Kimoni aka Spark Your Lighter emerges as one of Nigeria's most emotionally authentic Afrofusion voices

   By Yemi James 

Fast-rising Nigerian Afrofusion artist, producer, and sound engineer Kimoni is steadily carving a unique path within Africa’s evolving music landscape through emotionally driven storytelling, cinematic soundscapes, and deeply relatable records inspired by real-life struggles, spirituality, love, hustle, and the realities of everyday African life.

Known professionally as Kimoni and also recognized in production circles as BeatByFlamez, the Lagos-based creative has continued to gain attention for his versatility as both a recording artist and music producer. His signature producer tag, “PURE WATER TUTU RE,” has become a recognizable identity attached to his sound and creative direction.

Blending Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, cinematic orchestration, emotional melodies, and street-inspired rhythms, Kimoni’s music reflects the emotions, pressures, dreams, and survival spirit of modern African youth.

In addition to his solo artistry, Kimoni contributed significantly to the Nigerian film industry through his involvement in the soundtrack creation for the acclaimed movie Ìwé Àlá: An Ojude Oba Story. His record “Temidire” and additional soundtrack contributions connected deeply with audiences for their emotional depth and cinematic expression.

The artist also drew attention with his socially conscious release “Heal Our Land,” a deeply emotional record calling for peace, unity, healing, and hope in Nigeria during difficult times. The song resonated strongly with listeners online for its heartfelt message addressing violence, pain, national struggles, and the urgent need for collective healing across communities.

Over the years, Kimoni has continued building a reputation for creating authentic music that resonates strongly with listeners navigating pain, ambition, mental pressure, relationships, faith, and personal growth. His artistic identity focuses on telling real stories through emotionally rich sounds and culturally rooted experiences.

Beyond his work as an artist, Kimoni has also worked behind the scenes within Nigeria’s entertainment industry as a producer and sound engineer, collaborating on multiple creative projects while building his independent movement under SYL Empire.

Speaking about his artistic mission, Kimoni shared:

“I want people to feel real emotions through my music. I create sounds that reflect real life — the struggles, the pressure, the dreams, the love, the hustle, and the hope. I want my music to connect deeply with people everywhere.”

With growing momentum online and an expanding audience across streaming and social media platforms, Kimoni continues to position himself as one of the promising voices shaping the future of emotionally expressive African music.

As anticipation grows around upcoming releases and live performances, industry observers believe Kimoni represents a new generation of African creatives using music not only for entertainment, but also for healing, storytelling, and cultural expression.

For media inquiries, bookings, interviews, collaborations, and business opportunities, contact Kimonisyl directly on Instagram:

@kimonisyl

Management: SYL Empire

Artist Name: Kimoni 

Producer Identity: BeatByFlamez

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Follow Kimoni on all socials:

https://www.instagram.com/kimonisyl

https://x.com/kimonisyl

https://www.tiktok.com/@iam_kimoni

Monica Cash Offers Safer Bitcoin to Naira Withdrawals to Nigerians

 

As complaints around fake alerts, delayed confirmations and failed settlements continue rising within Nigeria’s crypto ecosystem, Monica Cash is becoming part of conversations around platforms offering safer and smoother bitcoin to naira withdrawals and automated payout systems.

For years, peer to peer trading defined how many Nigerians converted crypto to cash. It was fast, accessible and mostly community driven. But over time, more users began complaining about cancelled trades halfway through transactions, delayed payment confirmations and buyers disappearing after receiving crypto.

Now, many Nigerian crypto users say one of the biggest concerns within the market is finding safer ways to convert crypto to naira without the stress commonly linked to manual peer to peer trading systems.

That shift is gradually reshaping user behaviour across the Nigeria crypto market.

Monica.cash, which has spent the last three years supporting Nigerians with automated crypto withdrawal systems, has filled this space, becoming more visible among users looking for alternatives to manual peer to peer trading. The platform supports conversion for BTC, USDT, ETH, BNB, TRX, SOL and USDC into naira through direct payout systems linked to local bank accounts.

