Category: Music

Lagos, Nigeria – 28, March, 2026 – Streamdorm is set to launch Starting Line, a new original interview series dedicated to highlighting emerging actors, musicians, and creators across the entertainment and cultural landscape.

The series is set to premiere on April 1, 2026, and is built to give rising talent a platform to share their stories, inspirations, and the projects shaping their careers. Starting Line will be released weekly, with each episode introducing a new creative voice and perspective.

At its core, Starting Line moves beyond traditional promotional coverage. Each interview is designed to explore the personal journeys behind the work, focusing on the creative process, challenges, defining moments, and ambitions that drive the next generation of artists.

Established creatives are already known and celebrated within the industry, but emerging talents often struggle for visibility. While some may eventually give up on their creative goals and never fully realize their ambitions, others go on to achieve the success they once envisioned thus becoming the celebrated names we recognize today.

With Starting Line, Streamdorm is creating a space where these rising creatives can be seen and heard. Our goal is simple: to document their journeys now, so that years from today, we can look back and see what they’ve become.

The series combines a polished production approach with a conversational interview style, resulting in content that is both professional and authentic. This format allows guests to speak openly, creating a more genuine connection between creatives and audiences.

With the launch of Starting Line, Streamdorm continues to expand its commitment to original content and cultural storytelling, positioning itself as a growing platform for discovering and documenting emerging talent.

New episodes of Starting Line will be released weekly on Streamdorm’s platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Audiomack and Apple Podcast, beginning April 1, 2026.

Season one is hosted by Adekugbe Adedayo (The Immortal Bolt)

About Streamdorm

Streamdorm is a digital media platform focused on entertainment, lifestyle, and culture, delivering original content, editorial features, and storytelling that highlights both established and emerging voices.

The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards brought together the biggest names in music for a night of celebration, recognition, and unforgettable performances. Hosted at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the event honored artists across multiple genres from pop and hip-hop to R&B, country, and international music. 

This year’s ceremony was marked by standout victories from Taylor Swift, who dominated in multiple categories, as well as Alex Warren and HUNTR/X. 

Below is the full list of nominees and winners from the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Song of the Year

Anxiety — Doechii

Good News — Shaboozey

Love Somebody — Morgan Wallen

luther — Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Manchild — Sabrina Carpenter

MUTT — Leon Thomas

Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else — Benson Boone

Stargazing — Myles Smith

The Fate of Ophelia — Taylor Swift

Ordinary — Alex Warren (Winner)

Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny

Benson Boone

Chris Brown

Jelly Roll

Kendrick Lamar

Lady Gaga

Morgan Wallen

Sabrina Carpenter

Tate McRae

Taylor Swift (Winner)

Pop Artist of the Year

Alex Warren

Benson Boone

Tate McRae

Sabrina Carpenter (Winner)

Taylor Swift

Pop Song of the Year

Golden — HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami

Manchild — Sabrina Carpenter

Ordinary — Alex Warren

Pink Pony Club — Chappell Roan

The Fate of Ophelia — Taylor Swift (Winner)

Best New Artist (Pop)

Jessie Murph

Myles Smith

Ravyn Lenae

sombr

Alex Warren (Winner)

Duo/Group of the Year

Linkin Park

Maroon 5

Shinedown

Twenty One Pilots

HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami (Winner)

Best Collaboration

All The Way — BigXthaPlug ft. Bailey Zimmerman

luther — Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Timeless — The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti

WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME — GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red

APT. — ROSÉ & Bruno Mars (Winner)

Country Song of the Year

After All The Bars Are Closed — Thomas Rhett

Liar — Jelly Roll

Love Somebody — Morgan Wallen

Whiskey Drink — Jason Aldean

Good News — Shaboozey (Winner)

Country Artist of the Year

Jason Aldean

Jelly Roll

Lainey Wilson

Luke Combs

Morgan Wallen (Winner)

