Music News
Tems’ ‘Free Mind’ Breaks Female Record On R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart
Tems – Free Mind
Tems’ “Free Mind” captures a 17th week at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, a new record for the most weeks atop the list for any song by a lead female artist. The achievement continues the sleeper hit’s success story, which saw the 2020 EP deep cut work its way to becoming a fan-pushed streaming hit in 2022 and, now, a record-setting radio smash.
VIDEO: Tems – Free Mind
The historic week for “Free Mind” is on the chart dated May 20, where it wins a 17th frame on top after a 1% bump to 19.2 million audience impressions made it, yet again, the most-heard song from a combined slate of U.S. monitored adult R&B and mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations in the week ending May 11, according to Luminate.
Now with 17 weeks, “Free Mind” surpasses Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up” for sole possession of the record for the longest-leading No. 1 by a lead female artist. The former champ reigned for 16 weeks in 2018. As “Free Mind” shakes up the leaderboard, here’s a look at the songs by women in lead or co-lead roles with the most weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay since the chart launched in 1992:
Expanding to women in both lead and featured roles, Tems still holds the record for the song with the most weeks at No. 1. She featured on Wizkid’s 27-week champ “Essence” in 2021-22.
The breakthrough Afrobeats hit is tied as the second-longest-leading No. 1 in R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay history with Chris Brown’s “No Guidance,” featuring Drake. Both songs trail only another Brown track, “Go Crazy,” with Young Thug, which posted 29 weeks at the summit in 2020-21.
Though “Free Mind” was released in 2020 on the EP For Broken Ears, the song generated its earliest significant attention only after Tems’ breakthroughs on a trio of other high-profile songs. In addition to “Essence,” she featured on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy cut “Fountains,” and, with Drake, on Future’s No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Wait for U.” Thanks to the triple play of hits, her own material experienced renewed interest and streaming gains, with “Free Mind” as the leading beneficiary, which sparked an official radio promotion push soon after.
The track climbed to No. 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay in November 2022, and later crossed over onto the Adult R&B Airplay chart, crowning that for nine weeks beginning in February 2023. The one-two punch put Tems in rare, and enviable, company. Such dual coronations on both radio charts occurred only twice in 2022, with Silk Sonic’s “Smokin’ out the Window” and Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul.”
Music News
Teni Borrows Davido’s Lamborghini for ‘Speed’ Video Shoot
Nigerian music star Teni has once again made headlines this time for borrowing Davido’s luxurious blue Lamborghini Aventador to shoot visuals for her latest single, “Speed” featuring Gunna, released in mid-November.
According to Teni, she wanted a standout prop that matched the high-energy vibe of the record, and Davido’s supercar was the perfect fit. She visited the megastar’s Lagos mansion, where he gave her a quick driving lesson before handing over the keys to the multi-million-naira ride.
Teni was later seen cruising through Lagos with the top down, blasting the track while recording scenes for the video. She also shared selfies and behind-the-scenes clips on social media, excitedly praising Davido’s generosity and reminding fans of past support — including when he arranged a Chris Brown intro for her.
The exchange sparked warm reactions online, with fans celebrating the strong camaraderie and collaboration within Nigeria’s music industry.
Entertainment
Burna Boy Cancels Two U.S. Tour Dates After Viral Fan Incident
Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has abruptly cancelled two stops on his ongoing U.S. tour, just days after a viral onstage confrontation in Denver. The affected shows November 28 in Minneapolis and December 1 in Chicago were removed from his schedule this week, with automatic refunds issued to ticket holders. No official explanation has been released by Burna Boy or his management.
Denver Incident Sparks Online Debate
The cancellations come shortly after clips from his November 24 performance in Denver surfaced online, showing Burna Boy halting his set to confront a fan he spotted asleep in the audience. The woman, later identified as Chaltu Jateni, was asked to leave the venue before the artiste continued performing.
