Tag: Afrobeat

After five years away from her last album release, Tiwa Savage returns with This One Is Personal; a 15-track body of work that pulls her away from Afropop dominance into a stripped-down, deeply vulnerable space. Where 2020’s Celia was bold, global, and radio-ready, This One Is Personal feels like the diary entries Tiwa never intended to share but bravely did anyway.

Sound & Atmosphere

The first thing you notice is what’s missing: the high-energy beats that once powered hits like “All Over” or “Ma Lo.” Instead, the production here is minimal, at times skeletal—pianos, soft percussion, and spacious R&B backdrops.

This shift is deliberate. On “I’m Done,” the piano feels like a stage light focused solely on her voice. “You4Me” reworks Tamia’s So Into You into a breezy Afrobeats-R&B hybrid. “On the Low” carries a smoky sensuality, its Afro-groove subdued to make room for Skepta’s rap.

It’s intimate, yes but also risky. The quieter sound creates room for her voice to shine, but it also strips away some of the dynamism that made her previous projects more versatile. For some listeners, the pacing may drag after a few tracks, as the emotional weight leans heavily toward sorrow and reflection.

Themes & Storytelling

Tiwa promised vulnerability, and she delivers. The lyrics carry raw honesty, often exposing cracks instead of polishing them over.

• Toxic Love: “Angel Dust” paints love as an addiction, seductive but destructive.
• Heartbreak & Bitterness: “You’re Not the First (You’re Just the Worst)” might be her bluntest song yet, sharp, even petty, but undeniably human.
• Faith & Spirituality: On “Change,” featuring James Fauntleroy, romantic yearning blurs into a conversation with God—a rare pivot that elevates the record’s depth.
• Emotional Fatigue: “Pray No More” feels like a sigh of exhaustion, a prayer from someone tired of constant battles.

The narrative arc is heavy: heartbreak, disillusionment, attempts at healing. It’s moving but narrow. One missing element is contrast; there are few bright or hopeful moments to balance the melancholy.

Collaborations That Complement

One of the album’s smartest choices is restraint with features. Skepta’s appearance on “On the Low” feels organic, adding grit without stealing attention. Rising star Taves fits seamlessly into “Addicted.” James Fauntleroy on “Change” provides the record’s spiritual climax.

In an era of feature-stuffed albums, this discipline gives This One Is Personal cohesion. Every guest feels like part of the story, not a marketing checklist.

What Works

• Honesty: This is Tiwa at her most unguarded. She doesn’t hide behind pop gloss.
• Cohesion: The album feels like one body of work, not a random playlist.
• Intentional Features: Skepta, Taves, and Fauntleroy serve the music, not the hype.

What Doesn’t

• Pacing: The mid-tempo mood rarely shifts, making some tracks blur together.
• Limited Emotional Range: Almost all songs sit in heartbreak and reflection. A moment of joy or defiance would have added balance.
• Commercial Appeal: Fans wanting another “Koroba” will find little to dance to here.

This One Is Personal is not a flawless album, but it’s a brave one. Tiwa Savage steps away from her comfort zone, risking commercial momentum to reveal her humanity. The result is a project that may not dominate charts but will resonate with those who crave authenticity in music.

It’s a record for headphones, quiet car rides, and solitary nights—not for the club. And maybe that’s the point.

Rating: 8/10

Billboard has officially released its list of the 50 greatest Afrobeats songs of all time, highlighting some of the most iconic and groundbreaking tracks that have shaped the genre. Afrobeats, which has its roots in Nigeria and Ghana, has now become a global sound influencing artists worldwide. The list features a mix of legendary classics and recent international smashes that propelled the genre beyond Africa.

Spotlight on the Top 10 Afrobeats Songs of All Time

1. African Queen – 2Face Idibia (2004)
This timeless love ballad remains one of the most iconic songs in African music. 2Face’s “African Queen” put Nigerian music on the global map and is celebrated as a masterpiece that helped pave the way for Afrobeats’ worldwide success.