Country Best New Artist

Chase Matthew

Hudson Westbrook

Josh Ross

Zach Top

Ella Langley (Winner)

Hip-Hop Song of the Year

NOKIA — Drake

Outside — Cardi B

The Largest — BigXthaPlug

WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME — GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red

luther — Kendrick Lamar & SZA (Winner)

Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

Cardi B

GloRilla

Kendrick Lamar (Winner)

R&B Artist of the Year

SZA

Leon Thomas

Chris Brown (Winner)

World Artist of the Year

MOLIY (Winner)

Special Honors & Awards

Breakthrough Award: Alex Warren
Innovator Award: Miley Cyrus
Icon Award: John Mellencamp
Landmark Award: Ludacris

The MOBO Awards 2026 took place on March 26, 2026, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, marking a 30th anniversary for one of the most influential celebrations of Black music and culture.

The night was dominated by Olivia Dean, who emerged as the biggest winner, securing three of the most important awards (Best Female Act, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year). 

Alongside the night’s biggest wins, Wizkid reached a historic milestone, becoming the most awarded African artist in MOBO Awards history with seven wins, following his victory in the Best African Music Act category.

Other major winners included Central Cee, RAYE, and FLO, highlighting a strong showing for UK talent across multiple categories. 

See Full Winners and Nominees List

Major Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Male Act

Central Cee
Dave
Fireboy DML
Headie One
Jim Legxacy (Winner)

Best Female Act

Ayra Starr
FLO
Jorja Smith
Justine Skye
Olivia Dean (Winner)

Album of the Year

Back to the World – Dave
CLB – Central Cee
Frames – FLO
The Art of Loving – Olivia Dean (Winner)
Voyager – Wizkid

Song of the Year

Baby Steps – Ayra Starr
Come Closer – Wizkid ft. Drake
Energy – FLO
Man I Need – Olivia Dean (Winner)
Sunset – Fireboy DML

Best Newcomer

Aylø
Ayra Starr
BackRoad Gee
DC3
Maceo
DC3 (Winner)

Video of the Year

Ain’t Safe – Ayra Starr
Come Closer – Wizkid ft. Drake
Energy – FLO
Man I Need – Olivia Dean
Where Is My Husband! – RAYE (Winner)

Genre Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Hip‑Hop Act

Central Cee (Winner)
Dave
Headie One
Knucks
Unknown T

Best R&B / Soul Act

Ayra Starr
FLO (Winner)
Jorja Smith
Tems
Victoria Monét

Best Jazz Act

Alfa Mist
Ezra Collective (Winner)
Nubya Garcia
Sons of Kemet
Theon Cross

Best Gospel Act

DC3 ((Winner)
Guvna B
Joel Amadi
Limoblaze
Preye Odede

Best Alternative Music Act

Black Midi
EVERGIB
Georgia
Nova Twins (Winner)
Smerz

Best Grime Act

AJ Tracey
Chip (Winner)
Frisco
Wiley
Yungen

Best Drill Act

Headie One
Kay Flock
M1llionz
Unknown T
Twin S (Winner) 

Best Electronic Act

Bicep
Fred Again..
Jamie xx
Peggy Gou
Sherelle (Winner) 

Regional & International Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best International Act

Cardi B
Gunna
Kehlani
Lizzo
Ayra Starr (Winner)

Best African Music Act

Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
Rema
Wizkid (Winner)

https://twitter.com/streamdorm/status/2037304550298653069?s=46

Best Caribbean Music Act

Beenie Man
Buju Banton
Shenseea
Spice
Vybz Kartel (Winner)

Media & Performance Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Media Personality

Big Zuu
Charlamagne Tha God
Niko Omilana (Winner)
Sidemen
Tiffany Calver

Best Performance in a TV Show / Film

Damson Idris
Lashana Lynch
Letitia Wright
Tosin Cole
Stephen Graham (Winner)

Technical & Honour Categories – Nominees & Winners

Best Producer

P2J (Winner)
Sarz
Teniola Apata
Jimmy Napes
Don Jazzy

MOBO Lifetime Achievement Award- Slick Rick

MOBO Global Songwriter Award- Pharrell Williams

The release of Káshìmaawòó by Laycon, hasn’t felt like just another drop from the Nigerian Singer and Rapper. It felt more intentional.

