Caleb Zackery "Don" Toliver is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. His debut mixtape, Donny Womack (2018) was released a day prior to fellow Houston rapper Travis Scott's album Astroworld (2018), on which Toliver guest appeared on its song "Can't Say". In the following week, he signed with Scott's record label, Cactus Jack Records, in a joint venture with Atlantic Records.
Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. He gained recognition with his 2019 song "Dumebi". That same year, he signed with D'Prince's record label, Jonzing World. He achieved international recognition with his 2022 single "Calm Down", which spawned a remix with American singer Selena Gomez that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also led Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks.
Afrobeats, not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a style per se, and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing out of Nigeria and Ghana. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife, azonto music, and naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the "Afrobeats" umbrella.
"No Idea" is a song by American rapper and singer Don Toliver. It was released by Cactus Jack Records, Atlantic Records, and We Run It Entertainment on May 29, 2019, as the lead single from Toliver's debut studio album, Heaven or Hell (2020). It was produced by WondaGurl and Cubeatz. The song gained popularity in December 2019 after going viral on video sharing app TikTok.
"After Party" is a song by American rapper and singer Don Toliver, released on June 23, 2020, by Cactus Jack Records, Atlantic Records and We Run It Entertainment, as the fourth single from his debut studio album, Heaven or Hell (2020).
Stanley Omah Didia, known professionally as Omah Lay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. Omah Lay gained international prominence with his singles "Understand," "Attention," and "Soso". He has won numerous awards including Headies in 2020 and 2023.
"Lemonade" is a song by American hip hop collective and record label Internet Money and American rappers Gunna and Don Toliver featuring Canadian rapper Nav. It was released as the second single from Internet Money's debut studio album, B4 the Storm, on August 14, 2020. The song was produced by Internet Money producers Taz Taylor, Nick Mira, Alec Wigdahl, E-Trou, and Pharaoh Vice, who all wrote it with the rappers alongside John Mitchell, Jozzy, and Donny Flores. On September 14, 2022, it was included as the sole bonus track on Nav's fourth studio album, Demons Protected by Angels, which was released five days before. The official music video premiered later the same day as the song on Lyrical Lemonade and followed a SpongeBob SquarePants theme. The first remix of the song added a verse from Toliver along with another verse from fellow American rapper Roddy Ricch, omitting Gunna and Nav; this was released on September 30, 2020, and was included on the complete edition of B4 the Storm. The second and final remix, titled the Latin remix, adds Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA to the original song and was released on November 20, 2020.
"Love Nwantiti" is a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter CKay, released in 2019 as the second track from his second extended play Ckay the First by Chocolate City through Warner Music Group. A remix of the song titled "Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)" featuring Nigerian singer Joeboy and Ghanaian singer Kuami Eugene, released as a single in February 2020, became a commercial success in Nigeria, Middle East, North Africa and in many European club venues, as well as the subject of collaborations with few local artists for localised variations. The French version included vocals by French rapper Franglish.
"Essence" is a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid, featuring fellow Nigerian singer Tems. It was released on 30 October 2020, as the fourth single from Wizkid's fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. "Essence" was produced by P2J and Legendury Beatz. The "sensual" song sees the duo express their desire for each other. A music video was released on 9 April 2021, shot in Accra, Ghana. "Essence" is the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. The song received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance.
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Starr achieved mainstream international recognition in 2022, with the release of her song "Rush". The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It earned Starr a nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.
"Don't Go" is a song by American record producer Skrillex, Canadian singer Justin Bieber, and American rapper and singer Don Toliver. It was released as a single through Atlantic Records and Owsla on August 20, 2021. Production was handled by Skrillex and Harv, while the vocals were handled by Bieber and Toliver. All four wrote the song alongside Poo Bear, Beam, Aldae, Carlton McDowell, Jr., Jordan Douglas, and Drew Gold.
Anthony Ebuka Victor, known professionally as Victony, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. He is from the Orsu local government area of Imo State. He was influenced while growing up by artists such as Davido, Wizkid, Mi, and Falz. He is signed to a Nigerian record label called Mainland BlockParty and Jungle Records. He released a debut studio album Saturn, in August 2020. He released his first single titled Ina Benz, which was his first appearance in the music industry.
"Peru" is a song by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML. It was released on 20 July 2021, through YBNL Nation, and distributed by Empire. "Peru" was written by Fireboy DML, Ivory Scott, & Kolten Perine and produced by Shizzi & Perine. On 23 December 2021, a reworked version of "Peru" was released, in collaboration with English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The music video for the version with Sheeran was released on 24 December 2021. An additional remix, featuring rappers 21 Savage and Blxst was also later released. The song was nominated at the 7th annual African Entertainment Awards USA for Song of the Year. The song is not about the country of Peru, but rather a reference to Nigerian singer Peruzzi; the government of Peru nonetheless reacted positively to the song on Twitter.
"Attention" is a song by Nigerian singer Omah Lay and Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released through Sire Records and KeyQaad as the second single from Lay's debut studio album, Boy Alone, on 4 March 2022. The song was produced by Avedon and Harv. "Attention" was Lay's first charting song.
"Calm Down" is a song by Nigerian singer Rema, from his debut studio album Rave & Roses (2022). It was released on 11 February 2022 through Jonzing World and Mavin as the album's second single. The song charted across Europe, reaching number one on the Belgian Ultratop 50, Dutch Top 40 and Dutch Single Top 100. In the United Kingdom, "Calm Down" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent 27 non-consecutive weeks in the top ten of the chart.
Michael Chigozie Alagwu, better known by his stage name Tempoe, is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, singer and songwriter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he is popularly known for the tag "MÄD!", at the beginning or end of all his music productions. His production of CKay's breakout afrobeats song, Love Nwantiti received global recognition.
"Soso" is a song by Nigerian singer Omah Lay released by KeyQaad as the second single from Lay's debut studio album, Boy Alone, on 15 July 2022. The song was written by Omah Lay and Tempoe who also produced the song. In "Soso" Lay sings about his struggles with mental health and depression. A remix featuring Puerto Rican singer Ozuna was released in 2023.
"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).
Outlaw is the second EP by Nigerian singer Victony. It was released on 6 May 2022, by Encore Recordings and features producers Ktizo and Tempoe. Production was handled by Ktizo, Tempoe, Blaisebeatz, P.Priime, Dëra, Frank Moses, and Blind. The album housed the singles "Apollo," "Kolomental," and "Soweto."
"Sability" is a song by Nigerian singer Ayra Starr. It was released on 10 February 2023, and was written by Ayra Starr, her brother Dami, Mbryo, Louddaaa, Johnny Drille, London, and Prosper Udu. The song was produced by London, and features a sample of Awilo Longomba's "Coupe Bibamba." "Sability" was featured on Barack Obama's summer playlist in 2023. It was included on OkayAfrica's list of the "Best Afrobeats Songs of 2023."
