Afrobeats star Davido returns to announce his next studio album with the lighthearted video for its first single, “Funds.” Featuring ODUMODUBLVCK and Chike, the video finds the three artists performing in a nightclub, and trying their luck at a casino, where Davido makes a connection with a lady at the poker table.
Davido’s new album is called 5ive, and is due for a February 2025 release — around the time he’ll have his fingers crossed that he wins the Grammy Award for the Best African Music Performance for his song “Sensational” with Chris Brown.
This spring, he went on his latest North American tour to promote his 2022 album Timeless, which broke streaming records upon its release, highlighting Davido’s status as one of Afrobeats’ biggest ambassadors in the American mainstream. The tour included a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, proving that he is one of Africa’s biggest stars, both on the continent and beyond it.
While he has not yet specified an exact release date for the new album, you can expect to see it hit just in time for another run of springtime shows.
Watch Davido’s “Funds” video above.
5ive is coming soon via RCA Records. You can pre-order it here.
Wizkid is in album mode, as the Nigerian star promised his next album Morayo is on the way, but the upcoming campaign hasn’t stopped the singer from lashing out at a fellow afrobeats star. Over the past day, Wizkid has sent out several tweets directed at Davido, starting with one that read, “P*ssy boys dropping mids again! [heart and eagle emoji].” That post came a short time after Davido took to social media to tease an upcoming song. Just in case you’re not too sure that Wizkid’s tweet was directed at Davido, Wizkid made his feelings about Davido clear in later posts.
“I don’t beef wack n****s! We all know he’s wack! No talent! [eagle emoji],” Wizkid wrote in response to fan who said, “So if you no beef @davido your song won’t sell ??” Wizkid also addressed a recent interaction between him and Davido at a club, writing, “Want what? He looks for me everywhere I go like a fan boy he his! This was an event for one of my Dj’s Skyla in Lagos! We no invite dem!” With all that being said, why does Wizkid have been with Davido?
Why Does Wizkid Have Beef With Davido?
Both Davido and Wizkid have had issues with each other for a decade now. Back in 2014, sent out a tweet that read, “I already killed NY!! London 26th Sept!! Manchester 28th sept!!! Big surprise!! Still proper shows!! proper venues!!! #f*ckboysuckad*ck!!” Many believed the tweet was directed at Davido, and though Wizkid denied it in an interview with radio host Olisa Dibua, Davido later said that he felt that the tweet was directed at him in a separate interview with Dibua.
Things stayed quiet for a few years, but heated up once again after Davido said the “pon pon” sound — an afrobeats subgenre that blends highlife and dancehall — was most popular at the time while other sounds were “less.” This was taken as a swipe at Wizkid, who had recently dropped his third album Sound From The Other Side. Wizkid later responded on Twitter, writing, “My people make una remember to say Yankee passport no be baba blue, e no dey cure frog voice.” The tweet essentially says that Davido’s close ties to the American music culture won’t hide his “frog voice.”
In 2018, during an interview with Native Magazine, Davido revealed that he and Wizkid squashed their beef after admitting that things “got physical between our camps.” It appeared as if things would stay that way going forward as both artists appeared as guest acts at one another’s concerts — first with Wizkid appearing at Davido’s 30 BG concert and then with Davido popping out at Wizkid’s Eko Hotel Concert.
For the next few years, things seemed to be good between Davido and Wizkid, outside of some fan-fueled issues (something Davido ssaid was behind him adn Wizkid’s beef during a 2023 Drink Champs interview). After the tragic death of Davido’s son in 2022, Wizkid delayed his fifth album More Love, Less Ego as tribute to Davido’s loss. Wizkid later announced that he and Davido would go on a tour following the release of More Love, Less Ego. Davido and Wizkid closed 2023 on good terms, as a Davido excitedly announced Wizkid’s S2 EP on Twitter, but the good times quickly came to an end at the turn of the year.
After dropping his remix to Kizz Daniel’s “Twe Twe,” Davido tweeted, “We no dey do ‘it will grow on u’ for here … [We don’t do ‘it will grow on u’ here…],” a message that fans believed was a diss toward Wizkid. In April 2024, Davido and Wizkid’s beef was back in full swing after a Wizkid rant resulted in him calling legendary Nigerian afrobeats producer Don Jazzy an “influencer.” Wizkid also mocked Davido by posting a video of him crying in response to fans who begged him to release new music.
