Category: Music

Drake has officially made Billboard history after his latest single, “Janice STFU,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, pushing him past Michael Jackson for the most chart-topping songs by a solo male artist.

The milestone gives Drake his 14th No. 1 hit on the Hot 100, surpassing Michael Jackson’s legendary total of 13 chart-toppers, a record that stood for decades and symbolized Jackson’s dominance during the peak of his global music reign.

Michael Jackson’s No. 1 records came across several iconic eras of pop music, with classics such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Black or White,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and “Rock With You” helping define generations. Widely regarded as the “King of Pop,” Jackson transformed global entertainment with groundbreaking music videos, unmatched stage performances, and record-breaking album sales.

For years, his Billboard achievements remained among the most untouchable records in music history. However, Drake’s consistency in the streaming era has steadily seen him climb the all-time charts, breaking numerous records previously held by music legends.

“Janice STFU” continuing that streak further reflects Drake’s remarkable longevity and commercial power. The song exploded across streaming platforms immediately after release, dominating playlists, social media conversations, and digital sales charts worldwide.

With the new record now in his possession, Drake adds yet another historic achievement to a career already filled with Billboard milestones, multi-platinum albums, and sold-out global tours.

The 2026 American Music Awards delivered one of its most competitive and globally diverse editions with major wins spread across K-pop, pop, R&B, Latin, Afrobeats, and hip-hop. From BTS’ dominance to Sabrina Carpenter’s pop takeover and Cardi B’s hip-hop sweep, the night reflected a fully global music landscape. Held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

ARTIST CATEGORIES

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Winner: BTS

Nominees:

• Bad Bunny
• Bruno Mars
• BTS
• Harry Styles
• Justin Bieber
• Kendrick Lamar
• Lady Gaga
• Morgan Wallen
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Taylor Swift

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Winner: KATSEYE

Nominees:

• Alex Warren
• Ella Langley
• KATSEYE 
• Leon Thomas
• Olivia Dean
• SOMBR

ALBUM CATEGORIES

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Winner: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend

Nominees:

• Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?
• Fuerza Regida – 111XPANTIA
• Justin Bieber – SWAG
• Lady Gaga – Mayhem
• Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem
• Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
• Playboi Carti – MUSIC
• Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend 
• Tate McRae – So Close To What
• Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgir

BREAKTHROUGH ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Winner: Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

Nominees:

• Olivia Dean 
• SOMBR
• Zara Larsson
• Leon Thomas

SONG CATEGORIES

SONG OF THE YEAR

Winner: “Golden” – HUNTR/X

Nominees:

• Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
• Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
• HUNTR/X – “Golden”
• Kehlani – “Folded”
• Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
• Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
• Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
• SOMBR – “Back to Friends”
• Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

SONG OF THE SUMMER

Winner: BTS – “SWIM”

Nominees:

• BTS – “SWIM” 
• Other viral summer hits

SOCIAL SONG OF THE YEAR

Winner: Tyla – “CHANEL”

Nominees:

• Disco Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
• PinkPantheress – “Illegal”
• Role Model – “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”
• Tyla – “CHANEL”
• Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

Winner: PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – “Stateside”

Nominees:

• BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
• David Guetta, Teddy Swims & Tones And I – “Gone Gone Gone”
• Morgan Wallen & Tate McRae – “What I Want”
• PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – “Stateside” 
• Shaboozey & Jelly Roll – “Amen”
• Tinashe & Disco Lines – “No Broke Boys”

POP CATEGORIES

BEST FEMALE POP ARTIST

Winner: Sabrina Carpenter

Nominees:

• Sabrina Carpenter
• Olivia Rodrigo
• Taylor Swift
• Lady Gaga
• Dua Lipa

BEST MALE POP ARTIST

Winner: Justin Bieber

Nominees:

• Justin Bieber 
• Harry Styles
• Bruno Mars
• The Weeknd
• Morgan Wallen

R&B CATEGORIES

BEST FEMALE R&B ARTIST

Winner: SZA

Nominees:

