Tinubu backs AFRIMA 2025 as Nigeria prepares to host Africa’s biggest music awards in Lagos

Nigeria is set to welcome the continent’s biggest music celebration, AFRIMA 2025, following an official endorsement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

The president’s approval came after the African Union Commission reached out to Nigeria for collaboration on the next edition of the awards, prompting swift action from the federal government.

With Lagos selected as the host city, preparations are already in full swing. 

An inter-ministerial Local Organising Committee (LOC) has been established, bringing together the Ministries of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Foreign Affairs; Information; Interior; Youth; Education; and Aviation. 

Key agencies such as the Nigerian Film Corporation and the National Film and Video Censors Board are also on board, alongside representatives from the AFRIMA International Committee and the African Union. 

Speaking at the inauguration of the LOC in Abuja on July 9, 2025, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, expressed her enthusiasm for Nigeria’s role in delivering what she called the most spectacular AFRIMA yet. 

“This is more than just an awards show,” she said. “It is a major platform to create jobs, promote tourism, celebrate African talents, and tell our positive stories authentically through music to the world.” 

Musawa emphasized that the event is directly aligned with President Tinubu’s broader vision of using the creative sector as a strategic tool for national development and economic growth. 

Adding to the momentum, Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy, conveyed the president’s official endorsement. 

“We appreciate the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting Nigeria the opportunity to host this historic event,” she said, thanking the Honourable Ministers of Arts and Foreign Affairs for jointly driving the collaboration that brought AFRIMA back to Nigeria. 

AFRIMA President and Executive Producer Mike Dada also applauded the federal government’s swift response and commitment. 

“We thank President Tinubu for his quick and visionary approval and backing of AFRIMA 2025,” Dada said. 

“This is not just an event approval. It’s a loud statement that the Nigerian government values the culture and creative industry and its power to promote unity and prosperity across Africa.” 

Dada also praised Lagos State for accepting the role of host city and investing in the creative sector.

“Nigeria has always been a creative and cultural powerhouse,” he said. 

“With this support, we are confident that this year’s AFRIMA will be an unforgettable celebration of African talent and creativity for the whole world to see.” 

 The highly anticipated event will return to Nigeria after its last edition was successfully hosted in Dakar, Senegal. AFRIMA 2025 is scheduled to take place in Lagos from November 25 to 30. 

Asake reportedly left YBNL after feeling cheated by Olamide

Entertainment lawyer Yemisi Falaye has come forward with fresh revelations about why Afrobeats star Asake ended his relationship with Olamide’s YBNL Nation label. 

According to her, the singer made an emotional decision to sign a contract she had advised him against, and eventually regretted it. 

Back in December 2024, rumors swirled that Asake and Olamide had quietly gone their separate ways.

The whispers grew louder in February 2025 when Asake launched his own imprint, Giran Republic, solidifying his independence. 

While both artists maintained a respectful silence publicly, Falaye has now opened up on what allegedly led to the split. 

She claimed Asake was warned about the long-term consequences of the agreement offered to him but chose to ignore her advice. “I remember when Olamide was going to sign Asake,” she recounted.

“He was so overwhelmed that he said to Olamide, ‘I’m not going to get a lawyer to review this agreement. YBNL wants to sign me, do you know how long I’ve been waiting?’” 

Falaye said Olamide himself encouraged Asake to seek legal counsel before making any commitment.

Asake reportedly brought the contract to her, but when she raised red flags about the terms, particularly the clause that would see him assign his rights “in perpetuity,” things took a turn. 

“I advised him not to sign it,” she said. “And he looked at me and said, ‘Are you kidding me? You said what? Did they send you? You want to pour sand in my garri.’ He insulted me and called my bluff.”

Asake allegedly disregarded her concerns and signed the contract on the spot. 

According to Falaye, the deal ultimately didn’t favor him as he had expected. 

“Because if it did, he would have renewed the agreement or at least been open to reviewing the terms,” she said. “But he was so hurt, he felt cheated.”

