𝗔𝗽𝗲𝘅𝘄𝘅𝗹𝗱

Nicki Minaj Crowned Best Female Rapper Ever in Billboard's Historic Ranking Nicki Minaj has been officially named the greatest female rapper of all time by Billboard, securing the top position in the publication’s newly released feature, "The 25 Best Female Rappers of All-Time." Compiled by Billboard’s esteemed hip hop editorial staff, the list celebrates the most influential women in rap history, with Minaj’s placement at No. 1 underscoring her transformative impact on the genre.  Billboard’s 2025 ranking lauds Minaj for her seismic influence, crediting her with redefining the landscape for female rappers since her debut. “ Nicki Minaj quickly usurped the throne and stylistically rewrote the playbook for female rappers, while becoming an architect of pop music in the process,” the staff wrote, highlighting her arrival with Pink Friday in 2010 as a pivotal moment in hip hop.  The album, which blended razor-sharp lyricism with pop sensibilities, catapulted...

Davido & Shenseea Preview Unreleased Collab at '5ive' Album Listening Party Afrobeats icon Davido and Jamaican dancehall star Shenseea electrified fans with a live performance of an unreleased collaboration from Davido’s forthcoming fifth studio album, 5ive, during an exclusive listening party in Californi. The event, part of a global series of intimate showcases for the highly anticipated project, offered a first listen to the track tentatively dubbed “Abeena". The California listening party, held as the latest stop in a tour that has included Paris, London, New York, and Atlanta, drew a mix of fans, industry insiders, and fellow artists eager to preview 5ive. Davido has positioned the album as a deeply personal and ambitious work, blending his signature Afrobeats sound with international influences.  The collaboration with Shenseea , real name Chinsea Linda Lee, emerged as a standout moment of the night, with footage circulating online capturing the du...

Drake Reportedly Pursuing Jennifer Lopez Post-Affleck Divorce | Exclusive Rumors of a rekindled romantic interest between Jennifer Lopez and Drake have emerged in the wake of Lopez’s highly publicized split from Ben Affleck, with sources claiming the Canadian rapper has been making moves to win her over. An unnamed insider alleges that Drake has been “trying to get her into bed” ever since Affleck exited their marriage in mid-2024. The narrative traces back to the dissolution of Lopez’s marriage to Affleck, a union that captivated fans and media alike. After reigniting their romance in 2021 two decades after their initial engagement the couple tied the knot in a whirlwind Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022, followed by a lavish celebration in Georgia.  However, cracks in the relationship surfaced by early 2024, with reports indicating Affleck had moved out of their shared Beverly Hills mansion by May. Jennifer Lopez officially filed for divorce on August 26, 2024, citi...

Drake Calls Out Justin Bieber for Ignoring Collab DM in Viral IG Moment A potential musical reunion between two of Canada’s biggest stars, Drake and Justin Bieber, has fans buzzing after Drake publicly noted that Bieber has yet to reply to his direct message about a collaboration. The exchange, unfolding on Instagram, has reignited interest in a possible joint project between the Grammy-winning rapper and the pop sensation, who last teamed up over a decade ago.  The story began on April 6, when Justin Bieber took to Instagram with an intriguing proposition. Posting a series of abstract selfies, the 31-year-old singer captioned the update, “Dm me if u wanna make music together,” effectively opening the door to collaborations with fellow artists.  The invitation quickly drew attention from a slew of prominent names in the industry, including Big Sean, Kehlani , and Jaden Smith , all of whom expressed interest by commenting “Check DMs” or similar messages. However...

Chris Brown to Headline Afro Nation 2025 with Afrobeats' Biggest Stars Afro Nation Portugal has unveiled its final headliner for its fifth-anniversary celebration, set to take place at Praia da Rocha beach in Portimão, The Algarve, Portugal. The festival announced that American R&B superstar Chris Brown will join an already stellar lineup featuring Afrobeats giants Burna Boy, Davido, and Tems, alongside R&B icon Mary J. Blige. The announcement underscores Afro Nation’s reputation for curating lineups that bridge African music with global sounds like hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, and Amapiano . Brown’s inclusion is particularly fitting given his deep ties to the Afrobeats scene. Over the years.  He has collaborated with some of Nigeria’s biggest names, including Davido on the 2023 track “Sensational,” Wizkid on “Call Me Every Day” from 2022, and Rema on “Time N Affection” from his Breezy album . These partnerships have seamlessly blended his smooth R&B vocal...

