North Carolina Governor Declares June 14 ‘Igbo Day’ to Celebrate Nigerian Heritage RALEIGH, NC — In a landmark move recognizing the contributions of Nigerian immigrants, Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina has officially proclaimed June 14, 2025, as “Igbo Day” across the state. The proclamation honors the Igbo community, a major ethnic group from southeastern Nigeria, for its deep-rooted presence and impact on North Carolina’s social, cultural, and economic life. Governor Stein praised the community’s commitment to education, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and cultural preservation, noting that many Igbos have called North Carolina home for over five decades. He described them as thriving professionals and selfless volunteers involved in everything from food pantry drives and school programs to shelter support and highway cleanups. “The Igbos have contributed immensely to our economy, culture, and public life,” Stein stated, “and through their unity, resilience, and vibrant traditions, they have enriched communities across our state.” The proclamation also highlighted the creation of the Igbo Day Festival Organisation, a nonprofit founded in 2022 to educate the public and unite Igbo families through art, music, language, and traditional values. The organization hosted its inaugural festival on July 10, 2022, and has since been instrumental in fostering cultural pride and youth engagement. Governor Stein emphasized that “Igbo Day” is not just a cultural celebration, but also a moment to recognize the shared values of unity, purpose, and civic pride that the Igbo people bring to North Carolina. “Their vision is to be a thriving community that honors the heritage of the Igbo people of Nigeria while serving as a beacon of cultural pride,” the proclamation reads. With this declaration, North Carolina joins a growing list of U.S. states acknowledging the vital role of African diasporic communities in shaping America’s diverse identity.

Throwback: The History of the Cassette In 1963, Lou Ottens, an engineer at the Dutch Philips-owned company Hasselt, introduced a revolutionary device: a small plastic box measuring 10 by 6 centimeters that would eventually reshape the music landscape. This humble invention became known globally as the cassette. At the time, music was largely bound to vinyl records—large, delicate, and immobile. Ottens envisioned something compact and portable. His prototype was a breakthrough: a "cassette", meaning "little box" in French, held two reels connected by magnetic tape, allowing for sound to be recorded and played on Side A and Side B. It offered music lovers something new—mobility. By 1964, cassettes were available in Europe, reaching the United States by 1968. Though still in a raw stage, their convenience began to attract fans. A key milestone came in 1971, when the use of chromium dioxide tape improved sound quality. Then, Japanese company Maxell democratized the format by releasing blank tapes, empowering users to record their own music, voices, and compilations—the first "mixtapes." Through the 1970s and 1980s, cassettes dominated. They were durable, portable, and personalizable—unlike vinyl. You could carry your favorite albums in your pocket, record off the radio, or express affection through a lovingly curated mix. Advancements continued: Dolby helped reduce noise, and by 1978, pure metal particle tapes emerged, improving durability and fidelity. Then came the game-changer: on July 1, 1979, Sony released the Walkman. For the first time, people could listen to music on the move, privately, with headphones—a listening habit that still defines how we consume music today. By the 1980s, cassettes were everywhere: in homes, cars, and backpacks. They were the format of a generation. But Ottens himself helped usher in the next wave: the Compact Disc (CD). In 1981, Sony and Philips introduced CDs—lighter, with more storage and cleaner sound. Though cassettes and CDs coexisted through the 1990s, CDs eventually dominated. By 2007, over 200 billion CDs had been sold. Today, cassettes are no longer mainstream, but their cultural impact remains undeniable. They were the first format to put control of music into the listener’s hands—to record, share, and move with sound. In many ways, the cassette paved the way for the digital, mobile, and personalized music experience we know now.

Ojude Oba 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Ijebu Culture & Royalty! 👑🌺 The colourful spirit of Ijebu land came alive again at Ojude Oba 2025, as thousands gathered to pay homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. Dressed in dazzling aso-ebi and rich traditional regalia, age grades (regberegbe), cultural troupes, and horse-riding families lit up the ancient city of Ijebu-Ode in a breathtaking display of unity, heritage, and pride. From cultural dances to royal pageantry, music, and fashion — Ojude Oba remains a timeless symbol of Yoruba excellence and Ijebu prestige. This year’s festival was not just a tribute to the king, but a celebration of tradition, tourism, and the unshakable bond between a people and their throne. 📸 Swipe through some stunning scenes from this year's celebration! 🟢 Ijebu no dey carry last! #OjudeOba2025 #IjebuHeritage #YorubaCulture #Awujale #IjebuPride #AfricanRoyalty #NaijaCulture #TraditionAndStyle #VisitNigeria #CulturalExcellence

