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Explore

Longer reads on the scenes, deals and shifts shaping African music — the context behind the charts, across the continent and the diaspora.

  • Explore

THE HYPE MAN ECONOMY: WHY AFROBEATS’ MOST ESSENTIAL ROLE IS STILL ITS MOST UNDERVALUED

ActiveBoy — resident hype man at Obi's House and one of Lagos's most in-demand voices — says 70% of the industry still undervalues the people who make the

Must Read

Kanya King MOBO Awards founder
  • Explore

Kanya King, MOBO Awards Founder, Dies Aged 57

MOBO Awards founder Kanya King has died aged 57 after a battle with colon cancer. We honour the woman who legitimised Black British music.
keys the prince
  • Explore

Keys the Prince on Fuji, Faith, and Bridging London and Lagos — A Beats of Africa Exclusive

In an exclusive Beats of Africa interview filmed in Lagos during Detty December, Keys the Prince opens up about his Fuji-inspired new single, two
Plutomania Iconiq Fest aftermovie
  • Explore, Music Videos

Burna Boy, Shallipopi and the Uzama Brothers Shut Down Lagos — Inside the Plutomania Aftermovie From Iconiq Fest 2025

The Plutomania aftermovie from Iconiq Fest 2025 is here. Shallipopi, Zerry DL, Famous Pluto, a surprise Burna Boy appearance, and a TurnTable Charts No.
  • Explore

There’s a New Sound Coming Out of South Africa — Meet AmaGroove

Three South African artists — Dhahabu, Q2K, and DrexxBeats — take African heritage to the global stage through the AmaGroove movement.
  • Behind-the-Scenes, Explore

Fuse ODG Puts Out a Casting Call Celebrating the Unity of African and Caribbean Women

Fuse ODG is looking for confident Black women for a London shoot on 8 March celebrating the unity of African and Caribbean nations through
Addis Jazz Festival 2026 Ethio-jazz
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The Addis Jazz Festival Turns Five — and Ethio-Jazz Has Never Sounded More Alive

The Addis Jazz Festival 2026 brought Ethio-jazz legends and new voices together for three days at the Ghion Hotel. Over 3,000 daily attendees proved
  • Behind-the-Scenes, Explore

Nigeria’s First Copyright Levy Payout Is Here — ₦1.2 Billion for Songwriters, Producers and Artists

The first Nigeria copyright levy payout totals ₦1.2 billion. MCSN receives the funds under Section 89 of the Copyright Act 2022. Registration is essential
Kilele Summit 2026 Nairobi
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Kilele Summit 2026 Heads to Nairobi — Kenya’s Music Industry Gets Its Biggest Stage Yet

Kilele Summit 2026 arrives in Nairobi from 23–28 February. The third edition gathers international speakers alongside Kenyan industry leaders for a week of panels,
Gengetone revival Kenya 2026
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Gengetone Refuses to Die — Kenya’s Street Sound Is Back With a Vengeance

Everyone wrote Gengetone off. Kenya’s street sound just wrote itself back in. Ethic Entertainment, Wakadinali and a new generation of artists are proving the
LVRN South Africa 2025
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How LVRN Quietly Dominated South Africa in 2025 — 288 Million Streams and Counting

LVRN South Africa hit 288 million+ streams in 2025. Ciza’s Isaka became the country’s most-streamed song. Summer Walker sold out twice. TXC won a
Nigerian music video directors copyright
  • Behind-the-Scenes, Explore

Nigerian Music Video Directors Sound the Alarm — ‘We Do Not Own Anything’

Nigerian music video directors face a hard truth: they own nothing. The Alien Visuals sparked a viral thread calling for IP reform, guilds and
DBN Gogo Forbes Africa Over 30 Under 50
  • Awards, Explore

DBN Gogo Lands on the Forbes Africa Over 30 Under 50 List — and She Earned Every Bit of It

DBN Gogo graces the Forbes Africa Over 30 Under 50 cover for 2026. Behind the decks lies a label, a team and a vision

About the Explore desk

Four questions, answered in plain text, marked up as FAQPage.

What is the Explore desk?

Longer analysis and reporting: scene reports, deal breakdowns and interviews that do not fit the release cycle.

Do you cover the business side?

Yes. Signings, streaming economics, touring and festival programming across Europe and Africa.

How long are these pieces?

Typically eight to fifteen minutes. Reading time shows on every card.

Who writes them?

Staff writers and contributors based in Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Paris and London.

Explore By Sound and country

Afrobeats
Amapiano
Gqom
Coupé-Decalé
Makossa
Fuji
Nigeria
South Africa
Ghana
Kenya
Namibia
Morocco

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