Later that day, Davido responded, writing, “Dem no know ur gbedu again [They don’t know your music anymore].” Things took a turn for the worse when Wizkid replied, writing, “U and all ur crew plus ur pant washer songwriter go to sleep at night thinking you actually got anything on me in music wish u all well.” Davido would go on to call Wizkid “delusional” and a “sick man” before adding that he “stopped wasting my clout and jeopardizing my millions of USD of endorsements on someone whose career was resurrected a few years ago just to die again.” Wizkid later claimed that he could “retire today and you are still not on my level,” adding that Davido is “an influencer with a songwriter.”
That brings us to this week’s war of words between Wizkid and Davido. This time around, it’s mostly Wizkid doing the talking as Davido has yet to respond. The reason for Wizkid’s latest disses at Davido is unknown, but you can view all of his insults at the fellow afrobeats star in the tweets below.
Want what? He looks for me everywhere I go like a fan boy he his! This was an event for one of my Dj’s Skyla in Lagos! We no invite dem! https://t.co/WIsyFTszGe
There continues to be something in the water in 2024. Beef has been on the menu of just about every major rapper, and now the trend is spilling over into Afrobeat. Wizkid and Davido are two of the biggest Afrobeat artists in the world, and they are not putting up a unified front. In fact, both artists took shots at one another, claiming they are the more important figure within Afrobeat. The whole thing went down on X (formerly Twitter) on April 29.
Wizkid started things off with a subtweet. The “Bad to Me” singer criticized an unnamed artist, claiming they couldn’t touch him in terms of relevance. “U and all ur crew plus ur pant washer song writer go to sleep at night thinking you actually got anything on me in music,” he wrote. The mystery of who he was talking about was quickly solved when Davido got involved. The latter quote tweeted a second message from Wizkid that read: “U know what… no point. Delusional n**gas” with a very pointed response. “We not delusional,” Davido wrote. “You’re a sick man.”
The two artists continued to trade shots on X into the evening. Wizkid quote tweeted Davido’s response with a video of Davido awkwardly laughing. The latter then took things up a notch by claiming Wizkid is over the hill. “Exactly why I stopped wasting my clout,” he noted. “And jeopardizing millions of my USD on someone whose career was resurrected a few years ago just to die again.” Davido then took a page out of Drake’s book by poking fun at Wizkid’s shoe size. “Size 7 shoe,” he wrote with a laughing emoji. “N**ga shot at footlocker kids.”
Wizkid decided not to take things further, though. He shut down the X exchange then and there by claiming he was over it. “I don tire,” he tweeted. “I dey go sleep. Jesus is King.” Wizkid and Davido have collaborated multiple times over the years, with some of their most notable songs including “My Way” and “Feel (Remix).”
The two artists reportedly had a falling out in 2023, which Davido attributed to the fans during an appearance on Drink Champs. “It actually started with the fans,” he explained. “It was the fans going at it. We was f*cking around and he announced like, ‘Yo, I’m going on tour with Davido next year.’ The fans were so angry.” Regardless of who started it, the beef has become very real.
Nigerian global superstar and Afrobeats pioneer Davido has made another major power move by partnering with UnitedMasters for his newly launched, Nine+ Records. This deal announced recently, signals Davido’s commitment to artist development, A&R, and cultivating talent across the African continent.
Under the partnership, Davido will work closely with UnitedMasters to discover and nurture emerging artists, expanding his influence and reach within the music industry. Nine+ Records plans to announce more artists and partners shortly, further solidifying its position as a force in the African music scene.
“Over the last 2 years, we’ve proven our commitment to Africa investing in artists, education, and technology,” said Steve Stoute, CEO of UnitedMasters. “Today, we are doubling down. With this new venture with Davido & the launch of Nine Plus Records, we reinforce our mission in becoming a bridge for artists on the continent. Together we’ll identify & develop new artists while supporting them with brand and synch opportunities.”
