Spotify | Zikoko!

Spotify threw a party on Friday to celebrate Afrobeats’ Journey of a Billion Streams, and I’d like to thank my boss and colleagues for dragging me to this event. Between the dancing, drinks, and performances, I had the time of my life. Here are all my favourite things from the event:

The silent disco

The only thing I love more than a party with loud music is one with zero music, headphones on, and everyone listening to whatever they want. While a DJing was jamming inside the event centre, Spotify set up a cute corner outside where we could listen to whatever we wanted on the headphones before we got into the full swing of things.

The photo booths

There’s nothing worse than going out as a baddie and coming back with zero pictures or videos to document your fit, so I was beyond elated to see the three photo booths Spotify blessed us with. Did I proceed to spend a good amount of time getting acquainted with these photo booths? Yes, I definitely did.

The performances

I’m not even going to lie. I knew this wasn’t a party I wanted to miss when I saw Fave and Shallipopi on the poster. But then I actually saw all the artists perform, and I really do mean it when I say it’s worth the hide and seek my voice is still playing with me.

The drinks

Believe it or not, the best part of the party wasn’t screaming “Men mount” at the top of my voice; it was actually the free drinks. All I had to do was ask for a drink when I walked into the party, and I got this passion fruit cocktail that tasted divine. Of course, I proceeded to have two more cocktails and a couple cups of champagne, but only because I was offered.

The DJ sets

It’s been two days since the party, and I still think about the transitions the DJs gave us. Every single DJ got on the stage with a vengeance, and I absolutely loved it because they kept all of us hyped AF. Sarz if you’re seeing this, call me, please.

The hosts

A party is only ever as good as the hosts, and they did the business. All MIA had to do was get on that stage and give us her legendary dance moves, and my seat never saw me again.

The people

Lagosians never really need a reason to turn up, but Spotify gave us one, and everyone showed off and out. Everyone was dancing and having the time of their lives. At some point, the crowd formed a circle, and people just started dancing in it.

Hans & Renee

After screaming my lungs out and dancing till my feet almost fell off, I took a well-deserved break and went in search of yet another drink (don’t judge me). Instead, my lactose intolerance and I found the Hans & Renee ice cream stand, and it was worth all the discomfort and belly ache that followed.

The next time Spotify calls, I shall be there. But until then you can find me bopping to Shallipopi on the Spotify app.

Chioma Munachi

October 17, 2023

Pop

afrobeats, Parties, Spotify
Two decades before it became known as “Afrobeats”, women have been there, contributing to contemporary Nigerian music, its artistry and culture.

Here are some interesting things you didn’t know about the most instrumental women to the development of Afrobeats as we know it today.

Weird MC

When Weird MC arrived on the scene, she came rocking a shaved head and oversized street urban wear. Her 1996 debut song, Allen Avenue, was released with a video, making her the first Nigerian artist to do so. She won the first-ever AMEN award for Best Hip-Hop Album (Simply Weird) in 1997 and was the first Afrobeats artist to make an animated music video (Ijoya, 2005). This woman is the coolest since cucumber.

City 105.1 FM

Sasha P

Sasha P is another Afrobeats woman who has accomplished many “firsts”. She was the first Nigerian woman to perform at the World Music Awards in 2008 and was awarded Best Female Artist at the Women in Entertainment Awards in the U.K. the next year. In 2010, Sasha P won the MTV Africa Music Award for Best Female Artist. We’re grateful she spent the money for her SAT forms on a studio session. Sacrifice like that is why she’s still recognised as the First Lady of Nigerian Hip-Hop.

TooXclusive

Efya

The Ashanti singer might’ve gone viral after her Don’t Judge Me cover in 2013, but before that, there was her Irene & Jane era which came from her first music deal in 2011. Ghanaian artists who’ve won Best Female Vocal Performance at the Ghana Music Awards four times back-to-back can be counted on one palm. Efya has been there, done that.

Daily Post Nigeria

Waje

Did you know the female vocals on P-Square’s Do Me and Banky W’s Thief My Kele are Waje’s? Apart from being one of the strongest R&B vocalists in Nigeria, she runs a film and TV production company, Hermanes Media — producers of She Is (2019) — with fellow singer, Omawumi. Women making money together >>>>>

GistReel

Goldie Harvey

Goldie was cool. So cool, only Lady Gaga could touch her when it came to style. The late singer lived her name, with golden hair and all-gold-everything accessories.

