Shoday named Apple Music’s Africa Rising Cover Star

The announcement places the singer on the cover of the Africa Rising playlist, a platform created by Apple Music to promote developing African talent to global audiences.

Shoday, who hails from Ogun State and was raised in Lagos, has gained attention in Nigeria’s music scene through singles such as ‘Dey 4 You’ and ‘Caution’. The latter helped introduce the artist to a wider audience after appearing on streaming charts, including Apple Music’s Top 100 in Nigeria and the Shazam charts.

“It’s an honour being the cover star of Africa Rising, I feel blessed,” Shoday said. “A big thank you to everyone supporting my music, and a big thank you to the Apple Music team for seeing me fit to cover the prestigious Africa Rising playlist.”

The recognition comes shortly after the release of his debut album, Hybrid, which arrived earlier this month. The project combines street-influenced Afrobeats with melodic and introspective elements.

The album follows a series of recent releases that gained traction on streaming platforms, including ‘Nakupenda’ and ‘Hey Jago’. His January 2026 single ‘Paparazzi’, featuring FOLA, reached number one on Apple Music’s Lagos chart and ranked highly on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Songs chart. Another track, ‘Casablanca’ featuring Ayo Maff, was included in Apple Music’s Best Songs of 2024 list.

Shoday’s recent activities have also included a debut tour in the United Kingdom in 2025, with performances in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

As part of the Africa Rising feature, the artist will appear on the playlist and in an episode of Africa Now Radio hosted by Nandi Madida, where he discusses his musical journey and creative development.