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OkayAfrica
Jul. 02, 2019 01:18PM EST
Yemi Alade in "Johnny." (Youtube)

Yemi Alade Is the First African Female Artist To Get A Million Subscribers On YouTube

There's a reason why she's Nigeria's "queen of music videos."

Yemi Alade just can't stop breaking YouTube records. Two years ago her music video for hit single "Johnny" became the most viewed Nigerian music video on YouTube, surpassing P-Square's "Personally."

Now, the Nigerian star has become the first African female artist to reach one million subscribers to her YouTube channel.

Yemi Alade broke the news herself across social media, saying "1st emale Entertainer in Africa to have over 1 MILLION subscribers on YouTube. God is the GREATEST, started this journey six years ago. Thanks to everyone streaming / watching my videos and music. Godbless us all."

Read: 7 Reasons Why Yemi Alade Is a Music Video Icon

Among Yemi Alade's most popular videos on YouTube are "Johnny," "Kissing" feat. Marvin, "Ghen Ghen Love," Bamboo," "Na Gode" feat. Selebobo, "Ferrari," and video of her live performance our own OkayAfrica Mzansi Heat & Naija Beats show in NYC.

The Nigerian artist is readying the release of her upcoming album, Woman of Steel, from which she's already shared the highly-addictive single "Bounce."

According to Konbini, "Yemi Alade joins an elite club of entertainers to have over one million subscribers, including the likes of P-Square (1.2 million), Davido (1.5 million) and Diamond Platnumz (2.1 million). We're super pleased for Yemi Alade, who continues to break boundaries in African music."

Congrats!


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Interview
Merry-Lynn. Photo courtesy of the artist.

You Need This Merry-Lynn EP In Your Life

Interview: Rising R&B newcomer Merry-Lynn's Petrichor EP is a breath of fresh air.

Iyere-Eke Merrylynn Ehinomen, also known as Merry-Lynn, is a rising singer and songwriter based in Abuja, Nigeria. She recently released her debut EP, Petrichor, which presents a masterful blend of reggae and R&B with a modern twist across its six tracks.

Drawing you in with its resonant bass line and alluring vocals, EP opener "Skin," is a major head-bopper. Merry-Lynn pours her heart out over the rippling guitar chords singing "When you gonna call me baby?/ Or don't you think about me lately?" Before you know it you're midway through the sultry and euphoric cut, "Temptation," and fully locked-in to this musical experience.

In "Boy Tears" the young singer, who was born in 1997, graces us with vivid lyricism and audacious delivery as she rhymes "too" and "fooled," enriching each line with subtle nuance. She also enlists Nigerian hitmaker King Perryy on the melancholic heartbreak tune "911"—a remixed version of the original track that was released earlier in the year

Merry-Lynn's decision to work exclusively with Nigerian producer Veen on the project seemingly enabled her to truly experiment and find the distinctive sound that sets her apart from the crowd. Emotionally rich and enlightened, this tape is a smooth sonic ride for any lover of good music. There's no doubt that, with Petrichor, Merry-Lynn has delivered a reliably-solid debut.

We got to know the R&B newcomer a little bit more in a recent interview below.

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Tiwa Savage "Owo Mi Da" cover.

Tiwa Savage Drops Two New Songs 'Owo Mi Da' & 'Attention'

The Nigerian star has shared two new bangers—"Owo Mi Da" and "Attention"—a day early due to leaks.

Tiwa Savage has returned with not-one-but-two new singles, "Owo Mi Da" and "Attention."

While the tracks were originally slated to drop tomorrow, Wednesday, the Nigerian superstar rushed released them due to leaks. "You guys couldn't wait na so my songs don leak o .... FUCK IT OUT NOW," Tiwa wrote on her social pages.

The addictive and upbeat "Owo Mi Da" was co-written by fellow Nigerian hitmaker Olamide and produced by Pheelz.

Video: Tiwa Savage On Female Artists Having to Work Twice As Hard

The smoother "Attention" is a song aimed at a man who isn't taking enough notice of his woman. " I guarantee all the ladies will know the lyrics to this one word for word," Tiwa wrote about the track. It was produced by Blaqjerzee.

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(Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Idris Elba to Star In Netflix's Upcoming All-Black Western 'The Harder They Fall'

The film also stars Jonathan Majors and is being produced by Jay-Z.

Idris Elba is set to star in the upcoming all black Western The Harder They Fall from first-time director Jeymes Samuel.

The film, is slated to premiere on Netflix, and also stars The Last Black Man In San Fransisco actor, Jonathan Majors. The film is being produced by Samuel, as well as Jay-Z, who will also help write original music for the movie along with Samuel, Deadline reports. The two previously worked together on the Great Gatsby.

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Watch Stiff Pap’s Music Video for ‘Mkokotelo’

Stiff Pap shares a new music video.

Stiff Pap recently shared a music video for their single "Mkokotelo." The song is from the South African hip-hop duo's latest EP Stiff Pap Radio.

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