Welcome to Vol 120 of The Spread! If you’re new here, welcome, you’re in good company. If you're not, welcome back, we hope you missed us.
We’re kicking off our first newsletter of the year with some exciting new updates!
In addition to your weekly roundup of Africans making waves in global news and mainstream culture, we’re launching Marmalade Member Mondays–bi-weekly virtual events, and hosting IRL Meetups starting in February. And that’s not all!
Now, on to the real peel...
FEATURE STORY
🇳🇬 Nigerians Nominated For The 67th Grammy Awards

The Grammys have come and gone (again), and just like last year, it was another moment for Nigerian music in the global spotlight. Even though 2024 wasn’t exactly the most groundbreaking year for Afrobeats internationally, the nominations told a different story.
Eight Nigerians, including heavyweights like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido, secured a spot on the list, and even more impressively, Tems made history as the first Nigerian artist nominated in a major category: Best R&B Song. Also worth celebrating, was Rema’s genre-blending HEIS which stood out as a top contender for Best Global Album. And with Trevor Noah returning as host, the night was packed with unforgettable moments, cementing Afrobeats' place on music’s biggest stage.
🔥 Trending Stories
- The 1-54 African Art Fair is coming to Morocco, via OkayAfrica
- AfroFuture's 2025 Calendar is bringing African culture to the US for the first time ever, via TravelNoire
- M.A.D Solutions announces new project, M.A.D Solutions for Creators, in partnership with YouTube, via Nativemag
- Tomi Adeyemi’s “Children of Blood and Bone” is getting a big screen adaptation; here's everything we know about it, via OkayAfrica

- Johannesburg’s second-oldest bar, Kitchener's Carvery Bar, is re-opening its doors in a new partnership with Castle Lager and Play Braamfontein, via Glamour SA
- Togolese art collective Togo Yeye’s stunning visuals are finding a new home with Vlisco collab, via OkayAfrica
- Ghana's Kojo Kingsley Schindler teams up with Dutch brand The Daily, in perfect blend of fashion and football, via Rollingstone Africa

⏳ Trivia Time
Who is set to play a live action Zélie in the upcoming Children of Blood and Bones movie?
A) Amandla Stenberg
B) Tosin Cole
C) Thuso Mbedu
D) Dominique Fishback
Scroll to the very bottom for the answer.
ICYMI
🧭 Guide: This Founder Turned His Struggle With Identity Into A Global Movement

When you think of sportswear, it’s easy to focus on performance or style—but MIZIZI takes it a step further, fusing fashion with cultural identity. Founded in 2015 by Paakow Essandoh, MIZIZI is a global sportswear brand that’s all about celebrating African roots and creating a deeper connection for the African diaspora. The brand’s name, which means "roots" in Swahili, speaks to its mission: reminding people of their cultural origins and allowing them to proudly express that through fashion.
In this conversation with Paakow, we dive into his journey, experiences and the brand’s mission to highlight cultural identity.
What We're...
📰 Reading: Myah Ariel’s breathtaking romance fiction, “No Ordinary Love”
🎧 Listening to: So It Goes, by Black Sherif and Fireboy DML.
📺 Watching: Perfect Woman, a short film about sisterhood, survival and the realities of cervical cancer.
🎟️ Booking: Jamming at London’s ultimate African Electronic Music experience: Jika Fridays, hosted by Egg London
👀 Eyeing: The iconic hand-embellished Zaza Bag by Onalaja
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