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Spinall

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Spinall
Spinall performing in 2024.
Born
Oluseye Desmond Sodamola

Lagos State, Nigeria
CitizenshipNigeria
Alma materTenstrings Music Institute
Olabisi Onabanjo University
OccupationsRecord producer
Media Personality
Disc jockey
songwriter
Years active2003–present
TitleRecord Executive
AwardsFull list
Musical career
GenresAfroPop, hip hop, r&b, EDM
InstrumentMixer
Labels
Websitespinall.com

Oluseye Desmond Sodamolalisten, professionally known as Spinall (stylized as SPINALL; formerly DJ Spinall), is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, and songwriter. He has released seven studio albums and collaborated with artists that have included Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Asake, among others. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the AFRIMA and TheMVPs. He is also the first Nigerian disc jockey to play at festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, and Glastonbury.

Spinall is the founder of TheCAPMusic, a music label he launched in 2014. He also created a style edge to his outfit known as TheCAP, tracing his roots back to his culture.[1]

Early life and education

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Sodamola was born in Lagos and he is the third[2] of five siblings. He attained his primary and secondary school education in Lagos State, then moved to Ogun State, to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Olabisi Onabanjo University,[3] where he received his BSc degree. He also studied at Tenstrings Music Institute.[4]

Spinall's first musical experience[5] as a kid, was listening to some vinyl records being played by his parents and according to him "In the morning my dad would wake up, and open the drawers, and start playing some Fela Kuti, and King Sunny Adé records". This shaped him and fueled his passion for music after watching a DJ he hired to play in high school.

Career

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Early career

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Official Trademark of SPINALL

Sodamola first gained prominence in 2004, while working[6] as a radio DJ at Raypower 100.5 FM, Spinall studied at Tenstrings Music Institute.[7] He later joined Industry Nite[8] where he promoted underground talents at the weekly platform.

In 2014, he launched TheCAPMusic, a record label/management company. In the following year, he signed producers[9] to the TheCAPMusic. Top Boy as he is popularly called, released his first hit single "GbaGbe E"[10] in 2014 featuring Burna Boy. He has collaborated with other acts such as; 2Baba, Wizkid, Wande Coal, Davido, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Kizz Daniel, and many more.

2015–2018: Debut album, Dreams, and Iyanu

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Spinall's debut album My Story: The Album[11]was released on 29 October 2015, supported by the singles "Gba Gbe E", "Oluwa", "Attendance", "Excuse Me", and "Pepper Dem". The following year, on 10 October 2016, DJ Spinall released his second album titled Ten.[12] The album features Davido, Sauti Sol, Mr Eazi, among others, with lead singles "Package" featuring Davido & "Ohema" featuring Mr Eazi. Production was handled by Spinall, Ill Keyz, Stunna, Killertunes, Spax, Del B, Reinhard, and Lussh. His third studio albums, Dreams[13] was released on 8 October 2017 with singles "Opoju", "Calm Down", and "Gimme Luv". On 26 October 2018, he released his 4th studio album Iyanu.[14] The album features two lead singles including "Nowo",[15] OkayAfrica refers to as one of 15 biggest Nigerian songs of 2018 featuring Wizkid, which also peaked on MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 Countdown[16] and "Baba" featuring Kizz Daniel, which made it to MTV Base Top 20 Hottest Naija[17] tracks of 2018. On 11 December 2020, he released his 5th studio album Grace,[18] under TheCAPMusic[19] with 5 self-produced songs.[20] The album features the top-six songs, "Dis Love" featuring Wizkid & Tiwa Savage, "Sere" featuring Fireboy DML, "Pressure" featuring Dice Ailes, "Everytime" featuring Kranium, "Tonight" featuring Omah Lay, and "EDI" featuring Reminisce.

