Afrobeats continues to expand its global presence with renewed momentum. From international chart placements to critical recognition, the genre’s influence is increasingly entrenched in mainstream culture. This week, three developments underscored its continuing ascent: Rolling Stone’s inclusion of several African artists in its list of the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century, the 14th anniversary of Ice Prince’s Everybody Loves Ice Prince (E.L.I), and the release of Odumodublvck’s new album Industry Machine, which is redefining the framework of Nigerian hip-hop.
Alongside these milestones, new releases from Lojay, Peruzzi, and Joeboy mark another prolific week for African music.
READ ALSO: This Week in Afrobeats: Chart-Topping Hits and Global Crossovers
Rolling Stone’s Recognition: Afrobeats in the Global Canon
When Rolling Stone published its list of the 250 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century, the presence of African artists signified more than inclusion — it reflected cultural permanence.
Davido’s Unavailable featuring Musa Keys ranked at No. 243, Rema’s Woman at No. 228, and Tems appeared twice with Free Mind (No. 232) and Essence with Wizkid (No. 22), a song often credited with introducing Afrobeats to a broader international audience.
Burna Boy’s Last Last reached No. 95, while Tyla’s Water at No. 135, affirmed the continued reach of South Africa’s Amapiano sound.
Collectively, these placements illustrate the evolution of Afrobeats from a regional sound to a global creative movement. The genre has become a medium for cultural expression and identity, resonating across continents.
Ice Prince’s E.L.I at 14: A Defining Moment for Nigerian Music
Before Afrobeats’ global expansion, Ice Prince Zamani stood among the artists bridging Nigerian hip-hop and pop. His debut album, Everybody Loves Ice Prince (E.L.I), released on October 9, 2011, marked a defining point in the country’s modern music era.
Supported by Chocolate City and produced by Jesse Jagz, M.I Abaga, E Kelly, and Wizboyy, E.L.I blended hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeats with melodic fluidity. Tracks such as Oleku, Superstar, and Juju became national staples, consolidating Ice Prince’s place in contemporary Nigerian pop culture.
The album’s themes of love, loss, and personal reflection mirrored Ice Prince’s lived experience following his mother’s death. Beyond its emotional weight, E.L.I represented a generation’s sonic identity — urban, expressive, and forward-looking.
Fourteen years later, its resonance endures. The album not only produced lasting hits but also demonstrated the potential for Nigerian rap to merge introspection with mainstream appeal.
Odumodublvck’s ‘Industry Machine’: A New Era of Nigerian Hip-Hop
In 2025, Odumodublvck has emerged as one of the most significant voices in Nigerian rap. His 23-track album Industry Machine, released on October 6 under Kalacious Entertainment, Native Records, and Def Jam Recordings, brings together drill, hip-hop, and Afrobeats in a cohesive exploration of ambition, creativity, and collaboration.
The album debuted at No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria and reached No. 41 globally within days, amassing more than 13 million Spotify streams in its first week.
More notably, Industry Machine features Afrobeats royalty, both Davido and Wizkid — a first for a Nigerian rapper — marking a rare intersection of the genre’s two of the ‘Big 3’ trinity on a single project. The collaboration signals a new level of artistic unity within a historically competitive industry.
In a conversation on Afrobeats To The World on X Space with music journalist Emman Owoniyi, Odumodublvck reflected on these collaborations:
“Davido and Wizkid are on my album out of respect for the work I’ve put in. I didn’t pay them a dime,” he said. He also revealed that Wizkid’s feature was not commissioned but gifted — a gesture he described as “the greatest verse you have ever heard.”
Beyond its collaborations, Industry Machine is a statement of intent. It positions Odumodublvck as both a cultural unifier and an innovator within Nigerian hip-hop.
From Grooving featuring Davido and Seun Kuti to Big Time with Wizkid, the album moves confidently between genres. It extends to Vinicius and Baggio with Giggs and Prettyboy DO, Pay Me featuring Stormzy and Zlatan, and My Angel with Chike.
The closing track, Hallelujah, featuring Phyno, Jeriq, and Tobe Nwigwe, functions as a reflective conclusion — a celebration of perseverance and identity.
Odumodublvck’s recurring use of football-inspired titles such as Maradona, Baggio, and Vinicius encapsulates his creative ethos: tactical, competitive, and globally aware.
While critics have pointed to the album’s reliance on guest features, Odumodublvck’s command of narrative and tone underscores his growing stature as one of Nigeria’s most deliberate voices in rap.
As Industry Machine captures widespread attention, several other artists have released new material this week:
Lojay – XOXO
Peruzzi – Sabali (Album)
Joeboy & Shoday – Ring
10Ten & Minz – Kan Ye
Famous Pluto – Hot Hot
Rybeena – Mr Bee (EP)
T.I Blaze & Llona – Lonely Road
Kashcoming & Mavo – Hello
Lyta – Scars N Lessons
Kunmie – My Brother
Each release reinforces Afrobeats’ adaptability and continuous innovation within a global music economy that increasingly looks to Africa for its next evolution. From E.L.I’s legacy to Industry Machine’s disruptive reach and Rolling Stone’s international recognition, African music continues to define global trends.
