Music
Bruno Mars Set to Release First Solo Album in 10 Years
Bruno Mars is set to release his first solo album in 10 years, ending a long wait for fans across the globe, including South Africa. The Grammy-winning artist confirmed that the project is complete on January 5 via X (formerly Twitter), simply stating, “My album is done.” This marks his first solo studio album since 2016’s 24K Magic, which produced chart-topping hits and earned multiple Grammy Awards. The announcement has already generated excitement among South African music fans eager to hear new material from one of pop and R&B’s most influential performers.

Bruno Mars – Instagram
Although he has not released a solo album in this period, Mars has remained active in music. In 2021, he collaborated with Anderson .Paak to form Silk Sonic, releasing An Evening With Silk Sonic, which received critical acclaim and won several Grammys. He has also featured on high-profile collaborations, expanding his reach beyond solo projects. These activities have kept him relevant while building anticipation for his next full-length release.
Details about the upcoming album remain limited. Mars has not revealed a title, tracklist, release date, or featured collaborators. However, given his past work, the album is expected to attract attention both locally and internationally. Fans have expressed excitement on social media, reflecting the artist’s enduring influence in the pop and R&B landscape.

Bruno Mars – Instagram
The ten-year gap between solo albums is unusual in contemporary music, where frequent releases are common. Mars’ approach has been measured, allowing each project to carry more weight and creating anticipation for his return. Observers note that this strategy has kept his music in public consciousness without overexposure.
Although the release date and promotional details are yet to be confirmed, industry patterns suggest that a lead single may precede the album, followed by performances and media appearances. Based on his track record, the album is likely to make a notable impact on charts and streaming platforms worldwide, including South Africa, where Mars has a strong following.

Bruno Mars – Instagram
Fans and music enthusiasts in South Africa and across the continent have been eagerly awaiting this announcement. Mars’ ability to produce commercially and critically successful music has established him as one of the few artists whose return can generate widespread attention after a long hiatus. The new album promises to be an important addition to his catalogue and a major moment for pop music in 2026.
Music
Moliy Announces “Baddies Love Moliy,” her Highly Anticipated New Mixtape
Moliy has officially announced her new mixtape, Baddies Love Moliy. The announcement quickly drew attention across Afropop and dancehall spaces ahead of its summer 2026 release. The announcement arrived with a teaser campaign that introduced the project’s overall concept, signaling what could become one of Moliy’s biggest releases after her success with “Sad Girlz Luv Money” and the hit “Shake It To The Max.”
According to her, Baddies Love Moliy will contain Afrobeats, dancehall, and Afro house. Moliy explained that she intentionally avoided using one genre while creating the project.

Moliy: Instagram
“I didn’t want to stay in one lane with this mixtape,” MOLIY said. “Every song pulls from a different energy, sound, and part of my personality, but it all connects through confidence, freedom, and movement. It’s like a party with no rules, just in time for a baddie summer.”
Artists confirmed on the project include Tyla, Shenseea, Skillibeng, Sarkodie, Dominican star Yailin la Más Viral, BR3YNA, Mavo, Silent Addy, Mellissa, and production collective Bees & Honey. The lineup shows Moliy’s ambition to create a project that covers the international community.
Read Also: Jorja Smith Set for SA Debut as ‘Rocking the Daisies’ 2026 Headliner
Moliy’s single “Shake It To The Max” and its remix versions are online successes, especially on TikTok and streaming platforms. This helped expand her audience beyond. The track surpassed one billion streams across platforms, marking a major commercial breakthrough.
Recent releases such as “Body Go” with Tyla and “PARTYGYAL” with Bees & Honey have shown the direction Moliy plans to explore on the mixtape. Those records contain heavy basslines and Afro dancehall rhythms.