Rema joins Drake on stage at Wireless Festival (Video)

Rema and Drake on stage at Wireless Festival 2025

Canadian superstar Drake surprised fans on the second night of his Wireless Festival headline run by bringing out Afrobeats sensation Rema for a high-energy performance. 

The Nigerian hitmaker wowed the crowd with his viral smash Ozeba, lifted from his Grammy-nominated album HEIS. 

Rema’s appearance added extra heat to an already historic weekend, marking his third time gracing the Wireless stage after standout performances in 2022 and 2024. 

But this one carried special weight, not just because of the scale of Drake’s three-day headline set, but because of what it could signal next. 

Back in 2024, a leaked folder of unreleased Drake tracks, dubbed “100 Gig” included a rumoured collaboration with Rema.

Now, with the duo finally sharing a stage, fans are convinced that a joint track is more than just speculation. 

Drake also previewed a new song with UK rapper Central Cee during the weekend, and fans are hopeful that Rema could feature on the Canadian’s upcoming project, expected to drop in 2025. 

If that happens, he’ll join Wizkid and Tems as part of the elite club of Nigerian stars to land collaborations with Drake.

See video below:

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Burna Boy backtracks on Afrobeats diss, says “I get it now"

Burna Boy apologizes for Afrobeats criticism

Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has officially apologized for his controversial comments about Afrobeats, acknowledging that his previous views stemmed from a lack of understanding of the genre’s broader significance. 

Speaking on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, the Nigerian superstar reflected on the backlash he faced after stating in a 2023 Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe that Afrobeats “lacked substance.” 

His statement stirred major debate in the music community, with many fans and artists expressing disappointment at what they saw as a dismissal of the genre’s cultural impact. 

Now, Burna Boy has offered a more nuanced perspective, explaining that his original comment was rooted in his long-standing effort to distinguish his music as Afro-fusion.

"I described my music as Afro-fusion because it was as if there was almost no place for it at home, and I had to create my own place for it,” he said, explaining his resistance to being boxed into the Afrobeats label. 

However, with more insight into the movement behind Afrobeats, Burna admitted that his perspective has shifted.

“I didn’t understand that we needed an umbrella term for what we were doing to actually get somewhere,” he said. 

“If I understood this, I would have gone about it differently because why would I want to destroy what I am building?” 

 He continued, “I didn’t understand why everyone wanted my music to be inside one box... I totally get it now and I apologize for that confusion.” 

Burna Boy's willingness to reflect and take accountability has been met with praise, with fans appreciating the clarity and maturity in his response. 

“I apologize for the confusion,” he added, noting that he now fully supports the use of Afrobeats as a unifying banner for the global rise of Nigerian music. 

The artist, who recently dropped his eighth studio album No Sign of Weakness, featuring collaborations with Mick Jagger, Travis Scott, and Stromae, is gearing up for a major tour across North America and Europe, where he will headline several iconic venues.

Ayra Starr has officially joined Roc Nation record label

Ayra Starr signs deal with Roc Nation

Afrobeats star Ayra Starr is making international waves once again, with reports that she has officially joined Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label.

While neither the singer nor the label has publicly confirmed the deal, all signs point to the exciting new chapter.

The speculation began after Roc Nation promoted Ayra Starr’s upcoming single Hot Body on their official social media platforms, writing: “Hot Body by Ayra Starr coming soon.” 

Fans immediately noticed the endorsement and took it as a clear signal that the Nigerian star has been added to the label’s growing roster of global talent. 

Further fueling the rumours, Ayra Starr’s biography now appears on Roc Nation’s official website, listed alongside major international artists managed by the label. 

Although Ayra Starr is still signed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, the partnership with Roc Nation seems to mark a significant move toward strengthening her presence on the global stage. 

The label, known for managing top-tier acts like Rihanna and J. Cole, could help amplify Ayra’s reach as her career continues to soar. 

News of the reported signing has sent fans into a frenzy online, with many celebrating the singer’s steady rise to global recognition.

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