Motolani Alake

Earlier in 2021, a controversy rocked the African continent: Pancho C.Y International, used his Francophone Cameroon sentiment to<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/should-cameroonians-be-calling-for-a-ban-on-nigerian-music-in-their-country/vh1n21t"> create an anti-Nigerian storm</a>.&nbsp;

At the time, this writer noted that the anti-Nigerian sentiment wasn't just a Cameroonian thing. In the preceding years, Nigeria and Ghana had clashed on subtle issues like the superiority of Jollof rice and music; the origin of Afrobeats and influence. Uganda infamously jailed Tems and Omah Lay in December 2020.&nbsp;

Xenophobia was the order of the day in 2019 South Africa. Like clockwork, we are back again. A few days ago, celebrated Ghanaian superstar, Shatta Wale, once again stirred the hornet’s nest with some anti-Nigerian comments. The long and short of which was: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/your-artistes-come-to-ghana-before-the-world-recognizes-them-shatta-wale-fires-back/byvgxtt">Nigerians don’t support Ghanaian music</a>, but Ghanaians support Nigerian music.&nbsp;

While some parts of Ghana were quiet after he said his comments, it was very obvious that Shatta Wale wasn’t alone in his sentiment. Despite our geographical proximity and close ties in culture, language, phonology and even culinary art, Nigeria and Ghana have always been like Cain and Abel; or better yet, Nike and Adidas.&nbsp;

Just two days later, Stonebwoy weighed in on the matter. While he had more methodical thoughts than his frenemy, Shatta Wale, he still echoed the same sentiment: Nigeria doesn’t support Ghana. Before we get to discussing metrics on how Nigeria can carry Ghana on its head like gele, or better yet, spoonfeed our Ghanaian brothers, let’s reiterate some things.

Nigeria supports good music that’s marketed strategically

The recently concluded All African Music Awards was a three-day celebration of African music, and day one focused on a panel that was attended by giant practitioners of African music. The first panel featured Efe Omoregbe, Oreoluwa Peters and more. During the post-panel Q&amp;A session, someone asked a question, which echoed Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale’s issues.&nbsp;

She said, “I’m an artist from Uganda, and everywhere I turn, there is Nigerian music across the African country, but it doesn’t seem the same now that I’m in Nigeria. Why’s that?”

Another person from the audience sought to peg the issues down to language, but Nelson Tivane, one of the ‘Yaba Buluku’ boyz, who had just made a Nigerian smash hit alongside Grammy-winning Burna Boy, got animated and refuted such claims.&nbsp;

His response, “Nigeria has been welcoming to us. We make music in our native tongue with all these [gestures animation with a smile], but our song has been huge in Nigeria. Burna Boy definitely [blew it off the hinges], but we already had some buzz before then. Nigerians had already turned “Valaku I vona” to “Odogwu you bad,” even before Burna Boy jumped on our song.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/interview-dj-tarico-nelson-tivane-and-preck-of-yaba-buluku-with-burna-boy-speaks-with/fldhct3">Yaba Buluku Boys chat with Pulse Nigeria</a> [Interview]

Ladies and gentlemen, at the end of 2021, Yaba Buluku Boyz’ largest market on Apple Music, was Nigeria, where they had 5,352,807 streams. Their second biggest market was the US, where they had a much reduced 1.7 million streams.&nbsp;

These boys are from Mozambique and their own country didn’t even make the top 10 countries, from which their music was streamed globally on Apple Music.&nbsp;

South Africa was third, Ghana was fourth, and Tanzania, Zambia and Kenya, were eighth, ninth and 10th respectively.&nbsp;

“We knew we had a fantastic record on our hands. We also knew that Amapiano was tearing across Africa, and especially in Nigeria,” says George Beke, the CEO of Geobek Records, who signed the Yaba Buluku Boyz. “It would be silly not to understand the power and influence of Nigeria on African music.”

“Let’s even forget the population size, let’s talk about how they have influenced African culture over the past 20-25 years, in dance, fashion, music and all of that,” Beke continues. “To be Nigerian is to be cool, and Nigerians know this. They might not act on it, but they know it. More importantly, they make amazing music. That’s why their influence must be respected.”

