Smooth by Design,
Global by Nature

"A Nigerian-born artist raising the Afrobeats flag from Canada — with a sound built to travel, and a heart set on celebrating women."

100K+

Total streams

5K

Instagram followers

1K

Monthly listeners

Apr 24

Cola release date

The Artist

From Lagos to Canada, Without Losing the Lagos

Born Adeyemo Boluwatife Isaac — and known to the world simply as Bolu — this Nigerian-born, Canada-based artist has been quietly building something that feels both personal and universal. His sound does not choose between where he came from and where he is now. It carries both.

Rooted firmly in Afrobeats, Bolu layers his music with the kind of smooth melodic storytelling that draws from R&B intimacy without losing the infectious rhythm and bounce that defines contemporary African music. The result is a signature blend — warm, emotionally present, and built for both heartfelt listening and the dancefloor.

What sets Bolu apart isn't just the sound — it's the intent. A consistent thread through his catalogue is his love and admiration for women. He doesn't just write about romantic attraction; he writes about presence, aura, and strength. That authentic honoring of feminine energy has become one of his most recognizable artistic fingerprints.

"He doesn't just sing about love — he honors it. His music celebrates women across all backgrounds, reflecting admiration, gratitude, and the beauty he sees in their strength and presence."

New Music

Meet "Cola" — His Most Infectious Record Yet

Released on April 24th, Bolu's latest single "Cola" is a feel-good Afrobeats anthem that does what only the best records do — it makes you feel something before you even fully understand why.

The record was born from a spontaneous studio session, where the melody led before the words caught up. The title emerged naturally — the perfect vessel for a song centered on beauty, desire, and the electric energy of a woman who commands every room she enters.

"Cola" — Single

Afro R&B / Afrobeats · April 24, 2025

Smooth vocal textures, warm melodies, and lifestyle-driven production fused into a replay-worthy record. Built around genuine admiration — celebrating women across all races, backgrounds, and identities. Radio-friendly, dancefloor-ready, and designed for the social media moment.

Sonically, "Cola" leans into smooth Afrobeats rhythms layered with rhythmic percussion and an easy bounce that never forces itself. It lives at the intersection of mainstream Afrobeats and feel-good lifestyle music — the kind of record that finds a home on every playlist it touches.

The bigger picture

A Diaspora Voice in a Global Conversation

As a Nigeria-born artist operating out of Canada, Bolu occupies a fascinating position in the global music landscape. He is part of a growing generation of diaspora artists who carry Afrobeats not as an imported genre but as a lived identity — reinterpreting it through the dual lens of homeland roots and international exposure.

His ability to write and perform across English, Pidgin, and Yoruba gives his music a rare fluidity, making it accessible to long-standing Afrobeats fans and new global listeners alike. With "Cola" already positioned for radio rotation, club play, and digital streaming traction, the trajectory is clear — Bolu is building something with longevity at its core.

Final word

"Bolu's music carries a message as consistent as his sound — women deserve to be celebrated, not just desired. With 'Cola,' he makes that point in the most effortless way possible: by making you move while you listen."

 It’s Double Trouble in  here, as  Afrobeats artist; Top Tier, preps a fiery two pack in the works that kicks off a party like no other!  

        Emerging as one of the fresh voices to look out for in the Afrobeats scene, Top Tier brings energy, charisma, and an unapologetically vibrant sound with his new releases, “Turn Up” and “Like That”

    “Turn up” is a bold, feel-good anthem designed to light up dance floors and set the tone for your unforgettable nights. Blending elements of Afropop with subtle infusions of Afro-hip hop, “Turn Up” delivers a smooth yet high-energy rhythm that instantly pulls you in. With its catchy hooks, infectious beat, and  delivery, the track captures the essence of carefree enjoyment and pure vibes.

       It embodies the spirit of good times,  the kind where the music is flowing, the energy is right, and nobody’s holding back. It’s an open invitation to let loose, step out, and fully embrace the moment. Whether you’re at a house party, in the club, or just vibing with your friends, this track sets up the perfect mood.

      With a playful edge and a nod to the “baddies in the room” and the DJ spinning the turntables, Top Tier crafts a sound that is inclusive and electric,  a celebration of fun and living in the moment. 

        He raises the stakes with his second track; “Like That”, an infectious Afro-hip hop jam that strikes a smooth balance between smooth music and a thrilling energy.

     From the very first beat, the track pulls you into its world, a sonic blend of rhythm, bounce, and groove that’s effortless and electrifying. It’s layered with some amusing, dynamic musical elements that hit you all at once, creating that rich listening experience that stays with you long after the song ends.

