The track is powered by the production expertise of ATown TSB, who crafts a hard-hitting beat that perfectly complements Strongman’s fast-paced delivery, intricate rhyme schemes, and signature punchlines. True to its title, the song serves as a direct message to the music industry, with Strongman addressing his position, highlighting his independent journey, and reminding fans and critics alike why he remains one of the sharpest wordsmiths in the game.
Complementing the audio, the official music video directed by SniperBoy adds a dynamic visual layer to the project. Through clean performance shots, slick camera movements, and cinematic lighting, the visual reflects the high energy and confident tone of the track. SniperBoy’s direction keeps the focus firmly on Strongman, highlighting his commanding screen presence and intensity.
With this latest release, Strongman continues to solidify his reputation as a consistent force in African hip-hop. “The Statement” is currently available for streaming across all major digital platforms, with the official music video now live on YouTube.
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Apple Music’s Rap Life Africa playlist will feature South African artists Nasty C and Tellaman this month, fresh off their full-length collaborative album, T’s & C’s Apply. Bringing together two of Durban’s most influential musical exports, the project is the culmination of years of shared studio sessions and creative evolution, creating a space where Hip-Hop, R&B and African sounds collide on their own terms.
The project represents the next chapter in a creative relationship that has produced some of the pair’s most memorable collaborations. Their work together began taking shape when they developed the track “Big Timing” for Nasty C’s FREE project, with the session ultimately providing the sonic direction and confidence to build T’s & C’s Applyinto a project of its own. Across the album, Tellaman brings his signature melodic approach across Hip-Hop and R&B, while Nasty C contributes sharp storytelling, raw bars and harmonic moments, allowing both artists to stretch beyond their established sounds.
This month, Rap Life Africa will also spotlight Kweku Smoke & Kwesi Arthur’s “Power House”, from Kweku Smoke’s NO DAYS OFF. Nearly a decade into his career, the Ghanaian trap heavyweight continues to pair razor-sharp bars about ambition with street-level storytelling and melodic textures. Also featured is Rush-Awa’s “Ntshepe,” the latest collaboration from MashBeatz and DJ Sliqe featuring Loatinover Pounds, Sjava and Cassper Nyovest. Following their Gold-certified breakout single “Lapisa,” the track brings together different sides of South African Hip-Hop while maintaining a distinctly local identity.
Spotlight On
Nasty C and Tellaman’s creative partnership has developed over years of making music together, evolving from individual careers and collaborations into a fully realised joint project. Officially more than a year in the making, T’s & C’s Apply was recorded across multiple creative sessions, primarily in Johannesburg, bringing together a diverse group of producers and vocalists. The album features contributions from Oxlade, Blxckie, Lusanda and crownedYung, while radio personality Ayanda MVP takes on a distinctive role as the voice guiding listeners through the fictional “Isinqa FM” that frames the world of the project.
At the heart of T’s & C’s Apply is the chemistry between two artists who understand their individual strengths while remaining willing to experiment beyond them. Tellaman’s fluid melodic flows and hooks meet Nasty C’s storytelling and raw lyricism, resulting in a project that feels expansive rather than restrictive. Their shared ambition is to challenge how listeners define R&B and demonstrate how artists can move between sounds to better express themselves and their stories, while embracing collaborations that cross genres and countries.
First To Know
Speaking on the collaboration and project, Nasty C tells Apple Music, “For Tellaman and I, it has really been about creating something authentic and rich in detail when we’re in the studio. Tellaman brings his own vibe that dabbles between Hip Hop and R&B, whilst I bring my twist on storytelling across raw bars and harmonic interludes. It is a blend that has proven successful in our past work together, so we saw it fit to bring it into this project whilst still expressing our individual growth sonically and lyrically.”
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Rap Life Africa serves as a companion to Apple Music’s flagship Hip-Hop playlist, Rap Life.
]]>Now available on all major digital streaming platforms the song explores the theme of love, commitment and the willingness to hold on to a relationship through the passing of time, a sentiment captured in its title “365 Days.”
Gyakie’s appearance on the record further highlights her growing connection with Nigeria’s vibrant music scene where she continues to collaborate with notable artistes and extend the reach of her music beyond Ghana.
