Afrobeats superstar Davido has been confirmed as one of the headline performers for Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes 2026, set to take place at the Paris La Défense Arena in France.
The charity concert, widely regarded as one of France’s most prestigious annual music events, will see Davido share the stage with global stars including A$AP Rocky, Future, Christina Aguilera, G-Dragon, Stray Kids, Gims, Bob Sinclar, Mika, and Charlotte Cardin, among others.
Official promotional material for the event lists Davido prominently in the lineup, further cementing his growing presence on major international stages. The concert brings together artists across pop, hip-hop, Afrobeats, K-pop, electronic, and classical music, accompanied by the Orchestre Lamoureux, conducted by Adrien Perruchon.
Le Gala des Pièces Jaunes is organized in support of the Fondation des Hôpitaux, raising funds to improve the living conditions of hospitalized children and teenagers across France. The event is known for blending entertainment with philanthropy, attracting a global audience each year.
The 2026 edition will be broadcast on France.tv on Friday, January 30, allowing viewers worldwide to experience the landmark concert.
Davido’s inclusion marks another significant milestone for Afrobeats on the global stage, highlighting the genre’s continued expansion into major European cultural events.
Nigerian superstars Wizkid and Asake officially kick off their first joint project with the release of “Jogodo”, the lead single from their upcoming EP titled REAL (Vol. 1). Set to drop on January 23, 2026, this collaboration marks a historic moment in the Nigerian music scene, bringing together two of the country’s most influential artists.
The announcement has sparked excitement across social media, with fans praising the chemistry between Wizkid’s smooth Afropop sound and Asake’s energetic street‑influenced rhythms.
“Jogodo” is the first taste of what listeners can expect from the joint EP. The track blends Asake’s rhythmic, chant-heavy style with Wizkid’s signature smooth vocals, creating a unique sound that is both catchy and culturally resonant.
The song has already started trending on streaming platforms, currently ranking at No. 7 Apple Music NG proving that fans are eager for more from the duo.
It’s a high-energy track that perfectly captures the strengths of both artists, giving a glimpse into the direction of REAL (Vol. 1)
About the EP: REAL (Vol. 1)
The full EP, REAL (Vol. 1), will feature multiple tracks highlighting the duo’s distinct musical styles. The project is expected to combine street-inspired Afrobeat grooves with global pop elements, appealing to both Nigerian and international audiences.
This marks the first full-length collaborative EP between Wizkid and Asake, building on previous successful features like Asake on Wizkid’s Morayo album (“Bad Girl”) and Wizkid on Asake’s 2024 hit “MMS.” These past collaborations set the stage for a deeper and more cohesive project.
Wizkid has been a global Afrobeats ambassador for over a decade, known for hits like Essence, Ojuelegba, and his latest Morayo album. His collaborations with international artists have helped bring Nigerian music to a worldwide audience.
Asake, on the other hand, has quickly risen to become one of Nigeria’s most exciting acts, known for his energetic delivery and street-to-mainstream appeal. With hits like Omo Ope and MMS, Asake has solidified his position as a rising star with a unique sound that complements Wizkid’s style.
Fan Reactions
The release of “Jogodo” has already dominated Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram, with fans sharing clips, reactions, and remixes. Some have even called it the “collaboration of the year”, highlighting the seamless synergy between the two artists.
With the EP’s release just days away, fans can expect more chart-topping singles and innovative Afrobeats sounds. “Jogodo” sets the tone for an exciting project that merges global pop sensibilities with Nigerian street energy.
Nigeria’s music scene isn’t just booming; it’s thriving with homegrown loyalty. A recent industry report confirmed what many in the industry already suspected: Nigerian listeners stream local music more than any other country in the Middle East and Africa. According to Luminate’s 2025 mid-year music consumption data, an incredible 61.3 % of all on-demand streams in Nigeria go to Nigerian artists, the highest local share in the entire region.