After years of navigating fame and artistic identity since his breakout moment, this project comes across as something deeper. 

Laycon first gained national recognition after winning Big Brother Naija Season 5 in 2020.

Entering the show as a relatively unknown rapper, he quickly stood out for his intelligence, relatability, and background. His strong connection with viewers earned him a decisive victory, securing 60% of the final votes and the ₦85 million grand prize.

Following his win, he built on that visibility with projects like Shall We Begin and Bioba, establishing himself as a recording artist with a consistent, message-driven approach.

Káshìmaawòó is a 10-track project that blends hip-hop with Afro-fusion elements, maintaining a steady, mid-tempo sound across its runtime.

Lyrically, the project centers on themes of personal growth, self-awareness, relationships, and everyday experiences. Tracks like “Acceptance” and “Full Circle” lean into introspection, while “Everyday Anthem” and “Oyoyo” introduce lighter, more rhythmic moments.

Official Káshìmaawòó Tracklist

Prelude
Reason (feat. Tytanium)
Oyoyo (feat. Mayolee)
Night and Day (feat. Joeboy & Tytanium)
Full Circle (feat. Tytanium)
Like Father, Like Son (feat. Mayolee)
His and Hers (feat. Fimi)
Acceptance
Everyday Anthem
Àṣẹ (feat. Mayolee)

Káshìmaawòó brings together a mix of vocal features and production contributions that shape the project’s overall sound.

Joeboy appears on “Night and Day,” adding his signature melodic style. Known for his blend of Afropop and R&B, his contribution introduces a smoother, more accessible layer to the project.

Tytanium plays a key role behind the scenes, producing multiple tracks including “Reason,” “Night and Day,” and “Full Circle.” His recurring presence helps maintain sonic consistency across the project.

Mayolee contributes both as a featured artist and producer, working on tracks such as “Oyoyo,” “Like Father, Like Son,” and “Àṣẹ,” where he adds melodic and production depth.

Fimi appears on “His and Hers,” contributing to one of the project’s collaborative moments and representing a newer voice within the lineup.

The project maintains a clear structure, with concise tracks and a steady progression from start to finish.

Within the Nigerian music landscape, where sonic experimentation and global crossover sounds are increasingly dominant, Káshìmaawòó takes a more restrained approach.

The project leans into narrative and expression, aligning with a style of artistry that emphasizes storytelling alongside sound.

Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has reached a new career milestone, surpassing 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify and becoming the most-streamed African artist on the platform at the time of reporting.

As of March 25, 2026, Tems holds approximately 40,161,541 monthly listeners, placing her at #112 globally. The figure marks the first time she has crossed the 40 million threshold, solidifying her position at the forefront of Africa’s global music expansion.

Tems’ rise to the top has been gradual but intentional. Earlier in 2026, she was already closing in on the lead, overtaking Tyla who previously held the top spot among African artists with fluctuating numbers between the high 30 and low 40 million range.

By mid-March, Tems had begun consistently leading daily listener charts among African acts, often outperforming established names like Wizkid and Burna Boy in daily streaming figures.

Her catalog has now crossed an estimated 5 billion total streams on Spotify, driven by a mix of solo records and global collaborations that continue to expand her reach.

Tems first gained international attention with “Essence”, her collaboration with Wizkid, later amplified by a remix featuring Justin Bieber. The track became a cultural breakthrough moment for Afrobeats, introducing the genre to a wider global audience and eventually surpassing 1.5 billion streams.

