South African singer Kelly Khumalo recently teased a new gospel song featuring renowned gospel artist Winnie Mashaba. In a video shared on social media, Khumalo is seen listening to the track while driving, sparking anticipation among fans. Reactions to the preview have been mixed. Some fans praised Khumalo's vocal talent and expressed excitement for the full release, with one commenting, "I don't like Kelly, but this song is amazing." Others questioned her shift towards gospel music, asking, "Why these days does she like to sing gospel songs? Is she trying to mock God?" This upcoming release would be Khumalo's first musical offering since her album "From A God to A King (Deluxe)" in May 2024. The collaboration with Mashaba has generated significant interest, highlighting Khumalo's versatility and continued influence in the South African music scene.

A recent family portrait of the Modiselle sisters—Refilwe, Bontle, and Candice—alongside their mother has garnered significant attention on social media. The image, shared by user @__T_touch on Twitter, was captioned: "The Modiselle sisters with their mother." The Modiselle sisters are prominent figures in South Africa's entertainment industry. Refilwe is celebrated as the country's first professional fashion model with albinism, Bontle is a renowned choreographer and media personality, and Candice has made her mark as an actress and television presenter. The photograph has elicited numerous positive reactions from netizens: @Melo_Malebo commented: "This woman made superstars, she has to be proud of herself." @DazylingQueeen remarked: "The Modiselle sisters with their mother are goals. So much power and grace in one picture." @TKwazi added: "This mother did an AMAZING job; all her daughters are beautiful people inside and outside!"

Ghanaian rapper Medikal recently sparked a lively debate online after declaring himself the best rapper in Ghana. He asserted on his social media account that he could ghostwrite for other rappers and still outperform them on the same track, stating, "I fi ghost write rap for your favorite rapper and still kill am on a song, nobody de rap pass Medikal for Ghana I swear Beyond." This bold claim elicited mixed reactions from music enthusiasts. Some fans praised his confidence and talent, while others compared him to fellow Ghanaian rappers like Kweku Smoke and Strongman Burner, questioning the validity of his statement. One commenter remarked, "Have forgotten what @StrongmanBurner did to you?" Another added, "Smoke sef dey rap pass you."

For the last couple of years, some top names have constantly been dominating Rwanda’s deejaying, but 2024 changed the whole narrative about disc spinning and left youngsters at the forefront of the profession which is currently among the most paid in Rwanda’s creative industry and the world at large. The era of pioneers like DJ Karim, DJ Toxxyk, Marnaud among many others who run Kigali’s nightlife is coming to an end, and youngsters are taking over the game. At the forefront of this revolution is DJ Inno, one of the disc jockeys who had an arguably successful year in 2024, sharing stages with some of Africa’s biggest acts and hosting big shows across the country. The young DJ saw his breakthrough taking him to the big stage alongside Africa’s elite DJs like Dope Caesar, Poco Lee, Obi and Rugar’s DJ Mr. West, and Zulu Tebeda, as part of the first OBI House show in Kigali that took place on November 15, at Atelier Du Vin.

Nollywood Star, Funke Akindele, has emerged as the second highest-grossing Nollywood writer for the year 2024, along with Collins Okoh and Akinlabi Ishola. This was for the film “Everybody Loves Jennifer” which had generated N1,125 billion at the box office. This was revealed by Film One on its Instagram page @filmoneng on Friday. Stephen Oluboyo became the first highest-grossing Nollywood writer with the films: “Everybody Loves Jennifer”, “Alakada Bad and Boujee” and “Aburo” which all raked in N1.38 billion. For the third highest-grossing Nollywood writer, Anthony Joseph clinched the position for the films: “Queen Lateefah”, “The Waiter” and “Alakada Bad and Boujee” with N780 million revenue generated. Jack’ Enneth Opukeme emerged as the fourth highest-grossing Nollywood writer with films like: “Farmer’s Bride” and “All’s Fair in Love” which generated N299 million at the box office.