That 61 % figure isn’t just a statistic, it’s a reflection of how deeply fans in Nigeria engage with their own music. From Afrobeats and Street Pop to Alte, Fuji, and Amapiano-influenced sounds, Nigerian listeners are choosing local artists over international stars at an extraordinary rate.
This level of local support is rare in global markets and it speaks to the emotional connection between Nigerian artists and their audiences. Whether it’s Burna Boy commanding stadiums around the world, or emerging stars like Odumodublvck and Ayra Starr dominating playlists, the music resonates with listeners at home in a way few other countries can match.
This isn’t limited to audio streaming. On platforms like Spotify, Nigerian users are creating millions of local playlists, a sign that listeners aren’t just passive consumers; they’re building the culture around Nigerian music.
Despite this massive streaming support, financial returns remain a challenge. Industry analysts point out that even millions of streams in Nigeria generate relatively modest payouts compared to global markets.
This highlights a broader issue in Africa’s music economy: popularity doesn’t always equal profit. Many Nigerian artists still face hurdles when it comes to converting streaming success into sustainable earnings at home.
While local support is huge, Nigerian music also continues to make waves internationally. Artists like Rema, Wizkid, Tems, Burna Boy, and Ayra Starr regularly feature on global charts and playlists proving that the world is listening, too.
Nigeria’s streaming landscape shows a powerful truth: local music loyalty can become a pillar of cultural and economic growth. When fans support artists consistently, it fuels creativity, strengthens industry infrastructure, and encourages more talent to emerge.
This article is part of our weekly #OpinionPiece series. Today, we deviate slightly from our schedule to celebrate the birthday of a modern legend, Asake.
Introduction
This is a special edition of our series! Today, January 13, 2026, marks the 31st birthday of the man who redefined the speed of success in the Nigerian music industry: Asake (Ahmed Ololade).
To celebrate “Mr. Money,” we are diving into his journey from the “Lungu” streets of Lagos to the global arenas and looking at the pivotal moves he has made in just the last few months.
Today, the 13th of January 2026, the “Lungu Boy” himself turns 31. Just four years ago, many of us were just learning his name through “Omo Ope.” Today, it is impossible to discuss the global lifestyle of Afrobeats without mentioning his name.
In my opinion, Asake is not just a musician; he is a cultural movement. While 2022 and 2023 were about his “lightning fast” rise, I believe 2025 and the start of 2026 have shown us a more mature, independent, and grounded version of the artist.
The Career Highlights
Asake’s career trajectory is, factually, one of the most successful in African history. He achieved what few thought possible; three consecutive #1 albums in Nigeria.
From Mr. Money with the Vibe (2022) to Work of Art (2023) and finally Lungu Boy (2024), which became the longest-running #1 album in Nigerian chart history.
In 2024 and 2025, he successfully headlined the world’s most iconic stages, including Madison Square Garden and the O2 Arena, proving that his “Street-Pop” sound had no borders.
Beyond winning the Best African Act at the 2024 MOBO Awards, his 2025 Grammy nomination for “MMS” (with Wizkid) solidified his status as an elite global collaborator.
The Birth of Giran Republic
Choosing independence is one of the most significant lifestyle and business moves Asake made as he departed from YBNL Nation in early 2025.
In February 2025, Asake officially launched his independent label, Giran Republic. This marked his transition from being a “star under Olamide” to becoming a CEO and mogul in his own right.
Opinion Piece: I see this as a bold lifestyle statement. In an industry where artists often fear leaving the nest of a major label, Asake chose the “Giran” path. It showed his fans that true success is about eventually owning your platform.
The 2026 Milestone: Family and Reconciliation
Few weeks ago before his 31st birthday, Asake made headlines for something more personal than music: healing his home.
Following public accusations in 2025 regarding neglect of his family, January 9–10, 2026, saw a major turnaround. Asake publicly reunited and reconciled with his father (Fatai Odunsi), his daughter, and his baby mama. He reportedly pledged to finance his father’s medical bills and purchase a new home for him. He also paid a visit to his Alma mater where he was welcomed by students and authorities of the school.