Kai Cenat Buys $5M Atlanta Mansion for Ray, Tylil & Rakai | Luxury Revealed Streaming sensation Kai Cenat has made headlines once again, this time for his latest act of generosity. During a live Twitch broadcast, the 23-year-old American content creator revealed that he had purchased a new house in Atlanta for three of his closest collaborators: Ray (known online as "rayasianboy"), Tylil James, and Rakai. Valued at approximately $5 million. The announcement, which quickly gained traction across social media platforms like X and YouTube, was met with enthusiasm from fans and peers alike. A video uploaded to Ray’s YouTube channel on March 29, titled "Kai Cenat SURPRISES Ray & Rakai With A New House In ATLANTA !", captured the moment the group learned of their new home, showcasing their genuine excitement.  This gesture builds on Cenat’s reputation for leveraging his meteoric rise he’s one of Twitch’s most-followed streamers, boasting over 500,00...

Ruger’s ‘BlownBoy RU’ Tops Charts and Shatters Streaming Records BlownBoy RU, which dropped on March 28, 2025, under his independent label, BlownBoy Entertainment. The 13-track project has swiftly risen to prominence, claiming the No. 1 position on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums Chart within 24 hours of its debut. The album has also broken streaming records, amassing an impressive 1.17 million streams on Spotify globally on its first full day. The album’s meteoric rise reflects months of anticipation built through strategic single releases and Ruger’s evolving artistry. BlownBoy RU features a dynamic blend of Afrobeats, dancehall, and pop, showcasing the versatility that has become a hallmark of Ruger’s sound.  Leading the charge are standout tracks like “ Toma Toma ,” a collaboration with Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage, which had already garnered over 30 million global streams as a pre-release single.  Other highlights include “Jay Jay,” a high-energy anthem, ...

Playboi Carti’s "I AM MUSIC" Projected to Debut at No. 1 on Billboard 200 with Over 300K First-Week Sales Playboi Carti’s long awaited album I AM MUSIC is poised to make a seismic impact on the charts, with industry projections now estimating first week sales exceeding 300,000 album equivalent units. Released on March 14, 2025, through AWGE and Interscope Records, the 30-track opus is on track to claim the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. The Atlanta rapper’s fourth studio album has shattered expectations since its drop, fueled by a powerhouse lineup of collaborators including Travis Scott , The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, and Future. Early data highlights its streaming dominance, with Spotify reporting 139.3 million global streams in its first 24 hours making it the platform’s most streamed album in a single day this year.  This milestone outpaces even the most optimistic predictions, positioning I AM MUSIC as a cultural juggernaut less than a week after its rel...

Davido and Omah Lay Set to Headline Couleur Café Festival 2025 in Brussels The Couleur Café Festival, one of Europe’s most celebrated showcases of global music and culture, has unveiled its headliners for the 2025 edition, with Davido and Omah Lay topping the bill. Scheduled to take place from June 27 to 29, 2025, at the picturesque Osseghem Park near the iconic Atomium in Brussels, Belgium. Organizers announced the star studded lineup via the festival’s official Instagram account and website, igniting excitement among fans and music enthusiasts worldwide. Couleur Café , now in its 34th year, has long been a cornerstone of Brussels’ summer calendar, renowned for its eclectic mix of genres spanning funk, reggae, hip-hop, soul, and world music.  The inclusion of Davido and Omah Lay as headliners reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to embracing diverse sounds and spotlighting the meteoric rise of Afrobeats on the global stage. Joining them are an impressive arr...

Teyana Taylor Seeks Legal Action Against Iman Shumpert Over Alleged False Divorce Settlement Claims Teyana Taylor has reignited the public spotlight on her contentious divorce from Iman Shumpert, in a Georgia court to address what she describes as a “false narrative” surrounding their settlement. The singer, actress, and entrepreneur accused her ex husband of deliberately leaking inaccurate details about their divorce agreement to the media. The controversy stems from reports that emerged earlier in March 2025, suggesting Teyana Taylor had secured a lucrative settlement following the finalization of their divorce in July 2024. These reports, circulated by various entertainment outlets, claimed she received a seven-figure payout, ownership of four properties valued at over $10 million, and a fleet of luxury vehicles, including a Maybach and a Mercedes Sprinter.  Additionally, it was alleged that Shumpert was ordered to pay $8,000 per month in child support for their ...

Kanye West Unveils New Album "Bully" Through Experimental Short Film Featuring Son Saint West Kanye West has returned to the music scene with his latest solo project, Bully. The Grammy-winning artist, known for pushing creative boundaries, opted to debut the album not through traditional streaming platforms but via a series of short films shared directly on his X account. Directed by West himself and edited by the renowned Hype Williams. The film, ranging from 30 to 45 minutes across its various iterations, features Saint West in a wrestling ring, playfully taking on professional wrestlers from New Japan Pro Wrestling, including notable names like YOH, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask, and El Desperado.  Armed with a toy mallet, Saint’s presence adds a personal and unexpected dimension to the project, which Kanye West has described as a reflection of his own experiences with his son. The title Bully itself draws inspiration from a story West shared earlier in 2025, reco...

