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Author: grungecake
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Hear Nigerian Afrobeats star Lojay’s fresh two-pack ‘Falling/Unleash’
This month, Afrobeats star Lojay gifted his fans with two rhythmic tracks, ‘Falling’ and ‘Unleash’. ‘Unleash’ finds the young artist reflecting as he wakes up in a foreign automobile, likening himself to a landing UFO, and shouting out Ghanaian fashion brand “Free the Youth” during his first verse — stating it is on his trousers.
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The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards nominated Lojay under the Best Afrobeats category alongside his collaborators Chris Brown and fellow Nigerian Afrobeats artist Davido. Lastly, Lojay’s forthcoming album is coming out next year in 2025. We’re looking forward to the fresh and spicy energy he brings to the market.
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Watch Ethiopian-American artist Mereba run away from darkness in ‘Counterfeit’
Mereba counts the legendary Stevie Wonder as a mentor and musical influence.
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[/media-credit]Standing on the corner of a block in dark brown Chuck Taylor sneakers, Mereba — the talented singer-songwriter with Ethiopian roots by way of her father — opens the visual to her latest song, ‘Counterfeit’. As her nemesis (herself) trails her for blocks; donning a black durag and matching all-black ensemble and high heel shoes, the Alabama-born creative runs away at top speed to remain unscathed by the darkness. You’d have to watch it until the end to see how it pans out.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=667duh6npGQ&h=315]
Courtney Sofiah Yates directed the video from her project ‘The Breee Grew a Fire’ — released on February 14 (Valentine’s Day) under the Secretly Canadian label.
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Ayéya launches ethical body and home care products supporting women in West Africa

[/media-credit] Ayéya traditional African black soap Ayéya, a beauty and lifestyle brand dedicated to preserving African traditions and empowering local women through ethically sourced body care and home products, is thrilled to announce its official launch. Beginning this month, Ayéya is debuting a range of bath soaps, laundry and dish tablets, and home cleaning supplies at Whole Foods Market nationwide. On a mission to provide economic independence to women in Africa and mitigate climate change globally, Ayéya is redefining what it means to create impact through conscious consumerism.
Created with intention to honour the rich cultural heritage of West Africa, Ayéya is committed to creating meaningful employment for African women and supporting community development through their sustainably sourced products made with authentic, functional and high-quality ingredients, and recyclable packaging. With every purchase, Ayéya supports fair wages and sustainable employment for over 300,000 people in Ghana and Togo.
The brand’s debut at Whole Foods Market, as well as direct-to-consumer, launches Ayéya into the $11 billion natural and organic skincare space with a portfolio of purpose-driven, transparently sourced, artisan made products, including:
- Naked Soaps and Bath Bombs, exclusive to Whole Foods Market
- Home Cleaning Laundry Tablets, Dish Tablets, Multi-Function Spray and All Purpose/Multi-Surface Cleaner Tablets, first to market at Whole Foods Market
- Ina by Ayéya Bar Soaps, Bath Bombs, and Bath Salts, exclusive to Sprouts Farmers Market
- Traditional African Black Soaps
- Foaming Hand Soaps
- Whipped Body Butter
- 2-in-1 Face and Body Moisturizer
- Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
- Baby & Children Body Care Products
Ayéya was founded by Olowo-n’djo Tchala, who sought to catalyse positive change in West Africa by creating not just skincare and haircare products, but also a socially conscious enterprise that uplifts communities. With over twenty years of experience working directly with African communities, Ayéya stands as a beacon of empowerment and cultural respect.
“Our brand is about more than just beautiful products”, said Olo Tchala, founder of Ayéya. “It’s about creating a virtuous cycle where business success is intertwined with social impact. We believe in the strength of women and the potential of local communities to thrive through meaningful economic opportunities.”
Ayéya works directly to support West African women and youth by providing them with sustainable wages, clean water and employment to break the cycle of economic injustice and gender equality through The Ayeya Family of Impact Organizations. This organisation is dedicated to improving market access for women and youth in Ghana and Togo, addressing challenges such as economic opportunity and clean water access. By supporting African communities through sustainable wages and employment, Ayéya is breaking the cycles of economic injustice and gender inequality, while delivering products that shoppers can feel good about purchasing and using. Additionally, Ayeya operates on climate forward brand practices by using sustainable ingredient choices, local processing, climate impact reduction and less packaging and plastics.
Available now on shelves is a line of unwrapped soaps and complementary bath bomb bars featured exclusively at Whole Foods Market in support of their “mood” campaign, with SKUs ranging from “Empower” and “Nurture” to “Uplift”, “Love” and “Cheer.” Additional products including their Home Cleaning Line, Traditional African Black Soaps, and exclusive line with Sprouts will launch this November, with additional items continuing to roll out in 2025. All products are also available online and on Amazon for nationwide shipping.
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Ari Lennox croons from Shady Grove Institute psych ward in ‘Smoke’: Watch the visual
Men will make you go crazy… if you let them.
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[/media-credit]This month, R&B star Ari Lennox released a new music video for her single, ‘Smoke’. Seemingly, the Washington, DC singer-songwriter lost her marbles (or mind) in pursuit of love and is in a psych ward; trying her best to cope with her new surroundings. Aside from refusing to take prescribed medicine at the ward in the video, attempting to break out of the hospital, and eventually breaking out (in her mind), Ari Lennox has found another way to express herself through song. For the record, she sings about wanting all of the smoke and asks her love interest to save all of the fucks for her over a vintage, classic production. Check out the visual below to see how it all ends for this sister-in-love to the point of no return.
