Showbiz
Inside the Spotify Pop-up that Proved African Sound’s Global Power Lies in Lineage
The world knows African music is having a global moment, but to genuinely grasp its explosive power, one must look closely at its roots. This vital connection between deep-seated heritage and the sounds of tomorrow proved the defining story of the inaugural week at the Greasy Tunes Café, Spotify’s thrilling experiential pop-up in Lekki, Lagos.
The week anchored itself entirely on this premise: the legacy and evolution of African Sound, demonstrating how the continent’s sound shapers are intentionally weaving history into the contemporary fabric of global music. What unfolded was a masterclass in cultural cohesion, uniting ancestral spiritualism with digital-age production to showcase the music’s foundation and spectacular future.
The experience kicked off with an electrifying launch party. Group Therapy set the stage with a vital, pulsing sound, with South African DJ, Thakzin, taking control, delivering a global pulse with his Amapiano fusion. This opening night proved the café to be more than a novelty; it is a living, breathing hub for the African sounds defining a generation.
The focus then shifted sharply towards the intellectual journey powering the music, with crucial fireside chats examining African music’s’ essential makeup.
The panel “The Evolving Sounds of African Music”, moderated by Spotify Senior Editor Benewah Boateng, offered sharp insights into the dynamics of sound evolution. Producers and artists, including Nigeria’s Andre Vibes and Braye, alongside Brazilian artist Melly, collectively stressed that the core of music lies in its lineage. Andre Vibes further specified that percussion acts as the universal link that ultimately gives a track its Afrobeats identity.
Driving deeper into the music’s foundation, a pivotal, ceremonial moment arrived with a performance from the Eyo masquerade, visually and historically linking the contemporary Lagos pulse to its ancestral rhythm. This immediately set the stage for the powerful “Cultural Symbolisms & African Music” chat. Here, Nigeria’s DJ and record producer Spinall and rapper Vector, moderated by media executive Jide Taiwo, reinforced the fundamental truth: the sound is inseparable from the culture that birthed it.
This essential cultural conversation championed the exhibition of heritage, from the masquerade to global stages, stressing that preserving culture requires continuously telling its stories accurately and intentionally.
“For African music, many stories have never been told, and a lot of information has been misconstrued. It is important that people know the origin and the culture behind these things. I think Spotify is doing something great in fostering that unlearning. It is quite impactful,” said Spinall.
This powerful dialogue led perfectly into the evening’s event: RADAR Presents: FOLA – Catharsis Live. The artist, whose work is rooted in the urban Lagos experience, delivered a raw, unvarnished set. FOLA’s performance, brimming with the soulful complexity of his latest album, framed the music not just as party material, but as a form of communal emotional release powered by indigenous storytelling.
The week’s ultimate conclusion arrived with the masterful fusion of heritage and modernity presented by Adekunle Gold. In the event’s defining moment, the Afropop icon discussed his celebrated project, Fuji, articulating the entire thesis: his work is not nostalgia, but a conscious effort to carry the original roots of Nigerian music into the future.
The definitive statement came during his subsequent live performance, which showcased a mesmerising blend of traditional Fuji drumming and sleek, global soundscapes. The moment reached another level when Adekunle Gold stirred widespread emotion by inviting legend Yinka Ayefele on stage. Their performance of Ayefele’s evergreen hit, “Many People”, was truly electrifying, instantly evoking deep nostalgia among all fans present and viewing online. The sheer power of this masterful reinvention left the audience awestruck.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Mr Peter Okoye, professionally known as Mr P, has alleged that a proposed multi-billion Naira sale of the defunct P-Square’s music catalogue collapsed after prospective buyers uncovered irregularities during the due diligence process.
This revelation offers a fresh financial dimension to the long-running dispute that has divided Nigeria’s most successful music duos.
The singer made the allegation in a video series posted on his social media pages, where he shared his account of the events surrounding the group’s 2021 reunion and the disagreements that followed with his twin brother, Mr Paul “Rudeboy” Okoye, and their elder brother and former manager, Mr Jude “Engees” Okoye.
According to Mr P, the failed catalogue transaction occurred after the brothers publicly reunited in 2021.