     “Like That” captures that pre-party excitement, the anticipation of a great night, the thrill of stepping out, and the promise of unforgettable moments. 

       There’s a lightness and vital energy woven into the track, making it the perfect soundtrack for good times, whether you’re getting ready with your friends or already in the middle of the dance floor.   “Like That” takes you to a moment in time, where the music is good and the drinks flow. 

     Top tier is that artist, that finesses lyrical bars and keeps things melodic at the same time. His whole MO here is to get the party started and these two singles do it perfect justice.        Soon to be out on all streaming platforms, watch out for the magic he has in store for you!

 

Purp Kulture unveils Purp Sessions, a live performance series spotlighting raw artistry and intentional sound, debuting with a powerful set from Reespect.

As the first artist on Purp Sessions, Reespect sets the tone with a performance rooted in authenticity, musicality, and refined visuals.

The debut session was brought to life in collaboration with a tight-knit creative team. Recorded at Beezle Studios and visually directed by Wemimo, the performance blends sonic precision with clean, immersive visuals.

Backed by a live band, the session features:

* Drums: Chuks Osifo

* Guitar: Emmanuel Igwe

* Electric Keyboard: Kelechi Obioha

* Bass: Elubode Sinmiloluwa

Released April 14, 2026, on YouTube, the first Purp Sessions marks a new era for Purp Kulture, documenting sound in its purest form.

With this launch, Purp Kulture builds a platform that showcases talent and archives key moments in contemporary music culture.

Purp Sessions is now live.

Ultima Limited is proud to announce the release of Heat & Heart, the debut EP from Afrobeats artist Ayo Benzi. Set for release on April 8, 2026 across all major digital streaming platforms, the 4-track project marks the arrival of one of Nigerian music’s most exciting new voices and fulfills a promise made under national television lights.

FROM THE SCREEN TO YOUR SPEAKERS

Ayo Benzi is the winner of Next Afrobeats Star Season 1, Nigeria’s flagship televised music competition for emerging Afrobeats talent. Every track on Heat & Heart is an original composition, songs that were written, crafted, and performed across the competition’s run, now remastered and packaged for the world. This is not a compilation or a greatest hits; it is a fully conceived debut body of work, shaped under pressure and delivered with purpose.

The transition from television audience to streaming audience is a defining moment in any artist’s journey. For Ayo Benzi, it is the natural next step in a story that millions of Nigerians have already been watching.

Heat & Heart is an Afrobeats-forward project rooted in culture, texture, confession, and groove. Where most debut EPs ease listeners in, Ayo Benzi opens the door wide, four tracks that move between heat (energy, swagger, the tension of wanting) and heart (vulnerability, faith, the weight of what matters). It is the duality that defines this generation of Nigerian artists: deeply spiritual, intensely ambitious, and wholly themselves.

Lead single “Oil Dey My Head” sets the tone. Drawing on the imagery of divine favour and anointing, the oil that marks, protects, and consecrates, Ayo Benzi delivers a statement of faith wrapped in one of the most infectious Afrobeats productions of the year. It is the kind of record that plays at church and at the party, and sounds perfectly at home in both.

“Every song on this EP is a piece of me that Nigeria has already heard, but now it’s yours to keep. Heat & Heart is just the beginning.”

— Ayo Benzi

“Ayo Benzi did not just win a competition, he earned a platform. Heat & Heart is what happens when raw talent gets the time and space to say something real. We believe in these songs. Nigeria will too.”

— Femi Ayeni, C.E.O, Ultima Limited

RELEASE DETAILS

Artist: Ayo Benzi

EP Title: Heat & Heart

Release Date: April 8, 2026

Format: 4-track EP | Digital / Streaming

Genre: Afrobeats

Lead Single: “Oil Dey My Head”

Available On: Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay, YouTube Music, and all major DSPs

 

ABOUT AYO BENZI

Ayo Benzi is a Nigerian Afrobeats artist and the winner of Next Afrobeats Star Season 1. Known for a performance style that fuses vocal range with raw stage presence, he rose through one of Nigeria’s most competitive music platforms and emerged with both a title and a fanbase. Heat & Heart is his debut EP and his formal introduction to the global music market.

Ohlay, a young new artist in the Nigerian music scene, recently dropped his new single, “Whyne”, last Friday. This artist has a knack for blending melody, emotion, and rhythm into a fresh sound that draws on Afrobeats and global music.