Jateni addressed the incident on Instagram, revealing that she had been struggling with depression, a disclosure that fueled widespread debate across social media. Critics accused the singer of insensitivity, while supporters argued he was reacting to perceived disengagement during a high-energy show.
Singer Defends His Actions
Following the backlash, Burna Boy defended himself, stating that audience members who appear uninterested diminish the live experience for others. He also questioned why fans attend concerts only to “sleep through them,” reigniting discussion about mental health awareness and performer expectations.
Tour Proceeds With Boston Up Next
Despite the controversy, earlier stops on the tour were sold out, and current schedules show that the tour will continue as planned. The next show is set for December 3 in Boston.
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Music News
Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid Lead Nigeria’s Charge in 2026 Grammy Nominations
The Recording Academy has unveiled the 2026 Grammy Awards nominations, spotlighting a rich mix of international superstars, breakthrough talents, and African heavyweights with Nigeria once again making a strong showing on the world stage.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrating the best in global music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025.
This year’s awards also introduce two new categories Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover marking another evolution in the prestigious ceremony.
Leading the pack is Kendrick Lamar with nine nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, who scored seven nods, including her fifth Album of the Year nomination for “MAYHEM.”
Nigerian Stars Shine Bright
Nigeria continues to dominate the African and Global Music categories, with Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid earning nominations alongside continental legends like Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Tyla (South Africa) and Youssou N’Dour (Senegal).
Burna Boy leads the Nigerian contingent with two nominations:
- Best African Music Performance (“Love”)
- Best Global Music Album (“No Sign of Weakness”)
Davido also earned a nod for Best African Music Performance with “With You” featuring Omah Lay, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid scored a joint nomination for “Gimme Dat.”
Other contenders in the category include Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (“Hope & Love”) and Tyla (“Push 2 Start”).
In the Best Global Music Album category, Burna Boy faces stiff competition from Youssou N’Dour (“Éclairer le Monde – Light the World”), Angélique Kidjo, and India’s Anoushka Shankar (“Chapter III: We Return to Light”).
Highlights From the 2026 Grammy Nominations
Album of the Year
- Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
- Justin Bieber – Swag
- Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
- Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
- Lady Gaga – Mayhem
- Kendrick Lamar – GNX
- Leon Thomas – Mutt
- Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia
Record of the Year
- Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
- Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
- Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
- Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Song of the Year
- Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
- Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
- Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
Best African Music Performance
- Burna Boy – “Love”
- Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You”
- Ayra Starr ft. Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”
- Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – “Hope & Love”
- Tyla – “Push 2 Start”
Best Global Music Album
- Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness
- Youssou N’Dour – Éclairer le Monde – Light the World
- Anoushka Shankar – Chapter III: We Return to Light
- Shakti – Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live)
- Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia – Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo
African Excellence on the World Stage
The 2026 Grammys reaffirm Africa’s growing global influence in music, especially as Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Afro-fusion sounds continue to dominate charts and playlists worldwide.
With Burna Boy eyeing another Grammy victory and Davido, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid securing key nominations, Nigerian music’s global momentum remains unstoppable.
The 68th Grammy Awards will air live worldwide on February 1, 2026, promising electrifying performances and unforgettable moments from the biggest names in global music.
2026 GRAMMYS: See The Full Nominations List
Music News
Flavour Unveils ‘Afroculture’ Single Featuring Baaba Maal, Directed by TG Omori
Nigerian highlife sensation Flavour has announced his upcoming single “Afroculture”, featuring legendary Senegalese griot Baaba Maal, set for release on October 29, 2025.
The song blends Igbo rhythms, griot storytelling, and mbalax beats, creating a rich fusion of West African sounds. The accompanying music video, directed by TG Omori, features vibrant visuals of traditional dancers, sunlit landscapes, and expressive cultural motifs that celebrate pan-African identity and heritage.
Since the announcement, Afroculture has generated major buzz across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with fans praising the collaboration as a landmark moment for African music unity.
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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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