From groundbreaking magazine covers and major festival line-ups to significant album anniversaries, Afrobeats stars are making headlines this week, continuing to elevate the culture to new heights. The vibrant and eclectic genre that has captivated audiences worldwide, showcased its undeniable charm and prowess in a recent whirlwind of events.
Rema: A Historic Cover Star for Rolling Stone
Rema just made history as the first Black African artist to grace the cover of Rolling Stone’s prestigious Future of Music issue. The fourth edition of this publication highlights emerging artists shaping the industry, and Rema’s inclusion is a huge moment for African musicians on the global stage.
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In Austin, Texas, he wasn’t just on the cover—he also performed at Rolling Stone’s SXSW Future of Music concert. Reflecting on the milestone, the Crown Prince of Afrobeats said, “It is a tremendous honour! I feel fortunate, and I know for the young people at home who look up to me, they’re proud.” His words hit home, especially for the youth in Benin City, Nigeria, where he continues to be a symbol of possibility and ambition.
Rema joins an exclusive list of Nigerian artists who have been on Rolling Stone covers before—Burna Boy for Rolling Stone UK and the legendary Fela Kuti for Rolling Stone Africa.
Tems Takes Centre Stage at Dreamville Festival
Another major moment this week came with the announcement that Tems will be part of the Dreamville Festival line-up this April, sharing the stage with heavyweights like J. Cole and Lil Wayne. As the only Afrobeats artist on the bill, she’s set to bring the genre to an even bigger audience. Dreamville is known for its diverse mix of talent, and her presence there is yet another sign that Afrobeats is becoming a staple on the global music scene.
Celebrating Milestones: Teni and Phyno
This week also marked big anniversaries for two homegrown talents. Teni celebrated four years of her debut album, ‘Wondaland’, a genre-blending project that fused Afropop, emo-trap, house, and highlife. Inspired by her love for amusement parks, she created an album designed to entertain and educate, seamlessly switching between Yoruba, English, and Pidgin.
Meanwhile, Phyno celebrated 11 years since dropping his debut album, ‘No Guts No Glory’. A defining moment in Igbo rap and Afrobeats, the album featured heavy-hitters like P-Square, Omawumi, Olamide, Stormrex, Flavour N’abania, Runtown, Ice Prince, M.I, Mr Raw, Timaya, and Illbliss. Shortly after its release, the project earned widespread recognition and remains a cultural touchstone for a new generation of artists.
A Wave of New Music
Afrobeats didn’t just make history this week—it also delivered fresh sounds. Ladipoe, the self-proclaimed “Rap Samurai,” kicked off his year with ‘I No Be God’, a track that explores human imperfection while diving deep into themes of love and self-reflection. The release comes just as he racks up nominations for Best Rap Single and Lyricist on the Roll at the Headies.
Other exciting new music includes:
• Zlatan & FOLA – “Get Better”
• T.I Blaze – “Introduction”
• Poco Lee, Shoday & Rahman Jago – “Hey Jago”
• Ejoya Class of ‘24 – “Flow State (EP)”
• Lady Donli – “Keep On Loving Me (Biko Biko)”
• Khaid – “For You”
• Kaestyle & Tml Vibez – “Shalaye”
• Iyanya – “Yebo!”
• Kcee – “Abeg”
With every major achievement, Afrobeats continues to push boundaries, proving that its influence isn’t just growing—it’s unstoppable. From magazine covers to festival stages and groundbreaking new music, this past week was yet another reminder that the genre isn’t just making waves; it’s shaping the future of music worldwide.
