

Entertainment
GRAMMY INTRODUCES ‘BEST AFRICAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE’ CATEGORY TO 2024 AWARDS
The Recording Academy, organizers of Grammy Awards, has created a category for ‘Best African Music Performance.’ The category was one of the three new ones. That the academy revealed on Tuesday in a statement posted on its website. The Best Pop Dance Recording and Best Alternative Jazz Album categories are the other newly established ones.
According to the statement, the new categories will receive nominations beginning with next year’s show.
“The addition of the Best African Music Performance category reflects how African acts such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems—along with the rise of the Afrobeats genre—have become global chart-topping stars and streaming juggernauts,” the statement reads in part.
The Grammy “Best African Music Performance” category is open to contemporary and traditional African music, including Afrobeats, Afro-pop, Amapiano, High Life, Fuji, etc.
2024 GRAMMYs: 4 Things To Know About The New Categories & Changes
The Recording Academy just announced that three new categories will be added for the 2024 GRAMMYs: Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording. Here’s why these changes are important.
For decades, African music, alternative jazz and dance pop have been nominated for — and winning — GRAMMYs. Now, the Recording Academy is celebrating these impactful sounds like never before.
As announced today, three new categories have been added to Music’s Biggest Night: Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording. They will be awarded for the first time ever at the 2024 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 66th GRAMMY Awards.
The initiation of these three categories is far from a technicality; it amounts to a watershed moment for the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Awards. And as with all category additions and amendments at the GRAMMYs, changes like these open up the prospect of GRAMMY wins and nominations to artists from a multitude of backgrounds and across more genres.
Here are four reasons you should be excited about these new categories and changes at the 2024 GRAMMYs.
Popular Music Owes Everything To Africa
If you like rock, hip-hop, blues, jazz, folk music, bluegrass … really, just about every form of American music, then you have the genius of Africa to thank.
Historically, the Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance GRAMMY categories have nominated and awarded African music and artists. Now, the creation of Best African Music Performance category will amplify and expand the reach of African music and its creators.
As recently announced, the Best African Music Performance category “includes but is not limited to the Afrobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alte, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop, and Ethio Jazz genres, making this newly announced, exciting category a far-reaching and all-encompassing award.
Which of these distinct sounds will be represented on the first-ever Best African Music Performance nominees list? Watch this space to find out.
Crossover Jazz Is Exploding — And The GRAMMYs Reflect This
From The Comet is Coming to Georgia Anne Muldrow to Kassa Overall, jazz artists are increasingly exploring the music’s common ground with hip-hop, soul, experimental music, and any number of other genres. As artists continue to expand and experiment within and beyond the genre, jazz remains an evolving sound. A huge win for forward-thinking, genre-straddling jazz artists of all stripes, the newly announced Best Alternative Jazz Album is a reflection of this ever-growing landscape and dynamic sound.
Dance & Pop Have Long Been Deeply Intertwined
From Beyoncé to Lady Gaga, pop titans have been incorporating elements of dance and electronic music for decades. Now, there’s a new, and essential, category that reflects the convergence between these two genres.
As the official Recording Academy statement describes, the new Best Pop Dance Recording category “recognizes tracks and singles that feature up-tempo, danceable music that follows a pop arrangement.”
If this kicks up questions about remixes in the dance and electronic landscape, the Academy’s got that covered: Dance remixes will continue to live in the Best Remixed Recording category.
All GRAMMY Voters Can Now Vote In The Producer Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year Categories
In addition to the newly announced GRAMMY categories, the Recording Academy also announced major changes to the General Field categories: Starting at the 2024 GRAMMYs, the Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical and Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical categories will be moved to the General Field. This major change now allows all GRAMMY voters the ability to vote in these widely celebrated, non-genre-specific categories.
A reflection of the Academy’s commitment to “actively listen and respond to the feedback from our music community” and “stay aligned with the ever-evolving musical landscape,” according to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., this move ensures that all GRAMMY voters can participate in recognizing excellence in these definitive categories, further expanding representation and participation in these categories.
At the 2023 GRAMMYs, the Recording Academy introduced the Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical category; Tobias Jesso Jr. made history by becoming the first-ever GRAMMY winner of that award.
Entertainment
Odumodublvck Faces Off with Blaqbonez’s Manager as Nigerian Rap Feud Escalates