Grammy-nominated superstar Asake has been declared the best-selling artist in Nigeria in 2024. According to Nigeria's foremost music chart publication TurnTable in its annual end-of-the-year chart, Asake garnered more acclaim across streaming platforms, TV, and Radio than any other artist in 2024. This is Asake’s third consecutive year as the overall No. 1 artist making him the first star to achieve this feat. In 2024, all of Asake’s projects including his previously released albums, ‘Mr Money With The Vibe (MMWTV)’ and ‘Work Of Art’ all spent multiple weeks in the top ten of the Official Top 100 Albums chart with ‘Lungu Boy’ spending 15 weeks at No. 1.

Nigerian gospel musician Moses Bliss and his wife Marie have shared exciting news that their cosy family of two has become a happy threesome. The pair announced the news on January 10, 2024, via a series of Instagram posts from the maternity shoot. The adorable pregnancy photoshoot showed the glowing new mum cradling her baby bump alongside her husband. The caption of the collaborative post read, "This is the doing of the Lord. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,... unto him be glory. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV."

Shallipopi is upbeat on his upcoming album which is expected to drop in 2025. The rapper made this remark in a post on his Snapchat account where he posted a screenshot of a video call with American star Swae Lee. In the post, Shallipopi said "Album finna make you scared," hinting that his next project is done and ready to go. The possibility of a collaboration with Swae Lee has excited listeners as the award-winning singer is a big admirer of Afrobeats. The project which is set to be released in 2025 is preceded by the songs 'Free Service' and 'Order' featuring Olamide. The project will follow Shallipopi's 'Shakespopi' which despite having the popular song 'ASAP' suffered heavy criticism due to its poor songwriting, lazy approach, and monotonous delivery. The rapper who broke into the mainstream with a collection of hit singles that combines his Benin heritage and era-defining Amapiano fusion will be aiming to restate his status as a hitmaker.

Last year, Olamide became the first African rapper to receive a Grammy nomination. His song with Asake, ‘Amapiano,’ was nominated in the first-ever Best African Music Performance category but did not win; the award went to Tyla for ‘Water.’ In other news, Nigerian RnB star Tems has made history by receiving three nominations for the 67th Grammys. She is the most nominated Nigerian artist this year, with nods for Best African Music Performance, Best Global Album, and Best RnB Song. Tems is also the first Nigerian female artist to have a Grammy-nominated album, as her debut project ‘Born In The Wild’ is recognized in the Best Global Album category. Tems is the first African artist nominated in the RnB category for her single ‘Burning.’ This achievement also makes her the first African female lead artist nominated outside of global categories. She now holds the record for the most Grammy nominations for a Nigerian female, totaling 6

Rethabile Khumalo is deeply mourning the loss of her mother, Winnie Khumalo. In a heartfelt post on social media, she expressed her love for her mother and how much she meant to her. Rethabile shared how challenging it has been to lose someone so close, someone who shaped her life in many ways. She referred to her mother as her twin, highlighting how they shared an inseparable bond. Losing her mom has left a huge void in Rethabile’s heart, and she shared how she still struggles to come to terms with the loss. Despite the pain, she’s holding on to the love and lessons her mother gave her. Her fans and followers have shown immense support, offering condolences and messages of strength during this difficult time. Rethabile's tribute is a powerful reminder of the deep connection between a mother and her child, and how that bond stays with you forever, even after death.

Ghanaian rapper Amerado has made a strong case for his inclusion in the 2024 TGMA Artiste of the Year conversation, describing any discussion that excludes him as a clear show of ignorance about the industry. The rapper, known for his versatility and consistency, took to social media to share his impressive 2024 performance catalogue, highlighting over 80 shows both locally and internationally, hit singles, features, and notable achievements throughout the year. “Artiste of the Year conversation without Amerado under the 2024 year of review is an exposure of ignorance and consequently brutal to the industry and upcoming ones,” he wrote, urging industry stakeholders to take note of his contributions. Amerado’s catalogue lists 70 local shows, including performances at major events such as the MTN Pulse event at KNUST, Afrochella, and the Asafotufiam Festival, as well as 10 international shows across Europe and the United States.

Ghanaian rapper Amerado has boldly asserted that any conversation surrounding the Artiste of the Year title at the upcoming 2024 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) that excludes his name is a demonstration of ignorance. In a social media post on Friday, January 10, the “Kwaku Anase” hitmaker expressed disappointment at any attempt to overlook his contributions in the year under review. He emphasized that such omissions would be detrimental to both the music industry and aspiring artists. “Artiste of the Year conversation without Amerado under the 2024 year of review is an exposure of ignorance and consequently brutal to the industry and upcoming ones,” the rapper stated.

