The Native Mag

The Native Mag

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Independent African culture/music publication covering new artists, reviews, and features.

CKay’s New Era Is Bigger and Bolder
NewsMay 21, 2026

CKay’s New Era Is Bigger and Bolder

CKay first broke worldwide with the soft‑spoken hit “Love Nwantiti,” which cemented his image as an intimate Afropop vocalist. Over the next releases he subtly shifted toward heavier, club‑ready production, culminating in the record “BODY.” The single spent more than...

By The Native Mag
Best New Music: Zaylevelten Is In Menacing Mood On “Talk Freestyle”
NewsMay 20, 2026

Best New Music: Zaylevelten Is In Menacing Mood On “Talk Freestyle”

Nigerian rapper Zaylevelten dropped the track “Talk Freestyle” after a heated clash with streamer Carter Efe at Famous Pluto’s album launch. The freestyle, leaked via his manager’s SoundCloud, contains direct lyrical shots at Efe and reinforces Zaylevelten’s self‑assured persona. By...

By The Native Mag
Track-By-Track: Famous PLuto Walks Us Through ‘Street Therapist’
NewsMay 17, 2026

Track-By-Track: Famous PLuto Walks Us Through ‘Street Therapist’

Nigerian artist Famous PLuto releases his debut album “Street Therapist,” an 11‑track project that showcases his street‑pop roots and collaborations with Mavo, Zlatan, Brazy, Zaylevelten, and Muyeez. The record follows viral freestyles and the 2025 breakout single “Na Scra,” as...

By The Native Mag
Bella Alubo’s “Abo Le (How Are You?)” Is a Love Letter to Jos
NewsMay 14, 2026

Bella Alubo’s “Abo Le (How Are You?)” Is a Love Letter to Jos

Bella Alubo’s new single “Abo Le (How are you?)” is a heartfelt tribute to her hometown of Jos, Nigeria, blending personal memory with a broader cultural portrait. The song deliberately sidesteps political rhetoric, instead foregrounding the everyday lives of Jos...

By The Native Mag
Review: Asake’s ‘M$NEY’
NewsMay 10, 2026

Review: Asake’s ‘M$NEY’

Nigerian star Asake released his fourth album *M$NEY* under his new Giran Republic imprint, following a high‑profile split from Olamide’s YBNL label and a relocation to Los Angeles. The record leans heavily on Magicsticks’ lush, cinematic production, while Asake’s lyrics...

By The Native Mag
Ema Onigah Wants To Sing In Rhythm
NewsMay 9, 2026

Ema Onigah Wants To Sing In Rhythm

Nigerian singer‑songwriter Ema Onigah has dropped his new seven‑track EP “ITEM VII” on Gamma Records, positioning it as a bridge between Afrobeats and rap. The project showcases collaborations with heavyweight producers Ozedikus and Tekno and revisits his earlier work with...

By The Native Mag
Interview: The Big Hash Wants You To Feel The Love
NewsMay 8, 2026

Interview: The Big Hash Wants You To Feel The Love

South African artist The Big Hash drops his genre‑bending album *Love Is A Star*, a joint effort with Amapiano heavyweight Kabza De Small and producer SLY. The record fuses Afro‑beat, Amapiano, R&B and trap‑soul while centering love as both inspiration...

By The Native Mag
The Tiwa Savage Foundation Is Here To Train The Next Generation Of African Music Stars
NewsMay 8, 2026

The Tiwa Savage Foundation Is Here To Train The Next Generation Of African Music Stars

Tiwa Savage, one of Africa’s most prominent Afrobeats stars, has launched the Tiwa Savage Foundation in partnership with Berklee College of Music. The inaugural week-long program, held April 22‑26, brought together 120 aspiring musicians, producers, songwriters, and business students for...

By The Native Mag
Asake Is Meeting The World On His Own Terms
NewsMay 6, 2026

Asake Is Meeting The World On His Own Terms

Nigerian Afrobeats star Asake recently conducted a high‑profile interview on Spotify’s Frequency series speaking almost entirely in Yoruba, with subtitles handling translation. The move marks a departure from the long‑standing practice of African artists adopting English or neutral accents to...

By The Native Mag
Strei Wants You To Be Free At ‘Night’
NewsMay 1, 2026

Strei Wants You To Be Free At ‘Night’

Nigerian artist Strei, born Howard Efemena Dominic, is set to release his second project, “NIGHT,” which he describes as the sound of freedom experienced after dark. After gaining a following on BandLab, he signed with Ktizo Wrld Records and moved to...

By The Native Mag
How Francophone Afropop Became A Diasporic Force
NewsMay 1, 2026

How Francophone Afropop Became A Diasporic Force

Francophone Afropop, a hybrid of Congolese rumba, Caribbean zouk and Western pop, has moved from a niche diaspora scene to a dominant force on French charts over the past two decades. Digital platforms like TikTok have amplified early hits such...

By The Native Mag
Joey Jaey Is All About Honesty On “Follow You”
NewsMay 1, 2026

Joey Jaey Is All About Honesty On “Follow You”

Canadian‑Nigerian singer‑songwriter Joey Jaey releases “Follow You,” a single that fuses Afropop and amapiano while delivering an unguarded love confession. The track features a bilingual Igbo refrain and a guest verse from Lagos artist Meyar Oti, creating a seamless cross‑border...

By The Native Mag
Inside Mautin Tairu’s Nollywood Talent Management Model
NewsApr 30, 2026

Inside Mautin Tairu’s Nollywood Talent Management Model

Founder Mautin Tairu’s Guguru Talent Management, launched in 2021, is reshaping Nollywood by pairing talent representation with production oversight. Leveraging the global buzz from the Sundance‑premiered “Mami Wata,” Tairu aims to build structured pipelines that move Nigerian talent and stories...

By The Native Mag
Tiwa Savage Music Foundation Awards  2.1 Million Dollars
NewsApr 29, 2026

Tiwa Savage Music Foundation Awards  2.1 Million Dollars

Nigerian artist Kotrell releases his debut album *And Everything In Between*, a soulful exploration of love, self‑care and cultural relationship myths. DJ Sholz curates a live‑mix at Tate Modern’s *Nigerian Modernism* exhibition, marrying Afro‑beat percussion with digital DJing to showcase...

By The Native Mag
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