Longer reads on the scenes, deals and shifts shaping African music — the context behind the charts, across the continent and the diaspora.
The Afrobeats star joins the gospel great on a Yoruba-laced prayer from Franklin’s new album, then takes it to the street for a From The Block performance.
Four new songs, a Gunna verse, a French feature and a postponed tour. Omah Lay widens his world without letting anyone find the exit.
Twenty-three tracks and a Pan-African guest list: the Ivorian star makes Lagos the title and Abidjan the point of view.
On the six-track EP Something To Die For, a Lagos songwriter and a genre-fluid vocalist stretch one breakout record into a study of desire, distance and grief.
After almost four years of singles and one EP, the Nigerian singer releases ANGEL, a 13-track first album that keeps its songs short and its mood wide open.
On Let That Sink In (LTSI), the Enugu-born veteran fills one record with three generations of Nigerian pop, keeps the language of home at the centre, and asks the room to listen.
Seven years after “Jealous,” the Abeokuta-raised singer trades comfort for confrontation on ZUKO!, a fifth album that runs on Johannesburg 3-step, Jamaican dancehall and Nigerian pop.
Bien will release Alusa Continua, a 17-track album, on 20 November with 2 Chainz, Coster Ojwang, Femi One, Joshua Baraka, Oxlade and Alikiba.
Blaqbonez previewed NOMADINHO: 4TH PRIME at a UK listening party where fans sang ‘Ikebe 3000’ word for word, then joined Asake at The O2 on the eve of release.
Tracy Vocals has revealed the artwork and meaning of Azalondwe, her first solo EP, built around her alter ego Queen Dilika.
Four questions, answered in plain text, marked up as FAQPage.
Longer analysis and reporting: scene reports, deal breakdowns and interviews that do not fit the release cycle.
Yes. Signings, streaming economics, touring and festival programming across Europe and Africa.
Typically eight to fifteen minutes. Reading time shows on every card.
Staff writers and contributors based in Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Paris and London.
Sign up for the Beats of Africa’s newsletter and receive the latest in African Music, Culture, and Lifestyle delivered straight to your inbox.
