Chocolate City founder and president, Jude “MI” Abaga has without a doubt shown he can hold the rap game for as long as he wants and still remain one of the top music label, heads in the country with Chocolate City. MI once more showed his brilliance in being a good music label head and good talent scout, using his Twitter page as the medium through which he shared how having a meeting with AQ back in 2015 led to him signing ‘BBC’ rapper, Blaqbonez.

In the tweet, MI said “Oct[ober] 15, [2015]” marked the beginning of “an amazing partnership” with Nigeria rap veteran, AQ, who during the course of the meeting let go of the “opportunity” meant for him for the sake of Blaqbonez’s blooming yet upcoming career (as at 2015) in the music industry.

MI explains that after pitching ideas to AQ in that October 15, 2015 meeting, “he [AQ] listened n said M I’m grateful but d person u should give this opportunity to is @BlaqBonez. [sic]” The result? MI continues, “[I] signed Blaq a year later.”

Oct 15.. d start of an amazing partnership.. during d meeting I offerd @thisisAQ a label shot.. he listened n said M I'm grateful but d person u should give this opportunity to is @BlaqBonez .. signed Blaq a year later.. but told @loosekaynon let's build with Q #GodsEngineering pic.twitter.com/bLCiPPSPiR

— Yung denzL (@MI_Abaga) February 23, 2021

And the rest is history! AQ has gone to make one of the best discography in Nigerian rap sector, even releasing ‘God’s Engineering’, the most critically acclaimed rap album of 2020 which earned him the award for ‘Best Rap Album” at The Headies 2020

You'd probably only see this twice in a Blue moon

Multiple Award Winning Rapper added to my Bio pic.twitter.com/zxFLl4jZYp

— Gilbert Bani (@thisisAQ) February 23, 2021

Blaqbonez’s not only shown he can outrap anyone at will but also carved a niche for himself, becoming a comical act on social media. Adding to that Blaqbonez has also shown he can self PR his work and still get massive recognition for it.

It goes without saying that MI made a very wise decision in forming the partnership with AQ while heeding to AQ’s advice about signing Blaqbonez.

Most foremost music streaming platform, Spotify finally to launch their ever evolving market in Nigeria and this can only mean better exposure and more revenue (income wise) to artistes in Nigeria.

Spotify which launched in Sweden on the 7th of October 2008 offers customers a 6-month trial (with ads) before they (the customers) begin paying for ads-free streaming and downloading of music contents and podcasts.

Although as at right now, Spotify cost a jaw-dropping $9.99 per month (in the country where it exists) which equals a sum of almost ₦4,000 (3,800) but that might get reduced in order for them to compete with the most favoured music streaming platform in Nigeria – Apple Music – which charges just ₦900 per month for an individual subscription.

Spotify’s PR had Mr. Eazi and Burna Boy run the advertisement and social media awareness on their soon to launch app for the Nigerian market launch.

You heard it from #BurnaBoy. We'll be available in more of Africa very soon 🌍 #SpotifyStreamOn pic.twitter.com/uDJL4zLXOk

— Spotify (@Spotify) February 22, 2021

Spotify also offers artiste the cpm range value between $3 to $5 which approximately lies between ₦1,400 to ₦1, 900 per 1000 streams, giving artistes the option of generating income as they release music for listener’s pleasure.

Nigeria will not be the only African country benefitting from Spotify launching in new countries as Mali, Niger, Togo, Zimbabwe, Uganda and many more.

We launch in 80+ new markets over the next few days. See you soon Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nigeria 👀 #SpotifyStreamOn pic.twitter.com/Wqv3IFdicz

— Spotify (@Spotify) February 22, 2021

A date is not set for the launch of Spotify in Nigeria but according to the information put out in social media, we know it is only going to take “few days” before the dream becomes a reality.

Additional, Spotify gives podcasters the opportunity to make a living by uploading such contents on the streaming service. Spotify does this through Anchor, the most used podcast app, acquired by Spotify in 2019 for an estimated amount of $14M.

Spotify not only comes with an easy to use user interface but helps in distributing audio contents uploading on it to other streaming services, thereby making it easier for content creators to have a wide range of audience while providing a personal monthly and a year-round wrapped breakdown of music listened to by a customer.