Known for his catchy hooks and honest storytelling, Ohlay is building a growing fanbase with every release as he pushes toward that global stage.

Following his first release “Ohh no” in 2025, he’s back and stronger this year with something fresh and compelling; “Whyne”, a simple, catchy, and rhythmic Afropop jam.

Ohlay holds a shrill, yet soft and chill voice that gives the rhythm the flow it deserves, helping this artist stand out effortlessly. 

Out now on all streaming platforms, check out “Whyne”, smooth music that’s easy to love

Creative Currents With Bemistudi0 
Issue 8.0  Mar. 2026
Interview Conducted by Olulana Mofiyinfoluwa & Chiagozie Mbuba
Design by Chiagozie Mbuba

Bemistudi0 exists at the intersection of what can be seen and what can only be felt. Trained in Law, International Relations, and Medical Law; disciplines built on precision, definition, and doctrine and she has turned her practice toward something altogether different: the moment before thought becomes language, before perception hardens into certainty. Her paintings don't explain the human condition; they dissolve it back into its raw materials. Vibrant figuration blurs into abstraction, figures emerge and recede, and somewhere in between, the viewer catches a glimpse of their own mind at work. This is not art made to be understood. It is art made to be experienced.

Q. Can you take us back to the moment you first realized visual art was something you wanted to pursue?

A. I don’t think it was a moment, more like an accumulation of moments. It was gradual and then it just was.

Q. Walk us through your creative process; from the first spark of an idea to the finished piece. What does that journey typically look like for you?

A. Different paintings come to me in different ways. It varies truly. Personally, I don’t over think the process. I think one of the most important elements of the creativity is time. Time to develop an idea until it takes life of its own.

Q. Your work often blends abstraction with human figures. How do you translate feelings or experiences into visual language?

A. I don’t think about translating anything when i paint. I think about what’s true and then paint that. Truth in conception, truth in emotion, truth in thought. Whatever kind of truth it is… that's what I paint

Q. What moulds perceived reality, and how can I paint that?" - is a deeply philosophical one. How did you arrive at this as the driving force behind your practice, and has your answer evolved over time?

A. I think my craft in itself has evolved over time. With my art, It’s always been important for me to paint beyond what meets the eye. I’m fascinated with the human mind and how we understand the world around us.

Q. Your work positions thought and perception as forces that intertwine and shape each other. When you're mid-painting, do you feel that process happening in real time or are you thinking through the work as you make it?

A. This is an interesting question. I believe the connection between thought and perception is impalpable. I don’t necessarily believe it’s something we can “feel” but it’s often observed in hindsight. Painting is a wonderful way to master the art of complex thinking. I couldn’t say that I think about one thing or the idea of trying to “ make art” when I paint… art isn’t about art. It’s about life, so naturally I have a series of thoughts.

Q.  The human figure appears throughout your paintings, yet you're drawing viewers toward something intangible; the parts of humanity that resist simple definition. How do you decide when a figure has said enough?

A. It’s a balancing act. I try not to get in the way of what’s happening on my canvas. I let the work be. It’s vital to allow the create process. 

Q. You hold degrees in Law international relations and Medical Law, disciplines that are deeply concerned with defining the human condition in precise terms. How does that training sit alongside a practice that deliberately explores what can't be defined?

A. It creates beautiful dimension. I understand thoughts have the capacity to influence doctrines while creating establishments. Thoughts form and shape our relations and theories. My work seeks to dissect the genesis of this, in a sense. I find that there's a lot of depth to it. In the most beautiful way.

Q. Your work has been described as sitting between vibrant figuration and abstraction. Is there a tension there you're working with, or is that interplay the point entirely?

A. Yeah I have deep appreciation for abstraction. I think it yields power that’s quite unique.

Q. Looking ahead, what new directions or ideas are you excited to explore in your artistic journey?

A. I guess we’ll see lol

After tracing her path from the courtrooms of theory to the quiet authority of the canvas, one thing becomes clear: Bemistudi0 is not chasing answers. She is sitting with the questions, and inviting you to do the same. The work is still unfolding; the next direction kept close, with a quiet confidence that what comes next will arrive exactly when it should. What molds perceived reality? Step inside the painting and find out.

Olulana Mofiyinfoluwa
For Solid Guy Magazine

The Boy Who Descends & Rises

"Yarden means 'to descend' in Hebrew — but since he chose music, it has done anything but decline."

