As the global music landscape continues to evolve, African music remains at the forefront, echoing its rich origins and influencing contemporary sounds worldwide. Senegalese singer and guitarist Baaba Maal eloquently captures this essence when he remarks, “I did not like that name ‘world music’ in the beginning. I think that African music must get more respect than to be put in a ghetto like that. We have something to give to others. When you look to how African music is built, when you understand this kind of music, you can understand that a lot of all this modern music that you are hearing in the world has similarities to African music. It’s like the origin of a lot of all kinds of music.” His words remind us to honour Africa’s foundational role in the global musical tapestry.
This week, the momentum continues with milestones, celebrations, and ongoing journeys toward musical immortality for African genres, especially Afrobeats — a genre that has become a dominant force worldwide.
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The 17th Headies Awards: Celebrating Nigeria’s Musical Prowess
On April 27, 2025, Lagos, Nigeria, hosted the 17th Headies Awards, marking a return to Nigeria after a two-year hiatus in Atlanta. The event showcased Nigeria’s vibrant music scene, honouring top artists like Davido, Rema, and Tems. The ceremony was live-streamed, featuring unforgettable moments and some controversies that sparked conversations across social media.
Davido emerged as a big winner, taking home Artist of the Year and Digital Artist of the Year awards. Rema, along with Chike and the late MohBad, also celebrated double victories. Rema’s album Heis won both Album of the Year and Afrobeats Album of the Year, reinforcing his rising star status. Tems clinched Best Recording of the Year for “Burning,” a testament to her artistry.
The event’s highlight was Davido presenting the coveted Next Rated award to Odumodublvck, a recognition he called “the most important” of the night, emphasising the importance of nurturing new talent. Odumodublvck also bagged Best Rap Single alongside Shallipoppi for “Cast.” The evening was hosted by Nigerian actress Nancy Isime and featured performances from notable artists like Blaqbonez, L.A.X., Kcee, Jux, and others.
However, the night was marred by organisational hiccups—delayed starts, awkward award presentations, and moments of disrespect that overshadowed the celebration of Nigeria’s thriving industry. Incidents such as Shallipopi receiving only a handshake instead of his award, Odumodublvck being cut off mid-speech, and Ayo Maff’s impromptu antics drew criticism from industry insiders and fans alike. Famed Founder of WeTalkSound, a 360 entertainment platform Dolapo Amusat rebuked Ayo Maff’s actions ‘To me, this was the wildest thing that happened at the Headies yesterday. What the hell was going on?’
Media personalities like Adeayo Adebiyi voiced concerns over perceived biases and judging fairness, echoing past worries about transparency in the award selections. In his words, ‘Award is something people need to aspire to. Once the targeted audience stop aspiring to it at a significant scale it’s over. To get people to aspire, the brand must carry a prestige that strengthens with time.’
Despite these issues, the night also offered moments of dignity, notably Don Jazzy’s father delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech on his son’s behalf, reminding everyone of the importance of respect and professionalism in celebrating talent. The event has since called for a return to core values—timeliness, fairness, and genuine recognition—to ensure that Nigeria’s vibrant music scene continues to flourish with integrity.
African Artists on the Global Stage
Rema continues to cement his status as Africa’s crown prince of Afrobeats, gracing the cover of Outlander Magazine, a leading digital platform covering fashion, culture, and music. His rising influence signifies the global appetite for African talent and innovation.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg prepares for the 26th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, expanding into a three-day extravaganza from September 26-28 at Sandton International Convention Centre. Over 60 musicians from 15 countries will perform across four stages, celebrating Africa’s jazz heritage and spotlighting women’s contributions and cross-cultural collaborations. Headliners include Grammy-winning bassist Esperanza Spalding, jazz legend Jazzmeia Horn, and South African artists like Thandi Ntuli and Nomfundo Xaluva. The festival aims to showcase jazz’s rich diversity, blending traditional sounds with genre-bending performances and cross-continental fusions.
Celebrating Africa’s Musical Heritage Worldwide
Apple Music’s new initiative, The Sounds of Africa, highlights the musical richness of five major African cities—Accra, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Nairobi, and Johannesburg—through curated playlists and exclusive DJ mixes. By spotlighting genres like highlife, Afro-fusion, kwaito, amapiano, and more, this project celebrates Africa’s diverse musical identities and amplifies its influence on the world stage.
Curators who contributed to this initiative include, Asa, Don Jazzy, Bizzle Osikoya, Motolani Alake, Bankulli, Asa Asika, Tega Oghenejobo, Manny Essien, Kwesta, Nandi Madida, Samthing Soweto, Tbo Touch, Refiloe Ramogase, Catherine Grenfell, Nick Hamman, Albert ‘Trebla’ Donkor, Maxwell Adjavon, Kofi ‘Funkz’ Kyei, Marioo, Harmonize Xenia Manasseh, Nikita Kering and Oluwaseun ‘Banko’ Lloyd showcasing both classic and contemporary tracks that embody African unique cultural and musical identities.
Economic Growth in Music: UMG’s Bright Outlook
In the business realm, Universal Music Group reported a robust $3.3 billion revenue in Q1 2025, driven by an 11.5% increase in subscription streaming revenue. Digital streaming now accounts for the majority of recorded music income, with notable growth in international markets like Japan, Germany, China, and Mexico. Despite a decline in digital downloads, physical sales and licensing revenues surged, reflecting a resilient global appetite for music. UMG’s positive outlook underscores the increasing commercial viability of African and global music markets.
New Releases and Rising Stars
On the musical front, leading the course this week is Olamide gracefully assisted by Wizkid on ‘Kai’ which carries the famous Konto bounce over where they sweet talk about a love interest in whose face they flaunt their wealth. This marks the sixth time these acts have collaborated with the very first being ‘Omo To Shan’ in 2011. Olamide’s upcoming album, his 11th solo project, exemplifies his longevity and adaptability in Nigeria’s competitive music scene.
Other notable releases this week include Burna Boy’s “Sweet Love,” Blaqbonez & Kizz Daniel’s “Follow Her,” and Niniola’s “Ginger Me,” among others. These tracks continue to showcase the vibrant, evolving sounds of African artists who are shaping global music trends.
A Continual Journey Toward Musical Immortality
From Baaba Maal’s call for respect to the recognition of new talents at the Headies, from jazz festivals celebrating Africa’s roots to global initiatives showcasing its sounds, the continent’s musical journey is vibrant and unstoppable. African music is not merely a subset of world music but a foundational influence that continues to shape genres worldwide. As artists innovate and audiences expand, the journey toward musical immortality—rooted in Africa’s rich cultural soil—marches on with renewed vigour.
Let us raise a cheer for the origin of all forms of music on the globe and celebrate another great week in African music and Afrobeats. The continent’s rhythms, melodies, and stories remain indispensable threads in the global musical tapestry, reminding us that Africa’s voice is loud, proud, and eternally influential.