In 2015, Spinall became the first African DJ to perform at the SXSW festival[21] in Austin, Texas, with other supporting acts to join Spinall on stage including; Davido, Sarkodie, R2Bees with host Eddie Kadi. He is also the first Nigerian DJ to tour 5 cities in United States, including New York City, Miami, Houston, Austin, and Washington, D.C. In 2017, he was the official DJ[22] for BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. The award was aired across the globe, which also gained him worldwide attention as a Disc Jockey pioneering Afrobeat to the world. On 21 April 2019, Spinall became the first Nigerian DJ to headline[23] a show at XOYO in London and the first Nigerian DJ to perform at the Glastonbury Festival[24] on 29 June 2019. He signed a deal with Guinness Nigeria as Smirnoff[25] brand ambassador in 2015 and renewed the contract[26] in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

His third studio album Dreams was released independently by TheCAPMusic on 8 October 2017. The album featured guest appearances from Niniola, Wurld, Ycee, Wizkid, Simi, Mr Eazi, Harrysong, Davido, Wande Coal, Reekado Banks, and Olamide. The album lead singles include: "Opoju" featuring Wizkid, "Calm Down" featuring Mr Eazi, and "Gimme Luv" featuring Olamide. On 18 November 2017, Spinall announced Party Of Your Dreams album launch[27] on 26 November at Grand Ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos and in 2018, Spinall announced the second edition of Party of Your Dreams[28] in Lagos on 7 December 2018, with supporting DJs; DJ Big N, DJ Consequence, DJ Enimoney, DJ Lambo, and more to play at the event. In 2019, Sodamola had his first UK headline concert in London tagged Party of Your Dreams[29] on 21 April 2019 at XOYO!.

On 24 October 2018, DJ Spinall shared featured acts and producers on his fourth studio album Iyanu.[30] Guests on the album are Wizkid, Kizz Daniel, Davido, Burna Boy, Tekno, Nonso Amadi, Wurld, Dotman, and more. The album was exclusively produced by DJ Spinall and co-produced by Killertunes, CKAY, Nonso Amadi, Benie Macaulay and Stg. The album lead singles[31] include: "Nowo" featuring Wizkid and "Baba" featuring Kizz Daniel. The album was released independently by TheCAPMusic on 26 October 2018.

On 11 September 2018, He signed international major deal with Atlantic Records UK[32] and a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music UK.[33] He also became a brand ambassador for Pepsi Nigeria.[34]

2019–2022: Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift, and the Recording Academy

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In 2019, Beyoncé released an hour-long documentary special entitled Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift.[35] The television film was shot in Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and United States. The documentary aired on ABC, where DJ Spinall appeared and spoke about the album The Lion King: The Gift, the basis of the documentary.[36] In 2019, he became the first Nigerian DJ to perform in the history of the Glastonbury Festival.[37]

In 2020, Spinall was among the 2,300 music executive inductees into The Recording Academy's[38] class of 2020, alongside Bankulli, Lil Nas X, Gunna, Victoria Monét, Juls, among others for the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. On 26 July 2020, Spinall spoke about The Grammy Award at This Sunday[39] show with DJ Cuppy on Africa Now Radio via Apple Music. He was also among several celebrities such as D'banj, Praiz and Olisa to attend an exclusive party hosted by MTN for the data-bundled music service MusicTour.[40]

On 13 May 2022, Spinall released "Palazzo", featuring Asake, and co-written by Olamide. On 22 May 2022, it debuted at number 6 on the UK Afrobeats Singles chart, and reached number 4.[41] On 23 May 2022, it debuted at number 2 on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart.[42] On 25 May 2022, it debuted at number 6 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs. On 11 July 2022, it debuted on the newly launched TurnTable Top 100, an expansion of the Top 50, at number 5.[43] On 13 July 2022, following the initial launch of the Nigeria TurnTable Top Radio Songs chart, it debut at number 7,[44] and number 4 at the Nigeria TurnTable Top Streaming Songs chart.[45]

In 2022, Spinall opened for Bruno Mars on tour in Australia and DJed for Jay-Z at his Oscars after party.[46] He was also the closing act for the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards.[47]