The Headies for the year under consideration 2019/2020 was held yesterday (Sunday, 21 February) at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Not surprising as it is the Headies custom, it generated a lot of views, controversial moments and debates surrounding the whole event.

One of the raving subject of discussion as at right now is that which pertains to the the category—Best Street-Hop— which Mayorkun won for his banging jam – ‘Geng’.

For context, the nominated aristes under the Best Street-Hop Artistes are:

• Naira Marley & Young John – Mafo
• Mayorkun – Geng
• Reminisce feat. Olamide & Naira Marley – Instagram
• Rudeboy – Audio Money
• IVD & Zlatan – Bolanle
• Olamide – Pawon

As stated earlier, Mayorkun turned out to be the chosen one among the group but Nigerians object to the Headies choice of winner, picking Naira Marley as their winner instead, airing their disappointment via Twitter.

One of the many objections came from Naira Marley’s fellow Street-Hop rapper, CDQ, accusing the Headies for playing politics with the award and blasting them for not showing conscience towards who the rightful winner (according to his judgement) should be.

Headies una don start dis una obvious industry politics tins again… How d hell una go carry Best Street Hop give someone else at the expense of Naira dis yr 🤨 and conscience no judge una 🤦‍♂️ hmmm…

— CDQ (@cdqolowo) February 21, 2021

While some feel Naira Marley did not win because of throwing subliminal shot at the event organisers some few years back. Naira Marley in his usual controversial manner tweeted: “Legowork bigger than headies2019 [sic]”.

5. Mayorkun's 'MAFO' won 'Best Street Hop' over Naira Marley's 'GENG'..

Could it be as a result of naira Marley's tweet,

'Legwork bigger than headies2019’ pic.twitter.com/bot9pmpVgV

— Xpressions of YeloSisi (@truthofthegods) February 22, 2021

Just in case you're wondering why #14thHeadies snubbed Naira Marley 🤐 #14thheadiesaward pic.twitter.com/SPjoZWWgiy

— victor (@The90sVictor) February 22, 2021

You Don't expect Naira marley to win after saying his legwork is far better than Headies….same way Olamide and Tekno bullshits the Headies some years ago and since then has never been nominated or won…but GENG winning the best street hop is really laughable shaa

— First Daughter (@Nemerem_Ezeoka) February 21, 2021

maybe headies get agenda against naira marley for snubbing their show that day to go and drop that filthy legwork at that wizkid’s concert in london. the 2019 marlian era was so clear and naira didn’t even get one award.

— lmao cause im a clown🤡Sneakers Purveyor (@Tolu_ex) February 22, 2021

Naira Marley made that tweet in defence of his close associate and rapper, Zlatan, after Rema won the Headies 2019 ‘Next Rated’ over Zlatan Ibile.

While others have the notion, Mayorkun although an excellent artiste, does no deserve to be victorious in that category. Concluding bonafide Street-Hop artistes in Olamide, Zlatan, Reminisce should have been chosen as winner if at all Naira Marley did not win.

Wait but this Headies na 2019/2020

And Naira Marley no win ?
Zlatan no win ?
Burna no win ?
Lmaoo people wey control 2019 ?

— Roviel 😏 (@ObongRoviel) February 22, 2021

Geng was an hit sing, but choosing it as "best street hop song" over Naira Marley's 'mafo' ain't it fr

— VICTOR? 🤍 (@itsrealvictorr) February 21, 2021

Mayorkun just won street hop over Naira Marley and Zlatan.

Was Geng really that street???

Omo, talk plenty.. this is why music awards shouldn't be by voting

The credibility goes down when fans are allowed to decide who wins mostly 🤣🤣

— Lorde Pein 🐾 (@badniggafela) February 21, 2021

Naira Marley was robbed for best street pop, but we aren’t ready for this convo #14thHeadies

— FabianJr🦅⚡️ (@fabianjnr5) February 21, 2021

No one is saying Mayorkun is not a good artiste but we all know that Naira Marley deserved that award for street pop -Mayo
Headies is just hating on the PRESIDENT

— Kanyinsola👑💦💦💦💓💝💕 (@ravager_girl) February 22, 2021

This headies na disrespect to the Naira marley (marlian empire).tell that shit to any hater or believer. E no fresh period.

— SenioRilla (@1SoundManRilla) February 22, 2021