After telling potential suitors she wanted no ‘Kele Kele’ love, feisty Naija stunner Tiwa Savage is back with latest effort ‘Without My Heart’.

Produced by Oak (Nicki Minaj’s ‘Your Love’), the track features rapper Don Jazzy. Does it measure up to the brilliance of ‘Kele’ or its solid follow-up ‘Love Me’? Find out after the jump…

(more…)

Remember our introductory look at Afro-siren Tiwa Savage?

Well, the bi-coastal beauty is back with her 2nd official single ‘Love Me’ – the video for which debuted on MTV Base today.

Does it pack as potent a punch as its predecessor, ‘Kele Kele’? No. The latter’s instantaneous pull made it magnetic in many a sense. However, what ‘Love Me’ and its video does do particularly well is further fuse the world of African music with the mainstream West.

A few tacky instances aside (see: “moving towers”), the clip boasts solid visuals, sass a plenty, and great choreo. We like. Do you?

[polldaddy poll=5574595]

Enter Tiwa Savage.

Boasting a resume as impressive as her looks, the Nigerian newcomer is already somewhat of an international entity.

Born in Lagos, raised in London, and working in LA, the singer-songwriter has made quite the mark in each territory. For upon re-locating to the UK at age 10, she spent several years honing her talent until eventually catching the eye of George Michael and his team- who invited her to sing background for him on tour at age 17. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the trek lead to her taking up similar roles with the likes of Mary J Blige, Kelly Clarkson, and Chaka Khan.

Keen to step out from the shadows, Savage entered the UK incarnation of the X Factor, making it all the way to the Judges Houses segment of the 2006 series.

Since then, she’s signed a lucrative publishing deal with Sony Music (US), a union which saw her pen Fantasia‘s ‘Collard Greens & Cornbread’ (from the critically acclaimed ‘Back to Me’ LP). However, Savage’s biggest break comes in the form of her sizzling new single ‘Kele Kele’.

With Savage now dividing her time between Lagos and the US, the track and its accompanying video (above) fuse the best of both worlds. Indeed, she oozes a sass and confidence not dissimilar from Beyonce (interestingly featuring one of her staple dancer’s Kreyshaun in the clip), while seamlessly weaving in her native tongue.

It’s combination which seems to be paying off. For, not only has Savage taken her homeland by storm, she is drumming up quite the buzz on an global scale – giving an added boast to the long-overdue inclusion of African artists and music in the mainstream arena. A trend which recently saw Kanye West sign Nigerian star D’Banj to his G.O.O.D Music imprint.

For now, though, all eyes are on the stunning Ms. Savage, who you can hear more from below. Be sure to let us know what you think!

Your thoughts?

Young Jonn has global domination on the mind. And the Nigerian star is well on his way to achieving it.

Boasting a flavorsome sound honed by his work as a producer with the likes of Davido and Tiwa Savage, the star is shining in on his own accord as he sets sail on his artistic journey.

Immediately igniting flames with scorching jams such as ‘Aquafina’ and ‘Big Big Things,’ the multihyphenate music maestro cements his must-hear status with the arrival of his debut album ‘Jiggy Forever.’

A delicious collection of 16 seismic tracks, the LP takes listeners on a journey through various lyrical, emotional, and sonic soundscapes.

That Grape Juice caught up with Joung Jonn, who opened up in earnest about his journey, ‘Jiggy Forever,’ and dream collaborations with the likes of Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj.

Join us after the jump…

(more…)

With Afrobeats continuing to explode, Universal Music Group is investing in sounds from the motherland in a seismic way.

For, the industry juggernaut has acquired a majority stake in Nigeria-based label, Mavin Records.

Full story below…

(more…)

Tyla is taking over!

Born in South Africa, the rising star has been lighting up the music scene and blazing the charts all across the globe.

Signed to Epic Records, Tyla – who is currently on tour with Chris Bown – sat down with That Grape Juice to dish on everything from her humble beginnings to baking her debut album in the studio with industry heavyweights such as Tricky Stewart, and so much more.

Head below for our exclusive chat with the name on the lips of many…

(more…)

Afrobeats star Asake has been whipping the masses into a fervent frenzy with his magnetic music. And he continues to pour out more with the premiere of the video for his viral smash ‘Organise.’

Armed with global buzz, the performer’s new visual arrives ahead of three-consecutive London shows – that sold out in minutes.

Following on the heels of the videos for ‘Joha’ and ‘Loaded (with Tiwa Savage),’ ‘Organise is lifted from his critically-acclaimed album ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe.’ 

Watch after the jump…

(more…)

Rising star Ria Sean has been making waves on a global scale.

Hailing from Nigeria, the songstress set sail on her journey as a singer at the age of 16 and hasn’t looked back since.

Counting the likes of Whitney Houston, Brandy, Chris Brown, and Frank Ocean as her core inspirations, Sean pairs those influences with her AfroPop flair courtesy of her love for trailblazers like Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, and Wizkid. The sonic fusion is showcased in earnest on her recently unwrapped EP, ‘Fluid.’

Released via Aristokrat Records and Island Def Jam, the set has earned rave reviews and placed the ascending talent on the radar of music lovers worldwide.

Taking center stage on That Grape Juice Live, Sean delivered sizzling performances of two fan favorites from the project.

Check out her performance of ‘Satisfy My Soul’ above and her showing of ‘Stamina’ after the jump…

(more…)

It’s almost time for the 53rd Annual NAACP Image Awards.

Unveiling its full list of nominations today, the prestigious awards honors actors, actresses, singers, authors, and activists of color, in and out of the entertainment industry.

Jennifer Hudson, Lil Nas X, H.E.R., ‘The Harder They Fall,’ and ‘Insecure’ lead the pack of film, TV, and music nominees.

The Harder They Fall’ and HBO’s “Insecure” each amassed 12 noms in their respective categories, while H.E.R. is the most-nominated musician with six noms to her name.

Elsewhere Netflix leads in the TV and motion picture categories.

Ahead of finding out who will walk away with the coveted trophies when the February 26 show airs live on BET, head below to see the full nominations list:

(more…)

From Bill Withers‘ classic ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ to Miley Cyrus‘Wrecking Ball,’ R&B veteran Brandy has been turning heads with stunning covers of some of music’s most beloved hits aboard ABC’s breakout hit series, ‘Queens.’

But if her fans think the musical drama is keeping her away from her own music, she’s going on record to reassure them such isn’t the case.

(more…)

The MOBO Awards are back!

For more than two decades, the ceremony has served as the top honour for music of black origin in the UK.

This year’s edition of the world-renown show brings with it the return of a live audience format at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Set to take place on December 5, the 2021 MOBOs will be broadcast live on YouTube. BBC One will broadcast a special behind-the-scenes show featuring unseen moments and performances.

Ahead of the reveal of the hosts and names that’ll be blazing the stage, check out the full list of nominations – which include Wizkid, Megan Thee Stallion, Central Cee, Dave, Bree Runway, Tiwa Savage, Dave, and Ayra Starr below…

(more…)

GRAMMY winner Burna Boy is back with his new single ‘Question.’

The flavorsome jam – which follows this Spring’s ‘Kilometre’ – sees the star team up with Afrobeats icon Don Jazzy, who is globally notable for crafting classics for the likes of Tiwa Savage and newcomer Ayra Starr.

Together, the pair trade verses on the homegrown track – which fuses English, Pidgin English, and Yoruba.

Its accompanying visual was directed by TG Omori and shot in Lagos, Nigeria.

The clip arrives ahead of Burna’s hotly-anticipated show at London’s famed O2 Arena on Friday.

Watch the video below…

(more…)

**