2023-present: Top Boy

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On 13 February 2023, Spinall shared the official art cover to his sixth studio album on his various social media. According to Bomi Anifowose from African Folder, Spinall's Top Boy borrows a rich collage of African sounds mingling with Western music elements such as synths and electronic chordophones, certifying the body of work as yet another successful sonic experiment.[48] In 2023, he signed with Epic Records and released his new single "Loju" featuring Wizkid. He had previously collaborated with Wizkid on the singles "Nowo", "Opoju", and "Dis Love" (featuring Tiwa Savage).[49]

Spinall played numerous festivals in 2023, including Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival[50] and Listen Out.[51] He is also the first Afrobeats DJ to perform at Coachella, playing the festival in 2024.[52]

In 2025, Spinall announced and worked on his upcoming studio album 'EKO GROOVE', set to feature a mix of Lagos-inspired sounds and collaborations, as part of his expanding discography after his previously released album 'Top Boy'.[53]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details
My Story: The Album
Ten
  • Released: 10 October 2016
  • Label: TheCAPMusic
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Dreams[54]
  • Released: 8 October 2017
  • Label: TheCAPMusic
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Iyanu
  • Released: 26 October 2018
  • Label: TheCAPMusic
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Grace
  • Released: 11 December 2020
  • Label: TheCAPMusic
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
Top Boy
  • Released: 17 February 2023
  • Label: TheCAPMusic
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
ÈKÓ GROOVE[55]
  • Released: 29 August 2025
  • Label: TheCAPMusic, Epic
  • Formats: Digital download, CD

Extended plays

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List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
When Lagos Sleeps

Selected singles

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Videography

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Year Title Director Ref
2014 "Gba Gbe E" featuring Burna Boy Duks
2015 "Oluwa" featuring M.I Abaga, Byno AJE Filmworks
"Excuse Me" featuring Timaya
"No Sorrow" featuring Pheelz EOVisuals
2016 "Package" featuring Davido, Del'B Ndvdual Pictures
"Money" featuring 2Baba, Wande Coal UA. Images
"Ohema" featuring Mr Eazi
2017 "Gimme Luv" featuring Olamide Mattmax
"Ojukokoro" featuring Niniola Adams Gud
"Olowo" featuring Davido, Wande Coal
"On The Low" featuring YCEE HG2 Filmworks [57]
2018 "Nowo" featuring Wizkid Director Q [58]
"Baba" featuring Kizz Daniel [59]
"Omoge" featuring Dotman Mex [60]
2019 "What Do You See" featuring Kojo Funds Meji Alabi [61]
"Dis Love" featuring Wizkid, Tiwa Savage [62]
"Pepe Dem" featuring Yemi Alade Paul Gambit [63]
"EDI" featuring Reminisce TG Omori [64]
2020 "Everytime" featuring Kranium Dalia Dias [65]
2021 "Sere" featuring Fireboy DML [66]
2022 "Cloud 9" featuring Adekunle Gold Dammy Twitch [67]
"Palazzo" featuring Asake TG Omori [68]

Tours and performances

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On 4 August 2018, Sodamola began his TheCAPUS Tour 3.0 in Washington, D.C. The tour included Washington, D.C., Minnesota, New York City, Miami, Toronto, Dallas, Atlanta, Indiana and Jacksonville, Florida.[69] He has also performed in other shows and events which include:

  • One Lagos Brand Launch (2016)[70]
  • One Africa Music Fest New York (2017)[71]
  • BET Awards 2017 Official DJ (2017)[72]
  • Mixmag New York Gig (2017)[73]
  • MixMag "The LAB" New York (2018)[74]
  • Africa All Star Music Fest Toronto (2018)[75]
  • One Africa Music Fest, London (2018)
  • One Africa Music Fest, Dubai (2019)[76]
  • Glastonbury Festival (2019)[77]
  • Ends Festival (2019)
  • Afro Nation, Portugal (2019)
  • Afro Nation, Ghana (2019)