60M+

STREAMS ON 'WETIN'

23

YEARS OLD

5

TRACKS ON DEBUT EP

2020

PROFESSIONAL DEBUT

THE ORIGIN

Built from Curiosity, Not a Classroom

Long before record deals and streaming milestones, there was a teenager in Lagos — teaching himself to produce music through YouTube tutorials and conquering social anxiety one playground rap battle at a time. Yarden'sstory is not one handed to him. It is one he stitched together, beat by beat, bar by bar.

That ingenuity — the ability to make a way where there seems to be none — would go on to become the defining thread of his artistic identity. More than a sound, more than a style, it is a posture: resilient, inventive, and unafraid.

"What defines his artistry is not just expression — it is the resilience and ingenuity to make a way for himself and for others when there seems to be none."

THE SOUND

Where Lagos Meets the Internet

Yarden's music lives at the intersection of two worlds. There are the Afrobeats rhythms that filled every family party he grew up attending — warm, familiar, deeply rooted in Lagos soil. And then there is the R&B, Soul and Hip-Hop he absorbed through years of self-directed listening online.

The result is not a genre experiment — it is an autobiography. Every sonic layer carries a memory, a reference, a version of himself at a different age.

AFROBEATSR&BSOULAFROPOP

His breakout single 'Wetin' became proof of concept for this fusion — now crossing 60 million streams and still climbing. It is a song that sounds both ancient and new, local and global: exactly the kind of duality that Nigerian music has been announcing to the world.

THE JOURNEY

Milestones on the Ascent

Early

Self-taught beginnings

Learns music production through YouTube. Overcomes social anxiety via playground rap battles in Lagos.

2020

Professional debut

First formal foray into the music industry — marking the official start of his career as a recording artist.

2022–

'Wetin' breaks out

Breakout single surpasses 60 million streams globally and continues growing, cementing his name in the Afrobeats conversation.

Dec '23

The One Who Descends — debut EP

Five-track debut EP blending Afrobeats, R&B, Soul and Rap. A statement of intent and a lifetime of music poured into one project.

Now

An ascending talent

At 23, Yarden stands as part of the exciting wave of Nigerian and African artists shaping music's global conversation — with community and collaboration at his core.

"Yarden brings to light music that has been a lifetime in the making — at the very start of his journey. The name may mean to descend, but the trajectory tells a different story entirely."

WORDS INSPIRED BY YARDEN'S OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

Emerging Sensation Wavior returns with “Problem,” a new release marking a steady step forward in his evolving sound. With no label backing, the track is produced by Mbeat (Martins Tochukwu Martins), keeping things raw, intentional, and fully independent. Following his last single “Wait” featuring Arkxd, this drop signals more than just new music, it’s a statement of direction and purpose.

From the first beat, “Problem” settles into an upbeat, steady-paced rhythm that feels controlled without losing its bounce. Drawing from Afrobeats, Afropop, dancehall, and pop, the sound leans into a lively groove that carries itself naturally. Wavior doesn’t rush the moment, he stays measured, letting the tempo do its work while his delivery remains sharp and aware. There’s a subtle street influence in the tone, but it’s refined, not overpowering, giving the track balance without making it feel heavy.

At its core, “Problem” speaks to staying sharp in a world filled with pressure, distractions, and internal battles. It’s about knowing when to move, when to hold back, and how to keep your head clear even when everything feels loud. There’s resilience in the message, but also a sense of ease, a reminder that even in the middle of it all, there’s still room for joy.

For Wavior, this release is more than a single, it’s the groundwork for something bigger. A way of building awareness, creating consistency, and setting the pace for long-term growth. And if this is the foundation, then what follows is simple: good music, delivered with intention, every time.

 

From The Studio To The Spotlight With Anabel Rose

Issue 7.0   Mar. 2026

Interview Conducted by Kolade Motirolaoluwa

Designed by Chiagozie Mbuba

Q. Can we get an insight into who Anabel Rose is?

A.  My name is Anabel Rose, and I'm half Filipino and half Ghanaian. I categorize myself as an alternative pop artist because I love experimenting with the genres I grew up with—I don't like being boxed in. My music focuses on emotions and vulnerability, especially my own. I grew up in Ghana and have only been to the Philippines a few times.

Q. You are what a lot of people would call a young prodigy as you started singing at the age of 8. What would you say led you into the creative space?

A. I started singing at 8 because, as someone with Filipino roots, singing is just in our blood. I loved Celine Dion and all the classics as a child. I was already enrolled in guitar classes at a young age too. Although I was performing, I didn't really see myself heading into the creative space until I became an adult. My first dream was actually becoming a scientist.