The ongoing feud between Nigerian rappers Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez intensified on Saturday, October 18, 2025, after a viral video showed Odumodublvck confronting Blaqbonez’s female manager at an event in Uyo, sparking widespread reactions across the music industry.
The confrontation reportedly followed the release of Blaqbonez’s diss track “ACL”, featured on his newly released album No Excuses, in which he accused Odumodublvck of stream farming and chasing clout.
Shortly after the song’s release, leaked direct messages allegedly sent by Odumodublvck surfaced online, containing threats of physical harm toward Blaqbonez. The situation escalated further when sources close to Blaqbonez’s camp alleged that Odumodublvck had previously spat on the manager during a prior altercation.
The viral Uyo video shows Odumodublvck engaging in a heated exchange with Blaqbonez’s manager before being restrained by security personnel and event organizers.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Odumodublvck nor Blaqbonez has issued an official statement addressing the incident, though both artists’ fanbases have taken to social media to debate the conflict and call for restraint.
The altercation adds a new layer of tension to what has been one of Nigerian hip-hop’s most publicized rivalries in recent years, pitting two of the genre’s biggest voices against each other in a clash blending music, ego, and controversy.
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Entertainment
Rema and Ayra Starr Dance to Wizkid Tracks at Lagos Club After ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ Release

Lagos, Nigeria – Nigerian Afrobeats stars Rema and Ayra Starr set social media abuzz on Friday night after being spotted dancing together to Wizkid’s classics “Kese” and “Wiz Party” at a Lagos nightclub.
The duo, who recently dropped their much-anticipated collaboration “Who’s Dat Girl” on October 17, were seen in viral clips moving energetically and sharing smiles as Wizkid’s tracks filled the club. The videos quickly spread across X (formerly Twitter), drawing tens of thousands of views and sparking lively reactions from fans.
Both Rema and Ayra Starr, hailing from Benin City and signed under Mavin Records, have been celebrated for their chemistry and shared artistic evolution. Fans linked their recent hit’s theme of self-discovery and youthful confidence with the carefree energy displayed during their night out.
Meanwhile, Wizkid’s timeless tracks once again proved their staying power, dominating the night’s playlist and uniting fans of all three artists under one groove.
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Entertainment
Sabinus’s ‘Spray Money’ Skit Surpasses 85,000 Engagements on X

Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, known as Sabinus, released a pidgin-infused skit on October 9, 2025, satirizing the cultural practice of spraying cash at events by mocking hesitation in celebratory moments.
The video quickly garnered over 35,000 likes and 4,000 reposts, topping X trends and drawing praise for its relatable humor on stinginess and social expectations.
Sabinus, a Port Harcourt native and top comedian, continues to dominate Nigeria’s digital comedy scene with his timely social commentary.
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Entertainment
Big Brother Naija Winner Imisi Ayanwale Opens Up on Strategy, Friendship, and Faith in Ebuka Interview

Imisi Ayanwale, the 23-year-old winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10, has shared new insights into her journey to victory in an exclusive 23-minute interview with show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, released on the official BBNaija YouTube channel on Tuesday.
The conversation offered fans a closer look at Imisi’s strategic gameplay, emotional growth, and the personal meaning behind her name — “Imisi,” which translates to “hope” in Yoruba.
Speaking on her approach to the game, Imisi revealed that her strategy was built around authenticity, observation, and emotional intelligence, noting that she chose to “connect with people’s hearts rather than their egos.”
She also addressed widespread speculation about a possible love triangle involving fellow housemates Faith and Kaybobo, clarifying that her relationship with Faith was purely platonic.
“Faith and I shared mutual respect and understanding. There was never any romantic tension just friendship and support,” she explained.
Imisi further discussed her style evolution, her resilience in overcoming personal challenges, and how her background in Mass Communication from Yaba College of Technology helped her communicate confidently and stay grounded in the spotlight.
The interview coincided with the presentation of her ₦150 million grand prize, which includes ₦80 million in cash, an Innoson SUV, and other sponsored rewards at a ceremony in Lagos.
Since its release, the video has garnered over 1,300 engagements on X (formerly Twitter), sparking mixed reactions. While many praised her authenticity and emotional depth, others debated her English proficiency, with fans defending her as “real, unfiltered, and relatable.”
“Imisi’s story is about courage and hope — she’s not just a winner, she’s a reflection of resilience,” one viewer commented.
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Entertainment
Imisi Ayanwale Claims Big Brother Naija Season 10 Crown and ₦150 Million Prize

Imisi Ayanwale, a 23-year-old contestant, emerged as the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10 on Sunday securing 42.8% of the public votes after 70 intense days in the Big Brother house.
The victory earned her a ₦150 million prize package, which includes ₦80 million in cash, an Innoson SUV, and other sponsored rewards.

The prize presentation took place at a colorful ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, drawing fans, family members, former housemates, and supporters from across Nigeria and Liberia who came to celebrate her triumph.
Runner-up Dede Ashiogwu made a striking appearance at the event in a bold and stylish outfit that captured the crowd’s attention, adding glamour to the night’s celebrations.
Imisi’s win marks a milestone in the show’s history, with many fans praising her charisma, authenticity, and resilience throughout the competition.
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