Just before taking the ArtX stage, we caught up with the genre-bending star about his return to live performance, and some exclusive insights into the maestro's music.
Cruel Santino is a shapeshifter. Emerging over a decade ago with the eclectic ‘Diaries Of A Loner’ mixtape series, the enigmatic rapper and singer has continually reinvented himself, drawing on a myriad of influences that range from Hideo Kojima’s legendary video games to veteran rapper 2shotz.
Words don’t do Santino’s fluid music justice, you’re better off just pressing play. That’s the only way to truly experience the breathless flows and numerous anime or movie references he can load into a minute detail, like a floor-model television; it’s also the only way to find yourself unabashedly screaming: “I had to run! I had to run! ” even when there’s no cause for alarm. This unconventional approach to making music that’s replete with local and foreign influences has helped Santino subvert expectations and existing industry structures at every turn in his accomplished career while creating unique and storied records that have garnered cult acclaim and have also found expression on multiple live stages, dorm rooms and moshpits.
After a brief hiatus following 2023’s delightful ‘Cincinnati Pumpin!!’ that looked to augment the eerie and ever-expanding Subaru Boys universe, the talented Edo native recently graced the Art X Live! stage for its ninth edition alongside others like S-Smart, Aniko, and Fuji legend Adewale Ayuba. The annual show’s latest edition looked to offer a mix of genre-bending sounds and styles from both visual artists and musicians like Santi who delivered a memorable set that included cult classics like “Sparky,” and “Rapid Fire” as well as deep cuts like “TAPENGA” from the thematic ‘Subaru Boys: FINAL HEAVEN.’ He was also joined onstage by fellow alte star Boj who assisted him in performing their new duet “Borderline” before closing out with a couple of more fan favourites.
Shortly before taking the Art X Live! stage, we caught up with the talented singer and rapper for a quick conversation about live performances, his music-making process and the influence of indigenous music on his ever-evolving sound.
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This your first time going on stage since when?
Shit. Since December last year.
How does it feel like to be going onstage again after almost a year away?
Honestly, it’s nerve-wracking. I took a break this year to work on a genuine piece of media that I’ve never worked on before. I’m talking about the manga that I just made. I tried to finish it this year. All my life I’ve wanted to make films and just something else aside from music. But yeah, it’s always nerve-wracking when you are coming back onstage for the first time in a while. Especially for someone like me who is always in his house, seeing so many people can be a little stressful but yeah, it’s my job.
How do you think you’ve been able to deal with the nerves over the years?
So the thing is I wear glasses, so I don’t see when I’m on stage. I think that’s the best thing honestly. If I could see, I’d be focusing on too many things. Not being able to see much of what is going on helps me be present and just be myself.
Do you have any favourite memories from performing on stage?
I feel like that was Paris. Everything about my Paris show was insane. It felt like I was with every Santi fan in the world. It didn’t matter what I did, everyone loved it. It was fucking crazy.
Still speaking about live shows, do you think they affect your music-making process in any way? Do you think of how your songs will translate live while creating them?
Oh yeah, for sure. In the past year, I think I started experimenting more with live music. Also, I think in the scope of where my mind is right now, a lot of my songs are kind of indie and they’ll be great live. When I make a song, I definitely think of how it will sound live. Right now, I’m even trying to build a band with like two girls who could have background vocals but for all the crazy stuff that I say sometimes.
This year’s ART X Live! looked to connect the dots between the past and present sounds of Nigeria. How much of an influence do you think these indigenous sounds have on your ever-evolving sound?
First off, I think homegrown music is the foundation of my music. I don’t think I’ll be able to make anything if not for that. It’s crazy because I know a lot of people think my music has more foreign influences. The thing is, foundationally, I’m brought up on all the sounds and songs that a lot of us grew up listening to. But also, I have a distinct thirst for music in general and I just want to hear different stuff. I wake up every day thinking what is this new thing I can make? In fact, I think right now, a lot of the stuff I’m making is heavily influenced by local music. It’s deeply rooted in the Mo’Hits, 2shotz, BigLo, Sauce Kid, Naeto C era.
The thing is, some people might see this as nostalgia but then I play it for some of my younger friends and they have no idea where some of the influences come from. What’s crazier is that no one has progressed these sounds or tried something new with them.
Speaking of progressing sounds, is that what the goal is generally with your music?
I’m not gonna lie to you, the reason why I don’t make the same thing is because progression is all that matters to me. It’s a gift and a curse but I don’t care about anything else. It’s like making a film. Your new film has to be better than your last film but it shouldn’t be the same thing you made before. Music is like the same thing to me.
Another step towards ‘Money,’ his fourth
Street-pop star, Asake, has released a surprise new single titled “BADMAN GANSTA.” Produced by super producer, P.Priime, the single, Asake’s second of the year, arrives with a crisp black and white feature and a stellar guest verse from French rapper and singer Tiakola.