The 14th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival, which is being held with the participation of several African countries, including Morocco, was inaugurated yesterday evening, Thursday, in Luxor (southern Egypt). The opening ceremony of the festival, which will be held until January 14, featured the honoring of filmmakers Khaled El Nabawy (Egypt), Ahmed El Hafyan (Tunisia), Akosua Busia (Ghana), Moussa Sana Absa (Senegal), and Magdy Ahmed Ali (Egypt). On this occasion, the festival president, Sayed Fouad, announced the dedication of the 14th session to a number of deceased African artists and filmmakers, namely the Egyptian screenwriter Bashir El Deek, the author Atef Beshay, the Moroccan director Tayeb Saddiki, the Mauritanian director Med Hondo, and the Senegalese director Safi Faye. The jury committees for the festival’s official competitions were also introduced.

Amerado, one of Ghana’s top rap talents, recently sat down with the media for an insightful soiree, where he touched on a range of topics. The topics included his musical evolution, rap feuds, and his quest for the 2025 TGMA Artiste of the Year award. Known for his sharp lyricism, Amerado revealed he’s diversifying his sound to appeal to both the streets and a broader audience, while staying loyal to his hip-hop roots. On the topic of his high-profile rap beefs with the likes of Lyrical Joe and Obibini, Amerado explained that these feuds are essential for the growth of Ghanaian rap, sharpening the competitive edge of the genre. With a staggering 80 performances, both locally and internationally, Amerado made it clear: “any TGMA Artiste of the Year conversation that doesn’t include his name exposes a troubling ignorance about the current state of Ghanaian music.“

Gospel artiste Siisi Baidoo together with Crafted Nation have released a heartfelt praise medley, ‘Pentecostal Praise Tribute‘. The song was done in honor of the late Elder SK Ampiah, a towering figure in the Pentecostal church community. The track, arranged and recorded by Siisi Baidoo alongside Crafted Nation, blends traditional gospel elements with a fresh, contemporary sound that resonates deeply with both older and younger generations. Through rich harmonies and soulful instrumentation, the song captures the essence of Elder Ampiah’s legacy, celebrating his contributions to faith and music.

Moonchild Sanelly has finally heeded her fans' calls for new music by releasing her third studio album. Moonchild Sanelly drops new album Our girl, Moonchild Sanelly, ushered in 2025 on a high note with the release of her new album, Full Moon. The singer said the project represents all the phases she went through to become whole, from wins to losses and setbacks, saying: "It is a culmination of everything I needed to experience to get to this point, every emotion I had to feel, everything I went through. So here I am, a FULL Moon." The vibrant 37-year-old singer's project features her signature style of music, which has helped her stand out, especially at a time when many songs have begun to sound eerily similar. This also helped her score two spots in the EA Sports FC soundtrack with Gwara Gwara and Big Man.

Nollywood director Kemi Adetiba has announced the release date for another instalment of King of Boys, which will be released on December 25, 2025. In a recent post on her birthday, Adetiba took to her Instagram page to make the announcement. “KOB Army.... ARISE!!! It's time.... We MOOOOOOOVE. Signed: Your General. #KOB3 #TheBeginningOfTheEnd #DettyDecember25 #KAV25,” she said. Recall that earlier in 2023, the director had begun pre-production for the project. She also teased other projects for release; To Kill A Monkey, and Welcome to the Fourth. She also shared that this instalment will introduce new characters while retaining some old ones. Tagged, The Beginning of the End, the feature-length will premiere in the cinemas. This groundbreaking series revolves around Alhaja Eniola Salami, a powerful businesswoman and philanthropist who becomes entangled in a high-stakes power struggle.