“I am thrilled to announce the launch of a new joint venture between my label, Nine Plus, and UnitedMasters, founded by my good friend, Steve Stoute. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in our journey, as we aim to empower artists globally by leveraging UnitedMasters’ revolutionary music distribution platform and Nine Plus’ innovative vision and eye for talent. Together, we are set to redefine the music landscape both African and global, providing artists with unprecedented tools and opportunities to amplify their voices and craft. Excited to witness the creativity and growth ahead. This partnership signifies a significant step in music history, encompassing both Africa and the world”
Davido, Founder/CEO of Nine Plus
The announcement comes hot on the heels of Davido’s sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where he made history by bringing Afrobeats to one of the world’s most iconic venues. His electrifying set showcased his talent and cemented his status as a global music icon.
Additionally, UnitedMasters has been making waves with recent company announcements, including partnerships with SymphonyOS and Groover. The company also hosted its annual “A Celebration of Independence” GRAMMY® Concert at the Palladium in Hollywood, featuring Davido among other headline acts.
With Davido’s partnership, UnitedMasters continues to champion independent artists and innovative music initiatives, further establishing itself as a leader in the music industry.
A three-year hiatus may be a big obstacle for some artists to recover from, but not Davido. The afrobeats star returned in 2023 with his fourth album Timeless, a 17-track effort that lived up to its name as it thrust Davido back into the spotlight — a place he’s called home for the better part of a decade. Davido’s legacy as one of afrobeats’ best artists is undoubtedly cemented in stone, but — in true African fashion — it should also be celebrated. That’s exactly what Davido will look to do when he takes over the legendary Madison Square Garden for a show that kicks off another run of Timeless performances.
“No rest!” the afrobeats star exclaims via Zoom call after I note his continued work amid a 12-month run of success. “These opportunities don’t come like that. So when God gives you a platform and gives you his blessings, you can’t take it for granted. [There’s] no time to waste at all, the world is looking at us. This is not the time to relax, I feel like there’ll be a time to relax. For now, we’re going hard — go hard or go home.”
Davido’s newfound focus follows a time where he admits “time was wasted,” but all of that is in the past. The future looks very exciting for the singer who is just as, if not even more excited to fulfill his lifelong dream of performing at Madison Square Garden. Ahead of that show, Uproxx caught up with Davido to hear about his plans for the MSG show, reflect on the Timeless, and dive into what the future looks like once he steps off the MSG stage.
It’s been a year since you released Timeless. What are your thoughts about the album when you look back at everything that’s occurred since its release?
2023 was crazy, man. A little hiatus [and] coming back with Timeless — a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to come back with a bang like that. I was fortunate to have a great team of producers, engineers, and writers who helped me with Timeless. After that, we did a six-arena tour, and sold every city out — it was crazy. [We] did shows around Africa, did a Timeless show in Nigeria, Timeless was nominated for three Grammys, my first time being nominated. It’s been a great year, I debuted for the first time [on] the Billboard Hot 100.
Is there anything in this Timeless era you wish you achieved that you haven’t yet?
I’m grateful so far for what God has done. I’m in my creative space right now. I definitely want to just keep dropping. I felt like, in the past, a lot of time was wasted, but now I’m focused. Timeless gave me that ginger and vim. It would have been amazing to have more time to do more with the Timeless album because it’s such a great body of work. I picked 17 songs from 80 songs. I’ve recorded at least another 40 [songs] now. I can’t just have all this music sitting. This is my Bitcoin, this is my cash. So yes, I wish I had more time. I’m doing better now, but I wish I had more money [laughs].
With your arena run last year, what was your favorite part of it that might’ve been new to you?
One show that was special to me was the Atlanta show. As a kid, my big brother used to take me to Hawks games all the time. Just walking in that building like, “Damn, I used to drive past this arena almost every weekend.” I used to go to school outside of Atlanta, close to Alabama. I’d come to Atlanta on the weekends, that’s where I was born. Atlanta is my family’s base outside of Nigeria. So I think that show was special [and] dope to me. One of the first shows where my whole family was in town. My dad, my aunties, it was just great to see people that saw me grow up in Atlanta look like, “Damn, that boy really did it.”
You’re the latest afrobeats artist to take the MSG stage. What are some things you plan to do differently to make this show the true Davido experience?