Awards and nominations

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See also

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References

[edit]
  1. "DJ Spinall, Ajebutter 22 are a year older today". Pulse Nigeria. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  2. Kool, C. J. "Colourful Radio". Colourful Radio. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  3. "Educational Background – DJ Spinall". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  4. "Alumni | Tenstrings Music Institute". Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  5. "The Artist Is Present: DJ Spinall Wants to Push Afrobeats to the World, Without Forgetting the Culture". OkayAfrica. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  6. "DJ Spinall speaks to Pulse on his journey, losing out at the SMWA's and meeting Killertunes". Pulse Nigeria. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  7. "Alumni | Tenstrings Music Institute". Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  8. Magazine, Tush (25 November 2015). "DJ SPINALL: Spinning Around the World". Tush Magazine. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  9. "DJ Spinall speaks to Pulse on his journey, losing out at the SMWA's and meeting Killertunes". Pulse Nigeria. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  10. S, Deji (5 June 2014). "New Video: DJ Spinall Feat. Burna Boy – Gba Gbe è". BellaNaija. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  11. "Album Review: DJ Spinall – My Story". 360Nobs. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  12. "Religion and science inspired my new "Ten" album". Pulse Nigeria. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  13. "DJ Spinall Features Top Nigerian Artistes For Third Album 'Dreams'". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  14. "DJ Spinall Drops Tracklist For "Iyanu" Album". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  15. "The 15 Best Nigerian Songs of the Year So Far". OkayAfrica. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  16. "Official Naija Top 10 Countdown". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  17. "MTV Base Top 20 Hottest Naija Tracks of 2018". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  18. "DJ Spinall drops Star-Studded Album "Grace" featuring Tiwa Savage, Minz & Omah Lay". BellaNaija. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  19. "DJ Spinall's 'Grace' feels like a playlist [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  20. "Here's the Star-Studded Tracklist for DJ Spinall's forthcoming Album "Grace"". BellaNaija. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  21. "Photos of African stars at SXSWest Africa, Texas". Pulse Nigeria. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  22. "'DJ Spinall' Official DJ For BET International Awards 2017". Channels Television. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  23. "Complex Sessions 033: DJ Spinall". Complex. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  24. "DJ Spinall to perform at Glastonbury festival today". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  25. "DJ Spinall Becomes A Smirnoff Brand Ambassador". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. 17 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  26. "DJ SPINALL RENEWS CONTRACT WITH SMIRNOFF". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  27. "#PartyOfYourDreams: We've got the Juice on how you can attend DJ Spinall's Album Launch Party". BellaNaija. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  28. Idowu, Tomi (3 December 2018). "Your Definitive Event Guide to Christmas 2018 in Lagos". The Culture Custodian. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  29. "DJ Spinall Presents: Party Of Your Dreams, London – Notjustok". NotJustOk. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  30. "DJ Spinall Drops Tracklist For "Iyanu" Album". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  31. "DJ Spinall's New Album 'Iyanu' Is Here". OkayAfrica. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  32. "DJ Spinall Signs Deal With Atlantic Records, UK". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  33. "Amber Davis Promoted to Head of A&R at Warner Chappell Music U.K." Billboard. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  34. "Pepsi Signs DJ Cuppy, DJ Spinall, DJ Xclusive, DJ Obi As Ambassadors – Information Nigeria". INFORMATION NIGERIA. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  35. "Watch "Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift" | ABC Updates". ABC. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  36. "Beyoncé Making The Gift – Documentary 2019". Retrieved 16 January 2020 via YouTube.
  37. "Spinall first Nigerian DJ to perform at the Glastonbury Festival". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria.