Opinion Piece: I believe this is his most important “win” yet. At 31, Asake is showing that being “Mr. Money” is empty if your foundation isn’t solid. This reconciliation shows a man maturing beyond the fast-paced fame of his 20s.
The Fashion Oracle: Defining the Gen Z Look
Asake’s lifestyle influence on Gen Z fashion remains unparalleled.
From his Paris Fashion Week appearances (showcasing Marine Serre and Off-White) to his signature baggy trousers and eclectic grills, he has made “quirky-cool” the standard.
Opinion Piece: He taught a generation that you don’t have to look like a traditional “gentleman” to be taken seriously in global luxury and it’s also okay to try out different styles until you probably understand what works best for you.
Even though I can’t really say if this current look of his would be his last change, we can all agree his styles are interesting. His fashion is a mix of Lagos “Lungu” (slum/street) energy and high-end couture. It’s an “unbothered” lifestyle that resonates with millions.
Starting 2026 on a High: The Goldrush Dome
Asake didn’t wait long to dominate 2026. Just ten days ago, on January 3, 2026, he shut down the 10,000-capacity Goldrush Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa.
His album, Mr. Money with the Vibe, has also surpassed 800 million streams on Spotify, entering the top 10 Nigerian projects on the platform.
This was his first-ever headline show in South Africa, a market that has deeply influenced his sound (through Amapiano).
Opinion Piece: By starting the year this way, he is signaling that 2026 will be another year where we will have more of Asake because his impact is just beginning.
As we celebrate Asake today, we aren’t just celebrating hit songs like “Lonely at the Top” or “Mentally.” We are celebrating the evolution of a man.
From the theatre student at OAU to the CEO of Giran Republic, Asake’s 31st birthday represents a transition from “The Next Big Thing” to a stable, independent, and family-oriented icon.
Happy Birthday, Ololade Mr. Money. The world is still watching.
Who should be our next feature for the #OpinionPiece series? Drop your comment below!
Publisher’s Note: This article is part of our weekly #OpinionPiece series exploring the intersection of Afrobeats and Lifestyle. The views expressed are solely those of the series editor and are based on the artist’s factual public brand, partnerships and cultural impact in the year published (2025).
Introduction: A Different Kind of Empire
While the Nigerian entertainment industry often rewards spectacle and volume, Tems has built an empire on the exact opposite: substance, selective presence, and unwavering creative integrity. In 2025, her lifestyle was perhaps the most influential for a generation tired of the loud, often draining, noise of social media celebrity. Tems redefined luxury not as what you buy, but as the freedom to control your time, your narrative, and your peace.
This piece argues that Tems’s deliberate choices from her fashion to her career management have established a powerful new archetype: the Minimalist Maven whose true wealth lies in her independence.
The Luxury of Creative Control (The Ultimate Flex)
In an industry where young artists often face pressure to conform, Tems’s biggest factual lifestyle statement is her insistence on total creative control.
Even after achieving global fame, Tems consistently maintained a high level of control over her production, songwriting, and artistic direction.
Opinion Piece: I see this as deeply aspirational. For young, ambitious Nigerians, the dream is often to climb the ladder until they gain the power to call the shots. Tems achieved this power early, making her lifestyle the blueprint for uncompromising ambition. She showed that self-worth and artistic vision are non-negotiable assets.
Quiet Luxury: The Power of Understatement
Tems’s aesthetic, which has become hugely influential, champions quiet luxury; a philosophy that extends far beyond her wardrobe.
Fashion Aesthetic: Her fashion choices are famously understated: oversized blazers, tailored trousers, simple flowing dresses, and a distinct lack of heavy branding. Factually, she prefers designers and pieces that prioritize texture, silhouette, and quality over loud logos. This moved the fashion conversation away from the “loud luxury” of earlier Afrobeats stars.
The Lifestyle of Selectivity: Her public life is marked by selectivity. She doesn’t overshare. Her brand collaborations are highly curated, often with global high-end brands that align with her refined, artistic image. This scarcity of her presence actually elevates her value, proving that silence and focus can be more impactful than constant chatter. I personally admire how she makes an oversized t-shirt look more expensive than a branded sequined gown.
