🔅 Africa's Gen Z Surprises Spotify
From Gospel Grooves to Stunning Architectural Revivals
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Spotify's Surprising Trends in Africa: From Gospel to Highlife, Gen Z is Shaking Things Up
When you think of the music that gets Gen Z grooving, gospel might not be the first genre that comes to mind.
But according to Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify's managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa, the youth are all about spirituality these days. Christian podcast streams in Nigeria have skyrocketed by 482% since 2022, and gospel music streams have grown by a jaw-dropping 1,228%.Â
Who says church can't be cool?
But wait, there's more! Apparently, Gen Z isn't just about the latest TikTok hits. They're also digging deep into the archives and rediscovering classic African genres like highlife (up 224%), Igbo pop (up 303%), and fuji (up 187%). It's like a musical time machine, and the youth are here for it.
Africans Prefer Their Own Tunes
When it comes to music preferences, Africans are all about supporting their own. While some markets, like Kenya, have a taste for international tunes, Nigerians are firmly in the local camp. It's a testament to the incredible talent and diversity of African music.
Moreover, there's a common misconception that African consumers have low purchasing power, especially when it comes to digital services. But Spotify's experience tells a different story. Turns out, Africans are more than happy to shell out for a premium streaming experience.
As African music continues to take the world by storm, Spotify is right there in the thick of it.Â
With surprising trends, myth-busting insights, and a commitment to artist empowerment, Spotify is helping to shape the future of the industry on the continent. So whether you're vibing to gospel, highlife, or the latest Afrobeats hit, one thing's for sure: African music is here to stay, and Spotify says it will make sure the world listens.
Breathing New Life into an Old Mosque: Atelier Masomi's Library Transformation
In the rural village of Dandaji, Niger, a former mosque was on the brink of demolition. Its facade had crumbled, its roof was in disrepair, and it could no longer accommodate the growing population.Â
But instead of letting this architectural gem fade into oblivion, Atelier Masomi and Studio Chahar swooped in to save the day, transforming the derelict mosque into a stunning library and community center.
When Mariam Kamara, founder of Atelier Masomi, first laid eyes on the old mosque, she knew it was something special. The mason who designed it had won an Aga Khan award for architecture for a similar project, and Kamara was determined to bring the building back to its former glory. With the help of the original mason's assistant, the team set out to restore the facade and upgrade the internal structure, all while preserving the mosque's unique character.
From Prayer Hall to Book Haven
The decision to convert the mosque into a library came from the community itself, proving that sometimes the best ideas come from those who will actually use the space.Â
The designers cleverly incorporated bookshelves as dividers for private and group study areas, and added a mezzanine floor to create extra room for reading and learning. And because education doesn't stop at childhood, the library also features classrooms for adult literacy classes and community meetings.
But the library isn't just a standalone project – it's part of a larger conversation about the coexistence of religious and secular knowledge. Kamara and her collaborator, Yasaman Esmaili of Studio Chahar, designed a new mosque on the same north-south axis as the library, with the two buildings facing each other. The idea was to create a natural flow between the two spaces, encouraging people to move from one to the other throughout the day.
Sustainable Materials and Local Wisdom
In true Atelier Masomi fashion, the new mosque was built using locally fabricated compressed earth bricks, which offer the thermal qualities of mud bricks without the maintenance headaches. The designers also opted for locally sourced lighting fixtures and no glass, ensuring that repairs and replacements can be done easily and affordably.
And to top it off, a drip irrigation system fed by an underground rainfall reservoir keeps the surrounding vegetation lush and the air cool.
For Kamara, the most important aspect of any project is talking to the people who will actually use the space. "Otherwise it is just us as architects saying 'here, this is what I think you should be doing and this is what I'm going to give you. There you go, you're welcome,'" she says. "That is something that's very unpleasant for me. We are not making architecture for ourselves, so it would be preposterous to just decided on something and go ahead and do it."
Zambia's First Family Fiasco: From State Lodge to State Prison?
Zambia's former First Lady Esther Lungu and her daughter Chiyeso Katete have found themselves in hot water over some questionable real estate acquisitions.Â
The duo, along with a close relative, were arrested in Lusaka on suspicion of fraudulently acquiring a $30,000 estate and a few other properties that the authorities believe may be the proceeds of crime.Â
Ms. Lungu apparently couldn't provide a "reasonable explanation" for how she managed to snag the luxurious digs, which include 15 double-story flats, during her husband's tenure as president from 2015 to 2023.
Ex-President Cries Foul
Ex-President Edgar Lungu is crying foul, accusing the government of victimizing his family and party members to block his return to politics. He even claimed to have been put under house arrest, although the government denies it.Â
This isn't the first time the Lungu ladies have found themselves in a pickle—last September, the former First Lady was arrested over corruption allegations involving stolen cars and title deeds.
The Lungu family plans to challenge the charges in court, but in the meantime, the ex-president's retirement benefits have been withdrawn. It seems that after leaving Zambia heavily in debt and with a shaky economy, the Lungu family's troubles are far from over.Â
As President Hichilema vows to recover all allegedly looted resources, critics say the anti-corruption drive is politically motivated.
Food for Thought
“You have little power over what’s not yours."
— Zimbabwean Proverb