Wizkid’s "Made in Lagos" Makes a Triumphant Return to Billboard World Albums Chart Wizkid has once again claimed a spot on the prestigious Billboard World Albums chart. His critically acclaimed album Made in Lagos re-entered the chart at No. 17, marking its 146th week overall and solidifying its position as the longest-charting African album in the chart’s history.  Originally released on October 30, 2020, Made in Lagos has been a cornerstone of the Afrobeats movement, blending infectious rhythms with soulful R&B influences. The 14 track album, featuring collaborations with artists like Burna Boy , Skepta, and Tems, quickly captured the attention of fans and critics alike.  Its standout single, “ Essence ,” featuring Tems, became a global anthem, earning widespread acclaim and significantly contributing to the album’s longevity. The track’s success was further amplified by a remix with Justin Bieber, which propelled it to new heights and introduced Afrobea...

Kanye West Sparks Controversy with Tweets Targeting Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Their Children Kanye West, the Grammy-winning rapper and producer, has once again found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after posting a series of inflammatory tweets on March 19, 2025. The posts, directed at music icons Beyoncé and Jay-Z, as well as their young children, Rumi and Sir Carter. In the now-deleted and partially reuploaded tweets, West made derogatory comments about Rumi and Sir, the 7-year-old twins of Beyoncé and JayZ . Among his claims, he suggested that “having retarded children is a choice” and referenced artificial insemination in a manner that many found both insensitive and unfounded.  After initially removing the posts, West later reposted some of the content, accompanied by a defiant message: “If Twitter take my s**t down then so be it but I need yall to know Jay Z or nobody have no power over me.” He clarified that his decision to delete the original twee...

Davido’s 5ive Album Draws Closer with Reflective New Single “Be There Still” Davido, the Nigerian Afrobeats icon, has taken another significant step toward the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive, with the unveiling of his latest single, “Be There Still,” on March 14, 2025. Dropped at midnight WAT, the track marks the third preview from the highly anticipated project, set to arrive on April 18, 2025, via DMW, RCA/Sony Music. Davido's “ Be There Still ,” released today as as the third single from 5ive, following the infectious “Awuke” featuring YG Marley and the street-savvy “Funds” with ODUMODUBLVCK and Chike. Co produced by Marvey Muzique, South African amapiano maestro DJ Maphorisa, and Black Culture.  With mixing handled by D RO, the track seamlessly blends Afrobeats with amapiano’s signature log drums and melodic undertones. The result is a polished, groove laden anthem that showcases Davido’s knack for merging global influences with his Nigerian roots. Lyri...

Playboi Carti Drops "I Am Music": A 30-Track Triumph After Years of Anticipation After tears of anticipation, Playboi Carti has finally delivered his third studio album, I Am Music, released today, March 14, 2025, via AWGE and Interscope Records. The project marks the Atlanta rapper’s first full length offering since his polarizing 2020 release, Whole Lotta Red, and arrives as one of the most eagerly awaited hip hop albums of the decade.  The road to I Am Music has been a winding one, characterized by delays, cryptic teases, and fervent fan speculation. Carti first hinted at a follow up to Whole Lotta Red in 2022, when he posted an enigmatic Instagram story declaring, “I am music” a phrase that would later become the album’s title and mantra.  Over the ensuing years, the rapper kept his audience on edge with sporadic updates, including rare interviews where he described the project as an exploration of his most ambitious sonic ideas yet. The rollout gained mom...

Afrobeats Boom: Nigerian Musicians Earn Record ₦58 Billion from Spotify in 2024 Spotify’s 2024 Loud & Clear report revealed that Nigerian artists collectively earned over ₦58 billion in royalties from the streaming giant throughout the year. This staggering figure, announced in early 2025, marks a dramatic leap from the ₦25 billion recorded in 2023 and a fivefold increase from the ₦11 billion amassed in 2022. The ₦58 billion payout reflects not only the commercial success of Nigerian artists but also the broadening appeal of their work. According to Spotify , the number of Nigerian artists generating at least ₦10 million in royalties more than doubled since 2023 and tripled compared to 2022, signaling a deepening pool of talent reaping significant financial rewards.  This growth is largely attributed to the global appetite for Nigerian sounds, with international listeners driving a substantial share of the revenue. In 2024 alone, Nigerian artists were discovered b...