Entertainment

2024 MTV Video Music Award: African Music More Than Just Afrobeats – South African Singer, Tyla

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2024

South African singer, Tyla has sparked a controversy concerning the place of Afrobeats in African music, when she distanced herself from the genre at the just concluded 2024 MTV Video Music Award.

While making her acceptance speech as the winner of the Best Afrobeats Award at MTV VMAs 2024, which held during the week at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, the award-winning singer described her win as ‘just so special but also bittersweet’, because she represents ‘Amapiano,’ not Afrobeats. Tyla added that “African music is so diverse’, and more than just Afrobeats.”

“Thank you. MTV, my team, God, everyone, this is such a big moment for Africa and African music. The global impact that “Water” has had on the world proves African music can also be pop music. This is so special but also bittersweet, because I know there’s a tendency to group African artists under Afrobeats. It’s a thing and though Afrobeats has run things and has opened many doors for us, African music is so diverse, it’s more than just Afrobeats. I come from South Africa. I represent amapiano. I represent my culture. I want to shout out to all the Afrobeats artists in this category with me.”

Her speech on the night, however, has been criticized by popular OAP, Do2dtun,who accused the singer of not aligning with her musical identity “Aunty @tyla a.k.a am not Afrobeats, I am Amapiano. We have heard you but your song ‘Water’ is not Amapiano either. If you thought you were categorized in the wrong category, you should have given the award back or denounced the nomination”, Do2dtun wrote. But is it possible for Tyla to separate herself from being an Afrobeats singer? Your guess is as good as mine. The 22-year-old singer won the award for her major hit “Water” The music video has more than 230 million views on YouTube and almost 800 million streams on Spotify

Entertainment

I Got Into Trouble For Skipping School To Perform In 2011 – Davido

Published

5 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Editor

Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has recounted how he got into trouble in 2011 for skipping school to perform in Ibadan, Oyo State, an experience he described as a defining moment in his early career.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Davido revealed that he left Babcock University to join the Lynxxx and Friends Tour in Ibadan alongside Asa, Peju, B-Red, and Sina.

“In 2011, I skipped school to perform in Ibadan. Asa, Peju, B Red and Sina picked me up from Babcock and we drove to join the Lynxxx and Friends Tour.

“I had no idea it was going to air on Soundcity, and when my pops saw it, I got in so much trouble,” he wrote.

Reflecting on how far he has come, the singer celebrated the growth of his career and the success of his ongoing 5ive Alive Tour.

“14 years later, we destroyed the stadium. The 5ive Alive run across Nigeria has been one for the books. To my peers let’s build back home and give back to our roots,” he added.

Davido also thanked sponsors of the tour while hinting at upcoming performances.

“Big love to all our sponsors for backing this historic tour. Abuja and Lagos up next, but next stop is ATL for my birthday, State Farm Arena on November 20th!” he said.

Entertainment

Simi Earns First-ever Foreign Certification With ‘Duduke’

Published

10 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer, Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has earned her first-ever foreign certification with her hit song ‘Duduke.’

This is as the song was recently certified Gold in New Zealand for selling 15,000 units, making it her first international accolade.

Released in 2022, ‘Duduke’ expresses the rhythmic beat of Simi’s heart for her unborn child. She flaunted her baby bump in the music video.

She also launched the ‘Duduke Challenge,’ inviting fans to create their own interpretations of the song.

Simi revealed in an interview that some people were calling her daughter, Adejare, “Duduke” because she inspired the popular song.

She explained that referring to her daughter as “Duduke” isn’t offensive, however, she prefers they call her by her name.

Entertainment

‘African Queen’ Has Been A Blessing And A Curse To me – 2Face Opens Up

Published

3 days ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

Legendary Nigerian musician Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Face, has described ‘African Queen’ as the song that gave his career a spark, stressing that it is also one of the songs he resonates with the most.

He, however, said the song has been a burden despite its huge benefits.

2Face spoke in a recent episode of the Entertainment & Lifestyle show.

“African Queen has been a very huge blessing, and e come turn to problem join for me. But I am grateful for everything,” he said.

African Queen, which was released in 2004, propelled 2Face to international stardom as he became the first African artist to win the BET, MTV Europe and MOBO awards.

However, there have been controversies about the authorship of the song following 2Face’s former band mate, Blackface’s repeated claims that 2Face stole the song from him.

2Face in a previous interview admitted that ‘African Queen’ was originally a collaboration with his former bandmates, but denied stealing the song.

The song has remained a subject of controversy for over two decades. A fresh controversy began after Billboard named the song the “greatest Afrobeats song of all time” in August 2025.