Known for her distinctive vocals and emotive delivery Gyakie brings her signature touch to “365 Days,” complementing Ajebo Hustlers’ sound and adding another Ghana-Nigeria collaboration to her expanding catalogue.
The release comes as another indication of Gyakie’s continued relevance in one of Africa’s biggest music markets.
Her growing catalogue of Nigerian collaborations and strong streaming presence have positioned her as one of Ghana’s leading artistes making significant inroads into Nigeria.
Behind Gyakie’s continued cross border collaborations is her record label Flip The Music which continues to strategically position the songstress for greater opportunities collaborations and visibility across the continent.
With “365 Days” now out across all DSPs Gyakie continues her Nigerian music run further cementing her position as a Ghanaian artiste capable of connecting with audiences across borders.
]]>The Legends Football Match, scheduled for 8 November 2026 at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, will bring together football icons from Africa and beyond. The event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the legendary mid-1990s Super Eagles squad—commemorating their historic 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph, 1994 FIFA World Cup run, and their defining 1996 Olympic Gold medal in Atlanta.
As part of CANEX WKND 2026—Afreximbank’s flagship platform for advancing Africa’s creative and cultural industries—the match will showcase the link between sports, entertainment, and the broader creative economy.
The event is expected to attract significant interest from football fans, the creative community and the wider public, with local and international media also attending.
Speaking during the press conference, Temwa Gondwe, Director of Creatives and Diaspora at Afreximbank said: “The 1996 Super Eagles did more than win Olympic gold; they re-wrote the global narrative, proving to the world that African talent is an unstoppable force. Today, the intersection of sports, entertainment, and culture is the heartbeat of Africa’s creative economy. The Legends Game is more than a celebration of our glorious past – it is a strategic and formidable platform to discuss the future commercialisation and empowerment of African athletes and creatives globally.”
Chichi Nwoko Founder and CEO of TopTier Sports Management, What Media Group, responsible for the planning and execution of the Legends Football Games said, “Thirty years ago, a generation of Nigerian footballers showed the world what African talent was capable of. The Legends Football Game is our way of saying thank you to them, and our chance to ask harder questions: what are we building for this generation and the next? We want to build the infrastructure that lets African athletes turn a playing career into a lasting one, on and off the field; this is a huge gap that must be addressed. That’s what this partnership with Afreximbank seeks to achieve.”
The Legends Football Match will also contribute to the broader CANEX WKND 2026 objective of positioning Lagos as a leading destination for Africa’s creative industries and demonstrating the power of major cultural and entertainment events to drive economic activity, tourism, investment, and international engagement.
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The couple has taken to their social media pages to celebrate the anniversary, sharing photos and a video of themselves dressed in bridal outfits as they marked the milestone.
Blessing, in her posts, expressed gratitude to God for seeing them through the five years, describing Him as “our anchor, our rock and our refuge.” She emphasized on the joy of continuing life with her husband, describing it as a dream she remains grateful to live.
“This is 5!! What a ride. To my king and sweetness, you set the bar too high for sweetness and Christlike love. It’s an honour to be called yours. Cheers to forever… Love you irrevocably!!” she wrote.
Stan Nze , on his part, reaffirmed his love for his bwife, noting that he would choose her again if given the chance.
“If I had to choose again, I would choose you over and over again. Chinomso m, my Sweetness, My Ride or Die. I love you forever. Happy Anniversary to us baby,” he wrote.
The couple’s anniversary posts have since attracted congratulatory messages and prayers from fans, friends and loved ones celebrating the milestone with them.
]]>Nigerian singer and songwriter ru. is making a case for African artists to be recognised for the full diversity of their music rather than being automatically placed under the broad umbrella of Afrobeats.
Speaking with Apple Music’s Ebro as part of the platform’s Africa Rising programme, the rising artist opened up about her debut EP, Silk, her creative journey and the challenges African musicians face when their sound is immediately categorised based on where they come from.
ru., who recently released the five-track project, described Silk as an important turning point in her career and a deeply personal introduction to who she is as an artist.
Explaining the inspiration behind the EP’s title, ru. said Silk represents the duality she explores throughout the project.
While silk is often associated with softness, beauty and fragility, she pointed to the remarkable strength of spider silk, which can rival steel in strength.
For ru., that contrast became the perfect metaphor for the different sides of her identity.
