Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Music

  • SZA blasts the White House over song use in pro-ICE clip, calls it ‘evil’ and ‘boring’

    SZA blasts the White House over song use in pro-ICE clip, calls it ‘evil’ and ‘boring’

    Photo credit: Variety (Instagram post referencing Variety coverage)

    According to Variety, SZA criticised the White House after her song was used in a pro-ICE social media post, describing the tactic as ‘evil’ and ‘boring’.

    The backlash spread quickly across entertainment media as artists and fans debated consent, political messaging, and the ethics of repurposing pop culture for government content.

    The story gained extra heat as outlets tracked the reaction cycle, including follow-up statements and broader comparisons to earlier music-use controversies.

    • Rolling Stone (website): “…calling their post ‘evil and boring.’”
    • Billboard (website): “White House Responds to SZA…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is bigger than one clip—it’s a collision between culture and messaging power. When artists push back, the next phase is usually legal and commercial: clearer licensing terms, faster takedown demands, and public positioning by brands that partner with artists. Watch for whether more musicians join in, and whether platforms tighten rules on how official accounts use copyrighted music.

    Source: Rolling Stone Australia— 2025-12-10 — https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sza-blasts-white-house-snl-song-ad-88609/

    2025-12-10

  • Cardi B and Davido light up Riyadh as Soundstorm 2025 turns into a cross-genre spectacle

    Cardi B and Davido light up Riyadh as Soundstorm 2025 turns into a cross-genre spectacle

    Photo credit: MDLBEAST (official Soundstorm timetable page)

    According to Punch, Cardi B and Davido were among the headliners who thrilled fans at the 2025 Soundstorm festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    The report described Cardi B’s set as a ‘late-night block party’ moment, while Davido’s appearance underscored Afrobeats’ growing festival pull in the Middle East.

    The lineup and schedules shared by organisers helped fans track the biggest sets across the multi-night event.

    • MDLBEAST (official timetable page): “Davido 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM… Cardi B 12:45 AM – 01:45 AM”
    • Yahoo Entertainment (article): “…Cardi B turned Soundstorm Festival 2025 into her own late-night block party…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Global festivals are increasingly booking Afrobeats as a must-have sound—not a ‘special guest’ slot. That shift can reshape touring routes, sponsorship value, and streaming discovery in new markets. Watch for follow-up announcements: additional Middle East dates, brand partnerships, and collaboration teases that often drop right after festival weekends.

    Source: Punch — 2025-12-14 — https://punchng.com/cardi-b-davido-perform-at-saudi-arabias-soundstorm-festival/

    Photo credit: Photo credit: MDLBEAST (official Soundstorm timetable page)

    2025-12-14

  • Newark declares Dec. 12 ‘Burna Boy Day’ after sold-out Prudential Center show

    Newark declares Dec. 12 ‘Burna Boy Day’ after sold-out Prudential Center show

    Photo/Video credit: Burna Boy (Instagram reel page)

    According to TheCable Lifestyle, the city of Newark, New Jersey, declared December 12 as ‘Burna Boy Day’ in recognition of the artist’s cultural impact and global reach.

    The proclamation was presented in the glow of a major tour stop, adding another headline milestone to Afrobeats’ U.S. arena era.

    Online, fans treated the honour as a symbol of how far the genre has travelled—from local hits to municipal recognition abroad.

    • The Nation (Threads): “…present a framed proclamation declaring the day ‘Burna Boy Day’.”
    • EII Ghana Africa (website): “Thank you for the incredible honour and recognition… It’s only UP from here,” he wrote.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: City proclamations can be ceremonial, but in pop culture they act like ‘soft power’ proof—helping artists deepen brand partnerships, tour leverage, and diaspora visibility. Watch for whether the proclamation fuels more U.S. cultural collaborations, sponsorships, or civic-facing events tied to Afrobeats artists.

    Source: TheCable Lifestyle — 2025-12-14 — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/us-city-of-newark-declares-dec-12-as-burna-boy-day/

    2025-12-14

  • Shakira Brings Sons Milan and Sasha Onstage for a Rare Tour Moment in Buenos Aires

    Shakira Brings Sons Milan and Sasha Onstage for a Rare Tour Moment in Buenos Aires

    PEOPLE / Getty Images (via PEOPLE story page)
    2025-12-13 09:00:00

    According to PEOPLE, Shakira’s Buenos Aires stop produced a heartwarming surprise when her sons Milan and Sasha joined her on stage for “Acróstico,” matching in powder-blue suits as she described the moment as “magical.”

    The appearance offered fans a rare glimpse of the family dynamic on tour, with the boys singing parts of the song alongside their mother in front of a packed stadium.

    InStyle noted: “The performance featured the trio singing ‘Acróstico,’ with each son delivering solo verses.”

    Harper’s Bazaar also reported: “Milan and Sasha joined her on stage for a surprise performance of her song ‘Acróstico.’”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Celebrity family moments tend to travel fast across Instagram and TikTok because they feel intimate and unscripted. Watch for whether Shakira repeats the segment in other tour cities—and how fan clips shape the narrative more than official press photos.