To celebrate Billboard Africa’s launch, we honor the African artists making global history: 🌍 Rema’s “Calm Down (Remix)” — 1st African-led track to hit 1B Spotify streams 🌍 Wizkid — 1st Nigerian on the Billboard Hot 100 with “One Dance” 🌍 CKay — led the 1st U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart 🌍 Tyla — won the 1st Grammy for Best African Music Performance (2024) 🌍 Tems — 1st African-born woman to co-own an MLS team 🌍 Miriam Makeba — 1st African Grammy winner 🌍 Hugh Masekela — topped U.S. charts in the ‘60s From Makeba to Tems, African music keeps breaking barriers. #BillboardAfrica #Afrobeats #Rema #Wizkid #Tems #Tyla #CKay #MiriamMakeba #AfricanMusic #GlobalHits #Grammys #OneDance #CalmDown #AfrobeatsToTheWorld

Davido Poses with Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in Lagos After Adeleke Family Visit Nigerian music superstar Davido has continued to make headlines following his visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Lagos residence—this time for a special moment shared with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. The award-winning Afrobeats artist, who accompanied his uncle Governor Ademola Adeleke and father Chief Adedeji Adeleke during a courtesy visit to the President, was later spotted in a warm photograph with the First Lady. The image, now circulating across social media platforms, shows Davido smiling alongside Oluremi Tinubu, symbolizing a gesture of goodwill and mutual respect between the celebrated artist and the country’s First Family. The meeting, held ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha celebrations, has stirred both political and public interest, especially as the 2026 Osun governorship election draws closer. Davido, who is known for his strong political ties to the PDP through his uncle, has also made surprise appearances in settings associated with President Tinubu’s APC-led administration. While no formal statement was released regarding the brief interaction with the First Lady, observers say the visit highlights a moment of national unity, transcending political affiliations and reflecting the influence of cultural icons in Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape. #Davido #OluremiTinubu #FirstLady #AdelekeFamily #PresidentTinubu #LagosVisit #Sallah2025 #Afrobeats #NigeriaEntertainment #UnityInDiversity #OsunPolitics

David Alaba Visits Nigeria for the First Time, Honored at Fela’s Shrine Real Madrid star David Alaba has officially touched down in Nigeria for the first time, joining a wave of international footballers embracing their African heritage. The Austrian international, who boasts Nigerian royal lineage, made headlines over the weekend as he received a hero’s welcome at the iconic New Afrika Shrine in Lagos. Cultural Homecoming at the Shrine Alaba’s visit to the New Afrika Shrine, built in memory of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was both celebratory and symbolic. Fans flocked to greet the football icon, capturing selfies and exchanging warm gestures. In a heartfelt tribute to Fela, Alaba raised both hands in the music icon’s signature salute, flanked by longtime Shrine staffer Waiter 1. Footage shared by the @afrikashrine Instagram page showed the vibrant welcome, with fans visibly moved by Alaba’s humble and grounded presence. Embracing His Roots Although raised in Austria, Alaba’s roots trace back to Ogun State. His father, George Alaba, a crown prince, migrated to Austria in the 1980s. A former DJ and the first Black soldier in the Austrian army, George’s journey is one of resilience and cultural pride—values clearly passed on to his son. This homecoming is not only personal for David but culturally significant for fans who have long admired his achievements from afar. His sister, Rose May Alaba, is also a music star with Nigerian influences. Football Legacy and Career Alaba’s football journey is nothing short of inspiring. From humble beginnings at SV Aspern to lifting numerous trophies with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, his accolades include multiple UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles. He’s also Austria’s youngest-ever national team debutant. A Broader Movement Alaba’s visit follows closely on the heels of Ademola Lookman’s return to Nigeria. The CAF Player of the Year recently visited his family and even met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The trend signifies a powerful reconnection between diaspora athletes and their African identity. As David Alaba continues to inspire both on and off the pitch, his visit serves as a proud moment for Nigerians and a beacon of cultural unity. #DavidAlaba #FelasShrine #RealMadrid #NewAfrikaShrine #NigeriaVisit #OgunPrince #AfricanHeritage #LaLigaChampion #CAFStars #AdemolaLookman #NigerianPride #FootballNews

Wizkid's Morayo is currently charting in 22 countries on Apple Music 6 months after its release. It is #1 in Nigeria, #2 Sierra Leone, #3 in The Gambia, #8 Uganda, #10 Seychelles, #11 Benin, #12 Ghana, #12 in Liberia, #14 in Cyprus, #15 in Tanzania, #19 in Niger, #21 in Cameroon, #40 in Kenya, #58 in UAE, #64 in Dominica, #68 in the UK, #71 in Saint Kitts and Nevis, #98 in Cote d'Ivoire, #100 in Zimbabwe, #105 in Ireland, #150 in Canada and #172 in The Netherlands. This comes after #Wizkid tweeted about a song on the album, Break Me Down.

#Davido spotted wearing an IWC Portuguese grande compilation #wristwatch that worth over 230 Million naira just hours after picking up his new customized Tesla #Cybertruck worth over 300Million. #musicstar #entertainment #nigeria