“We saw all of these, and decided to tweak our marketing strategy. Getting Burna Boy on the record was a mega coup, and you can see what it’s done for the record,” Beke concludes. “To be honest, his team was great to us, and Burna made the boys feel at home. He even appeared in their video. He respected them for reasons that we won’t understand, but one we are grateful for.”&nbsp;

You know what these boys have done next, they’ve gone ahead and made another record with Yemi Alade, also known as Mama Africa. The song is about the unity of the African continent. Make of that what you will, but with a decent video, that record will have crazy streams.&nbsp;

For your information, the ‘Yaba Buluku’ Boyz consist of DJ Tarico, Nelson Tivane and Preck. While MTVBase, Channel O, Trace and AFRO, helped us discover artists like Lizha James or Dama Do Bling in the 2000s, Mozambican artists/music are/is not exactly the most sought after in Africa.&nbsp;

Tarico has albums and Tivane had some identity, but they were basically unknown boys, who came from nothing and blew up in Nigeria, on the back of an amazing record with great timing and an incredible label boss, who understands the rudiments of music marketing. It’s also great that he has contacts.&nbsp;

Earlier in Burna Boy's career, he did back-to-back features for South African artists like AKA and Da L.E.S. He was so visible in South Africa, that many thought he wasn't Nigerian. That sojourn has helped his career and fanbase.

He also did another for Sarkodie. Over the past two years, he’s delivered incredible features for Master KG on ‘Jerusalema’ and for Kabza De Small on ‘Sponono.’&nbsp;

‘Jerusalema’ was KG’s second Nigerian hit record after ‘Skeleton Move.’ This year alone, records like ‘Ke Star (Remix)’ by Davido and Focalistic, ‘It Ain’t Me (Amapiano Remix),’ and interestingly, ‘Forever’ by Ghana’s new leading lady, Gyakie and it’s remix with Omah Lay, have all been Nigerian hits.&nbsp;

The common denominator to all those records: quality, timeliness, timely strategic features and timely strategic marketing. For example, Gyakie’s ‘Forever’ was a social media sensation and a Nigerian digital hit, even before its Omah Lay remix.&nbsp;

Since the start of her career, Amaarae has found more success in Nigeria, than she’s found in her home country of Ghana. This year, she featured on a hit single, ‘Bling’ and had her own success with the digital hit, ‘Sad Gurlz Love Money.'&nbsp;

La Meme Gang had some Nigerian fanbase in the 2010s because they blended with their Nigerian alte counterparts. All of these artists went to go get it, they didn’t wait for things to happen because of ego and entitlement.&nbsp;

A little throwback…&nbsp;

Nigeria’s modern pop music era started in 1999. And since then, Nigerian music has come in eras. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Makossa and Soukous records dominated Nigeria so much that gospel artists like Tope Alabi tapped the sound for hit gospel records. Hip-Hop and R&amp;B were so big in Nigeria, that the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation promulgated a Law, which mandated that a certain percentage of Nigerian music must be played on Nigerian radio per day.&nbsp;

That didn’t stop the first Ghanaian wave in 2005/2006, with Samini, VIP and Obrafour, who were popular in Nigeria. They produced hits for Tony Tetuila and 2baba, most notably.&nbsp;

Then in the late 2000s, Wande Coal’s ‘Ghana Freestyle,’ produced by the legendary Killbeatz, revolutionized Nigeria’s pop music landscape. Then the Pon Pon era in the early 2010s was preceded by the Azonto era, which brought Sarkodie, R2Bees, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy and more.&nbsp;

In recent times, Kwesi Arthur and Yaw Tog, have had some identity amongst Gen Z Nigerians.&nbsp;

In between all of these, Cabo Snoop, Fally Ipupa have been sensations of Nigerian music at different times.&nbsp;

Let’s bring it all together

Earlier in the year, I did a Facts Only episode about the influence of Ghanaian music on Nigeria, and those were straight facts. Over the past 12 months alone, I have interviewed Stonebwoy twice. Our second chat, which I had alongside my friend, Melody Hassan, was one of the best interviews I conducted in 2021 - he was engaging, thoughtful and intelligent.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Shatta Wale has a reputation for brashness. But both of them are tied by a few traits;

