In an announcement shared by @missjillscott on Instagram, the three-time Grammy winner revealed that her highly anticipated album To Whom This May Concern is officially dropping today, February 13. This marks her first full-length project in 11 years.
The 19-track album features a rich blend of neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop, with collaborations from artists like Ab-Soul, J.I.D., and Tierra Whack. Scott described the project as a “heartfelt reclamation of community” and thanked fans for their extreme patience.
Produced by legends such as DJ Premier and Andre Harris, the album arrives just in time for Valentine’s Day. Lead singles like “Beautiful People” have already set a soulful, vulnerable tone for the record, which explores themes of resilience and human connection.
Jill Scott’s return is a massive moment for Soul and R&B culture. Given the decade-long hiatus, the album is expected to dominate adult contemporary charts. It also reinforces the longevity of “Neo-Soul” icons in an era dominated by shorter, viral-driven tracks.
* JubileeCast (Website): “Jill Scott returns with a new soulful and spirit-driven album 11 years in the making.”
* REVOLT TV (Website): “The cultural icon is marking a triumphant return… featuring vocal contributions from Ab-Soul and J.I.D.”
Source: JubileeCast — https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/34681/20260212/jill-scott-returns-with-a-new-soulful-and-spirit-driven-album-11-years-in-the-making.htm February 12, 2026 —
Photo Credit: JubileeCast
Category: Music
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Jill Scott Makes Triumphant Return with First Soul Album in a Decade
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Tyla Triumphs Again as Nigerian Stars Face Grammy Heartbreak
In a report by PM News Nigeria, the 68th Grammy Awards ended in significant disappointment for the Nigerian music industry as South African sensation Tyla secured the Best African Music Performance trophy for the second consecutive year. Her hit single “Push 2 Start” outpaced heavyweights like Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid, sparking a massive wave of reactions across social media from fans who felt the Afrobeats contingent was overlooked.
The ceremony, which took place on Sunday night, saw Tyla solidify her status as the leading face of the newly minted category. While Nigerian fans expressed outrage, the night was not a total loss for the nation’s musical heritage, as the Recording Academy honored the legendary Fela Kuti with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award, making him the first African to receive the prestigious merit.
Despite the individual losses for Burna Boy’s “No Sign of Weakness” and Davido’s “With You,” the discourse has shifted toward the “N-POP” movement, a new wave of African music focusing on creative autonomy. Industry veterans like Olamide have called for calm, urging fans to appreciate the global growth of the sound regardless of specific award outcomes.
The “snub” has reignited debates about the Recording Academy’s understanding of Afrobeats versus Amapiano-infused pop. While the trophy goes to South Africa, the cultural impact of the Nigerian nominees remains undeniable, with many viewing this as a catalyst for artists to further diversify their sound away from “Grammy-chasing” formulas.
* Punch Nigeria (via Website): “Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid all fell short, leaving the country without a trophy for the year.”
* Cubana Chiefpriest (via X/Twitter): “Heads up brother, open the bag & drop another hot one for us. E no dey finish, gbedu na Water…”
Echotitbits take:
This “double-tap” victory by Tyla is a wake-up call for the Nigerian music industry. It suggests that while Afrobeats has the numbers, the Academy is currently enamored with the sleek, Amapiano-pop crossover appeal Tyla provides. Expect Nigerian A-listers to pivot toward more experimental “N-POP” sounds or double down on grassroots authenticity to regain the narrative in 2027.
Source: PM News Nigeria — https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2026/02/02/davido-was-robbed-nigerians-outraged-at-davidos-loss-to-tyla-at-2026-grammys/ February 2, 2026
Photo Credit: PM News Nigeria
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Rema Sells Out Arena in Japan, Continuing Global Dominance
Rema has sold out his first arena show in Tokyo, underlining the growing reach of his “Afrorave” sound across Asia.
Reports describe a high-tech stage setup and a setlist balancing major hits with experimental moments—an approach that has helped him connect globally without flattening his identity.
The Sun Nigeria and Rolling Stone have both referenced the milestone as a key marker for African music exports.
Echotitbits take: By winning in Asia, Rema is diversifying Afrobeats revenue beyond the usual US/UK lanes. If more artists follow, the industry’s touring and licensing economics could become far more resilient and truly global.
Source: BusinessDay – https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/remas-heis-world-tour-eyes-350000-attendees-across-global-venues/ (2026-01-30)
Photo Credit: BusinessDay -
Kunle Kuti says Wizkid is the only artiste he ever “begged” to meet — amid the Seun/Wizkid-fandom firestorm
According to TheCable Lifestyle, Kunle Kuti said Wizkid is the only artiste he has ever begged to meet, adding fresh fuel to a story already charged by the Seun Kuti vs Wizkid-fanbase clash. His comments are landing because they cut against the binary “legacy vs popstar” framing—showing admiration for Wizkid while still insisting that comparisons to Fela are misplaced.
Echotitbits take: This is a temperature check for how Nigerians handle legacy debates in the era of stan culture. If more Kuti-family voices weigh in—or Wizkid responds again—the discourse could shift from fandom wars to a broader cultural-history argument.
Source: TheCable Lifestyle – https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/wizkid-is-the-only-artiste-ive-ever-begged-to-meet-says-kunle-kuti/#:~:text=Kunle%20Kuti%2C%20the%20son%20of,my%20life%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said. January 28, 2026
Photo Credit: TheCable Lifestyle -
Wizkid and Asake Shatter Spotify Nigeria Records with New Collaboration
According to Revolt TV, Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid and Asake have set a new benchmark for domestic streaming with their latest track, “Jogodo.” The song surged up the charts, surpassing previous 24-hour stream records on Spotify Nigeria, as Wizkid also became the first African artist to hit 10 billion streams on the platform.