He alleged that interested buyers had made offers worth billions of Naira for the rights to P-Square’s music catalogue, but the proposed deal did not proceed after issues were allegedly discovered in backend records submitted as part of the due diligence process.
As of press time, neither Rudeboy nor Mr Jude Okoye has publicly responded to the latest allegation.
Mr P’s claims add another layer to the financial disagreements that have repeatedly overshadowed the affairs of the award-winning music duo, whose catalogue includes hit songs such as Bizzy Body, Do Me, Personally, No One Like You and Chop My Money.
Beyond the alleged failed sale, the singer claimed that shortly after the brothers reconciled in 2021, he was asked by his two other brothers to sign documents aimed at reviving P-Square under a new bank account.
The music maker said he declined because he wanted to preserve the renewed family relationship rather than return to a business arrangement he believed could recreate the conflicts that had led to the group’s earlier split.
Mr P also alleged that before the reunion, both Rudeboy and Jude had disagreed over a N90 million loan. According to him, Rudeboy assured him that he would be kept informed about discussions taking place behind his back.
The singer insisted that the widely celebrated reunion in November 2021 was never intended to revive P-Square as a commercial entity. Instead, he said the brothers had only agreed to reconcile as family members while continuing their respective solo music careers and supporting each other’s work.
P-Square, formed in 1999 by Peter and Paul Okoye with Jude serving as manager, became one of Africa’s biggest music acts before publicly splitting in 2017 following years of disagreements over management, finances and creative control. Although the brothers reunited in 2021 and returned to the stage, their relationship deteriorated again, with Rudeboy later confirming that P-Square no longer existed.
The latest revelations also come against the backdrop of an ongoing criminal case involving Mr Jude Okoye.
Last year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the former manager before the Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations involving approximately N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59 in alleged money laundering. He has since pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
Mr P, who testified for the prosecution during the trial, said his video series is far from over and promised to continue sharing what he described as the true story behind the collapse of P-Square and the business decisions that ultimately strained the family’s relationship.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Popular musician, Mrs Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, otherwise known as Saint Janet, has died.
The singer, known for her explicit lyrics, was said to have died in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, 2026, after a brief illness.
Her demise has thrown some of her admirers into shock. Some of her fans and colleagues have started to send their condolences.
The Highlife musician, who is also fondly called Mama Yabis, rose to fame after her controversial Faaji Plus featured lewd lyrics and was banned multiple times by regulatory bodies like PMAN and the Lagos State House of Assembly.
However, this did not stop her from performing at private events, as she was loved by some who were moved by her guts and electrifying live performances, energetic stage presence, and unique style of engaging audiences through satire, humour, and socially unfiltered commentaries.
The battle of the sexes continued in Big Brother Naija Season 11 as the gentlemen claimed victory in this week’s wager task presentation, while the ladies fell short in a debate centred on the age-old question: Nature or Nurture?
From the start of the season, Biggie split the House into two teams, with the ladies and gentlemen to compete against each other in key challenges, including wager task presentations and arena games. For this week’s wager, the teams were assigned opposing sides in a Nature versus Nurture debate, with the gentlemen arguing that inherited traits have the greatest influence on who people become, while the ladies defended the idea that people are largely shaped by their upbringing, environment and life experiences.
After both teams presented their arguments, Biggie declared the gentlemen the winners of the wager. While announcing the result, he admitted that neither team delivered an outstanding performance, noting that the House is still in its “honeymoon phase” and that he was selecting a winner based on the stronger overall presentation.
Despite his reservations, Biggie singled out Nomy, Neche, Chimsom Chuka, Cassi and Gerard for their standout contributions, praising their confidence, delivery and commitment during the task.
With one team victory secured, the rivalry between the ladies and the gentlemen continues to heat up, and the competition is only getting tougher.
But that’s not the only thing viewers have to look forward to this weekend. All eyes are now on the Saturday night party and Sunday’s live show, where the mystery surrounding The Gambit will finally be revealed. Tune in from 7:00 p.m on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 and GOtv channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 and GOtv channel 7) to find out who The Gambit is and what it could mean for the game as the twists in Big Brother Naija Season 11 continue to unfold.
Keep up with all the drama, twists and surprises on DStv and GOtv, or stream the show live on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
