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Joy, Rebuke For Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage Over Charles’ Coronation

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Singer Tiwa Savage poses on the red carpet at the Fashion Awards 2022 in London, the UK, December 5, 2022

Mixed reactions have trailed the announcement that Savage, a Grammy-nominated singer, will perform at the British monarch’s coronation this weekend.

Boro Town, Nigeria — When Abisoye Raji saw an Instagram post that Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage would be performing at the coronation of Prince Charles at Westminster Abbey on May 6, she could not contain her excitement.

“Mad oh!” the 23-year-old operations manager at a Lagos-based startup screamed a Nigerian exclamation of surprise as she read from her phone at a public event. Onlookers nearby looked at her curiously, but she kept grinning.

“I was very happy for her because being invited to perform at the coronation of one of the most important monarchies in the world is huge,” she told Al Jazeera, smiling. “It is actually good to see Nigerians winning from top-bottom.”

Afrobeats superstar Savage will join Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and other artists, including South African opera singer Pretty Yende, to perform at the coronation ceremony this Saturday of Britain’s King Charles III, who ascended the throne eight months ago following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The ceremony’s officiating will be done by the archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior cleric of the Church of England.

In Nigeria, which got independence from British colonial administration in October 1960, that news has been greeted with mixed reactions.

A colonial legacy

Savage, 43, a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter who also holds British citizenship, was at Buckingham Palace in March for an International Women’s Day reception held by Queen Consort Camilla.

Back in Nigeria, some of Savage’s compatriots like Raji believe her performance this weekend is a progressive spotlight for Afrobeats, arguably Nigeria’s biggest export since Nollywood films.

But not everyone agrees.

Others have taken to social media to register disappointment with the singer, calling her hypocritical given Britain’s colonial legacy in Nigeria.

Sophia Bambino, a fashion curator, is one of them. For the 23-year-old, it is absurd that any citizen aware of the effects of the colonial history between Britain and Nigeria would accept to perform at the coronation ceremony.

“I don’t know what it is but Nigerians never seem to never want to break out of getting involved with people who colonised and oppressed them for years,” she said. “Let’s also not forget how British colonisation exploited the religion and ethnic identity of Nigerians that led them to abandon some customs and culture.”

Can Savage ‘salvage their image’?

Rolling Stone magazine has reported that multiple artists — including Adele, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Robbie Williams — turned down invitations to play at the coronation.

And for some Nigerians, Savage should have followed suit.

“It’s very embarrassing … that the Crown wants to use an African woman artiste who isn’t their first or second pick to salvage their image somehow,” Lagos-based writer Innocent Chizaram tweeted.

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Experts say Nigeria’s long history of political, economic and cultural exchange makes it impossible for a full disconnect.

“The Nigerian diaspora in the UK is one of the largest in the world and is a major part of cosmopolitan British as well as Nigerian culture,” said Ikemesit Effiong, head of research at Lagos-based geopolitical risk advisory firm SBM Intelligence. “For better or worse and despite the complexity of Anglo-Nigerian history, the ties that bind both countries remain considerable and will be so for the foreseeable future.”

For Oladokun Peter, a Lagos-based juju musician, even though fans may have their opinion, it should not stop the artist from making decisions they are comfortable with.

“Even people who are elected to defend our nationalism and sovereignty fail to do so,” he told Al Jazeera. “So why stop the artist from making some money because other artists refused to do it?”

Music as a service

Joey Akan, publisher of the Nigerian music newsletter Afrobeats Intelligence, said the performance was simply an artist providing a service like other service providers.

“We somehow feel that musicians offer a social good and not a business commercial product like cooking or anything else,” he told Al Jazeera. “If Tiwa Savage ran a restaurant and King Charles decides to go and eat there for his coronation after-party, will you tell her to chase him out of the restaurant?”

If colonial history truly mattered, he said, Nigerians would not pay huge amounts to the United Kingdom government to relocate or study there.

For others, Nigeria’s present cultural and soft-power standing is enough to begin a new relationship with the UK to showcase African talent on Western platforms, sending the message that the continent can hold its own in the pantheon of emerging global culture.

“If the UK recognises that by inviting Nigerian creatives, we should oblige by using those opportunities to make definitive statements of who we are, what our history is and what we represent in the modern age,” Effiong said.

Meanwhile, Raji is unable to wrap her head around the reasons why Tiwa Savage should have declined to perform — like other artists.

“She is a global artist and if they should invite her, why can she do it? What has this got to do with colonisation?” she asked.