<ol><li>They are both superstars of African music. Even in Nigeria, they are as recognizable and celebrated as Sarkodie. There is a subtle consensus amongst Nigerians, that Shatta Wale’s performance on ‘Already’ was Africa’s best on Beyonce’s The Lion King: The Gift album.&nbsp;</li><li>They are both entitled.</li><li>They are both egotistical.</li><li>They are both jealous.&nbsp;</li></ol>

Before I delve into the elements of these headings, I know for a fact, that Nigerian superstars have not been exactly the most accessible to their Ghanaian brothers. Especially since they started soaring in the UK and the US, topping charts and getting plaques. I also know that things weren't always that segmented.

At a time, these Ghanaian artists and their Nigerian counterparts were closer. They loved and respected each other. But as Nigeria, Nigerian music and Nigerian artists have soared, Nigerian artists have sort of become more inaccessible.

However, instead of complaining, you have to understand that it’s just life. And it doesn’t give you what you deserve, it gives you what you demand. And when it doesn’t give you what you demand, you demand something else that could be as beneficial.&nbsp;

These days, Nigerian artists are focused on international acclaim, for better or worse. They don’t even rate their own fans enough to appear early enough at shows. My Ghanaian brothers, you can join the club. You are not alone.&nbsp;

However, there seems to be an unmistaken tone of jealousy to all that Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale have said. It feels like they have failed or refused to accept the global magnanimity of Nigerian artists and Nigerian music. It feels like a part of them looks at Nigerian music and says, ‘That should be us.’&nbsp;

And most of this tension didn't start today. Ever since Fela blended Highlife with Jazz instrumentation for refined Afro-esque Folk rhythm at midtempo pace, Ghana has felt like Nigeria robbed it of something. That reservation has been trans-generational. But you can't hate someone for getting inspired by you.

Yes, Drake rapped that, "Imitation isn't flattery, it's just annoying me," but there's nothing you can do about imitation.

It also feels like the only reason Ghanaian acts can’t accept this reality is their ego, powered by that innate artistic narcissism, which drives the most talented artists towards success and equally blinds them to poignant issues. They see these Nigerian artists and they think, ‘Well, he’s not more talented than I am.’&nbsp;

Well, maybe Nigerian artists are not. But the world doesn’t work like that. Instead of complaining and crying ‘disrespect,’ let’s rise up and go work with strategy in mind. You don’t even have to work with Davido, Wizkid or Burna Boy, to have an African hit anymore.&nbsp;

Moreover, it’s just Nigeria’s time now. Very soon, the tide will shift to other African countries, and it might or might not be to the detriment of Nigeria, but that’s how the music world works. My Ghanaian brothers, get to work and stop crying.

Even if they Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale are right, Nigerian artists didn't just become Africa's mecca for nothing. It's a result of years of releasing excellent music and years of strategic operations. At some point, Davido went into South Africa, then Tanzania and then Francophone Africa, collaborating for sport.

At some point, Burna Boy was more Ghanaian and South African than Nigerian. The same goes for Wizkid and Yemi Alade. These guys have upheld the standards of excellence with strategy and quality. Ghanaians need to do the same. If Nigeria has a reputation for excellence, as the mecca of African pop music, it will be harder to penetrate such a country.

Every Friday, Audiomack is populated with releases from stars and hopefuls and those songs aren't bad. To breakthrough in such a country, you need to work twice as hard.

It's like trying to get a Billboard Hot 100 hit in America, as a crossover artist. It's hard. Even if Davido posts Stonebwoy's record 100 times, there are no guarantees that it will catch fire. On the other hand, playing Nigerian music on Ghanaian radio leads to ratings. But here, only the truly trendy records get played.

It's a power dynamic that must be understood, not hated.

L-R: Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. (MusicInAfrica)

Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy, learn from the ‘Yaba Buluku’ boyz, Focalistic, Gyakie, Master KG and more.

Dear Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy, learn from the ‘Yaba Buluku’ boyz [Pulse Editor’s Opinion]

Wizkid was recently named Artist of The Year (Africa) by Apple Music at the Apple Music Awards. During his acceptance chat, he spoke about the success of Made In Lagos.

