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.
On November 10, the nominations for the 2024 Grammys were announced. One of the ceremony’s newer categories, the Best Global Music Performance Award, has only had two recipients so far. It was first presented to Arooj Aftab for “Mohabbat” at the 2022 ceremony. This win made her the first-ever Pakistani artist to be presented with a Grammy. Subsequently, the next winners were the South African trio Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini, and Nomcebo Zikode.
The award for Best Global Music Performance is presented in recognition of influential music worldwide. Regardless of its delayed arrival, it’s certainly a step in the right direction by the Recording Academy. In a tight race, here are the nominees for the 2024 Grammys in the Best Global Music Performance category.
“Feel” – Davido
“Feel” is a standout track from Davido’s fourth studio album, Timeless (2023). The Nigerian singer finally has his first Grammy nod, receiving three impressive nominations for the 2024 ceremony, including Best African Music Performance. With the recent rise of Afrobeats around the world, it’s no surprise that he is being recognized. Without a doubt, he has been a significant contributor to the growth and expansion of the genre over the years, so fans have celebrated his acknowledgment by the Recording Academy since it was first announced. In a matter of months, Davido could potentially take home his first statuette at the 2024 Grammys.
Arooj Aftab’s musical talent has caught the attention of the Recording Academy twice before now. Besides her win for “Mohabbat” in 2022, she was nominated for the Best New Artist award in the same year. This time, she is also joined by Vijay Iyer, who has received a Grammy nomination once before, and Shahzad Ismaily, a first-time nominee. “Shadow Forces” is a 14-minute track from the trio’s 7-track collaborative album, Love in Exile (2023). If they secure the win at the 2024 Grammys, Iyer and Ismaily would be first-time winners. Aftab, however, would become a two-time Grammy winner.
“Milagro Y Desastre” – Silvana Estrada
Mexican songstress Silvana Estrada has been active in the music industry since 2017. The 26-year-old has built a promising career since then, releasing a couple of EPs and her debut album. Subsequently, she was nominated for two Latin Grammys in 2022, winning Best New Artist. Estrada has also earned her first-ever Grammy nomination at the upcoming 2024 ceremony. “Milagro y Desastre” was released as a single on May 31, 2023.
“Abundance In Millets” – Falu & Guarav Shah ft. PM Narendra Modi
With her recognition in this category, Falu has bagged her third Grammy nomination. The singer, already a Grammy winner, won her first award in 2022 for Best Children’s Album. “Abundance in Millets” has other primary collaborators, however. In the song, she is joined by her husband, Guarav Shah, and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Created to help promote millet and its benefits, “Abundance in Millets” has achieved more than expected. It may seem like an unlikely choice, but it has just as much of a winning chance as any song in this lineup. If it wins at the 2024 Grammys, Shah and Modi would be first-time winners.
“Pashto” – Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain ft. Rakesh Chaurasia
As far as achievements go, this group poses the biggest threat to the other nominees on the list. All three primary artists on “Pashto” have been previously recognized by the Recording Academy, winning several awards. Béla Fleck, a Grammy veteran, has taken home 15 awards across several categories since 1996. Likewise, Edgar Meyer has five Grammys to his name, and Zakir Hussein took home the Contemporary World Music Album award in 2009. Rakesh Chairasia, the only first-time nominee here, could become a Grammy winner as well if “Pashto” wins next year.
“Todo Colores” – Ibrahim Maalouf ft. Cimafunk & Tank And The Bangas
“Todo Colores” is another collaboration by a group of performers the Recording Academy has recognized before. This is the second Grammy nomination for both Ibrahim Maalouf and Cimafunk. However, for Tank and the Bangas, it is the group’s third Grammy nomination yet. If “Todo Colores” emerges victorious at the 2024 Grammys, it would be the first-ever statuette received by all three musical acts.
“Alone” – Burna Boy
Altogether, Burna Boy has now amassed 10 nominations across several categories. Additionally, all of his last four albums have been nominated in the Best Global Music Album category. His first and only win so far was for his fifth album, Twice as Tall. At the 2024 Grammys, he could very well add another win, seeing as he’s been nominated for four awards. “Alone” was recorded for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever movie soundtrack and is evidently one of its standout tracks.
On November 10, the highly-anticipated 2024 Grammy nominations were announced. As artists and fans held their breaths, many impressive names and projects were revealed to be up for the gold. However, the 2024 Grammys will also include three new categories, including Best African Music Performance. In previous years, African acts like Femi Kuti and Angélique Kidjo were up against other Global acts in the Best Global Music Performance.
This time, the category has been set to highlight the amazing musical talents straight out of the African continent. As expected, the Grammy-winning Burna Boy makes an appearance in the new category. After all, his most recent album, I Told Them…has been lauded by fans and critics alike. Nonetheless, some new faces have now received their first-ever Grammy nods this year. From Afrobeats maestro Davido to the South African starlet Tyla shaking things up, here are the nominees for Best African Music Performance for the 2024 Grammys.