The growing frustration around P2P transactions is also changing what many Nigerians now consider the best bitcoin app in Nigeria. Popularity alone no longer seems enough. More users are now prioritising platforms that offer safer bitcoin to naira withdrawals, reduce exposure to fake alerts and minimise the risks commonly associated with manual peer to peer trading.

For freelancers and remote workers receiving payments from international clients through stablecoins, the issue feels even more urgent. Many users handling USDT and USDC payments say delays during withdrawals can affect business operations, payment schedules and everyday financial planning.

The increasing use of stablecoins for freelance work, online business transactions and diaspora remittance Nigeria payments has created stronger demand for platforms that offer instant naira payout systems and smoother crypto withdrawal Nigeria services.

Within the Nigerian fintech sector, more users are gradually moving toward centralized crypto-to-fiat systems that reduce dependence on manual buyer coordination and allow faster settlement experiences.

Recent discussions around CBN crypto regulation and SEC VASP licensing have also increased attention on structured crypto conversion systems operating within the country’s digital asset ecosystem.

The growing demand for reliability, smoother settlements and safer withdrawal structures is one of the reasons Monica Cash has become the center of conversations around bitcoin to naira conversion in Nigeria.

As cryptocurrency adoption continues expanding across the country, many users are expected to keep searching for platforms that make crypto to naira withdrawals easier, safer and more reliable while reducing the stress traditionally linked to manual peer to peer trading arrangements.

 

Fresh Models Launches in Lagos to Discover and Develop Nigeria’s Next Generation of Global Talent

    Latest modelling Agency in Lagos state Nigeria.

A new agency in African fashion has emerged with the launch of Fresh Models, a Lagos-based modeling agency and training academy founded by international model and creative entrepreneur Francis Polo, also known as Fresh Pepper.

Positioned at the intersection of talent development and global opportunity, Fresh Models aims to redefine industry standards in Nigeria by building a pipeline of world-class models equipped for both local and international markets.

“Fresh Models was created to bridge the gap between raw talent in Nigeria and the structure required to compete globally,” said Polo. “We’re not just signing models—we’re developing them with intention, discipline, and a clear understanding of the industry.”

Operating out of Lagos, the agency combines representation with hands-on training through its academy, offering aspiring models access to professional development in runway, posing, and industry knowledge—an approach still relatively rare within the Nigerian modeling landscape.

The agency has already begun building a roster of promising new faces, including Damilola Odebiyi, Emmanuel Johnson, and Emerald Godwin, three emerging talents being positioned for both domestic campaigns and international placements.

With Lagos continuing to gain recognition as a rising fashion capital, Fresh Models enters the market with a clear mission: to elevate Nigerian talent onto the global stage while maintaining a strong foundation at home.

Fresh Models is now accepting new talent through its weekly open calls, held every Friday and Saturday in Lagos.

About Fresh Models

Fresh Models is a Lagos-based modelling agency and academy dedicated to discovering, developing, and managing the next generation of African modelling talent. Founded by international model and creative entrepreneur Francis Polo (Fresh Pepper), the agency focuses on preparing models for success in both local and global markets through structured training and strategic representation.

Media Contact

Fresh Models

Email: lagos@freshmodelsmgmt.com

Instagram: @freshmodelsmgmtl

Loud In Africa Unveils Unathi Nkayi as New Face, Announces new music Project Release

African entertainment platform Loud In Africa has officially announced South African media personality and singer, Unathi Nkayi, as the face of its new season, marking a strategic move to expand its cultural and musical footprint across the continent.

The announcement, made via a press release, positions Nkayi at the forefront of the brand’s upcoming campaigns and creative direction, as Loud In Africa continues to spotlight influential voices shaping Africa’s entertainment landscape.

As part of the rollout, Nkayi is also set to release a new project on May 1, a development that is expected to generate significant anticipation among fans and industry stakeholders. The project will be distributed by Prime Music Partners, reinforcing a key partnership aimed at amplifying African music across global platforms.

