The Shuffle: Revisit D’banj’s “Oliver Twist”, a viral campaign that put Afropop on British Soil
That time D'Banj took over the European Summer
The days will be counting until D’banj and Don Jazzy hit the studio again (if ever), but their recorded wins as a team remains testament to their unique chemistry as one half producer and other half entertainer. Particularly with the success of “Oliver Twist”, one of last singles D’banj and Don Jazzy recorded as MoHits.
Oddly enough, “Oliver Twist” marked the beginning of great things for D’banj and Don Jazzy. After the release of “Endowed (Remix) featuring Snoop Dogg the previous year, D’banj returned with the EDM-tinged “Oliver Twist”, in 2011. This was the same year photos of D’banj, Don Jazzy and The Throne (Kanye West and Jay Z) circulated the internet, with speculators hinting the affiliation as the biggest landmark leap for Afropop at the time.
However, despite the new co-sign, the single didn’t immediately take-off. This was partly due to a leaked version of “Oliver Twist” that surfaced online earlier in the year. But the low initial reception didn’t deter Don Jazzy or D’banj from attempting to snag a hit anyway. This set in motion a neat marketing strategy that accompanied the official release in August of 2011, via a social media dance video competition, following an entry by Don Jazzy, D’banj themselves. Soon fans from all over the world started uploading videos of their own doing the “Oliver Twist” challenge/dance. And by March of 2012 when an official video featuring cameos from Kanye West and Big Sean hit the screens, D’banj had become the first Nigerian artist to leverage social media for promotions.
Fast forward to May of 2012 and “Oliver Twist” is already one of the biggest songs on the planet (other contenders being, Stromae’s “Alors On Danse” and Psy’s “Gangnam Style”). “Oliver Twist” debuted at number nine on UK singles chart and number two on the UK R&B Chart. Though this early years of D’banj’s international campaign also marked the internal collapse of MoHits, the single would go on to spend 17 weeks on the UK’s Top 75 charts.
These days, “Oliver Twist” is relegated to the place of forgotten number #1s. But there is no denying the success of the single gave modern Afropop its biggest main-stage since 2face’s “African Queen” happened nearly half a decade earlier.
Stream “Oliver Twist” via Apple Music below
Life + Times: 7 iconic things only D’banj could’ve gotten away with
T.I Blaze Updates ‘Shakur’ EP With Deluxe Version
Following the success of “Trenches Luv,” the street-pop star is back with seven new songs on the deluxe...
Over the last few years, street-pop, a guttural version of afropop, has surged to mainstream popularity, birthing stars like Asake, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi. On the homefront, a generation of younger stars also put unique spins on the sound. Singer, T.I Blaze, has been a notable star in the sub-genre since his 2021 single, “Sometimes,” and a subsequent remix with icon, Olamide, launched him into a different stratosphere.
Since “Sometimes,” Blaze has established his profile as a reliable source for songs that reflect the pulse of the streets while archiving his come-up story across a debut album (‘El Major’) and three extended plays like ‘The Fresh Prince Of Lagos’ and ‘Dangerous Wavy Baby.’ His 2024 EP, ‘Shakur,’ further underscored his evolution as an artist, featuring slippery numbers about escapism, his thoughts on life in the fast lane, and brotherhood with features from rising stars like Tml Vibez and BhadBoi Oml.
In 2025, the singer has picked up where he left off last year, releasing “Trenches Luv,” a balmy February release that examines the dynamics of romance from his point of view as a young adult moulded by the hard realities of life on the street. The success of “Trenches Luv” has led to a deluxe version of ‘Shakur’ with the singer adding seven new songs to the original version of the project. Impressively, on the new version of the project, TI Blaze taps up Ayo Maff and Ghanaian star Arathejay on “My Brother” and “Mario Remix,” respectively.
Led by a galala-inflected opener, “Track 1,” ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ is both raw and complex with the singer sounding refreshed on songs like “My Brother,” “Dodge,” and “Introduction.” In many ways, this project is an invitation for listeners to explore the many facets of T.I Blaze’s artistry as well as a portent to celebrate his roots and offer a glimpse at his evolution.
Listen to ‘Shakur (Deluxe)’ here.
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NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
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South African House Duo, Black Motion, Return With Rhythmic “Khululeka”
The SA house music pioneers are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release.
South African house music pioneers, Black Motion, are back with a deeply moving and rhythmic new release titled “Khululeka.” True to its meaning in isiZulu— “be free” or “find peace”—this track is an anthem of liberation, urging listeners to let go, embrace love, and heal through the power of music.
With their signature percussion-driven melodies and the soul-stirring vocal chants of King Monopoly, “Khululeka” transcends the dancefloor. It is a spiritual and emotional journey, carrying an energy that is both uplifting and transformative. Whether in personal reflection or in the collective movement of a crowd, the song invites listeners to surrender to its message and rediscover love—both within and around them.
Since their formation in 2010 in Soshanguve, Black Motion—made up of Murdah Bongz (born Robert Mahosana), and Thabo (born Roy Thabo Mabogwane)—has become a dominant force in global house music. Their debut single, “Banane Mavoko,” put them on the map, and their albums, including the gold-certified Fortune Teller and the platinum-selling Ya Badimo, have cemented their status as pioneers of the genre. Their collaborations with artists like Oskido and Black Coffee, along with accolades such as multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs), have solidified their place at the forefront of African electronic music.
Over the years, Black Motion has partnered with brands like Ballantine’s, Sony Xperia, and Coke Studio, and they are looking to partner with more under their new label Intascore, expanding their influence beyond music. With a combined social media reach of over 2.2 million followers, their music resonates with audiences worldwide, uniting people through rhythm, culture, and movement.
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