Plus, it wasn’t popular when she came on the scene in 2009 with Yorùbá-infused pop music. Her unique style laid the template for the women after her.

Gistmania

Tiwa Savage

Way before Kele Kele Love, Tiwa Savage had a degree from Berklee College of Music, backed up famous OG singers like Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige and George Michael, and wrote for Babyface, Fantasia, and Monica. In 2018, Tiwa Savage became the first woman to win Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. And don’t forget Tiwa Savage is the woman who performed at the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023. Her CV >>>>>

The Guardian Nigeria

Simi

She started off as a gospel singer. If you were there when Ara Ile (produced by Samklef) dropped, you know what I’m talking about. Her Restless EP was her final crossover to Afrobeats music in 20xx. Today, her catalogue is stacked with seven solid music projects. Simi is also a sound engineer with crisp music mastering and mixing skills. She engineered AG Baby’s first album, Gold.

iamsimi.com

Tems

As a budding recording artist, having money issues isn’t unfamiliar. Tems began producing her own songs when she couldn’t drop a bag for production, and her vision didn’t align with most producers. For the Broken Ears is proof of her production skills. She handled 90% of it. Tems is also the first woman to win Best International Act at the BET Awards (2022) and the Nigerian with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She’s HER, and she knows it. Can we really blame her for taking all the space and attention when she pulls up at functions?

WWD

Ayra Starr

Before Don Jazzy came across her music in 2020, Ayra Starr was a model signed to Quove Model Management. You should see her killing her role as video vixen in Eri Ife’s Dear Future Wife music video. Ayra’s story is proof that people don’t just appear on top, they’ve been grinding on the low.

ayrastarr.com

These women aren’t just Afrobeat musicians; their uniqueness and self-application have contributed immensely to the movement.

To learn more cool things about what more Afrobeats women are up to, this Spotify website got you.

Tomide Marv

October 14, 2023

Pop

Africa, afrobeats, Ghanaian, musicans, Nigerians, Pop, sponsored, Spotify, West Africa, Women
When Afrobeats is playing, and people ask what’s in our stew, these are ingredients and condiments.

Beats

An easy way to distinguish Afrobeats is through its heavy percussion, which consists of a drum set and all types of local drums. The top streamed Afrobeats songs of all time on Spotify, like Burna Boy’s On the Low and Arya Starr’s Rush, are fantastic examples.
There’s no definite time signature and speed for afrobeats. Although it usually applies a 3-2 or 2-3 rhythm known as clave or bpm of 80 to 100 — the tempo can get slower or faster, like Libianca’s People or Terry G’s Free Madness.

Themes

Afrobeats themes are about everyday experiences — celebratory music for joy, love, money, hustle and even grief.

On CKay’s Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah), which is now one of the most streamed Afrobeats songs of all time, the artist persuades a love interest to give her heart to him. Tiwa Savage hasn’t run out of enjoyment narratives and sex positivity while in the same breath reiterating she’s the number-one baddest babe in Africa. Burna Boy’s Last Last mourns the end of his relationship while craving booze and weed as an escape. An artist like Asake often celebrates escaping poverty and his newly-found wealth and success, while someone like Wizkid wants to live a stress-free life with gorgeous women around him. These Afrobeats artists have vital storytelling skills that make the music unique.

Language

From Lagos to Accra to London to New York or wherever afrobeats blasts out the speakers, the music blends local slang dialects with pidgin and accented English. This delivery is what listeners resonate with.

Samples

A now-prominent afrobeats element is sampling. Sampling is the reuse of a portion of a sound recording in another one. Like Rema sampled Jay-Z’s Dead Presidents on Alien in 2020 or Asake did Jason Heerah’s Mo Capitaine on Yoga. Even one of Spotify’s top exported Afrobeats songs, Last Last, by Burna Boy sampled Toni Braxton’s He Wasn’t Man Enough.

A well-infused sample adds freshness and a bit of fun to the music.

Fusion

Sampling shouldn’t be mistaken for genre fusion, another form that makes afrobeats unique. Afrobeats seamlessly infuses local sounds like juju, fuji, and apala and foreign genres like pop, hip-hop, highlife, RnB, reggae and dancehall. Though Burna may disagree, these elements form his self-created Afro-fusion genre.

You can come enjoy the best Afrobeats music with Spotify on 13 October 2023. Fave, Ruger and Bloody Civilian are some of the headliners. To win tickets, visit the Spotify Afrobeats website and learn some afrobeats trivia.