  38. "Nigeria: Bankulli, DJ Spinall join Recording Academy". Music In Africa. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  39. Gitau, Susan (29 July 2020). "Apple Music's Africa Now Radio With Cuppy Features DJ Spinall This Sunday". Africa.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  40. "D'Banj, DJ Spinall, Praiz, Olisa, others turned up for MTN's MusicTime". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  41. "Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  42. "TurnTable Top 50: Asake, Burna Boy & More Lead The Charge This Week". The NATIVE. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  43. "Asake leads the debut edition of the TurnTable Top 100". The NATIVE. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  44. "TurnTable Charts Top Radio Songs". www.turntablecharts.com. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  45. "TurnTable Charts Top Streaming Songs". www.turntablecharts.com. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  46. Mamo, Heran. "Nigerian DJ/Producer Spinall Signs With Epic Records". Billboard.
  47. Yongo, Sughnen. "Burna Boy, Nasty C and DJ Spinall Shine At The MTV EMA Awards". Okay Africa.
  48. "Top Boy By Spinall: A Supersonic Opera Of A Top DJ". African Folder. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  49. Laketu, Adedayo. "Spinall, Nigerian DJ/Producer, Joins Epic Records and Releases New Single Featuring Wizkid". OK Africa.
  50. Helfand, Raphael. "Tyler, the Creator announces Camp Flog Gnaw 2023 lineup". The Fader.
  51. Singh, Surej. "Listen Out 2023 shares line-up featuring Skrillex, Ice Spice, Lil Uzi Vert, Metro Boomin and more". NME.
  52. Onikoyi, Ayo. "Coachella announces Spinall as first Afrobeats DJ to perform at Festival". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria.
  53. "Afrobeats albums to expect in the second half of 2025". NotJustOk. 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  54. Akan, Joey. "DJ Spinall: disc jockey plans for third compilation album "Dreams"". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  55. Esomnofu, Emmanuel. "SPINALL drops Èkó Groove - A powerful Afrobeats album". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  56. Anzia, Daniel. "Spinall Drops New Anthem, Psalm 23". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  57. "DJ Spinall – On A Low ft. Ycee [New Video] » tooXclusive". tooXclusive. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  58. "VIDEO: DJ Spinall & Wizkid – Nowo -". 26 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  59. "VIDEO: DJ Spinall ft. Kizz Daniel – Baba -". 23 May 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  60. "VIDEO: DJ Spinall – Omoge ft. Dotman -". 6 November 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  61. "VIDEO: DJ Spinall ft. Kojo Funds – What Do You See – Notjustok". Latest Naija Nigerian Music, Songs & Video – Notjustok. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  62. "New Music/Video: DJ Spinall Feat. Wizkid & Tiwa Savage – Dis Love". Rhythm 93.7 FM Lagos. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  63. Kamunya, Mercy (26 September 2019). "DJ Spinall - Pepe Dem featuring Nigerian songtress Yemi Alade". Legit.ng. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  64. Okafor, Tokunbo (19 August 2020). "DJ Spinall - Edi: The catchy tune that you cannot resist". Legit.ng. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  65. "New Video: DJ Spinall feat. Kranium – Everytime". BellaNaija. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  66. "New Video: DJ Spinall feat. Fireboy DML – Sere". BellaNaija. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  67. "LISTEN: Spinall and Adekunle Gold Deliver New Single 'Cloud 9'". NotjustOk. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  68. BellaNaija.com (14 May 2022). "DJ Spinall & Asake's "Palazzo" Is A Certified Party Starter". BellaNaija. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  69. "DJ SPINALL set to commence US & Canada Tour – Olori Supergal". Olori Supergal. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  70. Adesanya, Adedayo. "One Lagos Brand Launch Bar Beach Day 2". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  71. Akan, Joey. "DJ Spinall: Disc jockey thinks One Africa Music Fest was wrongly reported, he is the wrong one". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  72. "'DJ Spinall' Official DJ For BET International Awards 2017 • Channels Television". Channels TV. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  73. Mix, Pulse. "DJ Spinall, DJ Tgarbs to perform at New York's The Lab NYC gig". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  74. "DJ Spinall in The Lab NYC". Mixmag. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  75. Mawuli, David. "Yemi Alade, Alikiba Falz others for Africa All Star Music Fest". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  76. "Why are all Nigerian artists in Dubai? [Explainer]". Pulse Nigeria. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  77. "DJ Spinall to perform at Glastonbury festival today". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
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