Wellness and Boundary-Setting: The Internal Lifestyle
Perhaps Tems’s most significant, yet subtle, influence lies in normalizing a lifestyle centered on mental health and clear boundaries. In recent times, she has been open about having to cancel shows or take breaks due to her vocal health. Factually, she prioritizes her physical well-being (which is tied to her instrument) above the demanding touring schedule.
Opinion Piece: In a culture that often demands productivity at the expense of health, Tems’s decision to openly prioritize her well-being serves as powerful permission for young fans to slow down and protect themselves. She embodies a lifestyle where self care is not a trend; it is the foundation of long term success. Her serene, grounded public demeanor is the aspirational output of a well managed inner life.
The Pinnacle of Quiet Power: MLS Club Ownership
The biggest factual marker of Tems’s refined, high-level lifestyle in 2025 was her move into the global sports business.
San Diego FC Stake: In February 2025, Tems became a Club Partner in the Major League Soccer (MLS) team, San Diego FC, through her company, The Leading Vibe. This historic move made her the first African female to hold ownership stakes in an MLS club, joining a group that includes actress Issa Rae and World Cup winner Juan Mata.
Opinion Piece: This investment is the ultimate proof of intentional living. It is not a music endorsement; it is a serious, long-term business investment that bridges global sports, community development (linked to the Right to Dream Academy), and African investment (via Pave Investments). I would argue that this showed the aspirational Nigerian youth that the real next level of success is strategic, diversified global business ownership, executed quietly and effectively. It repositioned her from a global music star to a pioneering African mogul.
Tems as the Global Curator: The Partnership Philosophy
In 2025, Tems’s approach to brand partnerships solidified her image as a global curator an artist who partners based on shared values and aesthetic alignment, rather than just fees. This lifestyle choice sets her apart from peers who often take on a high volume of local endorsements.
Her visibility at major global fashion weeks and her appearances in campaigns for brands like Louis Vuitton (LVMH) often appearing alongside established international icons was not just a celebrity endorsement. It was a stylistic endorsement of her. These brands were signaling an alignment with her elevated, global, and highly selective aesthetic.
Opinion Piece: I believe this selectivity is her most powerful business lifestyle move. She understands the power of scarcity. By limiting her exposure to only the most prestigious and globally recognized brands that match her minimalist vibe, she ensures her personal brand value remains exceptionally high. This teaches young entrepreneurs and creatives to be fiercely protective of their own brands.
The Travel and Locale Factor
When Tems is seen, it’s often in an international, high-art context whether performing in Paris, recording in London, or featuring in a Vogue shoot in New York. This lifestyle projects an image of an African artiste who operates without geographical limitations, a powerful aspiration for many Nigerians who see global travel and opportunity as the ultimate marker of success.
Tems’s collective choices create what I will call the “Tems Effect”: a complete redefinition of what success looks and feels like for a young, creative African woman.
Her influence is a direct rejection of the exhausting, “hustle culture” lifestyle often promoted in Nigeria. She proves that high achievement doesn’t require high anxiety.
The lifestyle she projects is one where your unique voice both literally and figuratively is your most valuable asset. She encourages her fans to tune out the noise and focus on cultivating their singular talent.
Tems’s influence in 2025 defined a significant shift in the aspirational Afrobeats lifestyle. She has shown that true global influence doesn’t require constant noise or flashy showoff. Instead, it requires creative integrity, thoughtful choices, and the luxury of self-control.
She is the Minimalist Maven who proved to a generation that your most valuable asset is your peace, and that being selective, not saturated, is not rooted out of the African Music industry.
For years, we’ve watched Afrobeats artists conquer global charts. But in 2025, one name transcended music to truly define the heights of luxury lifestyle: Burna Boy. He wasn’t just making hits; he was curating a lifestyle, a look, an entire vibe that reshaped how Nigerians and the world view modern African richness. Forget flashy logos; Burna Boy’s luxury in 2025 was about exclusive collaborations, understated elegance, and a global, borderless appeal. And in my humble opinion, no one did it better.