Tomide Marv

October 4, 2023

Pop

afrobeats, journey of a billion streams, music, Nigerian musicians, Pop, sponsored, Spotify
On September 12, 2023, the 23-year-old ravestar, Rema, emerged as the first African musician to hit a billion streams on Spotify with the Calm Down remix featuring Selena Gomez.

His success isn’t by chance, streaming farm or just big budgets. Rema put in the work to get his billion streams. We dived into his records to find out how he made history with the Selena Gomez-assisted remix, and summarised our research into these seven steps.

Rema consistently delivered

As long as you’re ready to learn and grind this music hustle with a positive attitude, you too could get documented in the journey of afrobeats as it blazes through history like its new prince, Rema.

Since his Dumebi debut in 2019, Rema’s honed his skills through consistent delivery of music, videos and tours. After winning the Headies’ Next Rated award in the same year he debuted, he’s shown versatility with two EPs, an album and a series of singles.

Worked with producers who understood the mission

Rema locked himself in the studio with Andre Vibez and London to give us Calm Down. The three collaborators rearranged the song and polished its layers until it became a hit.
While Calm Down pushed Rema’s album to become the first African album to enter 1 billion streams, the same song put its producers on Billboard 100 Hot Producers’ list.

Promoted the hell out of the song

One part of the job is done when an artist finds the hack to score a perfect afrobeats hit. The rest? You come up with schemes to elevate the song. Enter song promotion.

Rema was on the road for shows and media runs, which continued conversations around the single and generally his music, giving him more exposure.

Struck while the iron was hot

Barely a month after Calm Down dropped, Rema released his debut album Rave & Roses (March 2022) — one of the biggest debut afrobeats albums. Calm Down is the hottest and biggest song on the album, so it’s logical he chose to remix it.

Rema was keen to work with a female artist, and chose none other than Selena Gomez, a talented singer and actress with a very committed community. The remix was out in five months.

He made his collaborator his friend

From producer to features, tt’s necessary to work with people who see your vision. With Rema and Selena, it wasn’t just business as usual when they planned to remix Calm Down. (Business as usual is when the relationship ends after a featured artist drops their verse. They don’t promote or push the work.)

Selena and Rema were fans of each other’s music before their teams met and began working out the collaboration process. She liked Runaway, the closing track on Rave & Roses.

Kept pushing

Rema didn’t just stop at releasing a remix. He remained visible online and offline. Calm Down’s remix came out in August 2022 to criticism and acclaim, then it steadfastly climbed the Billboard chart, peaking at number one. The song entered the Billions Club on Spotify — setting a record that’s also the first of its kind.

Still pushing the song together

As the song got bigger, we saw them together in the media. Recently, on September 13, 2023, at the MTV Video Music Award, they both received a plaque for Best Afrobeats, the first of its category at the event.

You might not have Selena Gomez’s phone number or a solid label backing you, but hard work, consistency and collaboration will always be key ingredients to grow and reach a wider audience. If Rema hadn’t put in the work that got him noticed or fostered the relationship that birthed his most prominent song, Calm Down, he wouldn’t have a billion streams on Spotify.

Tomide Marv

October 1, 2023

Pop

afrobeats, Billions club, journey of a billion streams, Nigeria, Pop, Rema, Selena Gomez, sponsored, Spotify
Rema is now one of the biggest Afrobeats exports and unarguably the leader of his generation of artists. With records of hits and numbers to back it up, we look at all the times he proved that he’s the HIM of his era.

Winning the Headies Next rated award at 19

In 2019, Rema won the Next Rated award category at the 13th edition of Headies. While receiving his award on stage, he called himself the future of Nigerian music. Fast-forward to this moment, it’s fair to say his prophecy is manifesting.

https://twitter.com/jjay00007/status/1698433236555194839?t=a3_BRhuAgMzR87_tMOjdSg&s=19

Raves & Roses success

In April 2023, Rema became the most streamed Afrobeats artist on Spotify with the deluxe edition of his debut album, Raves & Roses. The album hit one billion streams, making it the highest streamed African album of all time; this was the first of its kind on the digital platform.

REMA's 'Rave & Roses' becomes the first African project in history to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify, following 'Ultra' version. pic.twitter.com/QoZZm8x2mY
— chart data (@chartdata) April 28, 2023

Nigeria’s most exported on Spotify

In June, Raves and Roses broke its record and set a new one after hitting 1.5 billion streams. By July, Raves & Roses (Deluxe) became a two billi baby.