• SZA 
• Kehlani
• Summer Walker
• H.E.R.
• Victoria Monét

BEST MALE R&B ARTIST

Winner: Bruno Mars

Nominees:

• Bruno Mars 
• Chris Brown
• The Weeknd
• Khalid
• Giveon

BREAKTHROUGH R&B ARTIST

Winner: Leon Thomas

Nominees:

• Leon Thomas
• Mariah The Scientist
• Ravyn Lenae

BEST R&B SONG

Winner: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”

Nominees:

• Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
• Kehlani – “Folded”
• Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
• Chris Brown & Bryson Tiller – “It Depends”
• Mariah The Scientist – “Burning Blue”

BEST R&B ALBUM

Winner: Bruno Mars – The Romantic

Nominees:

• Bruno Mars – The Romantic
• Justin Bieber – SWAG
• Leon Thomas – MUTT
• Mariah The Scientist – Hearts Sold Separately
• Summer Walker – Finally Over It

HIP-HOP CATEGORIES

BEST FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST

Winner: Cardi B

Nominees:

• Cardi B 
• Nicki Minaj
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Doja Cat
• Latto

BEST HIP-HOP SONG

Winner: Cardi B – “ErrTime”

Nominees:

• Cardi B – “ErrTime”
• Other major hip-hop tracks from top female rappers

ROCK / ALTERNATIVE

BEST ROCK / ALTERNATIVE ARTIST

Winner: Twenty One Pilots

Nominees:

• Twenty One Pilots 
• Imagine Dragons
• Foo Fighters
• Arctic Monkeys
• The Killers

BREAKTHROUGH ROCK / ALTERNATIVE ARTIST

Winner: SOMBR

Nominees:

• SOMBR
• Emerging alternative acts

LATIN CATEGORIES

BEST MALE LATIN ARTIST

Winner: Bad Bunny

Nominees:

• Bad Bunny 
• J Balvin
• Feid
• Maluma
• Rauw Alejandro

BEST LATIN ALBUM

Winner: KAROL G – Tropicoqueta

Nominees:

• KAROL G – Tropicoqueta
• Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar
• Feid – Ferxxocalipsis
• Rauw Alejandro – Cosa Nuestra
• Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

AFROBEATS CATEGORY

BEST AFROBEATS ARTIST

Winner: Tyla

Nominees:

• Burna Boy
• Rema
• Wizkid
• MOLIY
• Tyla 

Tyla wins ‘Best Afrobeats Artist’ at the 2026 American Music Awards pic.twitter.com/qhohzdKFEk

— Music on Streamdorm 🎧 (@Streamdorm) May 26, 2026

DANCE / ELECTRONIC

BEST DANCE / ELECTRONIC ARTIST

Winner: David Guetta

Nominees:

• David Guetta 
• Calvin Harris
• Tiësto
• Fred again..
• Peggy Gou

SPECIAL AWARDS

• Lifetime Achievement Award — Billy Idol
• International Artist Award of Excellence — KAROL G
• Veterans Voice Award — Darius Rucker

The BET Awards 2026 nominations are officially out, and this year’s list is shaping up to be one of the most globally competitive editions yet, with African stars once again making a strong impact across key categories.

From viral visuals to chart dominating collaborations, the nominations reflect a music landscape where Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop continue to collide on a worldwide stage.

Nigeria continues its steady dominance on the BET stage.

