SZA to join Kendrick Lamar as a guest performer at the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Apple Music has announced that SZA will join Kendrick Lamar as a special guest during his Super Bowl LIX halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. The announcement was accompanied by a playful video of SZA splashing Lamar with a blue drink, mimicking a sports celebration. In a promotional clip, Lamar hinted at bringing a guest performer before being interrupted by SZA’s dramatic entrance. The collaboration isn’t surprising, as the two artists frequently work together. SZA recently appeared on two tracks, “Luther” and “Gloria,” from Lamar’s surprise album GNX, while he featured on her song “30 for 30” from Lana. The Super Bowl show also serves as a lead-up to their 2025 Grand National Tour, beginning April 19 in Minnesota and concluding June 18 in Washington, D.C. This will be Lamar’s second Super Bowl halftime appearance, following his 2022 performance with Dr. Dre’s all-star lineup.
🚨 SZA will perform with Kendrick Lamar at his Super Bowl halftime show. pic.twitter.com/18sut3NZOO
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 23, 2025
Asake nominated for the International Artist of the Year at the BRITS 2025.
Nigerian superstar Asake has been nominated for the 2025 Brit Awards in the Best International Act category. This marks his second nomination at the prestigious awards, following his nod in 2024. Asake’s nomination comes after a successful 2024, highlighted by the release of his third album, Lungu Boy, which featured collaborations with Wizkid, Stormzy, Central Cee, and Ludmila. The chart-topping artist is the only Nigerian nominated this year and will compete against global icons such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Benson Boone. The 2025 Brit Awards will be hosted by Jack Whitehall and is set to take place on March 1 at London’s iconic O2 Arena. Asake’s continued recognition cements his status as a rising force in international music, with fans eagerly anticipating his chances against the industry’s biggest names.
🚨JUST IN
Asake is nominated for "International Artist of the Year" at the 2025 #BRITs Awards
He's the ONLY African artist on the list 💪🏽🤩 pic.twitter.com/e1SjOLAebD
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) January 23, 2025
Chris Brown releases beautiful visuals for fan-favorite song, “Residuals.”
RnB star, Chris Brown has unveiled the official music video for his fan-favorite love song, “Residuals,” from his 11th studio album 11:11. Directed by Travis Colbert, the cinematic video captures Brown pouring his heart out in various settings, including a recording booth, an alleyway, and while driving a fast car that ultimately crashes. The video culminates in a celestial stadium where Brown performs under a red-bandana-wrapped microphone, symbolizing the afterlife, and shares a fleeting moment with the love of his life before she disappears forever. “Residuals” explores the emotional pain of seeing someone you loved move on, a theme that has resonated deeply with fans. The track, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart and No. 2 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, has also gone Gold in New Zealand. “11:11”, released on November 11, 2023, debuted atop Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, selling 45,000 units in its first week.
🚨 CHRIS BROWN – RESIDUALS 🚨
🔥 MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW! 📽️ pic.twitter.com/fX6Z07FueM— Klintunez (@Klintunez) January 23, 2025
Cynthia Erivo makes history with her second Best Actress Oscars nomination.
Singer and actress, Cynthia Erivo made Oscar history with her nomination for Best Actress in Wicked, becoming only the second African American woman to earn multiple nominations in this category, alongside Viola Davis. Erivo stars as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical. This is her second Best Actress nod, following her 2019 nomination for Harriet, which also earned her a nod for Best Original Song for “Stand Up.” Wicked is a major contender this awards season, receiving 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande as Glinda. Erivo’s co-nominees include Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez), Mikey Madison (Anora), Demi Moore (The Substance), and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here). Erivo joins a prestigious list of Black women recognized for Best Actress, though Halle Berry remains the only winner, for Monster’s Ball (2001). Erivo has also been celebrated at the BAFTAs, Critics Choice, and Golden Globes.
Cynthia Erivo joins Viola Davis as the only Black women to receive multiple “Best Actress” nominations at the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/RTD5WPZwVQ
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 23, 2025
Paul ‘Play’ Dairo teams up with Olamide for a new song, “Love in Tokyo.”
Nigerian singer Paul ‘Play’ Dairo has made a comeback with a new single, “Love in Tokyo”, featuring rapper and record executive Olamide Badoo. The track was announced on Friday by Olamide’s label, YBNL, which shared a snippet of the video alongside the caption: “Love is in the air, and it’s taking us all the way to Tokyo! Paul Play Dairo × @Olamide bring you ‘Love in Tokyo’ – out today!” Paul Play, son of juju music legend IK Dairo, is renowned for classics like “Angel of My Life” and “Forever”. After a hiatus since his 2023 gospel single “Jesu Olugbala” with Psalmos, this marks his return to mainstream music. Olamide, fresh off his Ikigai project, shows no signs of slowing down. Fans are thrilled by the unexpected collaboration.
PAUL PLAY x OLAMIDE
“LOVE IN TOKYO” OUT TODAY 🧡
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) January 24, 2025