In August, Spotify named Rema as the most exported Afrobeats artist, which puts him on the same global demand scale with Nigerian jollof and Nigerian men.

Calm Down (both original and the remix) are top two on most exported Afrobeats songs list.

Performing at Lollapalooza 2023

In August, Remy Boy joined a large number of musicians from all over the world to perform at the 2023 Lollapalooza edition in Chicago. His performance and crowd engagement skills are highly captivating — a superstar doings.

Rema is the ONE pic.twitter.com/NhHhTxALmW
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) August 31, 2023

Sitting pretty on Billboard

Rema first climbed the Billboard chart in 2020 with his jam, Woman, peaking at number 15 on the World Digital Sales. His consistency and strategic collaboration pushed him further to the Billboard Hot 100 with Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez on April 22, 2023. The same song also catapulted LONDON and Andre Vibez to the highest charting Nigerian music producers on the Billboard Hot 100 Producers. He’s also the second rated artist on Billboard’s U.S Afrobeats Songs chart.

Headies’ speech and wins

During the Headies’ 16th music award ceremony on September 4th, 2023, Rema delivered a solid speech, charging the Nigerian music industry to unite and show more regards to their fans and the music institutions. On the same night, he went home with three awards (Best Male Artist, African Artist and Digital Artist of the Year). The guest artist on his Calm Down remix, Selena Gomez bagged the International Artist of the Year while the director of the music video of the song (Director K) won the best music video award.

A winning circle.

1 billion Spotify streams

When Rema released the smashing remix to his hit Calm Down in 2022, reviews and opinions ridiculed his choice of guest artist. Some even said (and still does) that he was desperate for foreign acceptance. But now, the song has hit one billion streams, becoming the first African single to do so.

Rema and Afrobeats are the rave of the moments. So are these stars too. All Afrobeats moments are curated for you here.

https://afrobeats.byspotify.com/

Tomide Marv

September 11, 2023

Pop

Pop, pop culture, Rema, sponsored, Spotify
I was at the Spotify African Heat Party on Saturday and first of all, I’d just like to say thank you to my boss, for choosing me to go because I had the best time! I can’t remember the last time I danced that much. I had to sleep for a whole day to recover. Let me tell you some of my favourite things from the party:

Handi and Wanni

Not only were the main DJs for the night two gorgeous women who also happen to be twin sisters, I love how easily they got the crowd lit. They would play music then leave their DJ table to come and drop moves on the stage. I loved them so much. They got everyone really hyped up for the party.

Performances

I lost my voice from screaming out loud to every song the performers performed. Odumodu Black came on stage and I sang Declan Rice like my life depended on it. Teni came on stage with her best friend— a mascot (a bird wearing a jersey with Teni’s name on it) and her entire performance reminded me of how much of a badass she is at this music thing. My favourite part was when she came down from the stage and started singing in the middle of the crowd. Joeboy was the final performer and I didn’t want him to leave the stage. I just wanted him to keep serenading me like I’m the love of his life.

The DJs

Sarz came and scattered the dancefloor with his Amapiano afrobeat mix. Every time he transitioned into a new song, people screamed in excitement because it was always a hit. Sarz is really not anybody’s mate. Then DJ Tohbad came and told us that we weren’t done dancing and kept dropping jams upon jams. My feet have still not recovered.

Everyone dancing

I love how everyone was so comfortable and relaxed. We all danced and genuinely had a great time. The Spotify crew went around hyping people while they were dancing. It was like having your own personal hypeman for a bit.

The food truck

This food truck saved my life. After I used up all my energy dancing, I became crazy hungry. I was so happy that there was a food truck still serving food at midnight. I don’t know if it was the hunger or the adrenaline from all the dancing, but the shawarma I had slapped like a Nigerian mother. More parties need to adopt the concept of selling affordable food till whenever the party ends. Sometimes, Jay’s Diner is too far away.

How close to the stage I was

One of the highlights of the entire event was how close I was to the stage. I’m talking “I-could-almost-touch-the-performers’-shoes” close. Also, everyone had the same tickets and had equal access to the entire venue, which is rare at Lagos parties. It made the party even more fun, we were all just feeling the music and vibing together.

The photobooth

There was a really cool danfo photo booth that people loved. Spotify was very intentional about the ambience and decor of the venue. Even the food truck matched the theme.

