Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Nigerian Rap Didn’t Start In The 90s
When people talk about Nigerian rap history, the conversation almost always starts in the 90s and early 2000s. It starts with artists like Junior & Pretty, The Remedies, Da Trybesmen, Thoroughbreds, Weird MC and Modenine, who helped Nigerian hip-hop stand firm in the flourishing music scene. But here’s the thing: Nigerian rap didn’t magically appear…
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Martell and the Sound: Why the World’s Oldest Cognac House Is Investing in Afrobeats Storytelling
Five seasons in, OkayAfrica’s Afrobeats Intelligence remains the most important music podcast on the continent. The show returns with Martell as sponsor for Season 5, hosted as always by Joey Akan, with a guest lineup that makes a strong case for why this may be the most significant season yet. Shallipopi, Wale, Sarz, Ladipoe, Kcee,…
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Teni and Olamide Unite on Soulful New Single “Zion” via Gamma Africa
Afrobeats powerhouse Teni teams up with rap icon Olamide on a heartfelt new single titled Zion, released under Gamma Africa. The record blends vulnerability, love, and emotional refuge over a smooth, melodic production. On Zion, Teni delivers an introspective performance, exploring themes of isolation, judgment, and the search for peace. Anchored by the recurring line…
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Bella Shmurda & Olamide Reunite on “Ara”
Nigerian street pop star Bella Shmurda teams up once again with Afrobeats icon Olamide for their latest single, “Ara,” released on April 23rd, alongside a compelling official music video. More than just a collaboration, Ara represents a full-circle moment between two artists whose journeys have been deeply intertwined within Nigeria’s evolving street pop landscape. From…
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DEMI ANDRE PRESENTS “NO BREAKS”
A BOUNDARY-PUSHING 5-HOUR SINGLE DJ, MULTI GENRE EXPERIENCE. Demi Andre is stepping into a new era of creative expression with NO BREAKS, an ambitious 5-hour multi-genre set happening April 24 at BLXCK Lagos. Known for constantly evolving his sound and challenging the limits of his artistry, this extended set marks a defining moment in his…
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Canada-Based Afro R&B & Afrobeats Artist Bolu Unveils “COLA”
A Smooth Celebration of Women, Aura, and Desire Canada-based Afro R&B and Afrobeats artist Bolu steps into a new chapter with the release of “COLA,” a smooth, replay-worthy single that merges melodic intimacy with the infectious bounce of contemporary African sound. Built around admiration, confidence, and feel-good energy, “COLA” is a vibrant celebration of women—their…
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kosi. Demands For More On Striking New Single “3AM”
Alternative R&B artist kosi. returns with a new single, “3AM”. On “3AM”, she works through the familiar feeling of yearning for a deeper connection from a loved one and pushes the narrative further by sitting in the feeling, no longer waiting for closure, but recognizing she never needed it. kosi. wants her listeners to move…
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Harry Carter & Yiyi Pasha Conjure Ancestral Heat on New Single “Late Night”
The collaboration taps the ancient pulse of Edo’s Ekaba drums, fusing deep cultural roots with contemporary Afrofusion production in a record built for both the dancefloor and the soul. Lagos and New York collide on “Late Night”, the freshest collaboration between fast-rising Lagos-based artist Yiyi Pasha and New York-based Nigerian multi-hyphenate Harry Carter. Released under…
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FRNTHAUS Returns with Edition 03 — Cheque and Lovn Take the Live Stage in Lagos on April 24th
Nigeria’s foremost Live performance platform brings two of Nigeria’s most compelling voices together for a night of high-fidelity, band-led performance: free to attend, and built to be remembered LAGOS, NIGERIA — April 2026. FRNTHAUS [Front of House], the Lagos-based live performance infrastructure platform operated by CRCL Talent and Entertainment Ltd, has announced the details of…
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Kayode Is On A Mission To Honour Nigerian Music History
Since his first single in 2019, the Lagos-based rapper and producer Kayode has been releasing music across hip-hop, drill, trap, alternative, afrobeats and R&B, sharpening his sound through projects like the 2023 album Still Figuring Life and the 2024 EP Kay Kay, collaborating with PsychoYP and Odumodublvck, and crossing 50 million streams without a major…
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