He says, "I felt it coming. I would say I'm lying if I didn't feel it coming because it took me three years to work on that album. So I felt like there was going to be a shift, but I didn't know how it would come. Because I knew that it was kind of like a different… it wasn't a different sound, but it was a more matured sound from what I used to make.

"From when I was way young, man. I called my first album ‘Superstar.’ How confident can you be? So yeah. I was born to do this sh**, man."

He also spoke about his admiration for Tems and the success of 'Essence.'

Wizkid - Made In Lagos Deluxe. (SONY/RCA/STARBOY)

He also spoke about his admiration for Tems and the success of 'Essence.'

'Made in Lagos' cost me three years, knew it'll be mega success - Wizkid

On December 10, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid had a conversation with Apple Music. This was meant to commemorate his Apple Music Award for Artist of the Year (Africa).&nbsp;

He reflects on the last 12 months, discusses the huge success of his album, Made In Lagos, explains how his life has changed since his 2011 debut and reveals his plans for 2022.&nbsp;As part of the show, he spoke about the night he made 'Essence.'

He says, "Crazy thing is, the night we made “Essence,” I made “Gyrate” the same night. So sometimes in a night I made two bangers, three bangers. I wake up and get to it. I treat this sh** like school. I wake up in the morning. I'm like, yeah, I did well yesterday. Let's go. What are we doing today? You know what I mean?

"Hell yeah, man. I knew that&nbsp;[“Essence”] was a smash. The night we made it, I actually tweeted something. My fans actually reminded me of it after we put out the album.

"Because I tweeted “Tems and I made magic.” That was what I tweeted. I knew it was magic, man. I've been making this sh** for 10 years. Come on. You think I'm not going to know if we make it?

"It feels good. It feels really, really great. When you have a record like that, it feels good, man. But the most important thing is when we made it, we wasn't thinking about no commercial success or anything like that. We was just trying to make good music. So I think maybe that's why people really like that record like that, because it just comes from the soul. Just natural, organic sh**."

He also thanked Apple Music for his award.

Wizkid named artist of the year by Apple Music. (Apple Music)

He also thanked Apple Music for his award.

Wizkid talks about the night he made 'Essence'

He reflects on the last 12 months, discusses the huge success of his album, Made In Lagos, explains how his life has changed since his 2011 debut and reveals his plans for 2022.&nbsp;As part of the show, he spoke about the success of 'Essence' and his admiration for Tems.

He says, "I don't see it like that. I don't think I'm the first through it. I don't know what I did, but it just kicked the door open. I feel like everyone's about to come through right now. There's about to be loads of records from Africa. That feels good because the truth is, people are tired of listening to the same sh**. They want some real sh**.

"And during the pandemic, it kind of helped because we're all in the house. So it helped everyone find, well for me, basically I would speak for myself. It made me understand the kind of music that I really loved to listen to more. So I feel like that just helped everyone get in touch with like, oh, yeah, man. I want to listen to some good music, what feels great?

"So when that record dropped, what it did for me was what it did for the people. It made me feel better every time I listen to the song. So it's just a great record, man. Great record. And I love Tems to death. She's a special, special talent. She's like my top three."

Wizkid also thanked Apple Music for the award.

Wizkid also thanked Apple Music for the award.

'Tems is in my top three,' says Wizkid

On September 18, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy took to his Instagram stories to break many fans' hearts. He announced that he will not release an album this year.

Burna Boy talks new album. (Instagram/BurnaBoyGram)

On his Instagram stories, he wrote that, "I might decide not to drop an album for a long time. In fact, you know what, no album till further notice."

In April 2021, Pulse Nigeria reported that Burna Boy teased <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/burna-boy-hints-at-august-2021-release-for-new-album/2z6cngx">an August 2021 release</a> for his new album. But having released two singles, 'Kilometre' and 'Question' with Don Jazzy in 2021, he looks to have shelved those plans.

A year without an album release would be Burna Boy's first since 2017. In the last three years, he has released <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/pulse-album-review-burna-boy-and-damini-ogulu-are-the-same-person-on-outside-album/qwh20pd">Outside</a>, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/album-review-pulse-does-a-breakdown-of-burna-boys-african-giant/z2dvdhz">African Giant</a> and <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-burna-boy-twice-as-tall/hxbfrgt">Twice As Tall</a>, which dropped in August 2020.