Founder of Loud In Africa, Akeju Abass Mubarak, described the collaboration as a defining moment for the brand’s evolution.

“Bringing Unathi Nkayi on board as the face of Loud In Africa this season reflects our commitment to working with powerful voices who embody the spirit of African creativity and excellence. Her upcoming project is not just music, it is a statement, and we are proud to be part of that journey,” Mubarak said.

Industry observers note that the move signals Loud In Africa’s growing ambition to bridge regional markets within the continent while elevating African talent on the global stage.

With the May 25th  release date drawing closer, attention is expected to intensify around Nkayi’s project and the broader impact of the Loud In Africa platform in shaping contemporary African storytelling through music and media.

Alloy Contracting Services Expands into Residential and Hospitality Development

  Alloy Contracting Services Expands into Residential and Hospitality Development

Alloy Contracting Services is entering a new phase of growth with its expansion into residential and hospitality development, positioning itself at the intersection of engineering and real estate.

The move reflects a broader shift in market demand, where clients are increasingly seeking developments that combine structural integrity, long-term durability, and modern functionality. Industry experts note that while many real estate projects prioritise aesthetics, fewer maintain the engineering standards required for longevity and performance.

Alloy Contracting Services is aiming to close that gap.

Drawing from its 11-year experience in infrastructure and technical services, the company is delivering residential homes, hotels, and restaurant spaces built on the same principles of precision, compliance, and execution excellence.

Its existing portfolio including projects delivered for organisations such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God, British Council, and Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc provides a foundation of trust as it expands into this segment.

“We are not just building spaces, we are building environments that stand the test of time,” said Aloy C. Aloy.

With Edo State experiencing growth in housing demand and hospitality infrastructure, this expansion places Alloy Contracting Services in a strong position to capture emerging opportunities.

Nigerian Founder Sells Dubai Business to Fund Keepaza, a Payment Identity Platform Built for How Nigerians Actually Transact

    Akindele Liasu has committed significant founder capital to Keepaza, the Nigerian payment identity platform he founded under OH Mobility Solution Limited, following the restructuring of his UAE business operations under OH Mobility FZ LLC.

The capital commitment marks a defining moment for the platform and signals the beginning of an aggressive growth phase for a product that has quietly been solving one of the most frustrating daily problems in Nigerian commerce.

 The decision to liquidate overseas business interests and redirect the proceeds into a Nigerian startup is not a common one. Most founders move in the opposite direction. Akindele’s choice says something deliberate about where he believes the most important opportunity sits right now.

 “Every day in Nigeria, millions of people are pasting their bank account numbers into WhatsApp chats with strangers, sharing their financial details publicly in Instagram DMs, and hoping nothing goes wrong,” said Liasu. “I have watched vendors lose clients because they looked unprofessional. I have watched freelancers lose international deals because they could not explain how to receive USDT. I have watched people send money to the wrong account and lose it permanently. These are not edge cases. This is daily Nigerian life. I sold a part of my Dubai operations because I believe deeply that this problem deserves a real solution and I was not willing to wait for someone else to build it.”

Keepaza gives every Nigerian a single verified username that resolves simultaneously to their bank account and cryptocurrency wallet addresses across five blockchain networks including TRC20, ERC20, BEP20, Bitcoin, and Solana. Instead of sharing sensitive financial details in public chats, a user shares one clean link — keepaza.com/theirname — and anyone who wants to pay them sees exactly what they need without the risk of screenshots, wrong numbers, or public exposure of private financial information.

 The platform has also introduced an invoicing layer that allows freelancers, vendors, and small business owners to generate professional payment request links in under thirty seconds. Clients receive a clean invoice page, copy payment details, make their transfer through their own banking app, and upload proof of payment directly. The invoice owner gets notified the moment someone views or responds to their invoice. The entire experience replaces what most Nigerian small businesses currently manage through a combination of WhatsApp voice notes, screenshot exchanges, and handwritten receipts.