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Druppythekid Set to release New Two-Track Pack

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Nigerian emerging artist Druppythekid is set to release his new two-track pack, No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade), on November 13, 2026, delivering a message of ambition, self-belief, and defiance in the face of criticism.

Originally from Kwara State and based in Lagos, Druppythekid developed a love for rap, hip-hop, and pop music as a teenager. Introduced to poetry in high school, he found a natural connection between words and rap, eventually joining a rap group before exploring music production at university. After graduation, he began rapping over his own beats, turning his passion into a growing musical pursuit.

On “No Love,” Druppythekid speaks to the determination required to chase dreams despite doubt and opposition. “LA LA LA (Serenade)” takes a more unapologetic approach, dismissing the opinions of those who never believed in him.

Together, the two records reflect one central message: keep pursuing your vision and never let the opinions of others define your journey.

No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade) arrive on major digital streaming platforms on November 13, 2026.

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Who Is Chinwe Zoe? The Nigerian Gospel Singer Behind “Undeniable

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Chinwe Zoe, a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, began recording music in December 2025 after years of singing in church and at home. Less than a year later, she has released three singles, including “Chinwendum”, featuring gospel singer Frank Edwards, “Undeniable” and “Jesus Don Win”, her October 2026 release produced by Masterkraft.

For Zoe, the decision to record was connected to a personal experience that changed how she viewed her life and faith. She has described it as a near-death experience that left her with a renewed sense of gratitude. “In that moment, when I thought it was over, God showed me mercy,” she said. “He gave me victory. And that victory was too loud to keep inside.”

Her debut, “Chinwendum”, was released in December 2025 with Frank Edwards featured on the record. She followed it with “Undeniable” on May 7, 2026. The song’s official video has recorded more than 460,000 views on YouTube. In October, she released “Jesus Don Win”, produced by Masterkraft, with a video directed by Avalon Okpe.

Zoe’s approach to songwriting draws on personal experiences and scripture. She has said that she does not begin the process by searching for a melody, but by waiting for a message that she can develop into a song. She describes a process in which an experience or scripture stays with her until it takes musical form. The melody follows, and she hums it before committing anything to writing.

Her guiding principle is that a gospel song should be accessible to listeners while remaining suitable for congregational worship. “It should be simple enough for a child to sing and strong enough for a choir to carry,” she said.

Zoe has identified CeCe Winans, Nathaniel Bassey and Dunsin Oyekan among the musicians whose work has influenced her. She sings in English and Igbo, and occasionally in Pidgin, drawing on the worship tradition in her musical expression.

“Every song I sing comes from a place I have lived,” she said. “My pain taught me how to worship, my joy taught me how to praise.”

Her music has also begun attracting an online audience. Her YouTube channel has recorded more than 627,000 views across nine videos, while her Spotify monthly listeners have been reported at approximately 6,500. Her Audiomack profile is verified. Zoe records under her own imprint, H2 Records, with distribution through ONErpm. She made her first public performance at the 2026 Annual Virtuous Women Network conference in Enugu, where she performed “Undeniable”.

Outside music, she has spoken about her interest in soul winning and described it as connected to her musical work. She has also said that she wants her songs to encourage listeners facing difficult circumstances. “I want my songs to shift mindsets from worry to worship,” she said. “Whenever anxiety comes, whenever life tries to make you feel small, I want you to hear my sound in your spirit and declare victory over your life.”

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N8TAN Announces ‘UPRISING EP’ — A Story of Rising From the Streets to the Top

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Nigerian artist N8TAN is set to unveil his highly anticipated ‘UPRISING EP’, a body of work that chronicles his journey from the streets to the heights of his musical ambition.

Built around themes of struggle, resilience, ambition, survival, and triumph, UPRISING captures the realities of an artist determined to turn adversity into momentum. The project reflects N8TAN’s experiences, the challenges that shaped him, and the relentless drive that continues to push him forward.

More than a collection of songs, UPRISING is presented as a story of transformation—from navigating the streets and confronting uncertainty to finding purpose, embracing growth, and rising toward the top.

With its blend of raw storytelling, infectious energy, and personal perspective, the EP offers listeners an intimate look into N8TAN’s world while reinforcing his determination to carve out his own place in the music industry.

‘UPRISING EP’ is a statement of elevation: a reminder that where you start does not have to determine where you finish.

As N8TAN continues to build his musical identity, UPRISING marks another significant chapter in his journey—and an invitation for listeners to rise with him.

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