Articles by Chinonso Ihekire
18 Oct
The distinct glitter in Daso’s artistry has always been his euphemism. A champion of the good life, Daso is a young and vibrant pop singer who’s been making a race towards the Afrobeats spotlight from New York to Lagos. Raised both in Nigeria and the United States, DaSo’s hallmark in the music scene is taking…
12 Oct
Oxlade’s evolution from the teenage choirboy in Lagos’ gritty suburbs of Mushin and Surulere to the African popstar expanding Afrobeats’ global fanbase is almost as remarkable as his music. The young singer, born Ikuforiji Olaitan, rose to prominence in the thick of the 2020 COVID lockdown, with his assertive debut extended play, Oxygene, especially with…
29 Sep
Cyril Onyebuchi is fresh on the radar of emerging Nigerian RnB pop-stars worth a listen. The maestro, who is professionally known as Cyril, has a deep command of his singing technique, crafting romantic records with heavy replay value. In his latest and debut record, “Jamila”, the young bard reflects this same strength, creating a heartfelt…
28 Sep
When Noon Dave signed with the Chocolate City Music label in 2021, his fluid Pop-soul fusions spotlighted him as an act to watch out for. Born David Obafemi, the young maverick had been an impressive rising singer, with a unique vocal texture and songwriting. After joining the label, he showcased his artistry with only three…
27 Sep
“Biri o/ Biri Kam Mbiri,” her soulful chants usher in the song. “Bia”, her opening release for the year, and second official release as Kehne, is a powerful addition to Nigeria’s pop library. The folk-leaning sombre pop track is a diet of indigenous sonics and artsy engineering, leaving a message of hope in the song,…
27 Sep
Artist Kikelomo Solomon-Ayeni recently embarked on a photography project titled African Preggy Ready to Party, which is a series of 10 photos shot in monochrome and edited to show off and deconstruct the pregnant woman’s body. She employs digital manipulation to drive home her metaphors, juxtaposing various poses against one another. In one photo, two…
21 Sep
Guchi’s rise to fame shows her talent and resilience. From her viral hits like Addicted to the chart-topping Jennifer, the 27-year-old pop star has left her mark on the Afrobeats scene. With her unique blend of dancehall and pop, Guchi has earned accolades, including nominations from The Headies and AFRIMA. Her latest release, No Touching,…
19 Sep
It’s a casual day in the life of Jacob Evangelista, the young maestro, also known as The Therapist. Encircled by a handful of highly creative people in a room, he’s bouncing on rhythms and writing lyrics to his next plausible hit. It’s easier for him to create his best work this way, he says. “I…
19 Sep
Christian Gospel Violinists like Theophilus Ogaga are back on our radar of intriguing classical musicians within niche areas with a strong impact on the Nigerian music scene. The virtuoso’s 2022 compilation piece, Devotion, is a pivotal start into his immersive anti-climatic expressions with the Violin and piano accompaniment, with all seven renditions of popular Christian…
14 Sep
Though Nigerian female groups have largely faded from the music scene, London-bred trip Shiikane is celebrating their roots. The sisters aim to inspire future female groups while honouring their late mother’s legacy through music and philanthropy. After the golden era of Nigerian female groups—from the reggae-pop Lijadu Sisters to the Naija-pop trio Desperate Chicks—phased out…
7 Sep
Victony is one of Nigeria’s most compelling music talents, known for his resilience and genre-blending sound. From overcoming a life-altering accident to becoming a rising star in the Afrobeats scene, Victony’s journey is one of tenacity and artistic evolution. In this interview with Guardian Music, he opens up about his latest album Stubborn, his creative…
1 Sep
For most lovers of Nigerian Christian gospel music, Limoblaze is likely a familiar name. Born Samuel Onwubiko, the award-winning singer has amassed more than 30 million streams, built a global fanbase, and helped spotlight the Nigerian Christian gospel scene to international prominence. His 2022 smash hit Jireh, featuring Grammy-winning American rapper Lecrae and English singer…