Exciting Nigerian R&B talent PHAEMOUS and internationally acclaimed UK DJ and producer DJAMES have joined forces to bring us a glorious new R&B project titled BOUNDARIES. Written by Phaemous, produced by DJames, and crafted between Lagos and London, the 5-track project does brilliantly to merge its primary R&B soundscapes and melodies, with minimalist afrobeats sensibilities to excellent effects. Boundaries sees the artist and producer pair exploring themes around love and relationships, from first date jitters and expectations, and being ghosted by a crush, to searching for how best to show love and affection, and expressing how you feel to a love interest.
The project opens with the head-bopping ‘MIA’, which sees Phaemous lamenting about how his love interest has gone AWOL on him over DJames’ melodious saxophone arrangements, while the infectious ‘What Is Love?’, driven by its captivating drum patterns, questions whether all we really want is love or money. Elsewhere on the Boundaries EP, things take a sexier turn with ‘First Time’ and its jazzy keyboards and racy lyrics, before it closes out with the sensual ‘Dreaming’, which reveals more of those sexy saxophone arrangements from DJames, combined with his live keyboard elements.
Speaking about the inspiration behind this Boundaries EP, Phaemous says,
“the entire project is inspired by the love that DJames and I both have for R&B as well as afrobeats, which is why we were able to infuse both genres to deliver such a satisfying listening experience. We wanted a chance to show our versatility, and I believe we did just that”. DJames adds that, “as a DJ and producer, I love discovering new talent, so working with Phaemous is so exciting for me. I spotted his talent, and thought this project would be the perfect opportunity to showcase what we could do together”.
With over two million streams already under his belt, Phaemous is one of the exciting new R&B prospects coming out of Nigeria in 2023, while DJames is an international DJ and producer that has worked with the likes of Drake and The Weeknd. Recently, DJames has been going viral for his remixes that have seen him garner over quarter of a million followers on TikTok and Instagram alone, and he is set to headline his first London concert this August, after a busy summer schedule that sees him playing in Canada, Germany, Finland, and the Caribbean. Phaemous, on the other hand, is putting finishing touches to his sophomore solo EP Phæway Vol. 2 that is due at the end of the year.
Rising Afro-RnB sensation Qing Madi launches into 2025 with a mesmerising performance on the prestigious COLOURS platform, showcasing her latest single, “Favourite Psycho,”against their signature minimalist backdrop.
The artist commands the space with a magnetic presence, her voice running through each sound with masterful control and emotional authenticity.
The song mixes Afrobeats drums with modern R&B sounds. Strong drum patterns keep a steady beat in the background. Smooth keyboard sounds and rich chords play softly under Qing Madi’s singing.
The music stays subtle and doesn’t overpower her voice, letting her take centre stage.
As she performs, Qing Madi navigates the complex emotional landscape of her lyrics with remarkable nuance. Her vocal delivery shifts seamlessly between powerful belting and intimate whispers, reflecting the song’s exploration of love’s contradictions.
The narrative unfolds through vivid metaphors and raw confessions, painting a picture of a relationship caught between passion and pain, trust and suspicion.
The chorus showcases her exceptional range, with layered harmonies adding depth to the hook’s memorable melody. Each verse delves deeper into the story, building emotional tension through carefully crafted lyrical progression.
The bridge section provides a particularly poignant moment, stripping back the instrumentation to highlight the vulnerability in her voice.
Throughout the performance, Qing Madi demonstrates why she’s emerging as a defining voice in the contemporary Afro-RnB scene.
Her ability to blend cultural influences while maintaining authentic emotional expression sets her apart.
The COLORS performance serves as a powerful statement of artistic identity, introducing her unique sound to a global audience while staying true to her musical roots.
The result is a spellbinding display of talent that leaves viewers eagerly anticipating her next moves in the industry.
Burna Boy is gearing up to release a new single, “Bundle,“ as he prepares to close out 2024 in grand style.
Following a hectic and record-breaking year, the African Giant aims to soundtrack the Detty December celebrations with this highly anticipated release.
In a recent update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Burna Boy confirmed that the new single will drop on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
The announcement came after he teased the song on social media, sparking excitement among his fans.
His long-time collaborator, Telz, produced multiple hits on Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning album, “Twice As Tall.” He also hinted at the upcoming release with a similar post.
“Bundle” marks the second release of 2024 for Burna Boy, following the success of his Grammy-nominated single “Higher.”
The music video for “Higher” took fans on an emotional journey back to his hometown of Port Harcourt. He showed his deep connection to his roots.
This single wraps up what has been an extraordinary year for Burna Boy, filled with groundbreaking achievements.
Earlier in 2024, he became the first African artist to perform at the Grammys main ceremony. However, he shared the stage with rapper 21 Savage and R&B legend Brandy.
“Bundle” is expected to be part of Burna Boy’s upcoming 8th studio album. Apparently, the album is rumoured to be titled “No Sign of Weakness“, slated for release in 2025.
As Burna Boy continues to break boundaries and elevate Afrobeats on the global stage, fans eagerly await what promises to be another hit song to close out the year.
Award-winning Afro-dancehall artist Timaya has officially dropped the highly anticipated music video for his latest single, Mase, directed by the acclaimed PinkLine.
The video is a visual masterpiece that perfectly captures Timaya’s signature charisma, engaging storytelling, and high-energy performance style.
Vibrant and artistic, the video is a testament to Timaya’s growth as an artist, showcasing his evolution while staying true to his Afro-dancehall roots.
Every frame radiates creativity, drawing viewers into Timaya’s unique world of music and culture.
The release of Mase is particularly significant as it arrives just weeks before the highly anticipated third edition of the Timaya Day Concert, set for January 1, 2024, at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Bayelsa.
This annual event has quickly become one of Nigeria’s most important New Year celebrations, attracting thousands of fans who are eager to enjoy an electrifying live music experience.
As the event’s popularity continues to grow, the 2024 edition promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Now in its third year, the Timaya Day Concert is much more than just a music festival; it serves as a homecoming event that celebrates Timaya’s remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in Bayelsa to becoming an internationally recognised music icon.
With Mase already creating waves, excitement for the concert is at an all-time high.
This year’s concert will feature performances from top Nigerian stars, including D’banj, Phyno, and Portable, who will deliver a thrilling show filled with their biggest hits.
Fans are in for an unforgettable night of unforgettable performances and high-energy vibes.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Timaya Day Concert will continue to set the bar high, offering an experience filled with powerful music and a celebration of Afro-dancehall excellence.