Burna Boy and the On Patnership
Let’s start with the main discourse, or rather, the sleek, performance-engineered sneaker in the stadium. Burna Boy’s multi-year partnership with Swiss sportswear giant On was, hands down, the most significant lifestyle endorsement deal in Afrobeats in 2025. This wasn’t just another celebrity wearing a brand; it was a cultural alignment.
The points it made
Beyond Athleisure: On is a premium, often high-fashion, athletic brand known for its technical innovation and minimalist aesthetic. By collaborating with Burna Boy, On didn’t just gain an ambassador; they gained a cultural bridge to a massive, aspirational market.
The “Quiet Luxury” of Performance: This partnership subtly introduced a new form of luxury to the Nigerian mainstream: “quiet luxury” in athletic wear. It wasn’t about the loudest logo but the sleekest design, the most advanced tech, and the feeling of exclusivity. Burna Boy made it cool to invest in high-performance gear that also looked incredibly stylish.
Accessible Aspiration: While On products can be pricey, the collaboration made the brand tangible. Suddenly, owning a pair of On sneakers wasn’t just about athletic performance; it was about aligning with Burna Boy’s elevated, globally-minded lifestyle. It became a marker of taste, not just wealth.
#Opinion piece
This deal wasn’t just smart marketing; it was a stroke of genius that allowed Burna Boy to influence the everyday footwear and casual wear choices of millions, subtly elevating their perception of luxury.
Red Carpet Royalty: Fashion as a Statement
Burna Boy’s fashion choices in 2025 continued to solidify his status as a global style icon. He’s never been one for safe choices, and this year was no masterclass in pushing boundaries while maintaining an air of sophisticated cool.
Met Gala Masterclass
His appearance at the Met Gala (where he notably wore a custom red tuxedo and eel skin cape by Ugo Mozie) wasn’t just about looking good; it was about making a statement. It screamed: “African excellence belongs on the world’s most exclusive fashion stage, and it does so with unique flair.”
Beyond the Bling
What sets Burna Boy apart is his move away from overt, logo-heavy branding. His luxury is more refined, more about the cut of a custom suit, the texture of a unique fabric, or the story behind a piece of jewelry. He inspires fans to think about personal style, rather than just brand names.
African Designers on the Global Stage
Crucially, he consistently champions African designers, bringing them onto the global stage through his personal wardrobe. This isn’t just fashion; it’s a powerful endorsement of African creativity and craftsmanship, further fueling the “buy Africa” lifestyle movement among discerning consumers.
#Opinion piece
Burna Boy isn’t just wearing clothes; he’s curating culture. His fashion choices are deliberate, pushing the boundaries of what a global African superstar should look like, always with an underlying message of confidence and originality.
The Global Nomad: Jet-Set Lifestyle as the Ultimate Flex
In 2025, Burna Boy’s lifestyle was truly borderless. His extensive “No Sign of Weakness” world tour wasn’t just a series of concerts; it was a living demonstration of a truly international luxury lifestyle.
Beyond Nigerian Shores
Features in international lifestyle magazines often depicted him vacationing in exotic locales like Jamaica, showcasing an ease with global travel and leisure that few of his peers could match. This isn’t just about showing off; it’s about projecting an image of boundless opportunity.
The “Global Citizen” Aspiration
For many Nigerians, the ability to travel freely and experience diverse cultures is the ultimate form of luxury. Burna Boy embodies this aspiration, inspiring fans to seek global experiences, whether through remote work, international education, or simply broader cultural awareness.
“Relaxed Rich” Vibe
Despite his immense success, Burna Boy maintains a remarkably “relaxed rich” persona. His style often oscillates between high fashion and comfortable, yet premium, casual wear. This resonates deeply, suggesting that true luxury is about comfort, freedom, and being effortlessly cool, rather than constantly performing wealth.