Evidently, Asake is arguably the biggest breakout act out of Africa this decade so far. The Lagos-born singer, songwriter, and dancer has come a long way. From studying theatre at his alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University, to lighting up major stages, including the O2 arena, he has become an unstoppable force. Today, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in Afrobeats and has received widespread acclaim for performing in his native tongue, Yoruba. His first-time Grammy nod comes as no surprise.
In 2022, Asake signed to Nigerian musical icon, Olamide’s record label, YBNL Nation. Soon after, he began to make serious waves. His second album, Work Of Art, released less than a year after his debut, houses the track “Amapiano.” The upbeat single, which features Olamide, was released to a positive reception and is one of the standout songs from the project. Furthermore, it’s a nod to the genre of the same name created in South Africa. With “Amapiano,” both Asake and Olamide have received their first-ever Grammy nominations.
“City Boys” – Burna Boy
In 2021, Burna Boy took home the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album for his fifth studio album, Twice As Tall. Fast forward to the 2024 Grammys, and he’s earned an impressive four nods. His nomination for Best African Music Performance is for his lauded Afro-fusion single, “City Boys.” The party staple has a slick, bass-heavy beat, and samples the single, “Birthday Sex” by Jeremih. The use of the sample garnered criticism after Burna Boy’s controversial comments about Black Americans but undoubtedly contributed to its success. Overall, “City Boys” has quickly become an anthem among fans, who join the star in professing their love for women, money, champagne, and marijuana.
Davido’s Grammy nods have been a long time coming, and fans can’t help but celebrate the star’s success. His 2017 record, “Fall,” was the first ever African record to receive a Gold certification in the United States. It also didn’t take long for his other record, “If,” to achieve the same feat. Evidently, his success was only a matter of time, and at the 2024 Grammys, the Nigerian Afrobeats legend will be up for three awards.
His nomination for Best African Music Performance is for his worldwide hit, “UNAVAILABLE,” which features South African producer, Musa Keys. The impressive, anthemic dance track is a declaration of a life of peace. After a series of highs and lows in his life, the star has retreated greatly from the limelight, preferring to make his music and steer clear of drama. The single’s catchy chorus has made it a party staple and even led to multiple, delicious remixes, featuring Latto and Sean Paul.
“Rush” – Ayra Starr
Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr burst onto the scene with the conviction to be the best. Clearly, she is on the right track, as she becomes the first Nigerian female artist to earn the nod for Best African Music Performance. Her 2022 single, “Rush,” was a hit upon release in her native Nigeria. However, by 2023, the song began to make waves on TikTok.
The 21-year-old singer and songwriter has been dominating the music scene since she first emerged in 2021. Since then, she has collaborated with many notable international acts, including Kelly Rowland, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and fellow Grammy-nominee, Tyla. Known for her powerful vocals, eclectic, sexy fashion choices, and charming personality, it didn’t take much time for Ayra Starr to capture the hearts of millions. “Rush” has since charted in numerous countries, particularly reaching a peak of 24 on the UK Singles Chart.
“Water” – Tyla
The South African starlet Tyla has been making waves for quite some time now. However, she broke the glass ceiling with her worldwide hit, “Water,” and also broke records along the way. She and Musa Keys are the South African artists that are up for the Best African Music Performance at the 2024 Grammys. “Water” became a viral sensation on TikTok thanks to its impressive choreography, which features sensuous waist and hip movements.
Tyla is now the youngest South African to ever chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching a peak of 21. Furthermore, she is the first South African solo act in 55 years to enter the chart as well. As aforementioned, “Water” took over radio around the world, and has charted in several countries, reaching an impressive peak at the fourth spot on the UK Singles Chart. It also remarkably topped the New Zealand charts.
The Afro Nation festival series is arguably one of the most important live events in today’s Black music market as it bridges together the genres pioneered by Black entertainers, including Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, Amapiano, R&B, hip-hop, and more. At the inaugural installment of Afro Nation Detroit 2023 this weekend (August 19 and 20) held at the Bedrock’s Douglass site, artists such as Burna Boy, Davido, Ari Lennox, Latto, and will amplify the sounds heard around the world.
Burna Boy spoke with Los Angeles Times journalist Kenan Draughorne about the growing movement amongst native Africans and people with African ancestry living around the world, saying, “They’ve successfully broken us apart, to where many of us don’t even want to identify with each other. The primary objective for our people should be unity, and to build a bridge between us that can never close or break. With the music, I try to play my little part in trying to do that.”
Afro Nation Detroit is a mere example of this comradery, with music at the center of it all. View the set times below.
Limited VIP and general admission tickets are still available for Afro Nation Detroit 2023. Find more information here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Afrobeat has no substance
(@AbkJahgo) 
(@khanofkhans11_) 
