Nigerian music is gaining international acclaim, and one of the artists contributing to this global success is Flavour. Known for music that blends cultural elements, Flavour has earned numerous accolades throughout his career.
During a recent interview on The Afrobeats Podcast with Adesope, Flavour was asked how he felt about being excluded from the list of Afrobeats’ biggest global exports. The hitmaker promptly responded. He made it clear that he wasn’t concerned about such discussions, as he doesn’t consider himself an Afrobeats artist.
“I am not an Afrobeats artist. I am an African artist,” Flavour replied.
He also highlighted that the spotlight is currently on Afrobeats, noting how the media tends to focus primarily on this genre while overlooking other types of music from across the continent.
“Most time, the media just talk about Afrobeats. They are not talking about African music. If you talk about African music, you have to talk about Flavour,” the veteran musician said.
Flavour’s career has spanned over two decades with numerous hit records and critically acclaimed albums. Yet, he emphasized that not every artist needs to conform to the Afrobeats narrative. He pointed out that era-defining pop star Asake, for instance, offers a modern take on Fuji music, just as Flavour himself has been creating music that embraces various aspects of Igbo culture.
Flavour’s identity as an African artist is clearly reflected in his most recent album, titled “African Royalty“, which was released in December 2023. The award-winning veteran has also actively collaborated with several prominent African artists, including Fally Ipupa and Diamond Platnumz.
Simi released her hit album “Simisola” 7 years ago. The album cemented its status as a timeless classic. It offered solid music and captured the hearts of listeners. Simi built a loyal fanbase with this album.
Simi released “Simisola” on September 8, 2017. The 12-track album featured hit songs like “Jamb Question,” “Smile For Me,” “Tiff,” “Love Don’t Care,” and “Joromi.” Each track resonated with fans, showcasing her unique blend of Afro-pop and R&B.
On September 30, 2017, “Simisola” debuted at number five on the Billboard World Albums chart. Its success didn’t stop there. At The Headies 2018, “Simisola” won Album of the Year and was nominated for Best R&B/Pop Album. The album also earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
To mark the 7th anniversary, Simi shared reflections on the album via social media. She spoke about her favourite tracks and offered personal insights into the meaning behind each song. These reflections gave fans a deeper connection to her work and celebrated the album’s enduring impact.
Despite seven years passing, “Simisola” remains a cherished part of Simi’s discography. Its timeless appeal continues to resonate with listeners, highlighting her artistry and emotional depth. The album’s influence and Simi’s ability to create lasting connections with her fanbase make “Simisola” a standout achievement in Nigerian music.
Jamb Question was mine and @falzthebahdguy ‘s first fight lol. It was so hilarious that all we did was fight and all you people saw was chemistry. pic.twitter.com/xW2YQ6JvAa
Nigerian singer Korede Bello recently explained why he left Mavin Records. Don Jazzy is the renowned producer who founded this record label. Signed to Mavin in 2014, Korede exited the label in 2021.
The artist told Hip TV that he felt like a “product” designed and marketed only for profit. He talked about the constant pressure to chase hit songs. Also, staying relevant in the industry made him lose focus on what truly mattered to him.
What’s more, this feeling prompted him to take a break from music. During the break, he had to reflect and reconnect with his deeper purpose in life. Korede emphasized the importance of this hiatus in helping him realign his career with his values.
Korede Bello said,
“I was at a season in my life where I needed to metamorphose from a caterpillar to a butterfly. To explore my inner worth, to do introspection, to understand myself, understand meaning more, and reconnect to my why. Because I was at a stage where I started to feel like a product, I started to feel like something that was just being sold, something that is just there to make money.”
“You lose sight of what matters when you chase after the next song, after the next hit, and after the next whatever it is that can get you into conversations. So a lot of artistes are addicted to that circle, and that is why they will do anything to just stay relevant. And I know that music is not my destination, music is not my endpoint, it’s a means of communicating who I am and why I am. So I needed to reconnect to why I am and why music is an important tool for communicating what I’m about.”
Afrobeats continues to soar globally, particularly in the United States, where Nigerian artists have achieved significant success on the Billboard charts. Nigerian stars Davido and Lojay have reached a new milestone by making the 2024 Billboard Honour Roll. This prestigious recognition celebrates top-charting records in the R&B and Hip Hop categories between August 2023 and July 2024.
Davido and Lojay earned their spots on the 2024 Billboard Honour Roll through their work on Chris Brown’s hit song “Sensational.” The track reached No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay Chart. It cemented the growing influence of Afrobeats in mainstream American music.
Davido’s partnership with Chris Brown has proven to be particularly fruitful. The two artists have collaborated on multiple songs, with their most recent effort, “Hmm,” appearing on Chris Brown’s 11th studio album, “11:11”. Their chemistry on these tracks has helped elevate Afrobeats in the global market, with Chris Brown now recognized as one of the most prominent foreign collaborators in the genre.
Lojay also benefited from Chris Brown’s influence when the American R&B star jumped on the remix of his hit single “Monalisa.” The collaboration boosted the song’s commercial performance, further propelling Lojay into the spotlight.
Looking ahead to 2024, both Davido and Lojay have teased new albums. Lojay, in particular, is set to release his highly anticipated debut project. Fans are excited about the possibility of yet another Davido-Chris Brown collaboration, with Davido describing his upcoming album as his best work to date. This continued partnership signals even greater things for Afrobeats on the global stage.
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