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How Gen-Zs Shaped Pop Culture and Musical Preferences in 2023

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Spotify Acquires Parcast

Gen Zs shaping musical preferences and growing artists’ fandom across Sub-Saharan Africa

Which artists and songs does this generation gravitate towards? 

This past year has seen many artists drop countless brilliant songs which have been streamed numerous times on Spotify, particularly by Gen Zs, who are the most tech-savvy generation currently alive. While a lot can be said about this generation, aged between 11 and 26 years, what we can all agree on is their influence on popular culture, music being no exception.

And while listening behaviours differ from one person to another, an exercise in which artists and tracks unite Gen Z across Sub-Saharan Africa is perhaps one step closer to understanding what makes the African Gen Zs move and groove, as seen in this year’s Spotify Wrapped.

Which artists came out on top? 

Canadian rapper Drake takes up the number one spot in 2023, in part thanks to his collaborative album with 21 Savage on Her Loss which dropped in late 2022, as well as the release of his highly anticipated album For All the Dogs in October.

Afrobeats continues to be a very popular genre amongst Gen Z’s as Nigerian Afrobeats artists such as Burna Boy, Asake, Davido, Rema and Omah Lay find themselves on the top ten list thanks to their consistent contributions throughout the year. Burna Boy, Asake and Davido all dropped new albums this year while Rema and Omah Lay released deluxe versions of their previous albums.

However, it was not only Afrobeats musicians whom Gen Z gravitated towards this year, Drake’s Canadian counterpart The Weeknd was also streamed numerous times by Gen Z’s this past year which can be credited to the release of the deluxe version of his 2016 album Starboy. American Hip hop artist Travis Scott dropped his highly anticipated album Utopia which fans had been anticipating for 5 years, so naturally he too is in the top ten most streamed artists by Gen Zs in SSA.

Despite not releasing solo projects throughout the year, 21 Savage and Future are also on the list of most streamed artists by Gen Z’s across Sub-Saharan Africa, showing the generation’s affinity for international rap music.

Which were the grooviest songs of the year?

If the top songs streamed by Gen Z tell us anything, it is that they were in the mood to dance the whole year. Nine out of the top 10 songs are African and are either rooted in Afrobeats or Amapiano, with a couple of songs fusing both genres.

Despite being the only Hip hop song in the top 10, Sprinter by British artists Dave and Central Cee is in second place in a dance-genre-dominated list, which is no surprise as the song received global love from Gen Z, who enjoyed the banger made by two of England’s most popular stars.

Nigeria dominates this list too, with Ruger’s Asiwaju coming at the top, and also making an appearance is Asake’s Lonely At The Top, the artist’s testimonial on the life of fame. Off his highly anticipated album Timeless, Davido has two songs that the Gen Z’s cannot get enough of, FEEL and UNAVAILABLE featuring Musa Keys, both in the top ten.

Mnike, the Amapiano song that took social media by storm is the only South African song in the top ten, showing that there is something to be said about the power of virality. Meanwhile, Ayra Starr’s Rush is the only track by a female artist that’s in the top ten.

What does this tell us about Gen Z’s?

Gen Z’s are known for being hip and full of “vibes”, so it is no surprise that most of the artists and songs that they are streaming are mostly rooted in dance genres such as Afrobeats and Amapiano. Mnike, one of the biggest Amapiano songs to come out of South Africa this year, birthed several dance challenges on social media which had a huge role to play in the success of the song.

What makes these songs unite Gen Z’s is their ability to not only bring out the urge to dance but also their spiritual and love undertones. Songs like Asiwaju and Sprinter are two completely different songs, but their subtle and less subtle braggadocious nature help represent a whole generation which has often been thought of as being too expressive, while Rush by Ayra Starr taps into Gen Z’s desire to grind and pursue success without the negative energy.

Gen Z’s value authenticity and self-expression, and all these ten songs capture these values either through the use of African music to tell authentic stories of love, success, and pain, or through Sprinter’s employment of UK rap which Gen Z’s have grown to love and appreciate over the past few years.

Spotify 2023 Wrapped data show that Afrobeats is not only the biggest genre across Sub-Saharan Africa, but it also unites different generations in a region that thrives off authentic, self-expression music that captures their love for dance and a sense of freedom.

