Music
Ayra Starr Shines Bright on “The Tonight Show” With an Electrifying Performance
Ayra Starr’s performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, was absolutely incredible in every sense of the word! The Nigerian singer performed a medley of her hits “Last Heartbreak Song” and “Woman Commando” from her sophomore album “The Year I Turned 21“. Her soulful voice and captivating stage presence left me speechless.
What struck me most was her confidence and charisma on stage. She owned the moment, and her energy was infectious. The way she transitioned from the soulful “Last Heartbreak Song” to the energetic “Woman Commando” was seamless and showcased her impressive vocal range.
The choreography that came with her “Woman Commando” performance was the highlight of the day. Beautiful rendition it was!
Ayra Starr’s performance was not only a testament to her talent but also a milestone for Afrobeats globally. She joins an elite group of Nigerian artists who have graced The Tonight Show stage, including Wizkid, Tems, CKay, Burna Boy, Asake, and Rema.

Watching her perform, I couldn’t help but feel proud of how far she’s come. From her debut EP in 2021 to her recent Grammy nomination, Ayra Starr’s rise to fame is a true inspiration. Her music and message are reaching a global audience, and I have no doubt she’ll continue to break barriers and push the boundaries of Afrobeats.
Read about why Yemi Alade Tagged her Latest Album “Rebel”
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Music
Davido Unveils Oriadé Tracklist Featuring Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura and Leon Thomas
Nigerian music star Davido has officially revealed the tracklist for his upcoming album, “Oriadé”, giving fans a closer look at the collaborations that will feature on the 13-track project. The album is scheduled for release on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Photo: Instagram/@davido
The singer shared the tracklist on his social media platforms, confirming contributions from a mix of African and international artists. Among the featured names are Ghanaian musician Black Sherif, French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura and American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas. The album also includes contributions from Mayorkun, FOLA, Llona, JAZZWRLD, GL Ceejay and NO11.
Black Sherif appears on “Amazing Grace”, while Leon Thomas joins Davido on “Tell Everybody”. Aya Nakamura features on “10 Yaya”, marking another partnership between the two artists following their previous work together. Elsewhere on the album, Mayorkun and FOLA appear together on “B4 B4”, Llona features on “My Light”, and JAZZWRLD and GL Ceejay join Davido on “I Know Who I Be”. NO11 also features on “Gimme Dat Ting”.

Photo: Instagram
The complete tracklist includes “On The Road”, “Amazing Grace”, “Julie”, “Constantly”, “I Know Who I Be”, “Gimme Dat Ting”, “B4 B4”, “Already Falling”, “Tell Everybody”, “10 Yaya”, “Zanzibar”, “Guide” and “My Light”.
The tracklist offers a clearer picture of the direction of “Oriadé”, with Davido bringing together artists from different parts of Africa and beyond while also working with familiar faces from the Nigerian music scene. The album brings together familiar names and newer voices from Nigeria and beyond.

Photo: Instagram
“Oriadé” follows Davido’s previous studio albums, including “Timeless” and “5ive”, and arrives after months of teasers and updates from the singer. The rollout has included artwork, promotional videos and announcements that have steadily built anticipation ahead of the album’s release. Davido has described the project as a celebration of his 15th year in the music industry, saying the album marks a return to the high-energy African sound that has defined much of his career while demonstrating his growth as an artist.
With the full list of songs and guest appearances now public, attention is shifting to how the collaborations will come together when the album arrives on Friday, July 31. Tracks featuring Black Sherif, Aya Nakamura and Leon Thomas are already among the most talked-about, while fans are equally eager to hear Davido reunite with Mayorkun and introduce the other featured acts across the 13-song project.
Music
The Female Executives Shaping the Future of Nigerian Music
The global rise of Nigerian music has been driven not only by its artists but also by executives working behind the scenes, including women whose leadership is helping shape the industry’s growth. While artists are often the public faces of that success, executives negotiate deals, develop talent, build international partnerships and manage careers that keep the industry moving forward. Among them are women whose work continues to influence how Nigerian music is created, marketed and exported.
Here are some of the women working across different areas of the Nigerian music industry.
Temi Adeniji

Photo: Facebook
As Managing Director of Warner Music Africa and Senior Vice President, Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa and Special Projects at Warner Music Group, Temi Adeniji oversees the company’s operations across the region. During her time at Warner Music, she has helped drive the company’s expansion in Africa through investments and partnerships, including a majority stake in Africori and a strategic alliance with Chocolate City. She has also been involved in the international growth of African artists, with Warner Music supporting the global rise of CKay’s Love Nwantiti, one of the biggest Afrobeats crossover records in recent years. Her work spans business strategy, artist development and long-term growth across African markets.
Rima Tahini

Photo: Instagram/@rimouuune
Rima Tahini is Senior Vice President, A&R and Creatives at Mavin Global. She joined the company after working on Kupanda Capital’s investment in Mavin before moving into artist and repertoire (A&R), where she steadily rose through the ranks. Today, she leads Mavin’s A&R and creative teams, working closely with artists on music development, release planning and creative direction. During her time at the label, Mavin artists including Rema and Ayra Starr have expanded their global reach through international chart success, award nominations and collaborations, reflecting the label’s growing influence in the global music business.
Ronami Ogulu