First of all, every artist has fans who like their music. So this is an opportunity for my fans to finally see me in The Garden. I want it to be on a very emotional night. I want us to party, I want us to cry, I want us to dance, I want us to talk [and] reason, and just celebrate the culture as a whole. I’m trying to see people in their African clothes. I don’t want to see the Dior, I want to see people come to celebrate Africa. I’m even trying to talk to the venue to get some African food — some jollof rice, some puff puff, some akara — just to give fans the whole African experience apart from the music.
Can we expect any special guests at the show? Any that you can reveal?
I got a lot of guests coming out. We have so much planned. The production… I’m damn near spending a ticket ($1 million) on the production just to make us look good. If you go all over the world, you have Nigerian doctors doing amazing things. You look to your right, you have Africans in sports doing crazy things. So [on] the music side, we have to hold it down. We’re trying to give the best production. It’s gonna be a night to remember, for sure.
Why has it always been a dream for you to perform at MSG? What about this venue specifically has been so special to you?
New York [and] the East Coast were one of the first places [in the US] to get hip to afrobeats, since time, even before it became mainstream. I remember doing a show in New York, about 9-10 years ago, and it was crazy. The fire marshall had to come, which just shows you that African music has been loved, since time. We just never got the opportunity to be in the big buildings [and] be in the big rooms, but good things last over time. I always knew the narrative would change. I remember walking by Madison Square Garden about seven years ago, and I was like, “Yo, man, I want to sell out this place.” The Garden is just different. I’ve sold out arenas all over the world, but The Garden is one for the books.
The relationship between the United States and Africa continues to grow strongly, especially when it comes to music. What do you think needs to happen or keep happening in order to preserve this relationship and even take it further?
First of all, I think ownership. We need to own our own. In Atlanta, I started this thing called Away Fest because I was like, “Why don’t we have our own Coachella? Why do we have to wait to get booked for these things when we can do it ourselves?” It took somebody one day to wake up and book an arena and sell out a show. It starts with a thought. We have so many amazing things back home. I’m talking about shooting more videos back home, showing the beauty of Africa.
The most important thing is not forgetting where you’re coming from and not being too thirsty for Western recognition. Africa is a whole continent, don’t forget that. If you’re supported by a whole continent, whatever support comes from outside is just a plus. So yes, we should appreciate the love we’re being shown overseas, but the most important thing is we should not forget where we come from.
After achieving a dream moment like performing at MSG, what comes next for you in your career?
I think we’re gonna add five more arena dates. My new album is almost done, so it’s about to be another ride. We’re about to shoot [the] “Kante” video with Fave and drop that. I have a documentary we’re working on. I want to invest in movies, I want to executive produce movies — there’s a lot of stuff that we’re planning. I’m building a new home, my dream home. [I] just [want to] keep pushing the culture and whatever God brings to our front we will receive it and be glad in it.
You’ve done a lot of collaborations since releasing Timeless (i.e. Chris Brown & Kizz Daniel), what are some others you’d like to make happen in the future?
I’m collaborating with a lot of people right now for the album, but I can’t spill that now. But people that I would love to collaborate with are Drake, for sure, Rihanna [too]. I’ve been listening to Jelly Roll, he’s really dope. But we got some people on the album. I don’t want to say too much. Africa-wise, I love amapiano so [I’m] definitely gonna do some more collaborations. Me and Musa keys did “Unavailable,” that went crazy. I got music coming with a lot of South African artists as well, so watch out for that.
Davido’s Timeless North American Tour kicks off on April 17. Find out more information here.
As if this summer’s music festival season wasn’t already stacked enough, Hot 97’s Summer Jam lineup has been announced.
The staple hip-hop festival will be held on June 2 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. This year’s official headliners include Doja Cat, Offset, Sexyy Red, and Davido. But it doesn’t stop there: Method Man and Redman, Tee Grizzley, Sleepy Hallow, and 41 (consisting of Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and Tata) are also slated to deliver bookend sets, according to the event’s flyer.
Offset has performed several times at Hot 97’s Summer Jam festival as a member of Migos (most notably 2019 and 2021). However, in June, this will be the “Worth It” rapper’s first time gracing the stage as a soloist. When asked about the possibility of bringing out special guests, he played coy. “I might do my Summer Jam set with just me,” he said. “‘Cause I deserve that.”