Since then, she has maintained momentum through high-profile collaborations, including “WAIT FOR U” with Future and Drake and her most recent “Raindance” with Dave, as well as solo releases that highlight her signature blend of R&B, soul, and Afrobeats.

Tems’ latest numbers places her ahead of Africa’s biggest streaming heavyweights, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, and rising stars like Rema and Asake.

While these artists maintain massive global footprints with billions of cumulative streams and consistent chart presence, Tems’ current monthly listener count sets her apart as the continent’s leading artist on Spotify, at least for now.

It is worth noting that Spotify monthly listeners are highly dynamic and can shift based on new releases, viral moments, and playlist exposure. Still, crossing the 40 million mark represents a significant benchmark in global streaming.

Harry Styles continues his lead run on the charts as his latest album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally., secures a second consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Released on March 6, 2026, the project moved 99,000 equivalent album units in its second week, maintaining the top position after a massive opening performance.

The album launched with over 400,000 units in its first week, marking one of the biggest debuts of 2026. The follow-up total of 99K represents a typical second-week drop for a major release but remains strong enough to still hold the lead. 

With this achievement, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. becomes Harry Styles’ fourth consecutive No. 1 album in the United States. This consistency places him among a select group of artists who have maintained a flawless streak at the top of the Billboard 200 in recent years.

Harry Styles is an English singer, songwriter, and actor who first rose to global fame as a member of the boy band One Direction. Following the group’s breakout, he launched a solo career that has been defined by artistic evolution and commercial success.

His previous albums including Harry Styles (2017), Fine Line (2019), and Harry’s House (2022), have all debuted at No. 1 in multiple countries, producing global hits and earning critical acclaim. Known for blending pop, rock, and retro influences, Harry Styles has established himself as one of the most influential artists of his generation.

Mainland BlockParty has announced its first ever all-female festival edition, Her Future Festival, set to take place on March 27, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Her Future Festival represents a structural shift in how festivals are curated and held in Nigeria placing women at the centre not only as performers, but as organizers, creators, and economic drivers.

At the heart of the festival is a strong and diverse lineup of female artists, headlined by:

Niniola
Fave
M.I.A.

The extended lineup includes:

GoodGirl LA
Smur Lee
Fimi with the Flow
Wanni x Handi

What sets Her Future Festival apart is its commitment to going beyond surface-level inclusion.

According to organisers, the event is designed as a fully female-powered ecosystem, including:

An all-female DJ lineup
Women-led vendor and marketplace spaces
Female creatives and professionals driving production and operations.

In an industry where women often dominate cultural influence but remain underrepresented in decision-making roles, this move signals a deliberate effort to rebalance opportunity.

Since its inception, Mainland BlockParty has evolved into one of the most influential youth-driven event platforms in Lagos.

Known for its energetic fusion of music, fashion, and street culture, the platform has consistently attracted large audiences and top-tier talent. Rather than treating gender inclusion as an add-on, the organisers are embedding it into the core structure of the event.

Even more significant is the announcement that this will become a permanent Women’s Month edition, returning every March. This signals a long-term commitment rather than a one-off statement.

If executed at scale, it could mark the beginning of a new era where inclusion is not a theme, but a standard.

And in a city like Lagos, where culture moves fast and influence travels even faster, that kind of shift rarely goes unnoticed.

Reports gathered from online source and credit The Cables. 

Fireboy DML has reached another career defining milestone, as his third studio album Playboy officially surpasses 1 billion streams on Spotify.

Released in 2022, Playboy represented a shift, a more assured, internationally aware version of Fireboy, without losing the melodic identity that first set him apart. It was an album built on intention.

Standout tracks like “Bandana” featuring Asake and the global hit “Peru” boosted further by its remix with Ed Sheeran, played a central role in the album’s worldwide reach. But beyond the hits, Playboy has thrived on consistency, with multiple tracks contributing to its steady rise in streams.

Now, it joins one of the most exclusive benchmarks in Nigerian music today.