The singer said the EP documents her personal “story of becoming,” exploring questions around purpose, identity, womanhood and the pressure of navigating life as a young woman.
Songs including Woman, Girly Girl, Entertainer and Colors of Falling, she explained, are rooted in some of the questions she has been asking herself.
ru. said she wants to embrace both her softness and her strength without allowing societal expectations to dictate who she should become.
Authenticity, she added, remains central to her songwriting, with music providing an emotional outlet through which she can process her experiences while also connecting with listeners who may not always have the words to express what they are going through.
One of the most revealing moments of the conversation came when ru. asked Ebro how he would describe her sound.
Ebro described Silk as sitting somewhere within the Afro-pop and Afro-soul space, noting that the project incorporates African musical influences while maintaining a strong pop appeal.
The discussion soon turned to the tendency for audiences outside Africa to describe almost every contemporary sound coming from the continent as Afrobeats.
Ebro suggested that listeners internationally are beginning to better understand that African music is far more diverse than one genre.
ru. strongly agreed.
“Not everything from here is Afrobeats,” she said, explaining that many artists have been labelled based simply on their geographical origins.
According to the singer, this approach can leave artists feeling creatively boxed in.
She argued that musicians should be able to experiment and explore their identities without feeling pressured to make Afrobeats simply because they come from Africa.
“A lot of Nigerian artists really want to please their immediate audiences,” she said during the conversation, questioning why an artist who does not make Afrobeats should be expected to fit into the genre.
For ru., music should ultimately be allowed to exist beyond geographical assumptions.
“It’s music, period, regardless of where we’re from,” she said.
The conversation also explored the role the music industry plays in creating and maintaining genre labels.
Ebro noted that categories are often driven by marketing and commerce, with labels and advertisers choosing familiar terms that make it easier for audiences to understand and consume music.
However, he suggested that artists and creatives often lead the conversation, helping audiences develop a deeper understanding of new sounds before the business side eventually catches up.
ru. also discussed the place of Alte and other emerging sounds within Nigeria’s evolving musical landscape.
She described Alte as a space often occupied by experimental and difficult-to-categorise music — sounds that are unique, fresh and do not easily fit into existing genres.
The conversation highlighted the increasingly complex and diverse nature of African music, where artists are drawing from traditional sounds, R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul and other global influences to create entirely new musical expressions.
Beyond the discussion around genres, Ebro praised ru.’s debut EP for its range, vulnerability and production choices.
He noted that Silk moves across different tempos and sonic textures while allowing ru.’s songwriting and vocal personality to remain at the centre.
The Apple Music host also commended the singer’s creative and management team, something ru. said she was deeply grateful for.
ru., meanwhile, said being selected as an Apple Music Africa Rising artist was an honour and an opportunity she does not take lightly.
The programme has helped introduce emerging African artists to wider audiences, and ru. said she was grateful that her work and the vision behind it had been recognised.
With Silk, ru. appears determined to establish herself not simply through a genre label but through the stories, emotions and experiences that shape her music.
And as African artists continue to push creative boundaries and build sounds that travel across continents, ru.’s message is clear: where an artist comes from should not determine the limits of where their music can go.
]]>The original ‘Agenda’ introduced listeners to RCee’s distinct blend of melody, rhythm and Highlife-inspired storytelling. With ‘Agenda 2.0,’ the record returns with renewed energy, and a fresh perspective from King Paluta.
King Paluta’s presence on the remix brings a different dimension to the song, complementing RCee’s smooth and infectious delivery with his signature wordplay and unmistakable Ghanaian flavour. The result is a collaboration that feels natural, energetic and rooted in the sounds currently shaping Ghanaian music.
For RCee, ‘Agenda 2.0’ represents more than simply adding a feature to an existing record. It is an opportunity to expand the life of a song that connected with listeners while introducing it to new audiences through one of the country’s most celebrated contemporary artists.
RCee has continued to build his reputation as an artist with a sound that balances contemporary Afrobeats, Highlife, R&B and soulful storytelling. Known for creating what he describes as “mood management,” his music often focuses on melodies and experiences that listeners can connect with beyond the moment.
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More than a collection of songs, “BALANCE” marks the meeting point between two artists with different personalities, flows, and approaches to Hip-Hop. Across its four tracks, the duo explores different moods, sounds, and perspectives while keeping their individual identities intact.