    Source: PEOPLE — Dec 13, 2025 — https://people.com/shakira-s-2-sons-match-in-blue-suits-shares-how-magical-it-was-to-sing-onstage-11867765

     

  • TikTok Crowns KATSEYE Its Global Artist of 2025 as Year-End Music Rankings Drop

    TikTok Crowns KATSEYE Its Global Artist of 2025 as Year-End Music Rankings Drop

    Photo credit: TikTok Newsroom (recap page)
    2025-12-09 09:00:00

    According to Billboard, KATSEYE has been named TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year for 2025, putting the group at the center of the platform’s year-end music conversation.

    The recognition comes as TikTok’s recap highlighted how viral moments increasingly correlate with broader chart and streaming performance, especially for emerging acts.

    TikTok’s Newsroom recap stated: “KATSEYE is TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year.”

    Forbes also reported the headline, noting: “Katseye is TikTok’s Top Artist of 2025…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: TikTok’s year-end lists are becoming a marketing instrument—almost like an award slate. Watch for how KATSEYE capitalizes next (tour dates, brand partnerships, major collaborations) and which artists try to replicate that TikTok-to-mainstream pipeline in 2026.

    Source: Billboard — Dec 09, 2025 — https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tiktok-katseye-global-artist-2025-1236132159/

  • TikTok’s ‘Singing Barber’ Shares How a DM Led to a Randy Travis Collab and Viral Buzz

    TikTok’s ‘Singing Barber’ Shares How a DM Led to a Randy Travis Collab and Viral Buzz

    Noah Peters/TikTok (via PEOPLE)
    2025-12-12 09:00:00

    According to PEOPLE, creator Noah Peters—popularly known as “The Singing Barber”—said a direct message to country legend Randy Travis helped spark one of his most memorable, shareable moments online.

    Peters explained how his haircuts-plus-harmonies format grew into a large following, with celebrity interactions acting as accelerators for reach and community impact.

    Randy Travis’ official page posted: “Thanks again to Noah Peters for making this a moment to remember…”

    A CountrySongs.org clip noted: “Peter said he sent a direct message to Randy Travis which led to a barbershop singing moment shared on social media.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is the new celebrity-collab pipeline: DM, create a quick clip, let the algorithm carry it. Watch for more artists leaning into short, authentic collabs that feel “earned” rather than heavily produced.

    Source: PEOPLE — Dec 12, 2025 — https://people.com/tiktok-star-the-singing-barber-reveals-most-exciting-celeb-collab-exclusive-11863216

  • A 1962 Throwback Becomes TikTok’s 2025 ‘Track of the Year’ in a Surprise Global Revival

    A 1962 Throwback Becomes TikTok’s 2025 ‘Track of the Year’ in a Surprise Global Revival

    TikTok Newsroom (year-end music recap)
    2025-12-09 09:00:00

    According to TikTok’s Newsroom recap, Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby” was crowned the platform’s 2025 ‘Track of the Year,’ showing how old catalog music can surge back into the mainstream through short-form video.

    The report highlighted how creators used the audio across wholesome family, pet and everyday-life clips—turning a vintage record into a modern soundtrack at massive scale.

    Rolling Stone wrote: “TikTok names Connie Francis’ 1962 hit ‘Pretty Little Baby’ the Top Global Song of 2025.”

    Forbes noted: “ ‘Pretty Little Baby’… garnered 68.6 billion views across 28.4 million TikTok videos this year.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Expect labels to keep mining catalogs for “TikTokable” hooks. Watch next for sync deals, re-releases and playlist pushes that follow viral moments—and for which legacy songs become the next global audio trend.

    Source: TikTok Newsroom — Dec 09, 2025 — https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-reveals-the-top-artists-and-songs-of-2025?lang=en

     

  • Shallipopi Clinches TikTok SSA ‘Artist of the Year’ as Afrobeats Momentum Builds

    Shallipopi Clinches TikTok SSA ‘Artist of the Year’ as Afrobeats Momentum Builds

    Pulse Nigeria (story page)
    2025-12-08 09:00:00

    According to Pulse Nigeria, rapper Shallipopi emerged as Artist of the Year at the 2025 TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa Awards, a win that reflects how TikTok virality is increasingly shaping mainstream recognition.

    The awards spotlighted creators and artists across the region, with performances and fan-driven engagement reinforcing TikTok’s role as a launchpad for hits.

    The Guardian Life reported: “Shallipopi has been named Artist of the Year at the 2025 TikTok SSA Awards.”

    In his acceptance clip, Shallipopi said: “Thank you TikTok for this, this is an amazing award… I appreciate everyone who voted.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is another sign that platform-native momentum now translates into offline trophies. Watch for labels and promoters doubling down on TikTok-first campaigns—and for which Nigerian acts convert trends into touring and streaming growth.

    Source: Pulse Nigeria — Dec 08, 2025 — https://www.pulse.ng/story/shallipopi-win-artist-of-the-year-at-tiktok-ssa-awards-2025120810093841087