Nearly a decade after his breakout, the award-winning Afrobeats singer reaffirms his staying power with a 15-track project that seamlessly blends heartfelt lyricism, infectious rhythms, and a fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds.

The album features a star-studded lineup of collaborators, including Phyno, Lil Kesh, Terry Apala, Skiibii, Winny, and Kashcoming. Already-popular tracks like “Mukutu” and “Glamorous,” featuring Mayorkun, also appear on the project, tying together recurring themes of ambition, resilience, romance, and personal growth.

With The Game Needs You, Reekado Banks not only reaffirms his relevance in today’s Afrobeats landscape but also showcases his growth as a songwriter and vocalist. The album marks a bold, confident statement—one that underscores his artistic evolution and dedication to excellence.

 

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In a heartfelt post, the singer described the project as a “labour of love” and a “testimony of time, patience, pain, and purpose.” He also expressed gratitude to the team behind the album’s creation:

“This one is bigger than me—it’s a testimony of time, patience, pain, and purpose. A labor of love, crafted by many brilliant minds and beautiful hearts.”

Reekado Banks went on to thank the producers, featured artists, songwriters, engineers, and instrumentalists who contributed to the album. Among them are Don Jazzy, Andre Vibez, Del B, BadBoy, Semzi, and more.

“This album is ours. Now it belongs to the world. Go stream it. Feel it. Share it. Let it speak to you the way it spoke to us while we made it,” he added.

 

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Fans and music critics alike are already praising The Game Needs You for its authenticity, sonic range, and lyrical maturity—further proof that Reekado Banks remains one of Afrobeats’ most dynamic voices.

Listen to “The Game Needs You” HERE

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The eligibility period for this year’s awards spanned from April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024, during which numerous Nigerian artists released remarkable projects—some of which were recognized, while others were surprisingly overlooked.

However, the Headies faces unique challenges, notably its recurring scheduling delays and execution issues. In this article, we examine some of the most striking omissions from the 17th Headies nomination list.

(Note: This analysis assumes that all omitted works were submitted for consideration.)

• Best Recording of the Year

Nominated:

– TEMS—“Burning”
– SEYI VIBEZ—’Different Pattern’
– BURNA BOY—’Higher‘
– AYRA STARR & GIVEON—’Last Heartbreak Song’
– SARZ feat. LOJAY – ‘Billions‘

Notable Snubs:
– Asake—“Lonely At The Top”
– OdumoduBlvck—”Blood On The Dance Floor”

Asake’s ‘Lonely At The Top‘ was arguably the defining track from his sophomore album ‘Work of Art,’ boasting a refined composition that stood out during the review period. OdumoduBlvck’s ‘Blood On The Dance Floor’ was another masterfully crafted record, making its omission surprising.

• Producer of the Year

Nominated:

– SARZ—’ Happiness‘
– LONDON—’Ozeba’
– MAGICSTICKS—’Basquiat‘
– REMA/PRODUCER X/CUBEATZ/DEATZ/KLIMPERBOY—’Hehehe‘
– DIBS—’Different Pattern‘

Notable Snubs:

– P.Priime
– Jay Synths
– Blaise Beatz
– KZITO

P.Priime had an exceptional year, contributing significantly to Rema’s ‘HEIS‘ album. Jay Synths, who crafted Flavour’s ‘Big Baller‘ (nominated for Song of the Year), and Kizz Daniel’s ‘Ojapiano,’ also deserved consideration. Blaise Beatz’s work on ‘Twe Twe‘ and KZITO’s contributions to Victony’s ‘Pier 46′ further highlight the gap in the nominations.

• Best Collaboration

Nominated:

– Tiwa Savage feat. Asa—’Emotions‘
– OdumoduBlvck, Bloody Civilian & Wale—’Blood On The Dance Floor’
– Shallipopi feat. OdumoduBlvck—’Cast‘
– Chike & Mohbad—’Egwu‘
– Qing Madi & BNXN—’Ole‘
– Kizz Daniel & Davido – ‘Twe Twe Remix‘
– Wizkid feat. Zlatan—’IDK‘

Notable Snubs:

– BNXN & Ruger – “Poe”

The collaborative track ‘Poe‘ by BNXN and Ruger was a standout hit, making its absence from this category quite unexpected.

• Afrobeats Single of the Year

Nominated:

– Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez—’Big Big Things‘
– Kizz Daniel—’Twe Twe Remix’
– Chike feat. Mohbad—’Egwu‘
– Asake—’Remember‘
– Hyce, Boypee & Brown Joel feat. Davido—’Ogechi Remix‘
– Flavour—’Big Baller’

Notable Snub:

– Kcee—”Ojapiano”

As one of the biggest Afrobeats hits of the eligibility period, Kcee’s ‘Ojapiano‘ had a significant cultural and commercial impact. Its omission is arguably one of the most glaring oversights.

• Lyricist on the Roll

Nominated:

– A-Q—’Mogadishu”
– M.I Abaga—’Chocolate City Cypher‘
– Blaqbonez—’Chocolate City Cypher’
– Ladipoe—’Hallelujah‘
– Alpha Ojini—’Efeleme‘

Notable Snub:

– OdumoduBlvck

With tracks like ‘MC Oluomo’ and ‘Saint Obi,’ OdumoduBlvck demonstrated superior lyricism, making his exclusion from this category quite puzzling.