Rising stars Ayo Maff, Llona, Kaestyle, and TML Vibez are some of the breakout stars to look out for in 2025. Afrobeats continued its upward momentum in 2024 thanks to a collection of new voices whose music excited listeners. Among these breakout acts is Ayo Maff whose hit single 'Dealer' remix featuring Fireboy was the most streamed song of 2024 on Spotiy Nigeria. His single 'Are You There' also further underscored his potential as an artist whose music captures the pulse of the street. After an impressive debut year, 2025 is going to be a big year for the street pop star who is expected to release his debut LP. Another star whose music is moving the street is Tml Vibez. The rising star garnered mainstream success with his singles 'Bandana', '247', and 'Wavy' off his electrifying joint EP with DJ 4kerty. In 2025, fans will surely be betting on the VIBEZ INC act to reach new heights in his career.

In 2024, Rwanda witnessed the comeback of a sound that many thought had faded from the country’s mainstream music, and that’s the classic old-school hip-hop style of the late 90s and early 2000s. This evolution, led by a new generation of artistes, mainly rappers and producers, is a clear move in the country’s music scene, marking a pivotal moment for hip-hop culture in Rwanda. Among the key players driving this movement is Juni Quickly, a 22-year-old producer who is quickly emerging as a household name in Rwanda’s music scene, with some of the biggest hits in the country. Born Junior Boris Ibambe, Juni Quickly is signed to Trappish Records and has already made a name for himself by producing hit songs, most notably 'Bwe Bwe Bwe' by Bruce the 1st featuring the likes of Ish Kevin, Kenny K Shot, and Bulldog, which has been hailed as one of the top-selling tracks of 2024.

In another landmark feat, Grammy nominee Ayra Starr has emerged as the NO. 1 female artist across all platforms in Nigeria in 2024. This feat was revealed by TurnTable in its annual end-of-the-year chart. The music chart publication which is the only chart in Nigeria that aggregates streaming data, radio and TV airplay data shared that the 22-year-old singer's performance across all platforms secured her position as the most commercial female artist of the previous year. Ayra Starr enjoyed a successful 2024 thanks to the release of her sophomore album 'The Year I Turned 21'. The project which featured heavy-weight guest appearances from Nigerian stars Asake and Seyi Vibez alongside international guest features from Giveon, Coco Jones, and Aniita earned praise for being one of the top albums of 2024.

Nollywood actor, Segun Padonou Aina, popularly known as Segun Arinze, has offered his thoughts on the prevailing claims of homosexuality practised in Nollywood. In a recent interview with Arise TV, the 59-year-old Badagry native affirmed that he is not a party to any conspiratorial sect that practise homosexuality in the Nigerian film industry. In the words of the veteran film star, I do not bend over, so I cannot react to it. Well if they do bend over, they should keep bending. That is their problem. Segun, who is also a voice over artist, acting coach, and singer, however, expressed his apathy towards the speculations that some of his industry colleagues may be indulging in the act. He said, They are adults and they have a right to do whatever they want to do. It is none of my business Segun Arinze further went on to harp on the fact that he prefers to live a straightforward and professional life, stressing that he avoids unnecessary controversies. He continued,

One of Nigeria's favourite stars Runtown has delighted fans with the announcement of a new single. The singer made the revelation on his Instagram story where he posted "New music out soon. #EndAMan". The song likely titled 'End A Man' comes off the back of the recent release of Runtown's 'Flow' released in December 2024 which was his first release in two years. Runtown, one of Afrobeats' most memorable hitmakers has carved a niche for himself as an artist who lets the music do the talking. Since releasing his impressive debut album 'Ghetto University' a decade ago which housed the super hits 'Garlado' featuring Davido and 'Bendown Pause' featuring Wizkid, Runtown has become a force to be reckoned with. In 2017, he dropped the hit single 'Mad Over You' which became one of the biggest songs in Afrobeats' rich history.

Ibrahim Chatta joined his friends to honor his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Olayinka Solomon, along with her husband, Olasunkanmi Mabinu Ori, as they celebrate the birth of their first child.

Toyin Abraham recently posted a photograph showcasing the rankings of films released in cinemas in 2024. Her newest project, Alakada Bad and Boujee, secured the fifth position on the list, amassing over two hundred million naira in revenue. In light of her achievement, Toyin Abraham expressed her gratitude to her supporters for their role in reaching this significant milestone in her career. She emphasized that the upcoming year, 2025, promises to be even more remarkable. The acclaimed actress remarked that 2024 was dedicated to breaking records, emphasizing the importance of avoiding trivial discussions.