Photo: Instagram/@r0nami
Ronami Ogulu is part of the executive team at Spaceship Collective, the company that manages Burna Boy’s career. Her responsibilities include business operations, partnerships and long-term strategy for the Grammy-winning artist. During her time with Spaceship Collective, the company has overseen a period of significant international growth for Burna Boy, including major performances, sold-out tours and expanded global partnerships.
Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna

Photo: Instagram/@missamadi
Vanessa Amadi-Ogbonna is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of VA PR, a public relations agency with clients across music, television and entertainment. Over the years, she has worked with artists including Davido and Tiwa Savage, helping shape media campaigns and public communications around major career moments. Her agency was involved in the public relations campaign for Davido’s landmark concert at The O2 Arena in London, one of several projects that strengthened the international visibility of Nigerian music.
Princess Chizaram

Photo: Instagram/@theradiochef
Princess Chizaram, popularly known as TheRadioChef, is an A&R Manager at Sony Music West Africa. In her role, she oversees the portfolios of artists including Qing Madi, Mayorkun, Gyakie and Oladapo, working across artist development and creative direction. She also served as a judge on the MTN Best of the Street talent competition, where she evaluated emerging musicians. In 2023, she was named among TurnTable Charts’ 30 Under 30 Power Players in Nigerian Music, recognising young professionals contributing to the growth of the industry.
Elizabeth Sobowale

Photo: Instagram/@elizabeth_sho
Elizabeth Sobowale is the founder of The Other Agency and the manager of Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold. She has overseen his career through major projects, including the Catch Me If You Can (2022) and Tequila Ever After (2023) album campaigns, helping shape both his artistic direction and commercial brand. Beyond artist management, she serves as Programme Director of the Creative Business Academy (CBA) for Africa, formerly known as the Music Business Academy for Africa. The academy trains emerging professionals across the creative industries and has partnered with organisations such as Spotify to deliver industry-focused programmes and masterclasses.
Keke Hammond

Photo: Instagram/@kekehammond
Keke Hammond is the Chief Operating Officer of Flytime Promotions and the Chief Executive Officer of Road14 Studios. At Flytime, she oversees the operational planning, sponsorships and commercial partnerships behind some of Nigeria’s biggest live music events. Her work has been central to the growth of Flytime Fest, which has expanded into a multi-day festival featuring Nigerian and international artists, including Davido, Asake, Rema and Central Cee. Through her leadership on the business and production side, she has helped strengthen one of Africa’s most established live entertainment platforms.
The success of Nigerian music is often measured by chart performance, sold-out concerts and international awards. Behind many of those achievements, however, are executives handling negotiations, partnerships, publicity, career planning and business strategy. As Nigerian music continues to reach new audiences around the world, the industry’s future will depend not only on the artists on stage but also on the executives making key decisions behind the scenes.
Music
New Music to Kickstart Your Week From Victony, Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Mr Eazi & Fave.
A new week often comes with a fresh set of songs to explore, and this latest lineup of releases offers a mix of sounds for different listening moods. From polished Afrobeats to highlife-inspired melodies and a cross-Caribbean collaboration, these records bring together familiar voices and distinct musical approaches.
Whether you’re updating your playlist for the morning commute or looking for something new to play during the day, these four songs are worth checking out.
Victony – “Slick”
Victony opens the list with “Slick”, a concise single that leans into the melodic style he has become known for. Released on July 8, the record blends soft percussion with a laid-back rhythm, allowing his vocals to remain the focal point. Despite its brief runtime of under two minutes, “Slick” packs enough melody and replay value to leave a lasting impression.
Timaya feat. Duncan Mighty – “Kontrol”

Photo: Instagram
Another notable release this week is “Kontrol”, a collaboration between Timaya and Duncan Mighty. The collaboration brings together two artists whose careers have long been associated with the musical traditions of Nigeria’s South-South region. The song draws from highlife and Afrobeats, with live-sounding instrumentation and melodies that reflect both artists’ musical backgrounds. Rather than competing for attention, Timaya and Duncan Mighty complement each other throughout the record, resulting in a performance that feels balanced and natural.
Mr Eazi feat. Vybz Kartel & Dre Skull – “Lambo”

Photo: Instagram
Mr Eazi takes a different route on “Lambo”, featuring Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel alongside producer Dre Skull. The collaboration brings together Afrobeats and dancehall without forcing either style to dominate the other. Mr Eazi keeps his trademark relaxed delivery, while Vybz Kartel adds a contrasting energy that gives the track another dimension. Dre Skull’s production ties the different influences together, making the record one of the week’s more internationally connected releases.
Fave feat. Chike – “Miss You”

Photo: Instagram
For listeners who prefer slower, emotionally driven music, “Miss You” by Fave featuring Chike offers a different experience. Lifted from Fave’s 2026 EP RNBLING, the song centres on longing and emotional distance, themes both singers have explored throughout their careers. Their voices blend smoothly over restrained production, allowing the lyrics and melodies to carry the weight of the record. Chike’s contribution adds depth without overshadowing Fave, making the collaboration feel well matched from beginning to end.

Photo: Instagram
This week’s selection reflects the variety that continues to define Nigerian music. Victony delivers a polished Afrobeats single, Timaya and Duncan Mighty draw on the highlife-inspired sounds that have long shaped their musical identities, Mr Eazi connects Lagos and Kingston on one record, while Fave and Chike close the list with a heartfelt duet. Together, these releases offer listeners a well-rounded playlist to begin the week, regardless of whether they’re in the mood for upbeat rhythms or reflective songwriting.
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