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Music
The Music category on 99Pluz celebrates the rhythm and stories shaping today’s soundscape. Here, we spotlight Afrobeats and beyond — from new releases and artist press drops to in-depth features that explore the people and passion behind the music. Whether it’s a club anthem, a conscious banger, or a cross-continental collab, this is where the beat meets culture.
Why Burna Boy’s RIAA Gold Plaque Matters More Outside Nigeria Than Within
Why Burna Boy’s RIAA Gold plaque matters isn’t about fan applause or milestone hype. It’s about leverage, documentation, and how global validation quietly determines who gets paid, booked, and taken seriously in today’s Afrobeats economy.
Sean
Jan 273 min read
Why the Wizkid vs Fela Debate Never Ends — And Why It Was Never Meant To
The Wizkid vs Fela debate keeps resurfacing because Nigerians aren’t comparing artists — they’re negotiating history, values, and identity. This piece argues that the argument itself is the culture.
Sean
Jan 244 min read
Rema, Style, and the New Age of Nigerian Celebrity Minimalism
Nigerian celebrity minimalism isn’t about fashion—it’s about authority. From Rema’s restrained image to a wider cultural shift, today’s stars are learning that real power doesn’t announce itself. It withholds, observes, and lets the world catch up.
Sean
Jan 203 min read
Burna Boy’s Global Positioning Strategy: Why “For Everybody” Is Bigger Than the Music
“For Everybody” isn’t meant to be debated like a traditional release. It’s a case study in Burna Boy’s global positioning strategy — where music becomes infrastructure, not the end goal. This piece explores how Afrobeats power is now built around culture, proximity, and global ecosystems.
Sean
Jan 193 min read
The Business Side of Nigerian Music That Fans Rarely Talk About
The business side of Nigerian music is rarely discussed, yet it explains why many artists who look successful are financially fragile. From streaming income and revenue splits to the hidden cost of maintaining relevance, this piece demystifies what fans usually don’t see.
Sean
Jan 163 min read
Young Jonn’s Pop Run Shows How Nigerian Music Producers Are Quietly Becoming Stars
As Nigerian pop evolves, producers are stepping into the spotlight with voices, brands, and careers of their own. Using Young Jonn’s trajectory as a case study, this article explores how Nigerian music producers are becoming artists — not for praise, but as a strategic response to changing power, visibility, and ownership in the industry.
Sean
Jan 133 min read
Wizkid’s 10 Billion Spotify Streams: What This Milestone Really Means for African Music
Wizkid’s 10 billion Spotify streams feel like a global victory for African music — but numbers this big demand closer scrutiny. From streaming economics to platform power, this article asks what Wizkid’s milestone really means, and why celebration alone doesn’t tell the full story.
Sean
Jan 123 min read
16 Years After “Holla at Your Boy”: How Wizkid Quietly Changed Nigerian Pop Forever
Sixteen years after “Holla at Your Boy,” this isn’t a nostalgia trip — it’s a cultural audit. From sound to ambition, this piece examines how Wizkid changed Nigerian pop by introducing quiet confidence, global intent, and a new creative posture that still defines the scene today.
Sean
Jan 53 min read
Wizkid, Asake, and the Power of Quiet Collaborations
Wizkid and Asake didn’t announce “MMS” with noise — they let it exist. This piece explores how quiet collaborations in Afrobeats are becoming a powerful cultural signal, reshaping rollout strategies and reminding listeners that not every moment is meant to shout.
Sean
Dec 22, 20253 min read
The ₦4–5 Million Question: Don Jazzy, Rema, and the Real Cost of Launching a Global Afrobeats Hit
Don Jazzy’s candid ₦4–5 million disclosure reframes the cost of launching a global Afrobeats hit. Beyond talent and virality, this piece explores the systems, strategy, and discipline behind records that truly travel.
Sean
Dec 16, 20254 min read
Asake’s Red Bull Symphonic Show: The Moment Everyone’s Talking About
Asake’s Red Bull Symphonic show has become one of Afrobeats’ most talked-about moments — not just for how it sounded, but for what it represents. This piece unpacks why the orchestral format worked and why the genre may have crossed into a new era.
Sean
Dec 15, 20254 min read
Wizkid’s 2025: Streaming Dominance and What It Means for the Nigerian Music Market
Wizkid streaming dominance in 2025 quietly shaped the Nigerian music market, highlighting how listeners rely more on playlists, catalogue runs, and cross-platform habits than hype or radio chatter.
Sean
Dec 11, 20254 min read
Burna Boy’s Tour Backlash: What Happened — And What It Means for Afrobeats Abroad
Burna Boy’s tour backlash didn’t just shake fans — it opened a wider conversation about Afrobeats, global touring pressure, and what happens when superstar reputation meets rising expectations abroad.
Sean
Dec 8, 20254 min read
Money in the Mix: The Royalties Every Indie Artist Needs to Stop Ignoring
If you make music, this is your royalties for indie artists playbook. Learn where money hides, who collects it, and the admin moves that turn streams into steady income.
Sean
Nov 14, 20253 min read
Great Adamz Unveils Blessed Boy (Deluxe) with Incredible New Features — Rebecca Winter, Freeboy, Erigga Paperboi & Craewolf
Great Adamz elevates his breakout sound with ‘Blessed Boy (Deluxe)’, adding new collaborations, fresh versions of fan favourites, and a renewed direction that blends gratitude, growth, and cross-continental Afrobeats storytelling.
Sean
Nov 13, 20252 min read
Sync Licensing for African Music — A Practical Guide
Sync licensing for African music explained — from metadata and splits to supervisors and contracts. A practical guide for artists who want their songs placed in film, ads, and games.
Sean
Nov 11, 20253 min read
The 99 Pluz Playlists
The 99 Pluz Playlists are built for how Nigerians actually listen — to flex, vibe, discover, celebrate, and think. Follow, use, and share your new soundtrack.
Sean
Nov 5, 20253 min read
Is Gunna Using Afrobeats to Rebuild His Career — Nenye Mbakwe’s First Take
Gunna’s Afrobeats pivot isn’t a gimmick — it’s strategy. Nenye Mbakwe breaks down how the rapper is using African collaborations and live shows to rebuild goodwill.
Sean
Nov 4, 20252 min read
Great Adamz Returns with “Jeje” — A Detty December Club Anthem
Grammy-nominated Afrobeats artist Great Adamz is back with “Jeje”, a Detty December anthem built on hypnotic drums and vibrant melodies. The track captures the nightlife euphoria, confident energy, and Afrobeats flair that define his global sound. Stream it now on all platforms.
Sean
Oct 24, 20252 min read
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