BET Awards 2026 Full Nominations

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Ella Mai — 100
Doechii — Anxiety
Mariah the Scientist — Burning Blue
Tyla — CHANEL
Teyana Taylor — Escape Room (Short Film)
Kehlani — Folded
T.I. — Let ’Em Know
Kendrick Lamar & SZA — Luther

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Am I The Drama? — Cardi B
Don’t Tap The Glass — Artist TBC
everything is a lot. — Artist TBC
Hearts Sold Separately — Artist TBC
Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
Mutt Deluxe: Heel — Artist TBC
The Fall-Off — J. Cole
The Romantic — Artist TBC

BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST

SZA
Tems
Ari Lennox
Coco Jones
Ella Mai
Jill Scott
Kehlani
Mariah the Scientist
Olivia Dean

BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST

Chris Brown
Usher
Bruno Mars
Bryson Tiller
Brent Faiyaz
Giveon
Leon Thomas
October London
Durand Bernarr
BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Cardi B
Doja Cat
Megan Thee Stallion
Latto
GloRilla
Doechii
Coi Leray
Sexyy Red

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
A$AP Rocky
Baby Keem
Don Toliver
DaBaby
BigXthaPlug
T.I.

BEST GROUP

Wizkid & Asake
Nas & DJ Premier
Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
French Montana & Max B
Clipse
De La Soul
FLO
Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
41

BEST COLLABORATION

Gunna ft. Burna Boy — WGFT
Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis — Is It a Crime
Chris Brown ft. Bryson Tiller & Usher — It Depends (Remix)
Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar — Good Flirts
Metro Boomin ft. Quavo, YK Niece & DJ Spinz — Take Me Thru Dere

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

Drake — NOKIA
Chris Brown — Residuals
Doechii — Anxiety
Dave ft. Tems — Raindance
GELO — Tweaker
Pluto & YK Niece — Whim Whamiee

BET HER AWARD

Tems — First
Beyoncé — Blackbiird
Summer Walker — Heart of a Woman
Mary J. Blige — Beautiful People
Doechii — Bloom

BEST NEW ARTIST

Leon Thomas
Mariah the Scientist
Olivia Dean
GELO
Breskii
YK Niece

Nigerian music star Seyi Vibez has emerged as the most streamed artist in Nigeria for the first quarter of 2026, recording an impressive 547 million streams according to data released byTurnTable Charts. 

The achievement places him ahead of fellow Afrobeats heavyweights Asake and Wizkid, who closely followed behind in the rankings with 542 million and 531 million streams respectively. 

According to the Q1 2026 chart released by TurnTable Charts, here are the top 20 most streamed artists in Nigeria:

Seyi Vibez — 547M
Asake — 542M
Wizkid — 531M
FOLA — 475M
Mavo — 305M
Burna Boy — 223M
Rema — 217M
Young Jonn — 212M
Davido — 205M
Omah Lay — 201M
BNXN — 199M
Odumodublvck — 192M
Shallipopi — 156M
Gunna — 127M
Olamide — 122M
Bella Shmurda — 118M
DJ Tunez — 112M
Tml Vibez — 101.4M
Shoday — 101.0M
Ayra Starr — 100M

The ranking reflects the increasing impact of streaming culture in Nigeria’s music industry, with both established stars and rising acts posting massive numbers in the opening months of the year. Artists like FOLA, Mavo, Tml Vibez, and Shoday were among the rising breakout names on the list, a shift in listener preferences and the growing appetite for new generation street and Afrobeats sounds.

Global music superstar Drake has made history after becoming the first artist ever to have three albums spend at least 10 years on the Billboard 200 chart.

The record breaking albums include Take Care, Nothing Was the Same, and Views, all of which have now surpassed the 520-week mark on the prestigious chart. 

According to chart tracking reports, Drake surpassed the previous milestone held by legendary pop icon Michael Jackson after Views officially crossed the 10-year charting milestone. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums in the United States based on sales, streaming activity, and track-equivalent albums.

Released in 2011, Take Care is widely regarded as one of Drake’s most important projects, helping redefine contemporary hip-hop and R&B with its emotional storytelling and atmospheric production. The album earned critical acclaim and featured hit songs such as “Marvins Room” and “Headlines.”

His 2013 album “Nothing Was the Same” further elevated his global dominance, delivering fan-favorite tracks like “Started From the Bottom” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” The project is often considered one of the strongest albums in Drake’s catalog.

