Wrap Up: AfroReekAH at the Center of Hafrikplay’s Year-End Soundtrack
Every year leaves behind a sound. Some songs fade quickly, others linger, carrying the weight of moments, moods, and memories. On Hafrikplay, that sound is captured in Wrap Up, the platform’s official year-end playlist curated by Ayewunmi Godwin and Oluwapelumi Adedigba. This year, the playlist arrives with clarity and confidence, led by one voice that stands tall at its centre: AfroReekAH. The Sound of a Year, Curated with Intent Wrap Up is not built for noise it’s built for meaning. The playlist moves with intention, balancing energy and introspection, rhythm and reflection. Afrobeats, alté, Afro-fusion, soul, and hip-hop coexist naturally here, mirroring the direction African music continues to take: fluid, expressive, and unapologetically diverse. This is the kind of playlist that doesn’t chase moments after they pass. Instead, it documents them as they happen songs that defined the year not just by popularity, but by presence. Records that stayed on repeat because they connected, not because they were loud. AfroReekAH: The Face of Wrap Up At the heart of Wrap Up is AfroReekAH, the face of the playlist and one of the most compelling emerging voices in African music today. Her presence here feels earned, not assigned. AfroReekAH’s music lives in the space where vulnerability meets rhythm where honesty doesn’t weaken the groove but deepens it. Blending Afrobeats, pop, and R&B, AfroReekAH brings a softness that doesn’t shy away from strength. Her standout record “WTF” sets the tone for the playlist with quiet confidence, drawing listeners in through emotion rather than excess. It’s a song that speaks plainly, yet lingers — the kind of track that feels personal even on first listen. Across her recent releases, AfroReekAH has shown a rare ability to translate feeling into sound without overexplaining it. Her melodies carry weight, her delivery feels lived-in, and her writing resonates with listeners navigating love, uncertainty, growth, and self-awareness. In a year filled with fast hits and fleeting trends, her music offered something steady — something human. A Playlist That Reflects the Future Wrap Up thrives because it understands balance. Alongside AfroReekAH’s soulful presence are records that energize, experiment, and expand the palette of African music. From smooth Afro-pop cuts to gritty, genre-bending tracks, the playlist reflects a generation of artists unafraid to blur lines and redefine success on their own terms. What makes this playlist stand out isn’t just who’s included — it’s how the story is told. The sequencing allows each track to breathe. Nothing feels rushed. Nothing feels forced. It’s editorial curation at its best: thoughtful, human, and rooted in culture. Why Wrap Up Matters More than a year-end recap, Wrap Up is a statement about where African music is headed. It highlights voices that are shaping the next chapter — artists building longevity through authenticity rather than formula. By placing AfroReekAH at the forefront, Hafrikplay signals its commitment to artists who lead with substance. This is what it means to support new African music not just with platforms, but with belief. Press Play, Stay With It Wrap Up isn’t background music. It’s a playlist meant to be felt in headphones, on late-night drives, during quiet mornings, and reflective moments. It’s a reminder that music still has the power to mark time. Stream Wrap Up on Hafrikplay. Sit with it. Discover AfroReekAH and the voices rising alongside her. And as the year closes, let these sounds stay with you — long after the last track fades.
Rounding Off 2025 With Purpose: Hafrikplay Named Aurora Tech Award Top 100
In a year defined by breakthroughs, grit, and intentionality, Hafrikplay closes 2025 with a global nod that signals something bigger than recognition , it signals arrival. And alignment. Earlier this week, a notification came in, an email carrying the kind of news founders dream about.Out of more than 3,400 female-founded tech companies across 127 countries, Omobosola Karimat Alaka, Co-Founder & CEO of Hafrikplay, was selected for the Aurora Tech Award Top 100. The Aurora Tech Award, powered by inDrive , one of the world’s fastest-growing mobility and urban services platforms , is dedicated to honoring the boldest female tech founders in emerging markets. inDrive itself is a global force: operating in 700+ cities across 45+ countries, recognized for championing fairness, transparency, and solutions built for underserved communities. Their ethos mirrors Hafrikplay’s innovation that centers people who have historically been overlooked. This is not just an award.This is a statement. It Started With a Bootcamp — Foundry for HER A few months ago, Omobosola took a leap into the Foundry for HER Bootcamp , a three-day intensive designed to strengthen female founders leading impactful ventures in Africa. The sessions were demanding, honest, transformational. Facilitators like: Adora Nwodo — Tech builder & community architect Chioma Ifeanyi-Okoro — Strategy & operations powerhouse Folake Owodunni — Founder, Emergency Response Africa Mary-Anne Momoh-Ige — Policy, governance & systems expert Solape Akinpelu — Renowned voice in financial inclusion …pushed every founder in the room to refine their conviction and sharpen their execution.It wasn’t just a bootcamp, it was recalibration. Omobosola left those three days with clarity. With renewed certainty in what Hafrikplay is building. And with an understanding that Africa’s creative economy is not a side conversation — it is the conversation. Then Came the Email — and the Moment of Realization A few days ago, while in transit, a message came in from Chiwendu with a screenshot: Hafrikplay has been selected for the Aurora Tech Award Top 100. Omobosola jumped in her seat. Not simply because of the recognition, but because of what it symbolizes. It means the world is paying attention.It means Africa’s creative-tech infrastructure , long overdue – is finally claiming its place. It’s already opening its doors. “How Do You Compete With Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack?” This is a question founders of African DSPs hear often. Omobosola’s answer is grounded and simple: “We are not competing with them. Because they are not here.” Global DSPs are brilliant – but they were not built in Africa, for Africa, or with African creators at the center. Hafrikplay is solving for what they do not see: Africa’s fragmented music economy Unfair streaming revenue distribution Lack of discovery for indigenous sounds Limited earning pathways for new artists Little infrastructure for artists without major label backing Hafrikplay is built for the creators who are overlooked by global markets , not because they lack talent, but because the system wasn’t built with them in mind. BTEN: A Case Study in Why Hafrikplay Must Exist Consider BTEN, a rising artist from Sagamu — raw, talented, disciplined. He can do everything right in the studio.But the moment the song leaves his hands, he faces a world where: He is competing with millions of global artists Playlisting requires budgets he cannot afford Platforms do not understand his audience His visibility is tied to algorithms not built for African discovery Yet Africa has: 440 million youth under 35 Creative industries growing 12% annually Less than 5% of artists earning sustainably from current DSPs More than 80% of African music consumption happens outside global streaming platforms. BTEN should not have to fight the entire world to be visible in his own continent. And that fundamental reality is why Hafrikplay exists. We Built a Fair System — By a Creative, For Creatives Hafrikplay is the result of lived experience , the pain of being an independent artist who had talent, drive, and vision… but lacked infrastructure. The platform is designed differently: A DSP built for African discovery Transparent payout models for artists A distribution system centered on visibility Opportunities for growth without gatekeeping Tech that understands African music consumption Culture at the heart , not at the margins It is not a copy of global platforms.It is a solution to gaps they have never prioritized. Why the Aurora Tech Award Matters Being selected for the Top 100 is not just recognition — it’s validation. It signals: Africa’s creative-tech economy is rising Homegrown innovation matters The world is finally observing solutions built for the Global South Female founders from Africa are shaping global narratives The next era of music-tech will not be imported — it will be built here This honor aligns with Hafrikplay’s mission and momentum. 🙏 A Note of Gratitude To inDrive and the Aurora Tech Award team — thank you for championing bold female founders in emerging markets. To the Foundry for HER facilitators — thank you for refining vision and leadership. To the Hafrikplay team — thank you for building, even when no one was watching. To African creatives — thank you for trusting a platform built for you. 🚀 2026: A New Door Opens With this recognition, Hafrikplay steps into 2026 with: Clarity.Courage.Conviction.And culture at the center. Hafrikplay is not just streaming music.It is building Africa’s creative infrastructure.It is building a home where African artists do not compete to be seen — they are seen by design. We are just getting started.Africa is building its own table — and Hafrikplay is one of the architects.