Moliy: Instagram
Moliy described Baddies Love Moliy as nostalgic and futuristic . She said the project contains “Afro feels, dancehall feels” mixed with “crazy bass” that makes listeners want to dance. The artist referred to herself as a “cyber alien diva baddie,” showing how strongly the project leans into visual identity alongside the music.
The mixtape announcement also arrives alongside plans for a North American tour with Skillibeng. With collaborations spanning Ghana, Jamaica, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, and Europe, Baddies Love Moliy puts her as among African top artists.
Music
Tyla’s “Chanel” Earns Two Nominations at the 2026 BET Awards
Tyla’s hit single Chanel secured two major nominations at the 2026 BET Awards. The track was nominated in the m competitive “Video of the Year” and “Viewer’s Choice” categories. This places Tyla alongside some of the biggest names in international music.
According to the official BET Awards nominations list, “Chanel” will compete against videos from artists including Doechii, Ella Mai, Kehlani, Teyana Taylor, and the collaboration “Luther” by SZA and Kendrick Lamar in the Video of the Year category.

Photo: Instagram
Released in October 2025, “Chanel” quickly became one of Tyla’s biggest songs to date. The single became popular on TikTok through a viral dance challenge that spread across several countries. The song performed well on Spotify and Apple music debuting simultaneously at number one on both the US and UK Afrobeats charts.
Read Also: Tyla’s Chanel Gets Nominated for 2026 American Music Awards
The music video for “Chanel” also became a major talking point in fashion circles. Styled by Tyla’s longtime collaborator Ron Hartleben, the visual featured archival pieces from the luxury fashion house Chanel, including designs from the Karl Lagerfeld era. Among the standout items were the iconic white Chanel hula hoop bag from the brand’s 2013 Spring/Summer collection and vintage accessories previously worn by supermodels Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington.
Hartleben revealed in an interview with Vogue that getting the pieces was difficult and expensive.
“The rental costs for these things are astronomical,” he said, adding that many collectors trusted the team with “museum-quality pieces”.
“She’s wearing these belts that are each like $20,000 (over R16,000) at full retail,” he revealed. “I did have to sign my life away in case things broke. But nothing broke!”
“Chanel” has strengthened Tyla’s growing international presence. The track was number 94 on Billboard Hot 100 , becoming her third solo entry on the chart after “Water” and “Push 2 Start. In April 2026, the single earned Gold certification in the United States from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Photo: Instagram
The BET recognition adds to an already successful year for Tyla. Earlier in 2026, she received four nominations at the American Music Awards, including Best Music Video and Social Song of the Year for “Chanel.”
The 2026 BET Awards ceremony will take place on June 28 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. It will be hosted by comedian Druski.
Music
Man Sentenced to Two Years for Stealing Unreleased Beyoncé Music
A Georgia man was sentenced to five years, with two years to be served in prison for stealing hard drives, laptops and other electronic devices containing unreleased Beyoncé music and confidential tour material. The items were taken during preparations for her Cowboy Carter tour in Atlanta.
The man, identified as Kelvin Evans, accepted a plea deal in Fulton County Superior Court. He was sentenced by Judge Jane Barwick to five years. Two of these will be spent in prison, while the remaining will be on probation. The judge ordered him to stay away from the victims and the theft location.

Photo: TMZ
The incident happened in July 2025, two days before Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter shows in Atlanta. According to investigators, Evans broke into a rented Jeep Wagoneer used by Beyoncé’s choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue.
Read Also: Beyoncé Crosses the Billion-Dollar Mark Following the Commercial Success of the Cowboy Carter Tour
Police reports revealed that the hard drives contained data connected to the Cowboy Carter tour. Laptops and Apple AirPods Max headphones were also taken.
Some of the stolen items were located using Apple’s “Find My” tracking system. Investigators linked Evans to the crime through surveillance systems. A Hyundai Elantra was used and the stolen items were kept at an apartment associated with his sister. Evans was arrested weeks later in September.

Photo: Instagram
Despite Evans’ arrest, the authorities have not found the stolen items. Prosecutors also confirmed that none of the stolen materials have been recovered. There is no indication that any of the unreleased Beyoncé songs have leaked online.
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