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Wizkid releases new album “Morayo” in tribute to late mother

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3 months ago

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Grammy-winning Nigerian artist, Ayodeji Balogun, famously known by his stage name Wizkid, has released his sixth studio album, “Morayo” in tribute to his late mother, Jane Balogun, who passed on in August 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the much-anticipated 16-track album was release on streaming platforms on Friday.

The tracks include hit songs — Troubled Mind, Karamo, Kese (Dance), Bad Girl, Time, Piece of My Heart and Pray, with collaborations featuring renowned artistes such as Asake, Brent Faiyaz, Jazmine Sullivan, Anaïs and Tiakola.

Wizkid had earlier in June, in a video message shared on his social media page, told his fans that the album was to honour his late mother.

He said “my album ‘Morayo’, dedicated to my mum, the love of my life, drops very soon. Don’t dull. Don’t sleep.”

In another post on his X handle, he wrote: “Morayo! Friday, Nov. 22.”

However, the ace singer in October dropped a track “Piece of My Heart”, featuring American singer and songwriter,Brent Faiyaz, from the album for his curious fans.

The soul-stirring track immediately set a new record on Spotify for the biggest first day streams by any song, pulling 1.01 million streams.

Wizkid broke the record he previously shared with Asake for their chart-topping single “MMS” from  Asake’s “Lungu Boy” album, making “Piece of My Heart” Africa’s first song to surpass one million opening day streams on Spotify.

NAN reports that Wizkid, born in Surulere, Lagos, started his music career at 11 and released a collaborative album with Glorious Five, a group formed with Church friends.

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In 2009, he signed with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment and became famous with “Holla at Your Boy”, and since then, evolved to become a global brand.

Among other feats, Wizkid became the first Nigerian musician to have over one million followers on Twitter (now X) in 2014.

He became first Afrobeat artist to appear in the 2018 Guinness World Records for his contribution to “One Dance” and his song “Soco” became his first Afrobeat single to be certified gold in Canada.

In mid-2019, Wizkid was featured on Beyonce’s “Brown Skin Girl”, taken from the acclaimed “The Lion King: The Gift” soundtrack, which earned him his first Grammy Award, among other nominations and awards.

Besides “Morayo”, his studio albums include Superstar (2011), Ayo(2014),Sounds from the Other Side(2017),Made in Lagos(2020) and More Love Less Hate(2022)

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Burna Boy’s mother bags nomination for Best Manager at Music Week Awards

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1 day ago

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February 26, 2025

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Bose Ogulu, mother of Grammy winner and Nigerian singer Burna Boy, has been nominated for Manager of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards.

Organisers of the award on Wednesday announced Ogulu’s alongside other contenders for the highly coveted trophy.

This year’s Music Week Awards is scheduled to hold on May 8 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, United Kingdom.

Other nominees for the Manager of the Year, a category that highlights the best management talents in global music industry, include Alistair Goldsmith, Neil Hughes, and Wes Banton.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Music Week Awards celebrates excellence in the music industry, including labels, A&R, live events, and management.

Winners for the annual award are selected through peer voting and an independent panel of judges.

NAN also reports that this is not the first time, Burna Boy’s mum is clinching international award, as she won the Manager Of The Year at the 2022 Artist & Manager Awards in London.

Ogulu, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign languages and a Masters of Arts in Translation from the University of Port Harcourt, is from a family deeply rooted in arts and culture.

She is the daughter of Nigerian music critic, Benson Idonije, who managed Fela Kuti, and she was also one of Fela’s background dancers.

She built a successful career as a translator for the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and is proficient in English, French, German, Italian, and Yoruba.

Her role as manager is acclaimed to have played pivotal role in her son’s rise stardom on the global music stage, securing major deals and international recognition.

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Among other initiatives, she co-founded Spaceship Collective, supporting African artists and expanding the reach of Afrobeats worldwide.(NAN)

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Why I Don’t Support Disrespectful Wives—Nollywood Star

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5 days ago

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February 23, 2025

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Funke Akindele, the Nigerian filmmaker, says despite being a feminist, she does not encourage women being disrespectful to their husbands.

A feminist is someone who advocates the political, economic, and social equality of women.

In a video addressing skit maker Kamo State and his wife, the filmmaker said she rejects the notion that women are the “weaker sex,” emphasising that they are “strong and bold”.

She urged men to treat women “specially” and not confine them to traditional roles of being in the kitchen.

She further stressed the importance of women’s economic power, advising them to secure financial independence to support their husbands.

“I’m a feminist but I do not support a woman disrespecting her husband. Do what is right,” she said.

“I believe that we are not the weaker sex or vessel. Men are suppose to treat us specially and respect us. Men should not also feel that a woman belongs to the kitchen and can be talked to anyhow.

“We women are strong, and bold. Also, our economic power is important that is why we should make sure we have the power and protect it so we can support our husbands.”

Akindele and producer Abdulrasheed ‘JJC Skillz’ Bello tied the knot in London in 2016 and welcomed a set of twin boys in 2018.

But in June 2022, JJC Skillz announced his separation from Akindele, citing “irreconcilable differences”.

The singer claimed he tried to address the situation but the matter is now “beyond repair.”

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Ayra Starr leads Spotify’s 2025 impact list

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1 week ago

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February 19, 2025

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Spotify has announced Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, known as Ayra Starr, as the leading artiste in its Global Impact List for 2025.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, shared the news in a statement on Tuesday.

Okumu revealed Ayra Starr’s dominance on Spotify’s Global Impact List, leading 30 Nigerian songs and connecting with audiences worldwide.

The top 10 list includes Ayra Starr, Rauw Alejandro, and Rvssian’s “Santa”; Tems’s “Love MeJeJe”; Burna Boy, Coldplay, Elyanna, Little Simz, and TINI’s “WE PRAY”; and more.

Other songs featured are Ayra Starr and Giveon’s “Last Heartbreak Song”; 21Savage, Burna Boy, and Metro Boomin’s “Justlike Me”; Tems and Tyla’s “No.1”; and others.

Okumu highlighted Nigerian artistes breaking boundaries, saying Spotify is proud to amplify their global reach.

She explained that Nigerian music’s influence has gone global, with Ayra Starr leading the charge in Spotify’s 2025 Global Impact List.

The list showcases 30 Nigerian songs with the strongest international connections this year, reflecting Nigeria’s growing global influence.

Okumu called Ayra Starr a chart-topping force, reshaping the global music scene with her international success.

Ayra’s hits top Nigerian charts, with her music becoming global anthems that resonate worldwide.

“As a Spotify RADAR and EQUAL alumna, Ayra Starr was Nigeria’s most-streamed female artiste in 2024,” Okumu said.

While only two of her tracks, “Last Heartbreak Song” and “Bad Vibes”, are on the Global Impact List, Ayra’s collaborations like “Santa” highlight her wide-reaching influence.

The success of “Santa”, featuring Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro, showcases Ayra’s ability to connect across diverse markets.

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Ayra Starr’s six entries on the list, including “Commas”, “GOOD FEELiNGS”, and “Hypé”, show her versatility and global appeal.

Her album The Year I Turned 21 was one of the top 10 most-streamed albums of the year, cementing her global presence.

Okumu emphasised the power of collaboration in amplifying Nigerian music’s global impact, noting 22 of the 30 songs are collaborations.

She explained that collaborations are essential for Nigerian artistes aiming for international success, with 19 involving artistes from other countries.

Songs like “Santa”, “WE PRAY (TINI Version)”, and “Another Vibe” demonstrate the power of such cross-continental partnerships. (NAN)

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