A year without an album release would be Burna Boy's first since 2017.

Burna Boy says he will not release an album till further notice

Five years ago, when Soundcloud was at its peak, with Nigeria’s alte scene and independent artists, Ghana was having its own moments. From that era came artists like Worlasi, Akan, Kwesi Arthur, Bryan The Mensah, Amaarae, and the celebrated La Meme Gang, featuring RJZ, the talented Darkovibes, Kiddblack and $pacely.&nbsp;

Also in their circles was Joey B. As each member has gone on to do different things, turning their ‘cool kid’ background into content with more mainstream appeal, $pacely has tried to find his feet. In 2019, he released his impressive debut, Fine$$e or Be Fine$$ed, which featured Brudda Nay, Odunsi, PrettyboyDO, Joey B, Magnom, Cina Soul, Teezee, BuMan, Odartei, Kofi Mole and Pappy Kojo.&nbsp;

The EP produced the timeless gem, ‘Yawa.’ While his debut had gems and certain skips, he has returned with KEANU, &nbsp;a sophomore with no skips. At the centre of the project is $pacely himself, conceptualized as King Keanu, an alter ego inspired by Canadian actor, Keanu Reeves.

Word from $pacely notes that 'Keanu' is an embodiment of growth, wins, setbacks, and a general outlook on life and its pleasures. Most of the stories on the 9-track EP are braggadocious tales told from the first-person, with a focus on money, women, hedonism and more.&nbsp;

While some of the stories told on the EP seem circumstantial, it feels like $pacely and his support cast are built to say some wild things for shock value or that they have a highly functional imagination. Nonetheless, the EP appeals to the vanity of the average young African to live the opulent life of success, blings, partying and women.&nbsp;

However, $pacely also has time with the love-tune on ‘Rio De Janiero,’ a track about a beautiful woman, with whom $pacely and Kiddblack want to have a memorable time that could rival the “pearly gates” of heaven. While certain moments stand out lyrically, this project isn’t about bars, it’s about enjoying pure contemporary Rap music by way of Trap, Emo and Drill.&nbsp;

Most of the time, $pacely’s incredible ear for beats, his ability to pick the perfect support cast to match his ‘craze’ as well as his ability to generate the right flows, hook and appeal to match his impeccably selected beats do the job. It was also interesting to see $pacely dabble in French across the EP, as a homage to his Swiss upbringing.

'KEANU' also features performances by French-speaking rappers, Cyano Gene and Green Nagasaki, as well as production credits from Geneva-based record producer KLP.

As much as the EP possesses all-round brilliance, it spectacularly peaks with its final four tracks; ‘Easy Come,’ ‘1217,' 'Va Vene' and ‘Afroballers’ are standout tracks.&nbsp;

Pulse Rating: /10

As much as the EP possesses all-round brilliance, it spectacularly peaks with its final four tracks; ‘Easy Come,’ ‘1217,' 'Va Vene' and ‘Afroballers’ are standout tracks.&nbsp;

$pacely’s ‘KEANU’ is a beautiful session in Trap and Drill [Pulse EP Review]

At 10:22 pm on August 5, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid announced that tickets for his November 2021 show at the O2 sold out in 12 minutes.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">SOLD OUT THE 02 ARENA in 12 MINUTES. LONDON! I LOVE YOU 🇬🇧🦅❤️ <a href="https://t.co/bJY0LpeuCP">pic.twitter.com/bJY0LpeuCP</a>&mdash; Wizkid (@wizkidayo) <a href="https://twitter.com/wizkidayo/status/1423575082413301760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div>

Via a tweet, Wizkid wrote that, "SOLD OUT THE 02 ARENA in 12 MINUTES. LONDON! I LOVE YOU."

The show will be a part of The O2’s Welcome Back Show series where Wizkid will perform his Made In Lagos show to full capacity crowds on Sunday November 28, 2021.

