Across several Nigerian cities, a series of billboards have been spotted. At the centre of the design is a bold yellow microphone, a QR code linked to a countdown, and the words: “Get ready to bring your touch of Afrobeats to the world.” There is just the visual, the message, and the speculation that has followed.
Ikeja CIty Mall, Lagos
Inside malls, the same yellow mic has been spotted, sparking further interest among shoppers and passersby. Online, conversations have started to build.
Twitter netizens are sharing sightings of the billboards. Some believe a major music reality show is on the horizon, referencing the likes of Project Fame and other beloved talent music shows. Others are scanning the countdown, wondering who is behind this and what it could mean for Nigeria’s creative scene.
TheAjibolaGrey on X
Amaka_Udu on X
GidiGambino on X
What is clear is that the timing feels intentional. Afrobeats is no longer just a sound from West Africa. It has grown into a global cultural force, reaching audiences far beyond the continent and reshaping how the world engages with African music.
Nigerian artists are now performing in packed stadiums across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. Burna Boy became the first African artist to sell out a U.S. stadium with over 40,000 fans at New York’s Citi Field. Wizkid has performed for more than 45,000 people at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Davido’s recent world tour included stops in Dubai, Paris, Toronto and Atlanta.
The genre’s global reach is not limited to its biggest names. A younger generation of Afrobeats artists is also breaking ground. Ayra Starr recently joined Coldplay on stage in Athens and delivered performances across Europe during her “21: The World Tour.” Rema has toured India, drawing massive crowds and topping charts with his hit “Calm Down,” which has crossed one billion streams on Spotify. Asake performed at the O2 Arena in London, delivering a spectacle with theatrical set design and high-energy choreography that showed how much Afrobeats has evolved sonically and visually.
The music industry is, as of last year, a 30-billion-dollar industry. Afrobeats is the fastest growing genre in the entire world, with over 1.1 million hours of music streamed out of Nigeria on Spotify this year alone. Nigerian artists are now fixtures on Billboard charts, earning Grammy nominations and collaborating with global stars like Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber.
Despite the massive strides, there is still a wealth of untapped talent waiting to be seen and heard. Platforms that can discover, train and elevate the next generation of Afrobeats stars have never been more needed. This moment is ripe for something new.
The phrase “your touch of Afrobeats” feels like more than a call to watch. It sounds like a call to participate. Until more is revealed, the mic remains a symbol, and the countdown continues. But in a country known for its talent and creativity, the buzz is growing. Whatever this is, many are hoping it will mark a new chapter for the next generation of Afrobeats stars.