The event left no doubt that African Heat is the ultimate go-to for all things African music and culture. It proudly showcased Spotify’s strong commitment to promoting the rise of African artists and making sure they have their shining moment in the spotlight.

Dammy Eneli

May 23, 2023

Pop

Nigeria, Nigerians, sponsored, Spotify
Zodiac signs are great at helping us understand people, but what if I told you a person’s Spotify Wrapped tells you a lot more about their personality than any Leo moon rising sun in Lucozade?

Don’t believe me? Continue reading, and let me know if I’m reaching.

Asake

2022 was your year. You killed it at work and still managed to remain the life of every party you attended. Your vibe is unmatched, and you always know how to have a good time, so people naturally gravitate towards you. While you know many people, you don’t have a lot of actual friends because you’re mysterious like that. There’s also a high chance you asked for a raise this year, and your new salary has everyone at work shook.

Omah Lay

You’re a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute you’re tearing up the dancefloor, and the next, you’re in the corner of a club, crying or overthinking everything. The best part is you’re not ashamed of being vulnerable. Your mental health and space are very important to you, so you’re cautious of the people you let into your life, even though everyone likes you.

Ayra Starr

You’re either peak Gen Z or a millennial who uses slangs like “Purr” and “It’s giving” unprovoked. People underestimate you a lot and complain about your style or taste, but you don’t care because you’re out here living your best life. 2022 was a great year for you, but you’re always gingered for what’s next, so you’ve already started drafting your 2023 goals. No time to waste.

Burna Boy

Everyone is always hyping you, and honestly, you deserve it. Can you do with a bit of self-control in your life? Yes. Choosing violence is your favourite thing to do, even when it’s completely unnecessary. You’re great at what you do, but your chaotic nature makes you unpredictable. Hopefully, you’ll learn to calm down in 2023.

Tems

You’re a bad bitch and you know it. Everything comes effortlessly to you, and 2022 was your best year career-wise. People are constantly guessing what you’re up to, but you love to move in silence, so all they see is results and not the hard work you put in. You’re humble and love to meditate and shit, but your motto is: “Fuck around and find out,” so you’re not above dragging someone’s child for filth.

The Cavemen

From music to fashion, old-school trends are the hill you’ve chosen to die on. You like to tell people you were born in the wrong generation, even though there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Speaking your native language is your personality trait, but the gag is your cousins from the village don’t rate you because they believe you’re not speaking it correctly.

RECOMMENDED: Nigerians, Here’s What Your Favourite Adult Cartoon Says About You

Chike

Dear, one question: How many weddings did you attend in 2022? You can’t remember? No problem. The money you’ve spent on Aso Ebis this year is enough to buy a Kia Picanto. But if you don’t go to weddings, how will you find your missing rib? Please, continue listening to Roju and have a good time at the next wedding reception you attend. We love to see it.

Show Dem Camp

You’re 30+ and you don’t like stress. A good Friday night for you involves a good bottle of wine or keg of palm wine, a nice Netflix documentary and food. You and clubs don’t go well. Even when you try to go out, you end up leaving by 10 p.m. because, once again, 30+. The youth corpers and interns in your office want to be like you when they grow up.

Dwin, the Stoic

You’ve been served breakfast multiple times in 2022, but like eba, still you rise. You’re a hardcore romantic who believes in having one soulmate, so you’re constantly on dating apps and Twitter trying to find them. There’s a strong chance you always complain that Igbo babes are wicked. Still, every time you hear the name Ada or Ifunaya, you’re the first person on the queue to submit relationship application letter.

Wizkid

You’re the best at what you do, and you know it. You don’t like stress, and you’re the type of person who’ll cut people off when you feel like they’re doing too much. All you want to do is enjoy, date older people and wear outfits that match your shoe. Good for you, boo.

Cruel Santino

We get it. You’re different and quirky. Let us rest, abeg.

Kizz Daniel

You like 40+ music but are not ready to admit it to yourself. All the uncles and aunties in your family are obsessed with you because your presence gives them endorphins. You sometimes say offensive things and then act shocked when people call you out on your bullshit.

Yinka Bernie

Babes, are you okay? Do you need tissue or space?

Remember, it’s okay to cry and connect with your emotions. It’s only human, and your vulnerability is what makes you fly.

ALSO READ: What Your Fave Nollywood Actress Says About You

Conrad Johnson-Omodiagbe

December 1, 2022

Pop

asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Spotify, Tems, Wizkid, Yinka Bernie