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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22NZRV39aVI&h=315]
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British rapper Ms Banks returns from two-year hiatus with ‘Boss Bitch’: Watch the visual
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[/media-credit]Ms Banks, one of the British rappers knighted by the world’s highest-selling female rapper Nicki Minaj in 2017, released the official music video for her track ‘Boss Bitch’ a day ago. In the Wowa-directed video, the South Londoner wears a pink furry hat and grills to rap about back-peddling bitches and explains that the men she’s crossed paths with are only good for “some Henny and some dick”. Seemingly, the “beef” stems from a former friend holding her expensive wigs hostage. Those hair pieces are rather expensive…
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According to the note uploaded with the video on YouTube, Thyra Kigho Deshaun Oji — real name — has returned from a two-year hiatus with the A production.
We’re looking forward to seeing what the Nigerian-Ugandan rapper does during this era of her musical career.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdoG-GjmIxc&h=315]
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Corinna Kopf, popular OnlyFans creator, announces retirement after reportedly earning $67 million
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[/media-credit]Yesterday, popular Illinois-native OnlyFans creator Corinna Kopf officially announced her retirement from the platform with a post on X to three million followers. The post read “no more link in bio [with ellipses]”. Reportedly, Kopt earned that amount over three accumulative years. The twenty-eight-year-old published five-hundred-six photos and thirty-three videos on OnlyFans.
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no more link in bio …….
— corinna kopf (@CorinnaKopf) October 24, 2024
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Hear soulful R&B star Melanie Fiona’s new tracks ‘Say Yes’ and ‘I Choose You’
It’s an independent release.
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[/media-credit]Today, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Melanie Fiona released two records about deep affection without hesitation and trusting to wholly fall in love with someone special: ‘Say Yes’ and ‘I Choose You’. Per the press release, Fiona shares that the music “come[s] from a very personal place” and is about “love, choice, and empowerment — allowing yourself to say yes, to the love and life that is waiting for you on the other side of fear.”
Both songs come from her forthcoming extended play planned for a 2025 release. It’s been a while — maybe ten years — since we’ve heard a complete body of work from the recording artist. We’re glad to have her bold voice back into the mix.
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In a recent interview with Angela Yee, Melanie Fiona spoke about being in a group with Drake and their relationship as friends and co-workers before any of them had GRAMMYs or superstardom.
#MelanieFiona opens up about her early days with #Drake, recalling their time performing together at the Avocado Supper Club, covering freestyles and making memories.
Don’t miss her insights on their relationship and musical journey. @wayupwithyee pic.twitter.com/FqmtVssTMq
— Power 105.1 (@Power1051) October 23, 2024
Come back at noon Eastern Standard Time to watch the official music video for ‘Say Yes’.
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KAYTRANADA and Childish Gambino collaborate on vibrant jam ‘Witchy’: Watch the visual
‘Tis the season.
Dressed to the nines like the grown men they are, KAYTRANADA and Childish Gambino unleashed the cinematic official music video for their uptempo banger ‘Witchy’. Over the thumpy production, the famous singer-rapper and actor Donald Glover — also known as Childish Gambino — croons about morning love, spirits, and embracing and adoring her witchiness. Watch the video from KAYTRANADA’s album ‘Timeless’ now, released three weeks ago.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGK3YVmGZ3Y&h=315]
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Since releasing the song, Childish Gambino took to X — formerly Twitter — to update his fans about his health. As a result, the artist cancelled his remaining United States and the dates in the United Kingdom and Europe.
After my show in New Orleans, I went to the hospital in Houston to make sure of an ailment that had become apparent. After being assesed, it became clear i would not perform that night, and after more tests, i could not perform the rest of the US tour in the time asked. As of now…
— donald (@donaldglover) October 4, 2024
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On the contrary, KAYTRANADA seemingly addressed the groups of people who say his music sounds the same — deeming it as an indicator of his growth as an artist/producer. KAYTRANADA is currently on tour.
I make the same shit over and over? Video, Intimidated, Call U Up, Drip Sweat all sound the same? Oh ok. Y’all right…. ♂️
— kaytra-NADA (@KAYTRANADA) October 11, 2024
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wow maybe i got a little more famous than i used to be to have a lot of haters cause GOTDAMN!
— kaytra-NADA (@KAYTRANADA) October 11, 2024
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Michael Jackson reaches 1 billion views on YouTube with iconic video ‘Smooth Criminal’
Are we surprised?
Michael Jackson, the world’s only King of Pop from the twentieth century, has crossed one billion views on ‘Smooth Criminal’ on YouTube — a digital platform that didn’t exist when he started. According to Chart Data, other music videos with more than one billion views on the website/app are ‘Billie Jean’, ‘They Don’t Care About Us’, ‘Beat It’, and ‘Thriller’. Could you imagine how many views he would have had if YouTube existed back then?
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There will never be another Michael Jackson. And for that reason, check out the music video (again).
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4&h=315]
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Kanye West unveils official cover art for upcoming album ‘Bully’
Today, Kanye West shared the official artwork for his forthcoming album ‘Bully’. Last month, Kanye West — the global pop star announced the project. Stay tuned as we all find out more when it becomes available.
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