The O2’s Welcome Back Show series will also showcase the very best of British and International acts. Wizkid's Made In Lagos is one of the most sought-after shows in the world this season. A day ago, Pulse Nigeria reported about a woman who <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/photos-unknown-woman-offers-to-perform-oral-sex-on-wizkid-for-two-tickets-to-made-in/g92nz98">offered Wizkid oral sex</a> for a ticket.

<ul><li>Burna Boy - August 27, 2021</li><li>Ministry of Sound Classical - November 13, 2021</li><li>Alanis Morissette - November 24, 2021</li><li>UK comedian Mo Gilligan + Friends with ‘The Black British Takeover’ - December 8, 2021</li></ul>

Wizkid loves his floral beach shirts {instagram/wizkid}

The O2’s Welcome Back Show series will also showcase the very best of British and International acts.

Wizkid's concert at the O2 sells out in 12 minutes

On July 27, 2021, Nigerian superstar and DMW boss, Davido marked his 10th entry on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales Chart with his 'Shopping Spree.'

'Shopping Spree,' which recently got a video alongside Chris Brown and Young Thug was released on Davido's third album and fourth body of work, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-davido-a-better-time-album/dypcbde">A Better Time</a>. The song tracks the expensive promises of a suitor to a woman.

Of the 10 songs, nine are Davido's songs like 'Fall,' 'IF,' 'Blow My Mind,' 'Risky,' 'FIA,' 'FEM,' 'Holy Ground,' 'Shopping Spree' and 'Wonder Woman.'

'One Ticket' is also a song he co-owns with Kizz Daniel, which has also appeared on the chart.

You can watch a video for 'Shopping Spree' below;

Nigerian music star David Davido Adeleke [Instagram/Davido]

Of the 20 songs, nine are Davido's songs like 'Fall,' 'IF,' 'Blow My Mind,' 'Risky,' 'FIA,' 'FEM,' 'Holy Ground,' 'Shopping Spree' and 'Wonder Woman.'

Davido makes his 10th entry on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart with 'Shopping Spree'

<h1>In an audio obtained by Pulse Nigeria on June 8, 2021, Seyi Shay narrates her side of the story and made some accusations towards Tiwa Savage.</h1>

On June 8, 2021, Nigerian stars, Seyi Shay and Tiwa Savage met each other at Tayo Cuts, Triplet Studio, Lekki Phase One. It is a health and beauty salon that specializes in short hair treatment. Savage was there, already getting her hair done while Shay was there to get her hair done for her Idols appearance on Sunday, June 13, 2021.&nbsp;

Around 11 am, Shay could already feel the tension as she walked in and saw Tiwa Savage at the salon.

Their eyes met and Shay deemed it fit to go say hi to ease the tension. Their mutual presence in the same space was uneasy because of reasons Pulse Nigeria covered in <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/tiwa-savage-and-seyi-shay-almost-come-to-blows-over-2-year-old-beef/rb4hnsd">a report earlier today.&nbsp;</a>

Shay recalls that she walked over to say hi to Savage, who greeted her back while they shared fleeting glances at each other. As further told by Seyi Shay and confirmed by an eyewitness, Savage walked over to Shay around 20 minutes later and the now infamous argument began.&nbsp;

A shocked Shay says that Savage’s beef with her was not about the #FvckYouChallenge verse she recorded in April 2019 because they have met each other more than twice since her #FvckYouChallenge and they exchanged pleasantries on all occasions.&nbsp;

“We’ve even entered private jet together, we’ve taken pictures together,” Shay recalls.&nbsp;

To her, the beef is way more than that.&nbsp;

After having writing credits for acts like Fantasia Barrino and working with producer Harmony Samuels in Los Angeles, California, Tiwa Savage returned to Nigeria with her manager and ex-husband, Tunji ‘Teebilz’ Balogun with popstar dreams.&nbsp;

Alongside Davido who was co-signed by Tosin Ashafa, Savage was signed by Flytime CEO, Cecil Hammond. It was at this time that Savage and Davido briefly became roommates. While in Nigeria, Hammond pitched Savage to some producers including Don Jazzy, but the arrangement didn’t work out.&nbsp;

But by August 2010, Savage’s National Anthem became the toast of Nigeria. A little while later with financial push from Hammond, she went back to Los Angeles to work with Harmony Samuels and came back with ‘Kele Kele Love,’ which became a smash hit. From there, she never looked back and later joined MAVIN Records.&nbsp;