2. Ojuelegba – Wizkid (2014)
Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” tells the story of struggle and triumph, capturing the spirit of Lagos. The remix featuring Drake and Skepta further expanded its global reach, solidifying Wizkid as one of the biggest Afrobeats stars.

3. Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) – Flavour (2005)
Flavour’s highlife-infused anthem became a cultural staple, known for its infectious rhythm and relatable lyrics. It cemented Flavour’s place as a household name in African music.

4. Calm Down – Rema (2022)
Rema’s “Calm Down” took the world by storm, especially with the Selena Gomez remix. It became one of the most streamed Afrobeats songs globally, highlighting the new wave of Nigerian artists pushing Afrobeats into the mainstream.

5. Essence – Wizkid ft. Tems (2021)
Dubbed the “song of the summer,” “Essence” is the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Tems’ soulful delivery and Wizkid’s smooth style created a masterpiece that captured hearts worldwide.

6. Love Nwantiti – CKay (2019)Initially a slow-burn hit, “Love Nwantiti” exploded through TikTok, becoming one of the most remixed and viral Afrobeats songs of all time. It solidified CKay’s place in the global music scene.

7. Oliver Twist – D’banj (2012)
A song that marked Afrobeats’ breakthrough into the UK charts, D’banj’s “Oliver Twist” was a game-changer. It proved Afrobeats could thrive on the international stage.

8. Fall – Davido (2017)
“Fall” became one of the longest-charting Nigerian pop songs on Billboard. Its fusion of Afrobeats and international pop influences helped Davido gain worldwide recognition.

9. Ye – Burna Boy (2018)
“Ye” is widely regarded as Burna Boy’s breakthrough international hit. With its catchy hook and relatable themes, it became an anthem that transcended borders and genres.

10. Chop My Money (Remix) – P-Square ft. Akon (2012)
This collaboration between Nigerian duo P-Square and Akon showcased Afrobeats’ crossover appeal. The track gained massive popularity and became a fan favorite across Africa and beyond.

Full Ranking: Positions 11–50 (with Release Dates)

11	Olufunmi	Styl-Plus	2003
12	Gongo Aso	9ice	2008
13	Do Me	P-Square	2007
14	Dami Duro	Davido	2011
15	Johnny	Yemi Alade	2013
16	Fall in Love	D’banj	2008
17	Bumper to Bumper	Wande Coal	2008
18	Adonai	Sarkodie ft. Castro	2014
19	Azonto	Fuse ODG ft. Itz Tiffany	2012
20	Fada Fada	Phyno ft. Olamide	2016
21	Eminado	Tiwa Savage & Don Jazzy	2013
22	Last Last	Burna Boy	2022
23	Bobo	Olamide	2015
24	Drogba (Joanna)	Afro B	2018
25	Pakurumo	Wizkid	2011
26	Skin Tight	Mr Eazi ft. Efya	2015
27	Iskaba	Wande Coal & DJ Tunez	2016
28	Peru	Fireboy DML	2021
29	Sad Girlz Luv Money	Amaarae & Moliy	2020
30	Killin Dem	Burna Boy & Zlatan	2018
31	Rush	Ayra Starr	2022
32	Dorobucci	Mavins	2014
33	Mad Over You	Runtown	2016
34	Personally	P-Square	2013
35	Pana	Tekno	2016
36	Kontrol	Maleek Berry	2016
37	Ku Lo Sa	Oxlade	2022
38	Monalisa	Lojay & Sarz	2021
39	Shake Body	Skales	2014
40	UNAVAILABLE	Davido ft. Musa Keys	2023
41	Peace Be Unto You	Asake	2022
42	People	Libianca	2022
43	Buga	Kizz Daniel & Tekno	2022
44	Oleku	Ice Prince ft. Brymo	2010
45	Yahooze	Olu Maintain	2007
46	Soweto	Victony & Tempoe	2022
47	Raise Da Roof	Jazzman Olofin & Adewale Ayuba	2004
48	Dem Mama	Timaya	2005
49	Tonight	Nonso Amadi	2016
50	Ijoya	Weird MC

Billboard’s list of the 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time is more than a ranking—it’s a history of Afrobeats itself. From 2Face Idibia’s classic African Queen to Rema’s global smash Calm Down, it captures how a genre rooted in African rhythms has become a universal language.