The singer posted the full music video–a monochromatic montage of dazzling shots and scenes of his opulent lifestyle–across his different social media handles on Thursday evening, July 24, with a caption that read, ‘The World Of Money.’
Earlier in June, the ex-YBNL star announced a new album titled ‘Money.’ A few months before that, he released a loosie titled “Military” and then “WHY LOVE,” his first official single under his new imprint Giran Republic. “Military” served as a bookend to the first arc of his impressive career as much as an announcement of a new era, while “WHY LOVE” officially kicked off season two.
Following the release of “WHY LOVE,” Asake has also featured on songs like Olamide’s “99,” J Hus’ “Gold”, and Young Jonn’s “Che Che,” delivering standout verses that favour a melodious, laid-back approach as opposed to the spirited, fast-paced style that earned him success early on. “BADMAN GANSTA” also excels with this approach, as Asake’s melodious musings about his current lifestyle dovetail nicely with Tiakola’s equally sturdy verse over a plush beat that samples Amerie’s 2005 classic “1 Thing.”
With Asake releasing three albums in as many years, it’s not unreasonable to assume ‘Money’ might arrive before the end of the year. There’s also the possibility that he might be willing to take his time a little more now, seeing as he his under his imprint now.
Whatever the case may be, ‘Money’ is likely to arrive sooner rather than later, and it will be fascinating to see what other aces Asake has up his sleeves.
Listen to “BADMAN GANSTA” here.
An 11th-hour summer anthem for the
Ayra Starr has released her highly anticipated single “Hot Body.”
The Mavin popstar has been teasing the new single for a few weeks now, posting multiple promotional videos across social media that built up significant excitement for her third official release of the year. The release of “Hot Body” comes on the heels of recent reports that confirmed the Grammy-nominated singer had officially joined Roc Nation’s roster, the American music label, entertainment, and sports services company founded by rapper and business mogul JAY-Z.
Earlier in February, Ayra Starr shared “All The Love,” a sumptuous Afropop ballad produced by labelmate Johnny Drille and Teemode, before releasing the sleek and sensual Wizkid-assisted “Gimmie Dat” about months later. In that time period, the singer picked up two awards at the 2025 MOBO Awards for Best African Music Act and Best International Act before also clinching her first BET award for Best International Act in June.
It was recently announced that the pop singer would be joining Coldplay on the UK leg of their Music Of The Spheres World Tour between August to September, and her impressive year continues with the release of “Hot Body.” Once again, teaming up with close collaborator Ragee and UK production duo The Elements, Ayra Starr manages to deliver a sweetly erotic summer jam that’s sure to elicit plenty lip-biting, hip gyrating, and flirty winks. “Look what a hot body can do,” she sings repeatedly, almost like an enchantress performing a magic trick.
With her current deal with Mavin and Universal Music still running and the recent confirmation of her management deal with Roc Nation, it’s safe to assume that “Hot Body” might garner significant momentum both at home and abroad. Outside of her music, the singer recently wrapped up the shooting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone which is reportedly set for release in early 2027.
Listen to “Hot Body” here.
Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a...
ZULO is no stranger to reinvention. Formerly known as Lil Trix, the rapper rose through the ranks with a series of gritty mixtapes that chronicled his upbringing, thrills, and connection to the community. Since his rebrand, he’s steadily grown into a renowned voice in South African Hip-Hop, regarded for his storytelling, cultural homage, and genre fusion.
Three years after the release of ‘Talk To Me Naace,’ his reintroduction to the scene, ZULO has returned with ‘Z,’ a three-track EP that shows a glimpse of his evolution as an artist and human. Packed with his reflections on faith, love, and cultural pride, ‘Z’ distills ZULO’s thoughts into a refined sound that’s bold, emotional, and distinctly South African.
The three-tracker opens with “God’s Armour,” a gospel-inflected protest anthem layered with brass and trap drums. It is followed by “Sweeter Success,” an infectious Afropop-inspired groove built around a nostalgic sample of UPZ’s iconic “Pure Surprise”. Beneath its shine lies a darker message: the emotional cost of ambition, the toll of always pushing for more. ZULO produced the track himself, with additional production from Miglow and SpiceDrums.
‘Z’ closes with “Spaan”, a gritty street anthem that samples Kamazu and confronts addiction, poverty, and the lingering scars of apartheid through the lens of coloured identity. “These songs are battle cries and war journals,” ZULO says. “‘Z’ is everything I’ve fought through to stand where I am. The EP follows a strong run of 2024 singles, including “Adawise,” “JOL,” “Garden,” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza).”
Listen to ‘Z’ here.