Q. As an artist of two nationalities, do you think your growing up as a part of two cultures influenced your craft?

A. It definitely has. Growing up with two cultures in my house gave me an early appreciation for both, and that translated into me fusing a lot of different influences into my music. It also helped add depth to what I create.

Q. As an Alternative Pop Artist,what influenced your style of music?

A. I'd say it's just the music I grew up with and trying to stay true to all the things that shaped me. After coming back from school abroad, Afrobeats would have been an easy route to take, but it wouldn't have been me staying true to myself. I love experimenting with my music.

Q. You are set to release a new song titled “Imperfect Daughters”. The title of this song speaks volume,so would you like to share with us the inspiration behind this title?

A. I grew up with music always being in my life and with really supportive parents. But I was chasing the dream of being a scientist because of societal pressure—I needed to make people proud of me. I ended up figuring out that science wasn't for me, although I still pursued computer science. At that point, I had to make a choice between what I felt people wanted and what I actually wanted. The greatest battle I faced was an internal one between myself and my younger self. That's basically where the title came from.

Q. Your style of music as you have always said is to tell a story which I believe was done perfectly on this song. How did the inspiration for this song come about?

A. I wrote this song early last year. My producer sent me a guitar loop, and I immediately recorded a freestyle to it. I think that's what gave it such raw emotion, coupled with the fact that I was in a really volatile space after quitting my 9-to-5. I had so many emotions, and music was simply my only escape. That's where the song came from.

Q. Pieces of Artists are often found in their songs, the melody and the lyrics. Are there pieces of you in “Imperfect Daughters"?

A. Yes, "Imperfect Daughter" is more than just a piece of me, it's literally me opening myself up to people in a completely vulnerable state.

Q. The emotions on “Imperfect Daughters” was raw and heartfelt,even if I say so myself. After writing the song,how was your post recording phase? Were you extremely picky with the beats and all of that? And how did you come up with the finished masterpiece?

A. It was a pretty straightforward process. After the guitar loop was sent, we went to the studio, and I told the producer what I wanted and how I wanted it. So it wasn't really hard to bring my vision to life. From the demo to the final masterpiece was a lot of work, and I'm really excited to see how people receive it.

Q. To all the daughters out there who think they are not enough or think they are a disappointment but are looking forward to listening to Imperfect Daughters,do you have any words for them?

A. Yes, I'm already getting some traction from the snippet. What I would say to anyone is: always put yourself first and listen to that voice inside of you. Even if your dreams feel scary or like they're too much, just keep going.

Q. The cover art and rollout for “Imperfect Daughters” has been impeccable so far. How did you come about the idea for the cover art?

A. I knew the song needed to lean heavy on nostalgia since I'm telling my story. I usually like to do random things for my cover art, but this song felt so raw that I knew I needed to use an old picture of me. The cover is an old photo of my mother and I, and I think it really drives that nostalgic feeling. There's also brown paper in the design, which reminded me of childhood.

Q. Being an artist is hard. However being an indie artist is even harder. How do you cope with the everyday struggles and pressure of being an artist?

A. I think my team grounds me because I'm an overthinker who's always spiraling about the voices in my head. But I'm also the only one who truly knows myself and my journey, which is quite easy to forget. So I always remind myself who I am, and I'm always learning.

Q. You are an artist with an impeccable discography,an amazing talent but has there ever been times when you felt like giving up and how did you handle it?

A. Yes, I've definitely had those moments for different reasons. As an artist, you're playing a long game where the results might not show immediately. Quitting my job and other random thoughts get into my head. Although I don't necessarily think about giving up, I do wonder how to be smarter about my journey.

Q. Writing Imperfect Daughters, what was the hardest emotion to translate into this song?

A. The hardest emotion was acceptance. I don't think anyone ever gets a warning before becoming an adult—we're just plunged into it. So writing this song took me through a lot, but it eventually brought me to a point of acceptance and made me see it as a moment of triumph.

Getting out of my head to write. Most times in studio sessions, even when I have ideas, I often keep quiet. But I'm trying to get out of my head about that.

Q. If this song was a movie scene, what would it look like?

A. For "Imperfect Daughter," I've imagined it in coming-of-age movies—in those scenes where everything is going wrong, and then the song plays and the female lead gets that kick to pull her life together and be where she wants to be.

Q. What should your Fans and lovers be expecting from you in the future?

A. "Imperfect Daughter" is leading up to my second EP, which is coming out in the middle of the year, and I'm really excited about it. I'm also working towards my own show at the end of the year.