ABUJA AMEBO'S BLOG

our months. Four rankings. One conclusion: Afrobeats had shifted, and the shift was not subtle. The genre's centre of gravity had moved. New names had forced their way into conversations that weren't expecting them. Women occupied positions at the top of the table that nobody was rushing to vacate. And a handful of artists who had grown accustomed to being the story found themselves, for the first time in a while, watching someone else tell it. These are the seven facts from NotJustOk's Afrobeats Power Ranking 2026 that defined the quarter. 1. Tems dominated the quarter with the most consistent elite run There's a version of this story where we spend all our time talking about who rose and fell. But the most important story of early 2026 is the one that barely moved because it didn't have to. Tems was the only artist to stay inside the Top 3 for the entire four-month stretch. January at 3. February at 1. March at 2 and April at 3. In a quarter defined by dram...

ere is why the 18th edition of the prestigious Headies Awards will be held in Canada in 2026. The organisers of the Headies have explained why the 18th edition of the awards will take place in Toronto, Canada, saying the move is aimed at expanding the platform globally while continuing to support Nigeria’s creative industry. The announcement was made on Monday during “The Big Announcement” event at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, which was attended by entertainment stakeholders, government officials and industry leaders. Speaking at the event, Headies founder Ayo Animashaun confirmed that Toronto will host the main ceremony but stressed that Nigeria would remain an integral part of the experience through a simultaneous watch party and live show connection between Lagos and Canada. “The first thing is that we’re going to Toronto for the 18th Headies. The second thing is that we’re not just going to Toronto; we’re not leaving Nigeria behind. We’re going to have a watch party; we’...

resh off the success of his critically acclaimed 2025 project, Mr Bee, Nigerian music sensation Rybeena has announced the forthcoming release of Mr Bee Deluxe, setting the stage for what promises to be a defining year in his rapidly ascending career. Alongside the announcement, the artiste has also reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Dapper Music & Entertainment, officially renewing his partnership with the music powerhouse on the 15th of June, 2026, following a successful two-year run together. The announcement comes after an impressive year for Rybeena, whose Mr Bee project was ranked the 9th Best Project of 2025 by Pulse Nigeria. The body of work earned praise for its blend of contemporary sounds and notable collaborations with Joeboy, Shoday, and Fuji music legend King Dr. Saheed Osupa, further establishing Rybeena as one of the most exciting talents of his generation. As anticipation builds for Mr Bee Deluxe, Rybeena is also doubling down on the partnership that has he...

izkid at his latest public event confirmed the title of his 7th studio album whilst providing update on its progress so far. Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Wizkid has officially revealed the title of his highly anticipated seventh studio album, sending fans into a frenzy across social media. In a brief but exciting announcement, the Grammy-winning singer confirmed that his next album will be titled SEXY, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious music career. Although Wizkid did not disclose a release date or tracklist, the announcement has already sparked widespread anticipation among fans eager to hear his next body of work. The announcement comes after months of speculation about the singer’s next project following the success of his previous releases ‘Morayo,’ ‘More Love Less Ego’. Known for constantly evolving his sound, Wizkid’s upcoming album is expected to further cement his place as one of Africa’s biggest global music stars. Fans have flooded social medi...

opular street pop artist , Zlatan Ibile has announced his first free concert of the year 2026 tagged, 'Homecoming.' Street pop artist, Zlatan will be making his return to his alma mater mater, MAPOLY on July 1st to host a free concert for students and unveil a brand-new music studio aimed at nurturing the next generation of creative talents. The surprise homecoming drew a large crowd of students, staff and fans, who gathered to welcome the award-winning artist back to the institution where he once studied. Zlatan is expected to deliver an energetic performance, treating attendees to some of his biggest hits and might possibly bring guest artists along for July 1st 2026. Beyond the entertainment, the rapper announced the establishment of a fully equipped music studio on campus. The facility is expected to provide aspiring musicians, producers and content creators with access to professional recording equipment, giving them an opportunity to develop their talents without ...

ere is a full list of all the winners at the recently concluded 2026 BET Awards held on Sunday (last night). The 2026 BET Awards celebrated the biggest names in music, film, television and sports, recognising outstanding achievements across more than 20 competitive categories. From hip-hop and R&B to acting and athletics, this year’s ceremony featured a diverse lineup of nominees, including global superstars, rising talents and industry veterans. Below is the complete list of nominees, with winners highlighted in bold. Fashion Vanguard Award (NEW) A$AP Rocky Bad Bunny Beyoncé Cardi B Colman Domingo Doechii Rihanna Teyana Taylor Zendaya The Pulse Award (NEW) 85 South Show Baby, This Is Keke Palmer Charlamagne Tha God Don Lemon Druski It Is What It Is Joe and Jada On the Radar R&B Money Podcast Best Female R&B/Pop Artist Ari Lennox Coco Jones Ella Mai Jill Scott Kehlani Mariah the Scientist Olivia Dean SZA Tems Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Brent Faiyaz Bruno Mars Br...