The collaboration merges Wizkid’s global appeal with Asake’s “Neo-Fuji” momentum, and fans have dubbed the track an instant classic. The track reportedly broke the all-time record for the biggest single-day streaming total for a collaboration in Nigeria and quickly dominated playlists across the continent.
On X, @chartdata highlighted the record, reporting 1.388 million single-day streams on Spotify Nigeria. Wizkid also teased the upcoming joint EP, *REAL, Vol. 1*, via his official Instagram.
Echotitbits take: This record isn’t just about numbers; it signals the “Big 3” era evolving into a broader “Big 5,” where strategic collaborations dictate market dominance. Wizkid hitting 10 billion streams while breaking local records with Asake shows he’s playing the long game of global and local relevance. Watch for “Jogodo” to test the Billboard Global 200 conversation quickly.
Source: Arise – https://www.arise.tv/wizkid-and-asakes-jogodo-sets-spotify-nigeria-record-with-1-388-million-streams-in-one-day/ 2026-01-19Photo Credit: Arise
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Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire Announce Massive 2026 Tour
An Instagram post from @lionelrichie and coverage reported by The Source confirm Lionel Richie will tour North America with Earth, Wind & Fire in 2026. The 26-city run, produced by Live Nation, is titled “Sing A Song All Night Long.”
The tour has generated significant excitement, given both acts’ influence on modern music, including decades of sampling across hip-hop and pop. Ticket sales are expected to be brisk, with presales already drawing attention among soul and R&B fans.
Live Nation confirmed the general on-sale timing, and The Source framed the pairing as a meeting of two pillars of Black music whose influence continues to ripple across genres.
Echotitbits take: The legacy tour is still the industry’s gold mine. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a live masterclass for younger audiences whose favorite songs are built on these melodies and grooves. Expect this to be one of the summer’s highest-grossing tours in the soul/R&B lane.
Source: People – https://people.com/lionel-richie-and-earth-wind-and-fire-joint-tour-dates-11892782 2026-01-27Photo Credit: People
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Mr Real Issues Public Apology to D’banj to Resolve Legal Feud
In a post shared by @misterreal_ on Instagram, singer Mr Real issued a public apology to D’banj following tension over comments about the CREAM platform that reportedly led to a petition for criminal defamation.
In the video, Mr Real described D’banj as a mentor and expressed regret for the tone and public framing of his remarks, signaling willingness to resolve the dispute privately. The episode has been cited by fans as a reminder that online commentary can quickly become legal exposure.
The Nation Newspaper confirmed the apology and quoted Mr Real saying he misunderstood aspects of the CREAM platform. References to the legal angle note that D’banj’s counsel had previously filed the petition before the apology surfaced.
Echotitbits take: This is “humility over headache.” Mr Real likely clocked the seriousness of criminal defamation risk and chose a soft landing. For D’banj, the apology reinforces elder-statesman authority in the industry—respect still carries weight even in the social-media era.
Source: The Nation – https://thenationonlineng.net/mr-real-apologises-to-dbanj-over-cream-platform-remark/ 2026-01-20Photo Credit: The Nation
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Wizkid and Seun Kuti Exchange Shots in Social Media Fan War
Afrobeats Global reports that Wizkid has responded publicly to the ongoing clash with Seun Kuti, escalating a fan-driven dispute that has simmered for weeks. Wizkid’s post drew a sharp contrast between Fela Kuti’s activism and what he framed as Seun’s focus on fighting fanbases online.
The tension traces back to Seun’s criticism of comparing modern pop stars to Fela, arguing that awards and numbers are not the same as legacy. Wizkid’s engagement marks a departure from his usual quiet stance on industry drama and has quickly split social media into two camps.
Seun Kuti’s prior comments (circulating from his social channels) have emphasized activist purity and historic context, while Wizkid’s “FC” fanbase has treated the back-and-forth as a direct attack on their identity.
Echotitbits take: This isn’t just celebrity beef—it’s a fight over what “legend” means in Nigerian music. Seun represents purist activism; Wizkid represents modern global dominance. By targeting fans, Seun handed Wizkid an opening to frame him as out of touch. Expect this to run for weeks as fan armies keep the algorithm hot.
Source: Facebook/Legit.ng – https://web.facebook.com/legitngdaily/posts/wizkid-has-added-a-new-twist-to-his-ongoing-feud-with-seun-kutihis-latest-post-q/1333581272145551/?_rdc=1&_rdr# 2026-01-20Photo Credit: Facebook/Legit.ng
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Asake Continues World Tour Dominance with Electrifying Performance
Asake delivered another high-energy arena performance on his world tour, with crowd footage showing strong turnout and intense engagement as the singer continues his international run.
His Fuji-infused sound alongside Amapiano rhythms remains a defining signature, while his on-tour fashion choices—mixing streetwear with Nigerian aesthetics—continue to influence youth style culture.
The tour’s momentum reinforces the global expansion of the YBNL camp, with fans increasingly calling for a landmark Lagos stadium moment to cap a strong year.
Echotitbits take: Asake is a bridge between legacy Fuji textures and modern global pop. His sustained touring pace and strong aesthetic identity position him well for major award contention and long-run brand partnerships that value both authenticity and scale.
Source: The Guardian – https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/asake-excites-fans-with-mr-money-african-tour-announcement/ 2026-01-26
Photo Credit: The Guardian