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Drama, Tears, and Showdowns: BBNaija Reunion Starts on Heated Note

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BBNaija Season 10 Reunion

The Big Brother Naija Season 10 reunion kicked off yesterday, and honestly, nobody was prepared for how quickly things went from zero to heated. From unresolved tensions to emotional confessions, it looks like the housemates came ready to finally say everything they’ve been holding back.

If episode one is anything to go by, the rest of the reunion is set to be explosive.

Here are some of the highlights from Episode 1 of the reunion:

Sabrina opened up about her early exit, saying that if she had stayed longer, viewers would have seen more of her personality, and that a love interest storyline likely wouldn’t have happened.

Tracy reflected on her time in the house, admitting she didn’t feel emotionally prepared for the experience. She also expressed that while she wanted a deeper connection with Kuture, things felt too physical for her.

Zita revisited her time in the house as well, insisting her fight with Mide was not performative and that she often felt cornered by how things played out. Mide, however, pushed back, saying Zita misunderstood her intentions and that she is not condescending.

Zita and Danboskid also addressed their failed “ship,” finally laying the relationship drama to rest.

Thelma had an emotional moment while defending herself in the Isabella and Kayinkumi situation, with tensions rising further when Big Soso jumped into the conversation, escalating things between her and Thelma.

We also saw more tension unfold between Tega and Thelma, with revelations that added even more weight to their already strained dynamic.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any hotter, the episode ended on a cliffhanger, with Kola and Doris going head-to-head, leaving viewers waiting for what comes next.

If this is just episode one, the rest of the reunion promises nothing short of chaos, clarity, and confrontations.

Big Brother Naija S10 reunion is clearly not holding back this year. You can catch all the drama at 10 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and 10:30 pm on Africa Magic Family on DStv and GOtv.

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SuperSport Wakes Up the Continent with ‘The Morning Cup’ – A FIFA World Cup Daily Breakfast Show Like No Other

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FIFA World Cup Daily Breakfast Show

Nigerian comedy heavyweight Basketmouth and South African broadcast royalty Phat Joe lead a pan-African cast in a new morning show blending football, culture, lifestyle and entertainment.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the globe, SuperSport will launch The Morning Cup, a live daily breakfast show designed to redefine how fans start their World Cup mornings.

Premiering on Wednesday, 10 June, the show brings together football, music, entertainment and conversation in a fast-paced, pan-African studio format.

Anchored by SuperSport presenters Lwazi Ziqubu and Fiso Mazibuko, the show features Basketmouth, Phat Joe, Sarah Hassan and Sirayah Shiraz as part of its rotating co-host lineup.

“I am excited because it is different,” Basketmouth says. “It is not just football, it is an experience. Music, culture, our vibe, everything coming together from a perspective you will not find anywhere else.”

“I will be hanging out with some really funny guys, too. Humour is everywhere, and my job is to find those moments and bring them into the conversation.”

On what to expect from him on the show, he adds:

“We are your recovery crew, replaying the best moments you might have missed and keeping it fun. I am bringing the Naija flavour into it. SuperSport did great with this one.

For Phat Joe, the show marks both a return and a new kind of stage.

“Look, anytime you get a call from SuperSport to do a show for a billion people, you answer,” he says.

“But when it’s for a brand-new show with a fresh format and a pan-African cast of hosts? That’s not just a gig, that’s an invitation to be part of something special. I’m hyped to be back in the building. I never left TV, I just took a strategic pause.”

Highlighting the tone of the show, he adds:

“The energy. Most shows talk at you. The Morning Cup feels like it’s waking up with you, family fun every morning with your favourite personalities during the World Cup. Morning TV means I actually get to sleep like a normal human being again. So, my wife is thrilled.”

Earlier today, the cast teased the launch through a cross-continental radio takeover, with Basketmouth on Brila FM in Nigeria and Phat Joe on 947 in South Africa, giving a preview of the show’s tone of banter and chemistry.

And that chemistry, according to Phat Joe, is already questionable.

“Chemistry? What chemistry? I think the producers messed up. I’m asking them to recast some of the positions as we speak,” he jokes.

“Sarah Hassan is a math nerd. You know she studied to be an actuarial scientist? Actress, my foot. She’s going to be busy trying to predict when all the cast members are going to die.”