Kay officially becomes the first Nigerian artist in history to achieve this incredible feat on the streaming platform, Spotify. Multiple award-winning singer and songwriter CKay has reached a historic milestone as his global smash hit “Love Nwantiti” officially surpasses 1 billion streams on Spotify, making him the first Nigerian artist to achieve 1 billion streams with a solo song on the platform. Released in 2019, “Love Nwantiti” took on a life of its own years later, becoming one of the most viral Afrobeats tracks worldwide. The song dominated TikTok trends, inspired countless remixes, and charted across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, solidifying CKay’s place among the most streamed African artists of all time. With this achievement, CKay joins an elite group of global stars whose songs have crossed the billion-stream threshold, marking a major moment not only for his career but also for the global expansion of Afrobeats. The milestone reflects Nigeria’s gro...

A group of senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly surrendered to Nigerian troops in Borno state. According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the commanders abandoned their strongholds after weeks of sustained military offensives, precision air strikes and intelligence-led operations that have continued to weaken the group’s operational capacity. thecable.ng/senior-iswap-c…

BREAKING: Nigeria 🇳🇬 has been ranked as the most generous country in the world, according to the latest global study on charitable giving released by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

Davido wan drop new album titled “ORIADE” Can you guess one artist that’s surely going to be featured in that album?👀

“It’s different because I’m a different person than I was when I made ‘TYLA’. [The album] is made through the experiences that I’ve had living as someone who is in the limelight. Last year was a year of a lot of growth. I was doing everything and anything, experiencing so many different things. It almost felt like a diary entry. Throughout making be album, I was going out a lot. I was listening to a lot of music playing in clubs in different countries I was in.”

Millie Bobby Brown tells @PopSugar her song of the summer is Zara Larsson’s “Midnight Sun.”

🚨Burna Boy’s “Gbona” is now certified DIAMOND in France 🇫🇷 — His 6th song to achieve the feat, the highest for any Nigerian act. 👏🏾

Wizkid & Asake’s “TURBULENCE” has already crossed 40 MILLION streams on Spotify👏

🚨 Rema’s “Calm Down” has now surpassed a combined 3 BILLION streams on YouTube Music across the original & remix with Selena Gomez. 👏🏾

our months. Four rankings. One conclusion: Afrobeats had shifted, and the shift was not subtle. The genre's centre of gravity had moved. New names had forced their way into conversations that weren't expecting them. Women occupied positions at the top of the table that nobody was rushing to vacate. And a handful of artists who had grown accustomed to being the story found themselves, for the first time in a while, watching someone else tell it. These are the seven facts from NotJustOk's Afrobeats Power Ranking 2026 that defined the quarter. 1. Tems dominated the quarter with the most consistent elite run There's a version of this story where we spend all our time talking about who rose and fell. But the most important story of early 2026 is the one that barely moved because it didn't have to. Tems was the only artist to stay inside the Top 3 for the entire four-month stretch. January at 3. February at 1. March at 2 and April at 3. In a quarter defined by dram...

🚨 Rihanna is rumored to release her comeback single after 10 years by the end of this year.

Sixteen-year-old Osasere Okundaye has made history by becoming Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, drawing national recognition and praise from the Federal Government for an achievement many have described as a powerful example of youth excellence. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, congratulated the teenager in a statement on Monday, describing her accomplishment as proof that Nigerian youths can attain extraordinary success through dedication, discipline and resilience. Olawande said Okundaye’s achievement demonstrates the immense potential of young Nigerians when given the right support and opportunities to thrive. “I heartily congratulate Miss Osasere Okundaye on her outstanding achievement of becoming Nigeria’s youngest Chartered Accountant at just 16 years of age,” the minister said. He added, “This remarkable milestone is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Osasere has distinguis...

🌍 Spotify Global Chart Update 📈 Drake ft. Wizkid & Kyla — “One Dance” falls to #39 (-2) on the Spotify Global Daily Top Songs Chart 🌎📉 🎧 2.1M streams yesterday. 🦅🦉

President Tinubu Condoles with APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, over the Passing of His Mother.

📍Asake has now surpassed 2.5 Billion Streams on Audiomack. He becomes the second African Artist to reach this Milestone after Seyi Vibez.

OTW

Rihanna’s “ANTI” is now eligible for 4x Diamond in the Brazil for selling over 640,000 units. 🇧🇷 — It's Rihanna's 4th best-selling album in the country

Afrobeats artists & their highest peak on Spotify Global/Worldwide Top Songs chart. #1. Wizkid [2016] #2. Burna boy [2026] 🆕 #5. Tems [2025] #9. Tyla [2025] #9. Rema [2023] #9. Ckay [2021]

They should be st%ned— Rapper Jesse Jagz slams celebrities who endorse b+tting and g@mbling

BREAKING: The EFCC has recovered over N9.4 billion, $21.2 million, and various landed properties in an ongoing investigation into the diversion of funds meant for the turnaround maintenance of Nigeria's refineries. Including the dollar-denominated assets, total recoveries are estimated to exceed N38.66 billion.

June 27 – Headlines Buy today's paper at: digitalpaper.vanguardngr.com

FEATURING: WIZKID BNXN RUGER TIWA SAVAGE QING MADI PROJEXX FIDO DERA LAZ OUT NOW🚨

BREAKING: The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed September 29, 2026, for judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Inspector-General of Police to reopen investigations into the death of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.