Meanwhile, Views, released in 2016, became a streaming powerhouse and produced worldwide hits including “One Dance,” “Hotline Bling,” and “Controlla.” The album spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remains one of the defining projects of the streaming generation.

Drake’s consistency, streaming dominance, and loyal fanbase is something to be celebrated. Over the years, the Canadian rapper has continued to break several Billboard records, including most Hot 100 entries and most top 10 hits by any artist.

The latest achievement adds yet another milestone to Drake’s already historic career.

Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has been confirmed as one of the headline performers for the 2026 edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands.

The Grammy-winning Nigerian artist is scheduled to perform on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Rotterdam Ahoy, where thousands of music lovers from around the world are expected to gather for the globally celebrated event.

Burna Boy’s name appears among top international acts announced for the festival’s landmark 50th anniversary lineup, alongside stars such as Charlie Puth, Thundercat, Cassandra Wilson, and Adekunle Gold.

The North Sea Jazz Festival is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious music festivals. Founded in 1976 by Dutch jazz enthusiast Paul Acket, the festival began in The Hague before moving to Rotterdam in 2006.

Over the years, the event has evolved into a global celebration of music, bringing together legendary and emerging artists across jazz, soul, blues, funk, hip-hop, R&B, world music, and Afrobeats. The festival has hosted iconic performers including Miles Davis, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and Erykah Badu.

Held annually at Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands, the three-day festival is known for its diverse lineup, multiple performance stages, and unforgettable live collaborations that attract music fans from across the globe.

For the 2026 edition, organizers are preparing a special 50th anniversary celebration with a star-studded lineup featuring Burna Boy and several internationally acclaimed artists.

Nigerian singer FOLA delivered a defining moment in his fast-rising career on Sunday night, selling out indigo at The O2 for his first-ever UK headline show.

The venue, which holds approximately 2,500–3,000 attendees, reached full capacity days before the event, underlining the growing international demand for the 21-year-old artist. Backed by a live band and supported by Genysis Events, the show marked a significant step in FOLA’s transition from emerging act to global contender.

FOLA’s ascent over the past year has been closely tied to the support of Bella Shmurda, who played a key role in amplifying his early reach. Since then, the singer has built momentum through a blend of melodic Afrobeats, introspective songwriting, and a growing catalogue of fan-favorite records.

From the moment doors opened, the crowd’s anticipation was evident. FOLA’s entrance was met with sustained chants, setting the tone for a performance built on high energy and audience connection.

Performances of tracks like “Get Better” and “Caricature” drew loud sing-alongs, with the live band adding depth and texture to his sound. The set maintained momentum throughout, driven by tight transitions and consistent crowd engagement.

The night’s biggest highlights came through a series of guest appearances:

Bella Shmurda: As the artist who first spotted FOLA’s talent, Bella’s appearance felt poetic. He joined FOLA on stage, delivering high-octane verses and hyping the crowd into a frenzy. 

Shoday followed with a mid-set appearance, performing “Paparazzi” and “Nakupenda,” shifting the atmosphere into a full crowd-driven party.
BNXN brought a more emotive tone with their collaboration “Alone,” creating a standout moment defined by synchronized vocals and audience participation.

At just 21, FOLA is proving he belongs among the next generation of Afrobeats global stars. With more UK and Ireland dates on the horizon (Birmingham on April 26, and more to follow).

🚨Fola Brings out Shoday at his Sold Out O2 Indigo Show 🔥 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/rNtw7y5CNk

— HYPETRIBE (@hypetribeng) April 19, 2026

Nigeria Rapper Ladipoe took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out fellow Mavin Records signee Johnny Drille over the length of time since his last album release, sparking a playful exchange that has since drawn over hundreds of reactions from fans on the platform. 

Ladipoe questioned the singer’s extended break from releasing a full-length project, a comment that has reignited conversations around both artists’ album timelines.