Hafrikplay At Moonshot 2025: The Rise of a Creative-Tech Powerhouse
A Breakout Moment at Moonshot 2025 In October 2025, Lagos played host to Moonshot by TechCabal, a gathering of Africa’s boldest innovators in tech and creativity. Among the buzz of the event was the D4D Hub Creative Economy Award, a pitch competition spotlighting creative-tech startups. Out of over 200 applicants, Hafrikplay – a Nigerian-born music-tech startup – emerged as a standout finalist. It clinched a top-ten finish in the contest, earning recognition and visibility among the continent’s brightest rising ventures. For Hafrikplay, the moment was more than a win — it was a confirmation that the work of building infrastructure for Africa’s creatives is being seen, valued, and celebrated. From the pre-accelerator to the main conference, Hafrikplay’s presence was a force. Its pitch struck a chord by addressing a pressing issue: Africa’s independent artists are hungry for fair monetization and infrastructure in an industry long dominated by foreign platforms. Hafrikplay isn’t just another streaming app; it is building Africa’s first end-to-end creative economy infrastructure, a platform for music, video, events, distribution, and commerce, all in one place. With over 40,000 African music artists and 100,000 active users, the momentum is undeniable. What Sets Hafrikplay Apart Hafrikplay’s vision is rooted in an ecosystem-first approach. Rather than isolating audio streaming as a standalone product, the company has built an integrated suite of platforms and services tailored to the needs of African creatives: Hafrikplay: The core platform, enabling ad-free streaming, direct artist uploads, and community-led discovery of new African sounds. Hafrik Distro: A distribution arm that helps artists get their music on 150+ digital stores and global platforms, while retaining fair royalties and access to real-time data. Hafrik TV: A video streaming extension focused on music videos, documentaries, web series, and independent African film, offering visibility to filmmakers and visual storytellers. Frikz: A wallet-powered social experience that allows fans to tip creators, buy digital experiences, and support events, all built into the ecosystem. At the heart of Hafrikplay is a wallet-based monetization model that puts power in the hands of the creator. Artists earn instantly from streams, ticket sales, and content purchases. Payouts are direct. No middlemen. Transparent and sustainable. But what truly sets Hafrikplay apart is not just the tech — it’s the culture. By the Culture, For the Culture Hafrikplay is proudly born of West Africa, where the hunger for digital content and cultural ownership is highest. Its headquarters in Nigeria, Africa’s cultural epicenter, gives it strategic and symbolic advantage. The startup doesn’t just serve the creative industry; it lives inside it. It understands the pulse of African youth, the nuance of genre, the local slang, the visual aesthetic. Where many platforms view Africa as a market, Hafrikplay sees Africa as home. That means its editorial voice, artist curation, and product decisions are steeped in authenticity. From spotlighting genres like Highlife, Alte, and Bongo Flava, to empowering creators to host virtual concerts or launch ticketed premieres — Hafrikplay is building with the community, not just for it. The Infrastructure Play Africa’s creative economy has long suffered from fragmentation. Artists jump between platforms to stream, distribute, promote, monetize, and collaborate. Hafrikplay is solving that with a centralized creative infrastructure, where tools, talent, and technology converge. This infrastructure vision is not just ambitious — it’s necessary. By integrating streaming, ticketing, video, digital wallets, and artist discovery in one platform, Hafrikplay is reducing friction and boosting value retention inside the continent. No more value leaks. No more fragmented journeys. Just one home for Africa’s next billion-dollar creative class. Forward Momentum With a growing user base and an expanding catalog, Hafrikplay is now raising a $1 million Pre – Series A to scale its platform, sign key licensing deals, expand into new regions, and fuel product innovation. The team has already secured partnerships with MTN Nigeria, Atlas Bank, and DataMellon, among others, and counts seasoned industry leaders like Olisa Adibua among its advisors. From Lagos to Accra, Kigali to Cape Town, Hafrikplay is fast becoming the central nervous system for Africa’s creative economy. Its mission is not just to build a platform, it’s to build prosperity for the entire ecosystem: artists, videographers, event curators, fans, and future entrepreneurs. At Moonshot 2025, Hafrikplay made its mark. The next chapter is already being written, and it’s one of scale, ownership, and cultural power. Hafrikplay is not just a product. It’s a movement. And Africa is ready.
Hafrikplay Partners with Creative Bloc Carnival 2025 as Media & Cultural Partner
Lagos, Nigeria – September 30, 2025 — Hafrikplay, Africa’s creator-first music streaming and distribution platform, has announced an official partnership with the Creative Bloc Carnival 2025 as the Media and Cultural Partner, reinforcing its commitment to elevating African creativity across music, art, and culture. The Creative Bloc Carnival, now in its 3rd edition, has become one of Lagos’ most vibrant festivals — a cultural playground where music, fashion, gaming, art, food, and lifestyle collide. This year’s edition will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the SystemSpecs Car Park, Oniru, Lagos, powered by some of Nigeria’s most exciting brands and creative forces. Hafrikplay’s Role: More Than Just Music As part of this partnership, Hafrikplay will: Curate the Official Creative Bloc Carnival Playlist, spotlighting both emerging and established artists from its ecosystem. Drive cross-platform promotion to amplify the event across streaming, digital media, and cultural communities. Sponsor an interactive trivia game at the carnival, rewarding fans and keeping audiences engaged in fun, creative ways. Document and highlight the