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Inside the Spotify Pop-up that Proved African Sound’s Global Power Lies in Lineage

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Spotify's Greasy Tunes

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.

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Nigerian Actor Adesina Okiki Janmole Dies in Fatal Auto Crash

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Adesina Okiki Janmole

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A fatal auto crash has claimed the life of a Nigerian actor, Mr Adesina Okiki, otherwise known as Janmole.

The death of the thespian was confirmed on Tuesday by the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr Abolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin.

In a post on his Facebook page today, the comic actor said, “May the soul of our departed colleague, Adesina Okiki Janmole, who tragically lost his life in an accident, rest in perfect peace.

“May God grant his family, friends, and colleagues the strength and comfort to bear this irreparable loss. He will be greatly missed. Amen.”

The demise of this comedian and filmmaker comes a few weeks after the Nigerian film industry lost Alexx Ekubo to cancer.

During his lifetime, Janmole, who died in a road accident on Monday, acted in several movies. He was known for his humour, screen presence and contributions to the Yoruba movie industry.

About four years ago, he survived a fire incident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, an experience many believed he had narrowly escaped.

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Africa Magic to Air BBNaija Season 10 Reunion June 8

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BBNaija Season 10 Reunion

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Lovers of the popular Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality television show will have the opportunity to watch the BBNaija Season 10 Reunion Show.

The programme, to be hosted by media personality, Mr Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, will premiere on Monday, 8 June 2026, at 10 pm WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 | GOtv Channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 | GOtv Channel 7), with each episode available on the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps the following day.

The reunion show will feature all 29 housemates. Fans can follow all reunion updates using the hashtag #BBNaijaReunion across social media platforms and Africa Magic for exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes content.

On October 5, 2025, the BBNaija Season 10 came to an end, with Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, emerging champion with 42.84 per cent of the public votes.

The 23-year-old fashion designer and actress from Oyo State walked away with a grand prize of N150 million, including N80 million in cash and a brand-new Innoson SUV.

The reunion is expected to address several unresolved storylines from the season, including the disqualification of housemate Faith in the final week following a physical altercation with Sultana. The season also produced some of its most viral moments in years, including a spoon-related standoff that dominated X for days and a series of romantic entanglements that split fan bases across the continent.

Season 10 was considered one of the most exciting editions of the show to date, introducing the Bag of Big Twists, a red telephone delivering random instructions from Biggie, a restructured Head of House challenge and an Influential Player of the Week feature.

With plans for a new season already in motion, the BBNaija 10 over 10 reunion show is set to officially close conflicts, encourage clarifications and allow the housemates to lay it all bare to the viewers and themselves one last time.

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MasterChef Nigeria: Undercooked Steak Seals Preye’s Fate

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Masterchef Nigeria Preye Undercooked Steak

The heat in the MasterChef Nigeria kitchen never lets up, and this week the remaining home cooks were served a double helping of pressure with a Blind Taste Test followed by their very first Mystery Box Challenge.

Following Demilade’s dramatic exit the previous week, seven hopefuls returned to the kitchen knowing that any mistake could leave their MasterChef dreams overcooked.

The first challenge on the menu was a Blind Taste Test, where the contestants had to identify a variety of fruits and vegetables using only their palates. It was a particularly nerve-racking challenge for David, who admitted he doesn’t always trust his taste buds. However, he rose to the occasion, joining Loye and Favy in correctly identifying the ingredients and securing a coveted spot on the gantry.

That left Preye, Derry, Fads and Isabella fighting to keep their aprons in the competition.

The home cooks then had to face their first-ever Mystery Box Challenge, where creativity, execution and composure were all put to the test. When the judges tasted their way through the dishes, Isabella and Preye found themselves at the bottom of the pack.

Ultimately, it was Preye’s Roasted Sirloin with Butternut Squash that failed to hit the mark, bringing his MasterChef Nigeria journey to an end.

Derry proved once again why she has earned the nickname “Daring Derry.” Unfazed by the Mystery Box Challenge, she served up a dish that impressed the judges from presentation to palate. Her thoughtful plating, technical execution and well-balanced flavours earned her the coveted Dish of the Day title.

Meanwhile, Fads – affectionately known as the “Cat Woman” for her remarkable ability to land on her feet – continued her fight in the competition. Her Plantain Tacos showcased ingenuity and secured her safety from the bottom two. While the judges appreciated the effort, Chef Eros reminded her that the competition is entering a critical stage, saying: “This is the MasterChef kitchen and I expect MasterChef results.”

At first glance, Preye appeared to have delivered a winning plate. The judges praised the presentation, with the dish drawing comparisons to something one might find in a charming French bistro.

However, in the MasterChef Nigeria kitchen, appearances only get you so far.

The mood quickly shifted when Chef Eros cut into the sirloin steak. Sensing trouble, he quietly removed his glasses before revealing the verdict: the steak was undercooked.

It proved to be a costly mistake. In the MasterChef kitchen, there are few offences more serious than serving food that is raw or burnt. Despite the promise shown in the dish, the undercooked steak ultimately sealed Preye’s fate and brought his MasterChef Nigeria journey to an end.

With the stakes rising and the margins between success and elimination becoming ever smaller, the remaining home cooks know that every plate must now be worthy of the MasterChef title.

The show airs weekly on Sundays at 7 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family, with rebroadcasts on Wednesdays at 6 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and Thursdays at 12 pm on Africa Magic Family.

Next week, the MasterChef Nigeria kitchen welcomes special guest judge Chef Tosan for a challenge that is guaranteed to test the home cooks in a whole new way.

With baking on the menu, confidence quickly gives way to nerves as the remaining contestants face one of the most feared disciplines in the culinary world. Unlike cooking, where intuition can often save the day, baking demands precision, patience and flawless execution.

As temperatures rise and tensions simmer, the home cooks must prove they can handle the pressure and deliver bakes worthy of the MasterChef title. Who will rise to the occasion, and whose hopes will crumble under the weight of the challenge?

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