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Tems Launches South Africa Edition of Leading Vibe Initiative

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Tems has announced the South African edition of her Leading Vibe Initiative (LVI), a programme supporting emerging women in music. The event is scheduled for 21 March 2026, with applications closing at the end of February.

The initiative was first launched in Lagos in August 2025, where it worked with Nigerian producers and songwriters. A second edition followed in Nairobi. South Africa is now the next host country as the programme expands its reach across the continent.

Photo Credit – Instagram

The South African edition is open to female artists, songwriters and producers aged between 18 and 35. Participants will take part in workshops, mentorship sessions and networking opportunities focused on songwriting, music production and the business side of the industry.

Sessions will cover production processes, songwriting development and music business fundamentals. Technology company Native Instruments will provide production hardware and software during the programme.

Tems – Instagram

Women remain underrepresented in music production and executive roles globally, including in Africa. The initiative is designed to offer practical training and industry access to help address this imbalance.

Tems has previously spoken about building her career without formal mentorship, learning the technical and business aspects of music independently. She has described the initiative as an extension of that experience, aimed at giving other women access to structured support and professional networks.

Tems – Instagram

The programme is backed by Hennessy, which has supported previous editions.

South Africa’s music industry spans genres including amapiano, hip-hop, jazz and R&B, with women increasingly visible as performers. However, production and executive spaces remain less accessible. The Leading Vibe Initiative’s local edition is expected to focus on strengthening skills and expanding industry connections for participants.

Applications are currently open ahead of the March event.

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Tyla’s “Chanel” Earns Two Nominations at the 2026 BET Awards

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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.

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Man Sentenced to Two Years for Stealing Unreleased Beyoncé Music

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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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Masego, Bryson Tiller and DJ Mustard are set to Headline The Ascots at the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban

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The 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July has announced that Masego, Bryson Tiller, and DJ Mustard as headliners of a new hospitality and music experience called The Ascots. The event is set for 4 July 2026 at the Greyville Racecourse in Durban.

This is the first time these three international acts will share one stage in South Africa under a single event concept. Bryson Tiller, known for tracks like “Don’t” and “Exchange,” has a strong local fan base. Masego has performed in South Africa 4 times, including at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Photo: Instagram

Read Also: Prince Kaybee Questions Music Awards Value After Zee Nxumalo’s Metro FM Snub

The Ascots is a premium hospitality and music experience inside the Durban July. The event is planned by Aline Media Group and founded by music executive Sibo Mhlungu. He says the intention of the event is more than just a show.

“The focus is on the full experience, from arrival to the final act. As someone born and bred in Durban, this is more than just an event to me, it’s a way to uplift and contribute to my hometown. For years, Durban has been treated as a secondary market for large-scale shows and has rarely been considered a destination for international artists or events of this scale,” he said.

 

Photo: Instagram

Entry level access includes racecourse entry, access to performances, and a champagne brunch. Higher tiers offer private lounges, dedicated service staff, and VIP areas. The most expensive package includes a private marquee setup with dedicated services.The music lineup includes South African acts such as Shekhinah, Elaine, and Tresor.

Durban July is centered on horse racing and fashion, but the addition of a music festival inside the event shows the focus is on creating entertainment that can attract top stars like Masego, Bryson Tiller, and DJ Mustard.

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