Showbiz
How Spotify’s African Heat Became A Part Of Your Life
For ardent fans and casual listeners of Afrobeats, both at home and in the diaspora, Spotify’s African Heat is both an important resource for music discovery and a growing catalogue of the genre’s global success.
Spotify first introduced African Heat in 2017, and the playlist has grown to become the premier hub for Afrobeats on the global streaming platform. For fans of the genre or eager ears looking for new sounds, staying in touch with African Heat provides a fresh source of what’s hot on the continent and a roll call of its leading voices, from Ayra Starr to Sha Sha. Holding a spot on the playlist has also become a precursor for global success – songs featured on African Heat upon release, such as Rema’s Calm Down, have gone on to become some of the most streamed Afrobeats records on the platform.
“As Spotify’s flagship playlist for African music, African Heat curates the continent’s incredible content and culture for a global audience. It has become the nucleus of a global community of Afrobeats fans, and we’re excited to see its reach grow and take Afrobeats to more global ears,” says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Africa.
The playlist’s growth has been facilitated by a large audience outside of Afrobeats’ home region in West Africa. According to Spotify data, The US, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands and Canada feature in the top 10 markets where African Heat is streamed; Nigeria and Kenya are the playlist’s leading African markets, with South Africa and Ghana also making an appearance in the top ten markets streaming the playlist.
Across all markets, African Heat appeals to fans of all ages, a trend that is in keeping with the widespread appeal of Afrobeats. However, it should be no surprise that Gen Z leads the charge. Listeners aged 18-24 provide more than a quarter of African Heat’s streams, more than any other age group. Following closely are 25-29-year-olds, then 30-34-year-olds. The digital-first generations are an army of eager proponents that have propelled Afrobeats to success via viral moments and ardent fandom on social media.
Whether you are 19 or 90, however, if you listen to Afrobeats on Spotify, chances are African Heat has found its way into a sweet spot in your routine. Spotify Data shows that, while African Heat has listeners during every hour of the day, most fans listen to the playlist between the hours of 4-6 pm – that time of the day when the curtain falls on daily obligations. Listenership peaks at exactly 5 pm each day when the playlist has the most streams.
And if you’re wondering just how much of your day is spent in this hub of African music, data from Spotify shows that the average listener streams African Heat for 25 minutes. With over a million followers around the world and an endless chest of African content to draw from, these touchpoints have all contributed to the platform crossing the 500 million stream mark in 2023.
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The latest episode of Africa Magic Heartbeat saw the house adjusting to recent exits and shifting relationships. Sharon’s earlier departure and Henri’s elimination in episode eight left the remaining singles settling into their pairings while trying to understand where everyone truly stands. Hilda Reflects on Henri’s ExitHenri’s departure is still fresh in the house, and Hilda admitted she felt bad that her decision ultimately led to him leaving the Love Pad. However, she maintained that she did not regret choosing Bosah. In her view, even if she had chosen Henri, he likely would have remained in the house pursuing other connections. Queen Latifah Calls Out IgweThe episode’s biggest moment began when Queen Latifah expressed concerns about Igwe’s intentions toward Shekinah. While speaking with Hilda, she suggested that Shekinah might be allowing herself to be manipulated by Igwe and questioned whether he was truly serious about her. Queen Latifah later took the conversation directly to Shekinah, recounting how Igwe had previously shown interest in pursuing her and even suggested he was ready to compete with Ken for her attention. According to Queen Latifah, Igwe later dismissed his connection with Shekinah by saying she was “too serious” for him. The conversation quickly escalated when Igwe walked in mid-discussion. Words were exchanged as tensions rose, and what began as a private conversation eventually turned into one of the episode’s most heated moments. Igwe Seeks Clarity From AlvinFollowing the confrontation, Igwe later pulled Alvin aside to discuss Shekinah. With the house already questioning his intentions, he wanted to know if there was still anything between Alvin and Shekinah. Alvin made it clear that things had changed since Ceeoni arrived and that he had no intention of pursuing Shekinah if Igwe was serious about her. The conversation appeared to reassure Igwe that there was no competition from Alvin, and he seemed increasingly focused on resolving things with Shekinah. In a surprising turn, Igwe also acknowledged that the situation had gotten out of hand and attempted to make peace with Shekinah, even reaching out to Hilda, who is close to her, in hopes of smoothing things over. A Brief Moment of Jealousy Between Kena and ChideraEven the strongest couples can experience moments of friction. A brief moment of jealousy surfaced when Kena noticed Chidera wearing Alvin’s jacket, something that made him visibly uncomfortable, given that the two are now committed to each other. The tension was short-lived when Chidera quickly apologised and reassured him, bringing the moment to a calm resolution. The episode closed on a lighter note with a couples’ game that lifted everyone’s mood and brought energy back into the Love Pad after a day full of tension. One question lingered across the Love Pad as the episode wrapped up: has Heartbeat’s resident playboy finally fallen in love? Catch new episodes of Heartbeat every Sunday at 9 pm on Africa Magic Showcase, DStv Channel 151, and GOtv Channel 8. You can also catch up via the DStv Stream app or through Catch Up on your decoder. |
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The new fashion interview show, The Fashion Roundtable, hosted by media personality, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, will premiere exclusively on YouTube on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
The programme will unearth the real, unfiltered conversations with the key players shaping Nigeria’s fashion industry.