#Opinion piece
Burna Boy’s lifestyle isn’t just aspirational; it’s motivational. It shows that African talent cannot only compete globally but also dictate the terms of global luxury, inspiring a generation to think bigger and travel further.
Photo credit: Billboard
In 2025, Burna Boy didn’t just continue his musical reign; he solidified his position as the undisputed king of Afrobeats luxury lifestyle. Through groundbreaking partnerships like On, his bold and distinctive fashion choices, and a lifestyle that seamlessly blended global travel with authentic African roots, he set the standard.
He taught us that luxury isn’t just about expensive things; it’s about exclusive access, thoughtful curation, cultural impact, and the freedom to define your own terms of success. And for that, in my opinion, he deserves every bit of the crown.
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Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake has taken a major step in his career, signing a new management deal with Double Eleven, the management and creative agency led by music executive Alexa Perkins.
The announcement, first highlighted in Billboard’s weekly signings roundup, signals a new era for the hitmaker following his split from long-time manager Stephen Nana, popularly known as Stevenator.
A Strategic Move for Global Growth
With more than 5.6 billion streams worldwide, Asake has become one of the most successful Afrobeats artists of his generation. His third studio album, Lungu Boy (2024), ranks among the top 20 most-streamed Nigerian albums of all time, while his latest project, MONEY, was released this summer under his independent imprint Giran Republic.
Under his new management, Asake is expected to expand his international footprint. Alexa Perkins, who heads Double Eleven, brings deep industry experience from her years working with major labels and distributors including Def Jam, Capitol Records, TuneCore, and EMPIRE. Her track record in artist development and global marketing is seen as a key asset in Asake’s transition from regional superstar to global brand.
Earlier this year, former manager Stephen Nana revealed that he stepped away from managing Asake because the singer’s rapid rise became overwhelming. Nana cited the constant travel demands and the toll on his family life as reasons for the split.
“Asake’s growth was so explosive that it became too much for me to balance with personal commitments,” he admitted in an interview with The Nation.
Building Independence
Despite his exit from Olamide’s YBNL Nation earlier this year, Asake has successfully built a foundation of independence. He owns his masters, runs his Giran Republic imprint, and continues to distribute his music through Empire, a partnership first established in 2022.
The new management deal complements this independence by adding professional oversight and global strategy. Already, Asake has begun making international moves, featuring recently on Gunna’s “Satisfaction” from the rapper’s The Last Wun album.
Being referred to as an African artist has come a long way. Once upon a time, we were considered underlings on the global stage, but in the past decade, we’ve broken that barrier. Artists like D’Banj, PSquare, Wizkid, and Davido fought for global dominance.
On streaming, Wizkid’s ‘More Love, Less Ego’ proved to Nigerians that our music can break the language barrier with 1.21 million streams on the first day. This year, Shalipoppi’s ‘Shakespopi’ earned over 1.5 million streams on Spotify, making it the biggest first-day stream of the year, followed by Mavin’s queen, Ayra Starr (1.27 million).
Here’s a full list of the biggest first-day stream on Spotify:
Not really what you want to hear, but it’s true… Our Big Wiz recently announced he isn’t an Afrobeats artiste anymore. He claims to have transcended beyond the label, Afrobeats.
Afrobeats, a music genre mostly associated with Africans, is the modern version of music legend Fela Kuti, the Afrobeat artiste. The sound, Afrobeats, gained global recognition in the past few years and most international music bodies like the Grammys have created a spot for Afrobeats in their awards. Even Billboard has added a category for Afrobeats in its charts.
Via his official Instagram account, @wizkidayo, he spent the past two days he’s more than one sound.
Singer Davido once described Afrobeats as an umbrella term to describe African music and not the actual name of the genre.
“Afrobeats is what is used to describe music made by an African artist” — Davido
Burna Boy described himself as an Afro-fusion artiste because his sound evolved overtime. to him Afrobeats is a box he doesn’t fit into. Burna Boy has done Raggae, Afrobeat, Afrobeats and Hiphop.
‘‘I created Afro-Fusion because i didn’t want to be boxed into Afrobeats’’