After losing Savage, Hammond once again worked his magic and brought on Seyi Shay to recreate the magic and he did. Like clockwork, Shay also shares ties with Harmony Samuels, who produced her first single, ‘No Lele.’ Under the watchful eye of Hammond, Shay rose and became a bonafide star of Nigerian pop music.&nbsp;

In those moments, the seeds of beef were first planted.&nbsp;

Shay was in America when she saw a video of ‘Lova Lova’ featuring Duncan Mighty pop up on her television screen. Surprised alongside members of her team, she placed a call to Tiwa Savage to clarify her stance. She had co-written the song with Nigerian singer-songwriter, Ceeza Milli who passed it to Savage without prior notice.&nbsp;

Shay claims that she only asked for metadata and rights to the song but she was confronted by roadblocks.&nbsp;

<h2>2014-2017: Brand deals and collaborations&nbsp;</h2>

In 2014, Shay had butted heads with a pregnant Savage.&nbsp;

In the same audio that Pulse obtained, Shay says that Savage threatened to sue a brand if she [Shay] wasn’t pulled from an ambassadorial role. A little while later, Savage also allegedly picked a fight with a popular male artist for featuring on a song for the two female artists respectively.&nbsp;

<h2>2019-2021: FvckYouChallenge and back to Tayo Cuts</h2>

In April 2019, Seyi Shay took aim at Tiwa Savage with subtle jabs in her version of Kizz Daniel’s viral #FvckYouChallenge.&nbsp;

You say you be my sister, but you wan collect my lover

You be deceiver, olofofo heart robber

Na why I no dey fuck you anymore

I no get time for you anymore

You know I’m not Savage, I dey pay my bills

You no go see my name for the Xscape

But [Prostitute] come be your hobby

Na so you come take first rate their hobby…

Shay also appeared to take shots at Savage for allegedly trying to block other women in the industry.

With what happened at Tayo Cuts in June 2021, Seyi Shay feels like she could have said more damaging things in the verse.&nbsp;

To Shay, her #FvckYouChallenge verse was a culmination of all the things she’s experienced with Tiwa Savage.&nbsp;

You can listen to Seyi Shay's full account below;

Here are the details and origin of the beef between Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay. (More Naija)

The details and origin of the beef between Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay.

Seyi Shay tells her side of the story in leaked audio after argument with Tiwa Savage [Pulse Exclusive Report]

<h1>A few days ago, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy added another feather to his hat. He became the first artiste to hit 100 million streams on streaming platform, Boomplay. </h1>

This milestone comes after Burna Boy won big in the Best World Album category for his album, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/review-burna-boy-twice-as-tall/hxbfrgt">Twice As Tall. </a>

It’s almost a decade since the self-acclaimed ‘African Giant’ launched into the music scene and ever since been dropping hits back to back. Here is a brief summary of his musical journey.

<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/album-review-pulse-does-a-breakdown-of-burna-boys-african-giant/z2dvdhz">African Giant </a>currently holds a record of 29 Million streams on Boomplay while the Grammy-winning ‘Twice as Tall’ recorded one million streams within 24hrs of its release on Boomplay.

Almost 8 months after it’s release, his fifth studio album, ‘Twice as Tall’ has amassed Over 45 Million streams on Boomplay, making it the most streamed album on Boomplay Music.

Burna boy is closely followed by Fireboy and Olamide on the all-time Boomplay charts.

Burna Boy takes a swipe at those who prayed for him not to win Grammy (CNN)

Burna boy is closely followed by Fireboy and Olamide on the all-time Boomplay charts.

Burnaboy becomes the first artiste to hit 100 Million streams on Boomplay

<h1>On February 22, 2020, Legendary Styles debuted 'Loose Guard (I See, I Saw)' on Aktivated Sessions. What shocked most people was how the beat differed in comparison to the viral version of ‘Loose Guard.’</h1>

On March 12, 2021, Legendary Styles released a remix to his viral single, ‘Loose Guard’ and it featured award-winning Nigerian rapper, Falz. Once again, the beat was different to both the viral and Aktivated Session versions. People simply attributed the change to the ‘remix factor,' but the story is much deeper than that.