The show will feature a powerful lineup of guests, including celebrity stylists Swazzi & Zack Aminu, model Ruth Vader, men’s footwear designer Kiing Davids, creative designers, Nkiru Achukwu of Zephans & Co, Morenike Olusanya of Bawsty, Aanuoluwa Ajide-Daniels of Aso and a host of other notable fashion entrepreneurs and industry players.
Viewers can anticipate standout revelations, such as designer Kiing Davids’ attempt at making women’s shoes that he ultimately abandoned, the story of Zephans & Co selling a staggering 35,000 outfits in one year, and the moment Bawsty’s first pop-up saw 600 registrations and sold out in less than two hours.
The host intends to look beyond the glitz and glamour, providing an intimate space for designers, models, and stylists to share their true behind-the-scenes stories.
The Fashion Roundtable is a direct response to the global attention Nigerian fashion is currently receiving, providing an essential platform to document the industry’s complexities.
Each episode features guests who discuss how they started, the significant challenges they face, how they recovered from failures, and how they financed their businesses. The series is committed to giving a voice to all parts of the fashion ecosystem, not just the designers.
“I created The Fashion Roundtable because I wanted a space to have real, honest conversations with the people who are shaping Nigeria’s fashion industry.
“We often only see the finished product, the beautiful outfits, but we rarely hear from the people behind the scenes about the work that goes into the process. Nigerian fashion is getting so much attention globally, and now feels like the perfect time to share these voices and their stories,” Olateru-Olagbegi said.
Power has shifted, loyalties have been tested, and secrets are no longer buried. As Wura returns for Season 4, before the next chapter unfolds, it’s the perfect moment to revisit the characters whose ambition, secrets, and rivalries have driven the series’ gripping tale of power and consequence. Here are the characters who have shaped the story so far from Season 1 -3.
Mrs Adeleke (Wura)
The boss lady, ruthless CEO of Frontline Gold Mine and the woman at the centre of it all.
Wura built her empire on carefully buried secrets and ruthless decisions. Anyone who threatened her power in the last seasons was silenced, and every move she made was calculated to keep her throne intact.
But power built without mercy eventually demands payment. In the end, Wura’s world collapsed when she discovered the most devastating truth of all: the daughter she had killed in her quest to protect her secrets was actually her own. Faced with the weight of her actions, she pulled the trigger on herself, leaving behind a legacy of power, destruction, and unanswered questions.
Tumininu (Tumi)
Tumi’s journey began with a simple mission: find the truth about her father. What followed was a dangerous path filled with lies, betrayals, and powerful enemies.
Determined and fearless, Tumi chased every clue and confronted the darkest secrets surrounding her family. But the biggest revelation came too late, the woman she had grown to hate the most was the one who gave birth to her.
In her pursuit of justice, Tumi paid the ultimate price. Sometimes the truth costs everything.
Jeje
Jeje was the man caught between two worlds.
Husband to Tumi, yet deeply connected to Wura’s shadowy reality.
For a long time, he carried dangerous truths that could destroy everything. When Jeje finally revealed that Wura was responsible for Tumi’s father’s death, it set off a chain reaction that neither love nor loyalty could stop. His confession changed the course of every life connected to the Frontline empire.
Mr Adeleke
A respected man sworn to fight crime and uphold justice. Yet the greatest criminal in his life was the woman he loved, Wura.
Mr Adeleke shared a home with Wura, blind to the darkness hiding in plain sight. Even as the signs became impossible to ignore, his love for her clouded his judgment.
It raises a haunting question: how do you police an entire city, yet fail to see the truth inside your own home?
Iyabo
Iyabo was the quiet force that kept the family together until one truth shattered everything.
Without warning, she revealed the secret that changed the entire story: Tumi was not her biological daughter. No preparation. No gentle explanation. Just a truth that landed like a storm in a fragile family. Family secrets destroy everyone.
As Wura launches its Season 4 this March, the story moves beyond the secrets. With the truth now exposed and the consequences still unfolding, the next chapter promises new power struggles, shifting loyalties, and choices that change everything.
In Wura’s world, the past never stays buried, and the next season may prove that the real battle is only just beginning.
To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
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