But he did reveal that his set will include several elements from his debut solo headline tour’s production and possibly even a moon walk tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
Although a pre-sale date hasn’t been revealed, the station has hinted that one will be. To gain access to the pre-sale, you must sign up for the station’s Insiders List email list. The general on-sale date for Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2024 is Friday, March 22, at 10 a.m. local time. Find more information here.
But it looks like Wizkid no longer wants to be tethered to the genre. After a clip from his 2023 interview with Apple Music resurfaced, the “Money & Love” musician doubled down on his older statements.
In another posted screenshot by ThatGrapeJuice, he went on to clarify his initial statement. “Listen, am I African? Yes,” he wrote. “But I do make all sorts of music. I don’t want to be labeled just Afrobeats. That’s like saying every American artist makes rap.”
Lil Yachty made a similar point when he began to explore rock via his album Let’s Start Here. Still, users online weren’t pleased with Wizkid’s statement. View the mixed response from users online below.
Outsiders : you cannot box Burna Boy into just afrobeats… He does so many genres effortlessly
Nigerians… He should shut up.. Let’s see how long he can go alone
Afrobeat una…wizkid isn’t afrobeat artist he does every sound…he have done countless genres and even most of his albums speak for him…he have won countless awards in different genre is music category and also charted songs there. pic.twitter.com/InYimdAKXl
No bro you are getting it wrong again. Remove the “afro” whatever… wizkid is pop/r&b, burna is rap/reggae pop… We simply just call these guys afrobeat cos they are Africans, they just want it to stop. We even call Blaqbonez afrobeat artiste even tho blud does rap. https://t.co/13WhkjAX0o
Nothing wrong with what Wizkid is trying to drive home. It doesn’t make sense that every artiste is boxed under Afrobeat. Especially if you’re versatile with your craft. If you have the range to try something new it’s okay to leave the umbrella of Afrobeat and create your sound.
Nearly a year after dropping his fourth studio album, Timeless., Davido is still riding the high. After all, the music has proven to align with the album’s title — timeless. Today (March 12), the Nigerian superstar shared the video for “Away,” a fan-favorite song from Timeless
In the video for “Away,” Davido reaps the fruits of his later. As one of the biggest names in Afrofusion, he has certainly earned the right to party. Throughout the clip, Davido flies across the world in private jets and parties at some of the most lavish clubs.
Afrofusion and Afrobeats music has seen a boom across the world, with several artists within the realm dominating streaming charts. In an interview with Ebony, Davido credited the spread of Afrofusion to social media. And through it all, he has his team and his day ones by his side.
“We have social media now and it’s easier to find stuff,” said Davido. “It’s easier to connect the two cultures. The two cultures are the Western culture and African culture. So I feel like Afrobeat is that bridge right now that’s really bridging the gap between the two cultures and bringing both cultures together.”
Today’s afrobeats scene is arguably in the best condition its been in a while simply because the new artists on the block are having as much success as the genre’s “older” generation. As Davido and Burna Boy saw viral moments through their releases this year, Rema and Asake enjoyed the same for themselves. The success isn’t only reserved for the men in the genre. Names like Ayra Starr, Tyla, Teni, and Tems are more than deserving of their place in the spotlight. In fact, it’s demanded.
As for 2023, afrobeats welcomed back artists who’d been absent from the scene for some time. Davido returned to release one of the best albums of the year with Timeless while Mr Eazi took on the role of The Evil Genius for his long-awaited debut. Other acts wasted no time getting back to work after releasing their previous projects. Asake (Work Of Art), Adekunle Gold (Tequila Ever After), and Blaqbonez (Emeka Must Shine) are examples of artists who make quick returns to the scene. Outside of these aforementioned names are artists who’ve established themselves immensely talents who found away to the top of afrobeats in 2023.
With that being said here are the ten best afrobeats albums of 2023 in alphabetical order:
Adekunle Gold — Tequila Ever After
Def Jam Recordings
This year seemed to be the year of quick returns for a few afrobeats artists. Burna Boy and Asake are among those who returned with projects after a short break and Adekunle Gold also joined that list this year with his fifth album Tequila Ever After. It’s always a joy to watch artists find the fun in their music again, and that’s exactly what happened with Adekunle Gold on this album. The album uses vibrant production as its canvas as Adekunle paints with moments of falling in love, dancing under the spotlight, and simply enjoying what life has blessed him with. It’s a toast to now and forever as well as motivation to find a level of enjoyment in your life comparable to what Adekunle indulges in. – W.O.