See, that change was a necessity for Legendary Styles. The beat to the viral version of ‘Loose Guard’ was originally used by British Rap Group, G4 Boyz, for their song, ‘Prada.’&nbsp;

This will get clearer a little later, but four years before the 21-year-old Styles made ‘Loose Guard,’ he quit music to become a Site Manager for his dad. The record was his comeback. Interestingly, before he made ‘Loose Guard,’ Styles had only heard two Drill tracks; ‘Dior’ by Pop Smoke and ‘Prada’ by G4 Boyz.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I liked ‘Prada’ a lot. Anytime I’d listen to it, I would freestyle to the beat so intensely that ‘Prada’ would fade out of my mind [laughs],” he jokes. “In October 2020, I commenced a three-week search for that beat itself. On my way back from delivering stuff to my older sister, I found it on YouTube, downloaded it and composed ‘Loose Guard.”

“I was like ‘Now, I have this full song. I don get you.’ [laughs]. When I got home, I wrote what I composed in my head,” he continues. “When I was done, I made everybody in my family listen and they all liked it except my eldest sister who joked that, ‘Only people in this Owerri will like this your song’ [laughs]. She wanted me to make Afro-pop, but I told her that I wanted to stand out.”

While Styles intentionally made the song to be lyrically comical, he juxtaposed it by with a ‘hard voice' which projects seriousness. He felt the voice would draw people into the playground content on the song. His intent was to play on people’s minds and it worked.&nbsp;

On December 28, 2020, he posted the song on Audiomack and put the song on a music blog the next day. Some days into January, his messages began to pile up after people started making funny videos to the record.

But by late January, everything started slowing down even though Styles finally paid an Owerri OAP N15,000 to keep the song in rotation.&nbsp;

Then in February, two dancers; King Saavage and ASAP Gram created a hilarious, yet interesting and creative dance routine to the song. The rest is history.&nbsp;

“Interestingly, I begged my friends to help me create dance routines for the song, but they never answered,” Styles says. “I woke up one day and opened my Instagram page to lots of mentions and follows after King Saavage and Asap Granm made a dance video to the song. People even tagged G4 Boys saying, ‘Welcome to Nigeria.’&nbsp;

“The next thing, Alex Unusual of BBNaija danced to the song and replied to my DM. I was so thrilled that I told my friend that, “O boy, verified account reply my DM O,’ [laughs],” he continued. “Then the calls began…”

You see, that beat belongs to G4 Boyz and they blatantly refused to let Styles use it, regardless of what he offered. And he offered everything, including a 70/30 split in favour of the British Rap group, but it was declined. All interventions also proved abortive.&nbsp;

First, it was about not putting the song on Apple Music. Later, they simply told Styles to take the song off even Audiomack, where it had hit 400,000 streams. Styles endlessly pleaded with G4 Ice Baby, a member of the group with whom he had a rapport but his request was simply declined.&nbsp;

It didn't help that a Nigerian - presumably a distributor - put the song on Apple Music without Styles’ consent. Some days later, the song was taken off all platforms and Styles started working on another beat entirely.&nbsp;

But all that didn't matter, the viral version of ‘Loose Guard’ had found its way onto TikTok by then and even G4 Boyz couldn’t stop it. There are two new versions of the song. One has a beautiful melody while the other was produced by Willis Giddem.&nbsp;

<h2>The making of Legendary Styles&nbsp;</h2>

Legendary Styles has always liked music. Born Onwusonye Samuel Ikoku and bred in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, Styles was a dancer until he started making music at Holy Ghost College, Owerri. He was inspired by the upperclassmen, who would attend shows and thrill fans.&nbsp;

When he got to JSS2, he started writing his own raps. With the help of his older brother, he sharpened his skills and dropped his first single, ‘Beast of The Whole Nation’ a year later.&nbsp;

“It was Igbo rap because I love, love Igbo rap. My lyrics were also comical.” He reminisces. “Something you’d say in English might not be funny. But in Igbo, it will sound funny for sure. I was going for that…”&nbsp;

Motolani Alake

Articles written by the author

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