Welcome to Vol 123 of The Spread!
Hello and welcome back to The Spread; your very own weekly edit of all the best stories and global news about Africans shaping mainstream culture.
Now, on to the real peel 👇
FEATURE STORY
Burna Boy makes history as the first African star to grace the Billboard France cover
At this point, breaking records is just another day in Burna’s life.
Billboard France just launched, and for their first-ever cover, they had only one name in mind: Burna Boy. That’s right—he’s officially the first African artist to grace the cover of Billboard France, proving once again that he’s not just part of the global music conversation; he IS the conversation.
But besides being just a magazine cover, it’s also a moment—one that comes right before another major milestone: his Stade de France concert happening on April 18, 2025. The 80,000-capacity venue is set to be filled with fans, marking yet another history-making performance on European soil. But as always, it’s bigger than him. “This isn’t just a win for me. It’s a win for a continent, for a culture, and for a people whose stories deserve to be heard on the world’s biggest stages,” he told Billboard France.
Burna has been putting African music front and centre for years, and the world is finally catching up. Billboard France even called him the “ambassador of Nigeria’s booming music scene,” a well-earned title for someone who’s taken Afrobeats from Port Harcourt to Paris and beyond.
His highly anticipated album, No Sign of Weakness, is also on the way, and this cover story is the perfect warm-up for it. Burna isn’t just holding the door open for African music–he’s tearing it off its hinges. And we wouldn’t expect anything less.
🔥 Trending Stories
- Jacob Kiplimo Shatters Half Marathon World Record Ahead of London Marathon Debut, via OkayAfrica
- Ayra Starr becomes first woman to win MOBO best African music award in 16 years, via The 49th Street
- Circle Art Gallery in Nairobi is playing host to the continent's biggest talent, via The East African
- Tems and Elmiene Are Performing at the 2025 Roots Picnic, via OkayAfrica
- Makemation: Africa’s First AI-Themed Feature Film is set for release, via Culture Custodian
- South Africa’s culinary elite honoured at the 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards, via GQ SA
- Four African Designers Have Qualified As Semi-Finalists for the LVMH Prize 2025, via OkayAfrica
⏳ Trivia Time
Burna Boy’s sister, Nissi Ogulu, is known for her work in which other field except music?
A) Architecture
B) Animation and automotive design
C) Journalism
D) Fashion design
Scroll to the very bottom for the answer.
ICYMI
🧭 Guide: Designing for Connection: How Cherif Gueye Reimagines Everyday Objects with VIJN
Cherif Gueye, the founder of VIJN, is reimagining how we connect with each other through the simplest yet most essential items—everyday objects. With a background shaped by a multicultural upbringing, spanning Senegal and the United States, Cherif’s life has been a fun blend of community, creativity, and a deep love for building.
Raised in a large family compound in Senegal, he learned the true value of community through the country’s renowned hospitality and this spirit of connection became the backbone of VIJN, his tactile design company. Through innovative products like ergonomic bowls crafted to encourage interaction, the goal is to bring people together in meaningful ways.
In this interview, we dive into Cherif’s journey from content development and marketing to founding VIJN, exploring how his passion for creating shared experiences sparked the brand's inception.
What We're...
📰 Reading: River Spirit, a novel by Leila Aboulela, which follows the journey of a young girl in a torn 19th-century Sudan.
🎧 Listening to: Beg For It, by Njerae
📺 Watching: African Art Renaissance, a documentary exploring contemporary African art from the perspective of three influential women bridging the continent and its global diaspora.
🎟️ Booking: Toyotastes' Table, a curated, multi-course spread of all the best Nigerian and West African flavours. Sponsored by DÒDÒ.
👀 Eyeing: This Insulated Bomber from Giants of Africa x The Canada Goose
🧡 Member Spotlight: Kenechukwu Uche
Meet Kenechukwu Uche, a fintech growth strategist and entrepreneur exploring the possibilities of AI and Stablecoins. Born in Nigeria and currently based in Kigali, he spends his days solving growth challenges for startups and tinkering on new ideas with his team. He’s serious about his work but not as formal as people think—get to know him, and you might catch him singing, dancing, or cracking a joke when you least expect it.
We See YOU!
At Marmalade, we believe in celebrating all the incredible voices that make our community thrive. Are you a creative shaking up the scene, an entrepreneur building something bold, or a culture enthusiast with a story or two to tell? We'd like to hear from you!
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