Asake — Work Of Art
YBNL Nation/Empire Distribution
After establishing himself as one of the best newcomers in afrobeats in 2022, Asake used 2023 to prove that his success is far from a moment, but rather, the starting moments of a long-lasting career. His second album Work Of Art, arrived just nine months after his stellar debut Mr. Money With The Vibe and it exercises the same winning formula that put Asake in the spotlight. The Nigerian star returns as triumphant, spiritual, and grateful as ever, and with Work Of Art, we get a slightly altered painting that is altered enough to be something new worth paying attention to, all while using the same paintbrush and colors. In the end, this formula provided records like the Grammy-nominated “Amapiano” and the fan-favorite “Lonely At The Top” that will go down as one of the best offerings in Asake’s discography. – W.O.
Blaqbonez — Emeka Must Shine
Chocolate City Music
Behind giants like Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy lives an immensely talented class of young afrobeats artists who represent the genre’s stars of tomorrow. Nigerian’s own Blaqbonez, born Emeka Akumefule, in that class, an honor he proved he was worthy of with the 2022 release of Young Preacher. Blaqbonez doubles down on that with Emeka Must Shine, his third album in as many years. The project that bears his legal name is one that Blaqbonez uses to showcase his elevation and versatility as an artist. Introspection lives through “Road Runners” as much as his free spirit and desire to enjoy life do on “Like Ice Spice” and “6 Bizness Days.” It’s these unique aspects and Blaqbonez’s ability to tie them together in a cohesive manner that allow him to shine, just like his third album’s title says he must do. – W.O.
Burna Boy — I Told Them…
Atlantic
Burna Boy has never really favored humility, but when you’ve spent the bulk of your career proving your doubters wrong, how could you favor it? When success as an afrobeats artist was doubted, he proved them wrong. When he was told global stardom was out of reach, he did all he could to grab it. When he was denied awards, he found a way to give an acceptance speech with an award in hand. Burna Boy relishes in his accomplishments on his sixth album I Told Them…, and though there isn’t a stark difference or a new approach for this project, moments like “City Boys,” “Dey Play,” and “Tested, Approved & Trusted” highlight the Burna Boy we love. On the flip side, “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” and “Big 7” capture the global ambassador Burna strives to be. There’s no doubting Burna’s success, but in case you decide to, I Told Them… is proof of the progress. – W.O.
Crayon — Trench To Triumph
Mavin Global Holdings Ltd./Blowtime Entertainment
Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records contains a roster of talent that many labels would be envious of. The label’s most recognizable faces are Rema and Ayra Starr, but in 2023, Crayon emerged as an eligible candidate to complete a “big three” within the label thanks to his debut album Trench To Triumph. A true rags to riches story, as its title suggests, Crayon displays his spirituality, past struggles, current impressive talents, and future potential all within the project’s 13 songs. Whether it be afrobeats with “Trench Kid” and the semi-viral “Ngozi” or amapiano with “Ijo Laba” and “The One (Chop Life),” Crayon uses it all to paint the world he came from. You may not have expected Crayon to have one of afrobeats’ best albums in 2023, but going forward, that should be the expectation in future years. – W.O.
Davido — Timeless
Sony
Davido’s absence from the afrobeats world over the past couple of years, though it was respected, was surely felt by fans. So with the arrival of his fourth album Timeless, the expectation was that he would fit right into the genre’s newly-mainstream landscape while showing why he’s on the Mount Rushmore of the genre. To the surprise of no one, that’s exactly what happened. Timeless arrived as Davido’s best album to date and it’s thanks to the singer’s theme of conquering all things in his way on the album. Whether it be those who want to bring him down or unfortunate events in his life, Davido stands tall “over dem” on Timeless. – W.O.