Nigerian Projects With Over 1 Billion Spotify Streams

The billion-stream mark has increasingly become a measure of global impact for Nigerian artists. With Playboy crossing that threshold, it now sits alongside some of the most successful Afrobeats projects of the streaming era:

Rave & Roses (Ultra) — 3.26B (Rema)
Love, Damini — 1.59B (Burna Boy)
The Year I Turned 21 — 1.3B (Ayra Starr)
Boy Alone (Deluxe) — 1.3B (Omah Lay)
African Giant — 1.24B (Burna Boy)
Made in Lagos (Deluxe) — 1.16B (Wizkid)
CKay The First (EP) — 1.04B (CKay)

Omah Lay’s Boy Alone (Deluxe) Surpasses 1.3 Billion Streams on Spotify (Ranked 4th)

Unlike projects driven purely by viral moments, Playboy success has been gradual and sustained. More broadly, the growing number of Nigerian projects hitting this mark underscores a larger shift which is becoming a norm in the Nigerian music industry. 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Omah Lay has reached a major streaming benchmark as his album Boy Alone (Deluxe) surpasses 1.3 billion streams on Spotify, becoming the fourth Nigerian album to cross the mark on the platform.

The project, which is the expanded edition of his 2022 debut album Boy Alone, continues to perform strongly nearly two years after the deluxe version was released.

With the milestone, Boy Alone (Deluxe) joins a select group of Nigerian albums that have crossed one billion streams on Spotify, alongside projects by some of the genre’s biggest stars.

These include Rave & Roses by Rema and two albums by Burna Boy – Love, Damini and African Giant. The achievement positions Omah Lay among the leading Nigerian artists shaping the streaming era of Afrobeats.

Originally released in July 2022, Boy Alone marked Omah Lay’s first full-length studio album after gaining international attention with earlier projects like Get Layd and What Have We Done. The album explored themes of loneliness, fame, mental health, and relationships.

In June 2023, the deluxe edition expanded the project with additional songs, helping to extend the album’s life on streaming platforms and introduce it to new listeners.

Several songs from the album became standout hits, including “Soso,” “Understand,” and “Attention,” the latter featuring global pop star Justin Bieber. These tracks played a significant role in driving the album’s long-term streaming performance.

In recent years, Afrobeats albums have consistently crossed major streaming milestones, reflecting the genre’s widening international audience and its dominance in global music charts and playlists.

Top African music podcast Afrobeats Intelligence has returned for its fifth season, bringing a fresh lineup of conversations with some of the most important voices shaping the Afrobeats industry today.

Hosted by Nigerian music journalist and critic Joey Akan, the new season features interviews with artists and industry figures including Shallipopi, Wale, Sarz, Ladipoe, Kcee, Joshua Baraka, BOJ, Dr. Sid, Magixx, Wale Davies (Tec of Show Dem Camp), Winny, Aniko, Alhaji Popping, and Jyde Ajala, among others.

Season Five is presented by OkayAfrica and officially sponsored by Martell.

Since its launch, Afrobeats Intelligence has become known for its in-depth conversations about the people, structures, and realities behind Africa’s rapidly growing music industry. The podcast often explores the politics of music, the business side of the industry, and the personal journeys of artists and executives navigating global success.

Speaking about the new season, Joey Akan said the upcoming episodes will expand the scope of the discussions. 

According to him, the previous season featured conversations with key artists, executives, and cultural figures explaining how the Afrobeats ecosystem works. Season Five, he said, will go further by offering deeper insights into the people shaping African music’s future and global impact.

The podcast continues its collaboration with OkayAfrica, which first partnered with the show during its fourth season. 

Isha Sesay, CEO of Areya Media, the parent company of OkayAfrica has said the organization is proud to continue supporting the platform and its storytelling around African music and culture.

Season Five of Afrobeats Intelligence is currently streaming on YouTube and across major podcast platforms.