At the heart of the project is the desire to create music that genuinely connects with listeners. “For us, the biggest expectation for “BALANCE” is to create something that genuinely connects with people,” the artists explain. “Beyond the numbers and reaching a mass audience, we want listeners to hear themselves in the stories, emotions and experiences we’ve put into the project.”
The project also serves as an important statement about where both artists are in their respective careers. “BALANCE” allows Kwabilex and LL Degree to demonstrate their versatility, introduce themselves to new audiences and strengthen their identities as artists. The duo hopes the EP becomes more than just another release, but a stepping stone toward bigger opportunities, including new collaborations, performances, creative partnerships and relationships within the music industry.
For listeners who have followed either artist individually, “BALANCE” promises a different perspective. “Fans should expect to see a different side of both of us,” they say. “It’s not just about putting songs together; it’s about showing our personalities, our experiences and the different ways we approach Hip-Hop.”
Versatility is expected to be one of the project’s defining characteristics, with listeners encouraged to look out for different flows, moods and sounds throughout the four-track project. The artists are also confident that there will be moments that challenge expectations and reveal sides of their artistry that audiences may not have encountered before.
But perhaps the biggest attraction is the chemistry between the two artists. Kwabilex and LL Degree come from different creative perspectives, and “BALANCE” embraces that contrast rather than attempting to erase it. The EP demonstrates what can happen when two individual worlds meet and find common ground. Beyond the music, the artists are preparing to expand the “BALANCE” experience through visuals, performances, and content.
Ultimately, the goal is simple: to create an EP that listeners can enjoy, relate to, and return to. “If someone finishes the EP and feels like they’ve experienced different sides of us while still wanting to press play again, then we’ve done something right.”
With four songs, two voices, and a shared vision, “BALANCE” marks a new chapter for Kwabilex and LL Degree.
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Produced by Lee Michales and brought to life visually by PerfectTAKE Productions, “She Always Asking” gives fans another look at the versatility and authenticity Eman continues to bring to his music.
“She Always Asking” featuring Kodie Shane, a melodic, summer-ready record inspired by the complicated dynamics of a relationship in which one person continues asking questions they may not actually be prepared to have answered. Jones turns that familiar relationship tension into an infectious record that balances storytelling with an easygoing vibe, with Kodie Shane providing the perfect complement.
Watch “She Always Asking” featuring Kodie Shane now.
Follow @emanjonesofficial for new music, visuals and, upcoming releases.
]]>The unveiling marks an important step in Telecel Ghana’s vision of evolving the Telecel Play App into a digital ecosystem that brings together commerce, financial services, digital content, and everyday lifestyle solutions within a single platform.
As digital commerce continues to gain momentum across Ghana, Telecel Shop is designed to connect consumers with trusted merchants while creating new opportunities for businesses to increase their visibility, reach more customers, and participate more effectively in the digital economy.
Developed in partnership with Flood Pte Ltd, the platform enables customers to browse a wide range of products and services, make secure payments, and choose from multiple fulfillment options, including home delivery, office delivery, and in-store pickup.
From today, customers can access Telecel Shop through the Telecel Play App to explore products, discover exclusive offers, and shop with ease. Merchants can also onboard through the Telecel MerchantPro App, a digital storefront solution that enables businesses to showcase their products, manage their online presence, engage customers, and grow their sales through Telecel’s extensive customer network.
Philip Amoateng, Managing Director of Telecel Cash, remarked, “Our vision is to make the Telecel Play App the preferred digital destination for customers across Ghana. The introduction of Telecel Shop is another step towards creating a seamless ecosystem where users can shop, access financial services, enjoy digital content, and meet their everyday needs in one place. Beyond serving consumers, the Telecel MerchantPro App empowers SMEs to strengthen their digital presence, connect with more customers, and unlock new growth opportunities. By bringing merchants and customers together on one trusted platform, we are making commerce more accessible, convenient, and inclusive.”
The introduction of Telecel Shop reflects Telecel Cash’s continued commitment to digital innovation and financial inclusion while laying the foundation for expanded marketplace offerings and future enhancements that will further enrich the customer experience.
Telecel Cash will continue to engage merchants, partners, and customers ahead of the platform’s wider market rollout and activation programme scheduled for October 2026.
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