event across Hafrikplay’s channels to give artists and creatives extended visibility beyond the festival day. This collaboration underscores Hafrikplay’s mission of empowering African creatives by providing platforms for discovery, storytelling, and long-term growth. From the Voices of the Leaders Omobosola Karimat Alaka, CEO & Co-Founder of Hafrikplay, shared: “At Hafrikplay, we believe creativity thrives when culture and community meet. Partnering with Creative Bloc Carnival is more than sponsorship — it’s about building spaces where African artists, designers, gamers, and storytellers can shine together. We’re not just soundtracking the carnival; we’re amplifying the voices of a generation.” JP Idama, Convener of Creative Bloc Carnival, added: “Creative Bloc has always been about breaking boundaries and giving every creative discipline a stage. Teaming up with Hafrikplay takes this vision further — bridging media, music, and culture to ensure that the talent we showcase doesn’t just perform, but is seen, heard, and remembered long after the carnival.” A Cultural Milestone With official sponsors including Peak, Sosa, Bigi, Confetti London, Chowlove, Mavin Records, Africa Comicade, and The Artist Commune, the 2025 edition promises to be the biggest yet. By adding Hafrikplay’s media and cultural influence to the mix, the festival will offer an immersive experience that blends sound, style, and storytelling in a way that resonates across Africa’s booming creative economy. Press & Media Inquiries Hafrikplay info@hafrikplay.com | hafrikplay@gmail.com Instagram: @hafrikplay Creative Bloc Carnival creativesbloc@gmail.com Instagram: @creativesbloc_carnival
HAFRIKPLAY PARTNERS WITH MAMBA SOUNDS TO BRIDGE AFRICAN MUSIC TO GLOBAL STAGES
The partnership introduces Mamba Sounds as official curators on Hafrikplay, connecting new African talents to international audiences through exclusive playlists, DJ mixes, and cross-continental events. In a groundbreaking move for the Afrobeats and independent music scene, Hafrikplay, Africa’s leading digital music ecosystem with over 100,000 active users, has announced a strategic partnership with Mamba Sounds, the UK-based Afrobeats collective renowned for its chart-topping campaigns and over 110,000 monthly listeners across DSPs. The collaboration marks a major milestone in connecting Africa’s vibrant underground scene with the global diaspora audience through curated experiences, exclusive content, and cultural exchange. A Strategic Alliance Rooted in Culture and Curation This partnership establishes Mamba Sounds as an official curator on Hafrikplay, offering specially curated playlists and exclusive DJ mixes that will introduce their UK-based sound to African listeners and creators. The initiative also opens up Hafrikplay’s growing base of 20,000+ African artists to potential global collaborations and mentorship opportunities through Mamba Sounds’ international A&R network. Beginning with a cross-continental event series launching in Lagos, Nigeria, and later expanding to the UK, the collaboration will spotlight rising African artists while celebrating Afrobeats’ evolving global influence. Shared Vision: Empowering the Next Generation of African Creatives This partnership aligns with both brands’ missions to nurture authentic African soundscapes and build sustainable opportunities for creatives. For Hafrikplay, the partnership reinforces its commitment to democratizing African music discovery and monetization through Hafrik Distro, its Africa-first distribution arm that ensures transparent earnings for artists. For Mamba Sounds, it extends their global footprint into Africa, creating a direct distribution pipeline to new talent and audiences across the continent. Executive Quotes Omobosola Karimat Alaka, CEO, Hafrikplay, shared: “At Hafrikplay, we believe in partnerships that move the culture forward. Our goal has always been to bridge Africa’s creative economy with global opportunities. Welcoming Mamba Sounds as official curators allows us to connect our 100K+ user community to fresh, diverse Afrobeats experiences while empowering emerging artists to reach new audiences.” Leo Fakhrul, Managing Director, Mamba Sounds, added: “Our mission has always been to export Africa’s sound and soul through world-class production, curation, and community. Joining forces with Hafrikplay gives us the ideal platform to plug into authentic African talent and bring their stories to a global audience. We’re excited to kick off this collaboration with exclusive DJ mixes and events that truly celebrate the essence of Afrobeats.” The Road Ahead In addition to their curatorial role, Mamba Sounds will collaborate on: Exclusive DJ Mixes and Editorial Playlists released monthly on Hafrikplay. Talent discovery programs spotlighting new African acts for international collaborations. Joint live experiences and cultural events across Africa and Europe, starting from Lagos to Edinburgh and London. Together, Hafrikplay and Mamba Sounds are redefining how African music travels — building a bridge that connects the continent’s creative heartbeat to the world stage. About Hafrikplay Hafrikplay is a Pan-African music streaming and digital content platform redefining how African music is discovered, distributed, and monetized. With over 100,000 users and 20,000+ artists, Hafrikplay provides independent African creatives access to fair monetization, global exposure, and community-driven growth. Strategic partners include MTN Nigeria, Atlas Bank, and Orange Telecom, with advisory support from industry veteran Olisa Adibua. www.hafrikplay.com About Mamba Sounds Mamba Sounds Limited is a UK-based record label and Afrobeats collective building the cultural bridge between Africa and the diaspora. With over 110,000 monthly listeners and 300+ playlist placements across DSPs, Mamba Sounds is dedicated to promoting the richness of African heritage through music, distribution, and creative storytelling. www.mambasounds.co.uk Media Contact Hafrikplay Omobosola Karimat Alaka – CEO & Co-Founder karimat@hafrikplay.com | info@hafrikplay.com Mamba Sounds Leo Fakhrul – Managing Director