• Rookie of the Year

Nominated:

– Llona
– Kaestyle
– Taves
– ZerryDL

Notable Snubs:

– TML Vibez
– Muyeez

Both artists made an impact in the Nigerian mainstream with their breakout projects, and many expected at least one to secure a nomination.

• Best Street-Hop Artist

Nominated:

– Seyi Vibez—’Different Patterns’
– Ayo Maff feat. Fireboy DML – ‘Dealer’
– Shallipopi feat. OdumoduBlvck—’Cast‘
– Zhus Jdo—’Johnbull‘
– Mohbad—’Ask About Me’

Notable Snub:

– Kashcoming

With ‘How Low’ and his DJ YK-assisted ‘Oblee,’ Kashcoming left a mark on the street-hop scene, making his exclusion surprising.

• Song of the Year

Nominated:

– Kizz Daniel—’Showa‘
– Ayra Starr—’Commas‘
– Chike & Mohbad—’Egwu‘
– Asake—’Lonely At The Top’
– Rema—’Ozeba‘
– Flavour—’Big Baller’

Notable Snub:

– Kcee—”Ojapiano”

Given its immense popularity, ‘Ojapiano’s‘ absence is particularly notable. The track revitalized Kcee’s career and introduced the Igbo flute (Oja) into the Amapiano wave.

• Artiste of the Year

Nominated:

– Davido
– Ayra Starr
– Asake
– Rema
– Tems
– Burna Boy

Notable Snubs:

– Seyi Vibez
– Kizz Daniel

Seyi Vibez and Kizz Daniel had stellar years, with their projects delivering some of the biggest Nigerian hits. Their exclusion raises questions about the selection criteria.

• Final Thoughts

The Headies, while an essential platform for recognizing musical excellence, continues to grapple with issues of execution and timing. The lack of a fixed calendar year creates eligibility confusion, resulting in inconsistencies.

For instance, Omah Lay’s ‘Moving‘ was nominated despite falling outside the window, and Phyno’s ‘Full Time Job’ was initially listed, then removed after backlash.

Additionally, while new categories were introduced, others—such as Alternative/Traditional Song & Album—were axed without explanation, sidelining a significant portion of Nigerian talent.

For the Headies to maintain credibility and grow in prestige, the organizers must refine their processes, adhere to a structured timeline, and ensure transparency in their selections.

Only then can it truly serve as a definitive reflection of Nigeria’s evolving music landscape.

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DefEars Management, in collaboration with Dapper Live, is excited to announce the much-anticipated return of Trenchfest, set to take Lagos by storm this December.

With the support of Coke Studio and Jameson Whiskey, the event promises to be the ultimate celebration of Nigeria’s vibrant music culture, uniting fans from around the world for an unforgettable experience.

Headliners and Star Performances
Leading the impressive lineup is Afrobeats legend Wande Coal, renowned for his soulful voice and chart-topping hits.

Fans can expect a show-stopping performance from the music icon, whose career has consistently pushed boundaries in Afrobeats and Afropop.

Joining him on stage is an array of talented artists, including Ice Prince, T.I Blaze, Balloranking, L.A.X, Otega, Dremo, and Kashcoming.

Rising stars like TML Vibez, ZerryDL, Marley Kiddo, and Reehaa will also bring their dynamic energy to the festival, alongside talented acts such as Tolibian, Rybeena, Bahdman Niko, and Fazil. With over 20 performers, Trenchfest Lagos is poised to be the ultimate showcase of Nigerian musical talent.

Event Details

• Date: December 27, 2024
• Venue: Police College, Ikeja, Lagos
• Tickets: Available now at Naijatix.com

Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets early, as this must-attend concert of the Detty December season is expected to sell out quickly.

A Celebration of Music and Culture
Trenchfest Lagos aims to elevate the festival experience by blending the infectious sounds of Afrobeats with the electrifying energy of street music. Following the resounding success of Trenchfest Ibadan, this Lagos edition promises to surpass expectations, delivering high-energy performances and a vibrant festival atmosphere that captures the spirit of Nigeria’s dynamic music scene.

About DefEars Management
With over a decade of talent management and event production excellence, DefEars Management continues to set the standard in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The company’s notable achievements include the successful Trenchfest Ibadan and the celebrated Any Given Sundays series. Specializing in connecting local talents with global opportunities, DefEars Management is dedicated to nurturing creativity and celebrating African culture through music and content.

Mark your calendar for December 27, 2024, and get ready to witness Lagos come alive with music, culture, and the magic of Trenchfest!

 

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Undisputed DJ Hazan has surfaced with a new mixtape titled Lagos Party Mix-Up.

This new mixtape features trending Naija songs from the likes of Ruger, Buju, Kizz Daniel, and more.

• RELATED: DJ Hazan – Summer Vybes Mixtape (Afrobeat Edition)
• RELATED: DJ Beeast – Amapiano Mixtape ft. Kabza De Small, Busiswa, others.

Listen Up!

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