L.A.X. — No Bad Vibes
Rasaki Music Ltd/EMPIRE
Staying true to his name, a slight acronym for Live And Excel, Nigerian singer L.A.X. took a clear step upward with his third album No Bad Vibes. Born from months of touring and the recognition that a project that embodied his growth was needed came twelve that capture the dance-friendly nature of African music through sweet offerings with features from Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, Konshens, and more. Afrobeats, afropop, and amapiano are the means he uses to achieve his mission of ensuring its great vibes from start to finish on No Bad Vibes. “Zaza” is the infectious dancefloor warmup while “Rora” is where you let go and be free and “Options” grants the slow, intimate embrace of a loved one. L.A.X. covered the bases with No Bad Vibes and he didn’t waste a beat doing so. – W.O.
Mr Eazi — The Evil Genius
emPawa Africa Limited
Mr Eazi was one of a few faces that represented afrobeats during its rise in the 2010s. Releases like “Skin Tight,” “Leg Over,” and “Pour Me Water,” stood out amongst the field and Eazi’s consistency was heralded just as much as the music itself. With all that being said, it’s a bit shocking that it wasn’t until 2023 that Mr Eazi delivered his official debut album. The Evil Genius and its 16 tracks combine everything we’ve come to love about Mr Eazi and his music. He doesn’t sound a decade older, but the experience and wisdom gained in those 10 years are entwined in The Evil Genius. Highlife, afropop, and other genres under the afrobeats soundtrack breathe vibrant life into an incredibly personal album that dives into love, betrayal, loneliness, and family. It was a long time coming for Mr Eazi, but as the saying goes, better late than never. – W.O.
NSG — Area Boyz
NSG Entertainment
A decade into their career, NSG celebrated the milestone by releasing their debut album Area Boyz. The Nigerian and Ghanaian six-member group out of East London delivered an album that deserved to bask in the sunlight of the summer. Bass-knocking records like “Azonto,” “Zombie,” and “Seihor” set the temperature for explosive moments on the album like “Stevie Wonder” and “Nella Rose.” In addition to that, NSG finds moments to show off their timid side through offerings like “Tonight” and “Toxic Love.” Nineteen tracks deep and NSG used them all to show their versatility and growth over their decade-long career. Ten years is a mark few make it to and it’s surely a reason to celebrate, Area Boyz just makes the moment much sweeter. – W.O.
Teni — Tears Of The Sun
Sugar Mummy Records
Nigerian singer Teni is living proof of the beauty behind seeking out the silver linings during the down times in life. Her second album Tears Of The Sun embodies that to a tee with 16 celebratory records that are as bright as the sun in the album’s title. You’re welcome to dance through songs like “Control” while “YBGFA (Young Black Girl From Africa)” offers inspiration to those who look up to her and “Holy Matrimony” supplies a dose of moving spirituality. On Tears Of The Sun, Teni rides the wave of optimism with ease and does it authentically. As a result, Tears Of The Sun lands as a moving album that’ll brighten your day and put you in a nice groove. – W.O.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The best musical performances from the past week of late-night TV include sets from Offset, Davido, The National, and more. Uproxx has the rundown below so you can catch up or relive your favorites. Here are the best live music performances on TV from the past week.
Offset & Don Toliver:
Fresh from the release of his second solo album, Set It Off, Offset stopped by 30 Rock to deliver a grooving performance of his song “Worth It” alongside Don Toliver on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. With the stage reflecting a summery beach setting in contrast to the actual weather outside, the set was much more appropriate for the upbeat single, which samples Busta Rhymes’ “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.”
Davido:
Speaking of summery songs, there is perhaps no genre as full of them as Afrobeats. One of that genre’s biggest stars, Davido, also hit the Tonight Show stage for an exuberant performance, playing a medley of his songs “Feel” and “Unavailable,” flanked by a pair of joyous dancers and backed by a lustrous, brassy band.
The National:
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert is known for bringing in not just high-profile talent, but also some of the headiest. The National offered a prime example of this tendency with a moody performance of their song “Space Invader” from Laugh Track.
Alec Benjamin:
Rising star Alec Benjamin dropped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a soulful performance of “Different Kind Of Beautiful.” The introspective track was complemented by setting the stage as a cozy bedroom, complete with a record player, reading lamp, and even a laptop open to Pro Tools.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Afrobeat has no substance
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