T.I BLAZE

Emerging from Nigeria’s late-2010s Afrobeats scene, Akintunde Abiodun Timileyin, who records as T.I. Blaze, specializes in infectious street pop built on relatable lyrical themes and memorable melodic hooks. Early releases 2020’s “Tomiwa” and 2021’s “Dupe” attracted little notice, yet the 2022 remix of his prior single “Sometimes,” featuring Olamide, changed his fortunes. That version earned double-platinum certification and climbed to number three on the Nigerian chart, prompting the release of both iterations on his debut EP The Fresh Prince of Lagos. November brought the full-length El Major, while other singles from the period included “My Life” and “Kilo” featuring Skiibii. Momentum carried into 2023 with the EP Dangerous Wavy Baby and its hit single “Wire.” The 2024 track “Beamer” launched the rollout for sophomore album Shakur, issued in November and featuring guest appearances from Tml Vibez and BhadBoi OML.