 What makes Keepaza structurally different from existing payment platforms in Nigeria is the identity layer rather than the transaction layer. Paystack, Flutterwave, and Moniepoint are transaction infrastructure. Keepaza is identity infrastructure. It does not process payments. It verifies who you are and tells the world where to send money safely. That distinction matters enormously for regulatory positioning and for the size of the opportunity.

 The platform is free for all users. Revenue is generated through premium username registration for short usernames, cryptocurrency swap commissions through integrated third party swap widgets, and B2B API licensing for financial institutions and fintech companies seeking to embed username based payment resolution into their own products.

 The founder capital injection will be deployed toward product development, the buildout of new platform features including services listings, social profile integration, invoice analytics, and daily engagement mechanics, as well as early user acquisition efforts across the country.

 Akindele has indicated that Keepaza will pursue its first institutional funding round within the coming months, and that the company’s Dubai entity, OH Mobility FZ LLC, will serve as part of the international holding structure for that process. The existence of an already incorporated UAE entity positions the company ahead of most Nigerian startups that are forced to create that structure from scratch at the time of international fundraising.

“I did not want to be the founder who came to investors with only an idea and a pitch deck,” Akindele said. “I wanted to come with a working product, real users, documented traction, and money I had already put in myself. The founder capital gives us the runway to prove everything we need to prove before we raise from institutions. By the time we go to market for our Series A, the story will speak for itself.”

 Keepaza is live at keepaza.com. Registration is free and takes under sixty seconds.

 About Keepaza

 Keepaza is Nigeria’s first payment identity platform. It enables users to create a single verified username linking their Nigerian bank account and cryptocurrency wallet addresses, eliminating the need to share financial details publicly in social media and messaging applications. Keepaza supports TRC20, ERC20, BEP20, Bitcoin, and Solana networks alongside all Nigerian bank accounts.

The platform is built and operated by OH Mobility Solution Limited.

 About OH Mobility Solution Limited

 OH Mobility Solution Limited is a Nigerian technology company building financial infrastructure for African commerce, with operations in Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

Media Contact

Akindele Liasu

media@keepaza.com

keepaza.com

Investor Relations

Akindele Liasu

investorrelations@keepaza.com

keepaza.com

Akeju, Bankulli Drive Afrobeats Narrative at NYC ‘Chronicles’ Screening

   Afrobeats, one of Africa’s most influential cultural exports, is set to gain further global attention as industry stakeholders converge in New York for the screening of Chronicles of Afrobeats, a project documenting the evolution and international impact of the genre.

The event, scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the iconic SOB’s NYC, will feature an exclusive screening followed by a high-level panel discussion involving key figures shaping the Afrobeats movement across continents.

Founded by Abisagboola Oluseun John, professionally known as Bankulli, the initiative aims to provide a deeper narrative into the roots, growth, and future trajectory of Afrobeats, which has grown from a regional sound into a dominant force on the global music stage.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Amanda Ota, a partner at Loud in Africa, emphasized the cultural and economic significance of the genre, stating, “Afrobeats is no longer just a sound; it is a global cultural movement that continues to shape identity, influence markets, and open new pathways for African creatives worldwide.”

Also lending his voice, Abass Mubarak Akeju noted the importance of documenting the journey, saying, “Every great movement deserves to have its story told, and Afrobeats is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of African storytelling on the global stage.”

The panel session will bring together a diverse lineup of industry experts including Bankulli of Bankulli Entertainment, Dr. Amanda Ota of Loud in Africa, Robert Schwartz of Whomag, South African radio personality Unathi Nkayi, and Priscila Santana of Summerstage.

Organisers say the event will not only celebrate the milestones of Afrobeats but also provide a platform for critical conversations around its sustainability, ownership, and continued expansion in international markets.

With its increasing dominance across charts, festivals, and global collaborations, Afrobeats continues to redefine Africa’s place in the global music industry reinforcing the notion that every journey indeed has a beginning.