World Cup Anthem Buzz: Shakira says she handpicked Burna Boy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup song “Dai Dai” because she needed a powerful, masculine male voice that still fits an Afrobeats-led sound. Global Pop Spotlight: Tyla admits she nearly turned down singing South Africa’s national anthem at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony, citing nerves and self-doubt. Identity Debate: Tyla also addressed backlash over calling herself “coloured,” explaining the term’s different meaning in South Africa and saying she never expected it to spark a culture war abroad. Indigenous Culture Push (Ghana): Ghana’s Kpedudo Festival in Dzogadze backed sustained investment in indigenous music and dance, with plans announced for a Kpedudo Institute of Performing Arts. Music as Resistance (Cameroon): Inside Douala’s New Bell prison, inmate-run “Jail Time Records” is turning confinement into a creative platform, with prison-made videos and a documentary gaining international attention. Live Music Infrastructure (South Africa): Vusi Mahlasela is expanding his live footprint at Jazz at Jozi Gold, positioning his 2026 project as a major shift in how premium performance spaces are built and used. Festival Watch: Fleadh in Belfast is set to be “truly historic and unique,” drawing huge crowds for traditional music with cross-community performances. BBNaija Hype: Big Brother Naija Season 11 returns with a record N160m prize, as fans count down to the July 26 premiere.