Devonté Hynes, also known as Blood Orange and formerly Lightspeed Champion, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and director based in New York City. From 2004 to 2006, Hynes was a member of the band Test Icicles, playing guitar, synth, and occasionally performing vocals. They released one full-length album in 2005. Hynes went on to release two solo studio albums as Lightspeed Champion and subsequently five more as Blood Orange, between 2008 and 2019.
David Adedeji AdelekeOON, known professionally as Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most important Afrobeats artists of the 21st century, and for popularizing the genre globally.
"Crew" is a song by American hip hop recording artist GoldLink. It was released on December 16, 2016, as the lead single from his debut studio album, At What Cost (2017). The song, produced by Teddy Walton, features vocals from American singer Brent Faiyaz and American rapper Shy Glizzy. The song was a sleeper hit, receiving a nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. It contains additional background vocals from Zacari.
At What Cost is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist GoldLink. It was released on March 24, 2017, by RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Wale, Shy Glizzy, Steve Lacy, Jazmine Sullivan, Kaytranada, Mýa, Brent Faiyaz, Ciscero, Kokayi, Hare Squead, Radiant Children, April George and Lil Dude. The album received positive reviews and has sold just over 500,000 copies, as of June, 2021.
Christopher Brent Wood, known professionally as Brent Faiyaz, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Faiyaz rose to prominence following his guest performance alongside Shy Glizzy on GoldLink's 2016 single "Crew". The song peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100, received sextuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The following year, Faiyaz released his debut studio album, Sonder Son (2017). He is noted for his "sly vocals" and "atmospheric slow jam productions," along with occasional rapping.
A Good Time is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Davido. It was released on November 22, 2019, through Davido Music Worldwide, RCA Records and Sony Music. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Summer Walker, Gunna, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Dremo, Peruzzi, Popcaan, Zlatan, Yonda, Wurld and Naira Marley. Its production was handled by Speroach Beatz, Tekno, Shizzi, Kiddominant, P2J, London on da Track, and Fresh VDM, among others. In December 2019, Davido announced a North American tour in support of the album; the tour was scheduled to begin in the winter and end in spring 2020. In March 2020, Davido postponed the tour due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The following is a list of events and releases that happened in 2020 in African music.
Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.
Fuck the World is the fourth extended play by American R&B singer Brent Faiyaz, released on February 7, 2020, through Lost Kids. With no guest appearances, the EP's production was primarily handled by Faiyaz, D-Pat, and Atu, the three members of Sonder, with assistance from Jake One, Los Hendrix, No I.D., Paperboy Fabe, Sam Wish, and several other producers. The project serves as a follow-up to Faiyaz's fourth EP, Lost (2018).
Made in Lagos is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Wizkid. It was released on 30 October 2020 by Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Burna Boy, Skepta, H.E.R., Ella Mai, Tay Iwar, Projexx, Tems, Damian Marley, Terri and was executive produced by P2J. The deluxe edition was released on 27 August 2021. It features additional guest appearances from Buju and Justin Bieber. In support of the album, Wizkid embarked on the Made in Lagos Tour (2021–2022). The album received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
For Broken Ears is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer Tems. It was produced primarily by Tems, along with production from Spax, Omeiza and Tejiri Akpoghene, and was released on 25 September 2020 by Leading Vibes Limited. It spawned front several hits in 2022, including "Higher" which was sampled on Future's number one Billboard Hot 100 hit "Wait for U" and "Free Mind" which debuted on the chart, gaining Tems her first solo appearance.
"Damages" is a song by Nigerian singer and record producer Tems. It was released on 17 September 2020. Written by Tems and produced by Spax, the song is the only single from Tems's first EP For Broken Ears, which was released on 25 September 2020.
Richard Olowaranti Mbu Isong, known professionally as P2J is a Nigerian-British producer from London, England. He has produced for high-profile pop artists including Beyoncé, Wizkid, Stormzy, FKA Twigs, Burna Boy, Tems, and Doja Cat, among others.
Akano Samuel is a Nigerian record producer, Mixing Engineer and Arranger. Born in Niger State, Minna He is notable with the mainstream sound tag "Classic" and "if it's Spax then it gotta be" which is well known in the African mainstream music scene.
Wasteland is the second studio album by American R&B singer Brent Faiyaz, released on July 8, 2022, through Lost Kids, Venice Music, and Stem Disintermedia. The album features guest appearances from Alicia Keys, DJ Dahi, Drake, Joony, Tre Amani, and Tyler, The Creator, while the album's production was primarily handled by Faiyaz himself and Jordan Ware, with assistance from Beat Butcha, Che Pope, DJ Dahi, Jake One, No I.D., Paperboy Fabe, Raphael Saadiq, |The Neptunes, and the album's executive producer, Jonathan "Freeze" Wells. The album serves as a follow-up to the EP Fuck the World (2020).
"Me & U" is a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems, released on 5 October 2023, through RCA Records. Written and produced by both GuiltyBeatz and Tems, it serves as the lead single for her debut album Born in the Wild, and is her first solo release since her extended play If Orange Was a Place (2021).
Larger than Life is American R&B singer Brent Faiyaz's debut mixtape. It was released independently through Faiyaz's label ISO Supremacy and distributed through UnitedMasters on October 27, 2023, as a surprise release. The album features guest appearances from ASAP Ant, ASAP Rocky, Babyface Ray, Coco Jones, Cruddy Murda, Felix!, Flee, Lil Gray, Missy Elliott, N3WYRKLA, Princess Cro, Tommy Richman, and TTM Dawg. The majority of the album was produced by Dpat alongside Mannyvelli and Sparkheem who also produced several tracks on the project. Larger than Life was preceded by two singles; the Coco Jones-assisted "Moment of Your Life" and "WY@".
Born in the Wild is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Tems. It was released on 7 June 2024, via RCA Records and Since '93. The album was supported by the singles "Me & U" and "Love Me JeJe". Born in the Wild features guest appearances from J. Cole and Asake. Its production was handled by Tems, GuiltyBeatz, Sarz, P2J, London, Spax, and DameDame. In promotion of the album, Tems will embark on the Born in the Wild Tour.
Born in the Wild Tour is the ongoing debut concert tour by Nigerian singer Tems in support of her debut studio album, Born in the Wild (2024). The supporting acts are American singer Naomi Sharon and Nigerian American singer Godwin. The European leg of the tour commenced on June 11, 2024, in Eventim Apollo, London. The North American leg of the tour commenced on August 22, 2024, in Miami and ended on October 10, 2024.