The diversity of the list, spanning pioneers like Weird MC and contemporary stars like Ayra Starr and Asake, proves that Afrobeats is not only here to stay but also destined to keep evolving as one of the world’s dominant genres.

Personally I will make some few changes to this List. Will you? Drop a comment

Naira Marley, Nigerian music executive and head of Marlian Music, has spoken extensively about the death of his former signee, Mohbad (Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba), in a new video interview released on August 20, 2025. The Afrobeats star maintained his innocence while calling for a reinvestigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s passing, which remains one of the most controversial cases in Nigeria’s music industry.

Maintaining Innocence and Presenting Evidence

In the interview, Naira Marley insisted he had no hand in Mohbad’s death, which occurred on September 12, 2023. He presented evidence, including WhatsApp conversations, bank transactions, and other receipts, to show that he had a supportive relationship with Mohbad. Marley stated that he not only gave financial assistance to the late artist but also intervened to protect him on several occasions.

He addressed longstanding accusations of bullying, which have lingered since Mohbad’s exit from Marlian Music in 2022. While acknowledging tensions within the camp, Marley denied personally bullying Mohbad, adding that he often advised him against drug use and stressed the impact of mental health struggles on the young artist’s wellbeing.

Frustration Over Detention

The Marlian Music boss also recounted his two-month detention in 2023 by the Lagos State Police Command. He described the ordeal as unfair, pointing out that he was out of the country at the time of Mohbad’s death. According to Marley, his arrest was more about public outrage than solid evidence, and he expressed dismay that his passport was seized for months even after no case was established against him.

A Call for Re-arrest and Fresh Probe

In a move that has stirred further debate, Marley urged authorities to reopen the case and re-arrest everyone linked to Mohbad’s death, including himself, Sam Larry, and others previously accused. He specifically called for a trusted police officer to oversee the reinvestigation, citing mistrust in how the initial process was handled.

“I came back to Nigeria to support the police because I can see fingers pointing our ways. If they believe there is still doubt, then re-arrest us and let justice be done,” Marley said in the video.

Clarifying Financial Allegations

Marley also addressed rumors of financial exploitation. He explained that some of the funds he sent to Mohbad went into an account belonging to Mohbad’s mother-in-law at Mohbad’s own request, countering narratives that he diverted money for personal gain.

Additionally, he revealed that he has reached an agreement with Mohbad’s lawyer to transfer all royalties from the late artist’s works to a family member legally appointed by the court to manage his estate.

Public Reaction

The interview has sparked divided opinions online, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Some users see Marley’s evidence as proof of his innocence and a demonstration of transparency. Others remain unconvinced, arguing that even if Marley was not directly responsible for Mohbad’s death, allegations of intimidation and a toxic label culture remain unresolved.

No matter what you do, no allow them kill you.

— MBAH (@Mbahdeyforyou) August 20, 2025

Legal and Investigative Background

In February 2025, a Yaba Magistrate Court cleared Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and Prime Boy of direct responsibility in Mohbad’s death. The court instead charged an auxiliary nurse and an associate with reckless negligence. However, Mohbad’s father has since challenged the legal advice that discharged Marley and others, and a fresh hearing is still pending.

The autopsy conducted on Mohbad’s body provided inconclusive results due to decomposition, leaving the exact cause of death uncertain.

Two years after Mohbad’s death, the case continues to raise broader questions about accountability in the Nigerian music industry, particularly regarding artist welfare and record label dynamics. Marley’s latest remarks represent not just a personal defense but a renewed push for transparency in a case that has gripped public attention and continues to stir debate.