“Basketmouth is probably going to try to re-kick-start his rap career again on the show for the umpteenth time. The only cast member I like is Sirayah. The producers needed someone to make me look taller, she’s 4’11”, you know.”

Kenyan actress Sarah Hassan brings a contrasting energy to the lineup.

“I am incredibly excited. It’s a true honour to work alongside Joe and the pan-African team. It’s great to be on a show that’s going to give perspectives from all over Africa with hosts from all parts of the continent. It’s a truly African morning show,” she says.

“I’m loving every moment of this journey and honestly don’t want it to end. This is an absolute dream come true. To be here at SuperSport hosting a show of this magnitude, at such an exciting time for football, is fantastic. I am truly at a loss for words.”

She adds: “Being in South Africa right now, it only feels right to throw my full support behind Bafana Bafana. My beloved Kenya would always be my first choice if they were here, but in their absence, I’m Bafana all the way.”

Set against a communal, vibrant backdrop, The Morning Cup captures the rituals and emotions that define the World Cup experience.

Viewers can expect international football legends, daily hot takes, round-table discussions, comedy inserts, fashion segments and on-the-ground content from across Africa and the United States.

Fans can tune in daily from Wednesday, 10 June at 6:00 am to 7:00 am on SuperSport’s FIFA World Cup Central (DStv Channel 202), with multiple replays and on-demand viewing available on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.

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The Final Chapter of BBNaija Season 10 Begins at the Reunion

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BBNaija Season 10 Reunion

After ten weeks of twists, shifting alliances, emotional confrontations and unforgettable moments, the BBNaija Season 10 house may have closed its doors, but many of the conversations it sparked never truly ended.

Now, months after Imisi emerged victorious and walked away with the ₦150 million grand prize, all 29 housemates are set to return for the Season 10 Reunion, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. As anticipation builds for BBNaija Season 11, the reunion offers fans one final opportunity to revisit the stories that kept the 10/10 season at the centre of conversation.

And if there’s one thing viewers know about BBNaija reunions, it’s that they have a way of bringing unfinished business back to the surface.

For starters, fans will be eager to hear from Dede and Kola, whose complicated dynamic generated countless conversations throughout the season. What exactly was happening between them? Was it friendship, attraction, strategy, or a little bit of everything? Months later, many viewers are still searching for answers.

Then there is Victory and Gigi Jasmine, whose rollercoaster relationship became one of the season’s most talked-about storylines. From mixed signals and emotional conversations to unexpected decisions that left viewers divided, theirs was a relationship that rarely lacked drama. The reunion could finally reveal where things stand between them today.

Questions also remain around Faith, one of the season’s most controversial and talked-about housemates. His journey from strong contender to disqualification sparked intense debate among fans and fellow housemates alike. With Sultana and Imisi both playing significant roles in some of the season’s biggest conversations involving him, the reunion may provide long-awaited clarity on one of the defining storylines of the season.

Of course, no look back at the 10/10 season would be complete without revisiting the relationships that captured viewers’ attention. Fans will be curious to know whether connections such as Koyin and Isabella’s survived beyond the house, evolved into something more, or simply became part of the BBNaija experience.

There are also questions surrounding Jason Jae, whose interactions with Joanna, Sultana and Dede kept fans speculating throughout the season. Was he simply playing the game, following genuine connections, or navigating a complicated mix of both? The reunion may finally offer some answers.

Meanwhile, Bright Morgan and Mide’s relationship remained one of the season’s most debated situationships. With emotions, misunderstandings and unanswered questions lingering after the show, viewers will undoubtedly be looking forward to hearing their perspectives now that months have passed.

Beyond the individual stories, the reunion is also an opportunity for housemates to reflect on the alliances, rivalries and decisions that shaped one of the most unpredictable seasons in BBNaija history. Friendships were tested, loyalties shifted, and housemates often found themselves on opposite sides of conversations that dominated social media week after week.

Whether it’s old rivalries, unresolved tensions, surprising reconciliations or long-awaited explanations, fans can expect the conversations they have been waiting months to hear.

The BBNaija Season 10 Reunion premieres on June 8 at 10:00 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. Episodes will be available on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, ensuring viewers never miss a moment of the revelations, resolutions and memorable conversations that await.

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