In response, Johnny Drille addressed the remark with humor, turning the conversation back toward Ladipoe. He challenged the rapper to a mutual agreement, suggesting that if he releases an album within the year, Ladipoe should also commit to dropping his own project.

Johnny Drille further referenced Ladipoe’s last studio album, Talk About Poe (T.A.P), released in 2018, while Ladipoe’s most recent project, Providence, arrived in 2021. The comparison underscored the extended gaps both artists have maintained between full-length releases despite remaining active through singles, features, and collaborations.

Ladipoe later responded on the platform, maintaining the light tone of the exchange while effectively accepting the challenge. He stated that if Johnny Drille proceeds with an album release this year, he would also follow suit with his own project.

The exchange has since been interpreted by fans as an informal “drop agreement” between the two artists, both of whom remain active through singles, features, and collaborations.

The interaction is widely viewed as friendly banter within the Mavin Records roster rather than any form of rivalry. However, it has intensified speculation around potential album releases from both artists in 2026.

While neither artist has confirmed official release dates, the exchange has renewed anticipation among fans eager for full-length projects after several years of project releases.

A high-profile entertainment and lifestyle event, The Royal Networking Event, is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2026, at Ciela Resort – Bonanza, bringing together a mix of international and African music stars.

According to promotional materials released by organizers, the event will be headlined by Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido, American rapper Rick Ross, Congolese music icon Koffi Olomide, and singer Cindy Le Cœur.

The event is being organized by Bplatinum Events Co. Ltd and is positioned as a premium gathering that combines live music performances with high-level networking opportunities. Gates are expected to open at 3:00 PM, with tickets available through both online and physical channels.

Davido’s appearance comes shortly after his debut performance at the globally recognized Coachella festival, where he delivered a set that further highlighted the growing international reach of Afrobeats. The performance marked another milestone in his global run and adds momentum to his upcoming appearance in Zambia.

Organizers say the event aims to attract a diverse audience, including business professionals, creatives, and entertainment enthusiasts, while offering a luxury experience beyond a traditional concert setting.

The inclusion of Davido highlights the continued global influence of Afrobeats, while Rick Ross’s appearance is set to promote the event’s international reach. Meanwhile, Koffi Olomide and Cindy Le Cœur bring a strong Central African presence, reflecting the event’s pan-African appeal.

While further details regarding additional performances or side activities have not yet been disclosed, the lineup alone has generated significant attention ahead of the event date.

Nigerian global superstar Wizkid has reportedly become the first African artist to surpass 500 million streams on Pandora, extending his dominance on one of the United States’ major streaming platforms.

This new milestone marks a continuation of a steady rise that has seen the Afrobeats icon consistently break records on Pandora over the past few years.

Wizkid first made headlines in 2022 when he crossed the 200 million streams mark, becoming the most streamed African artist on the platform at the time. His momentum continued into 2024, when he officially became the first African act to surpass 400 million streams on Pandora, further solidifying his global appeal and consistency across digital streaming platforms. 

Now, with reaching the 500 million mark, Wizkid appears to have extended that record even further, a rare achievement for any African artist on Pandora, which remains one of the most US-centered streaming platforms.

Pandora is a music streaming and internet radio platform that is mainly popular in the United States. Unlike services where users actively search and play specific songs, Pandora is built around a radio-style experience where you start with a song, artist, or genre, and the platform automatically creates a personalized station that plays similar music.

It works using a recommendation system known as the Music Genome Project, which analyses songs based on their musical characteristics such as rhythm, melody, vocals, and instrumentation. This allows Pandora to continuously suggest tracks that match a listener’s taste without requiring constant input.

Top 10 Most Streamed African Artists on Pandora

1. Wizkid — 500M
2. Rema — 278M
3. Burna Boy — 247M
4. Davido — 238M
5. Tems — 231M
6. Maleek Berry — 212M
7. Tekno — 188M
8. P-Square — 129M
9. Fireboy DML — 114M
10. Mr Eazi — 112M

Source data from The Debut Hub on X