats song at the MTV VMAs for his hit "Calm Down" with Selena Gomez. The song has also achieved a streaming record, becoming the first African-led track to join Spotify's Billions Club with over a billion streams. Rema's rise to success has been steady since his 2019 single "Dumebi," and he has recently performed at the NBA All-Star halftime. His debut album "Raves & Roses" has garnered him awards and recognition, and he has even made it onto former President Barack Obama's summer playlists. Rema's journey in music began at a church in his hometown, and he has since become a prominent figure in the Afrobeats genre.
Nigerian singer Burna Boy has sparked controversy with his comments about the lack of substance in Afrobeats music, claiming that many artists lack real-life experiences. He stated that the genre has become about "nothing" and criticized its lack of realistic depictions of life's pitfalls. Burna Boy faced backlash on social media for his remarks, with some defending his perspective while others criticized him for disrespecting the work of other artists.
The Grammy Awards will introduce a new category, Best African Music Performance, to recognize recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent. The move reflects the massive popularity of Afrobeats around the world, which has gained a foothold in Western pop culture in recent years. Afrobeats artists have crossed over into mainstream pop through collaborations with Beyoncé, Drake, Ed Sheeran, and other stars, and have achieved mainstream success on their own. The Recording Academy's decision to add the new category reflects its commitment to diversity and accurately representing a wide range of relevant musical genres.