Album Review: 9DAYS - African Girls Do Cry (Deluxe)
British/Nigerian singer-songwriter 9DAYS returns with African Girls Do Cry (Deluxe), a fearless project that fuses intimate lyricism with sleek contemporary production, reaffirming her artistry as both bold and deeply personal. While the deluxe edition preserves the emotional core of her debut, it introduces three new tracks (“Poison Ivy,” “Can I Be Loved?” and “Under Yellow”) that broaden the album’s narrative and sonic scope. Blending introspective songwriting with polished production, these additions sit seamlessly alongside standout originals like “Vida” and the title track.
Throughout the album, 9DAYS strikes a careful balance between confessional storytelling and richly textured arrangements. Her smooth, expressive vocals glide over subtle yet engaging instrumentals, creating a sound that feels both modern and emotionally grounded. The new songs add layers of resilience and reflection, exploring themes of identity, love, and self-discovery with notable maturity. Each performance carries warmth and immediacy, drawing listeners into a space that feels personal and sincere.
More than an extension of the original, African Girls Do Cry (Deluxe) stands as a compelling statement of 9DAYS’ artistic evolution. The album unfolds with natural cohesion, pairing infectious hooks with quieter, contemplative moments to shape a fluid listening experience. Introspective, empowering, and endlessly replayable, it highlights her growing ability to merge heart, craftsmanship, and authenticity into a body of work that resonates long after the final track.
Standout Tracks: “African Girls Do Cry”, “Feels Like Home”, & “Can I Be Loved?”
Rating: 8.5/10
- Joy Nkirote
Trinidadian soca singer and songwriter Nailah Blackman appears to be riding the wave of Yung Miami’s summer hit “Spend Dat” with her latest single, “Bless Me.” A catchy, dance-driven track built around infectious soca rhythms and feel-good energy from the Piccadilly Street Riddim album. The song, produced by Anson Productions, allows Blackman’s sweet vocals to shine throughout as she delivers an unapologetic anthem for women, celebrating independence, confidence and a desire to be blessed financially on their own terms.
Anderson .Paak and Cordae continue their impressive chemistry on “A Good Day,” the first single from their upcoming joint album HEAVY IS THE CROWN. Built around a warm sample of Bill Withers’ timeless 1977 classic “Lovely Day” and inspired by Ice Cube’s “It Was A Good Day,” the track delivers charisma, wit and feel-good energy. Directed by Dave Meyers, the accompanying video finds the duo hanging out, getting into various hijinks around the neighborhood, and showcasing the close-knit friendship that makes their musical partnership so compelling.
London singer and songwriter Joy Crookes teams with Florida rapper Denzel Curry on “Painkiller,” a soulful, left-field collaboration that brings ’90s hip-hop influences together with sweeping, string-laden classic soul. Produced by Dweller and Crookes, the song reflects on a past relationship through disillusionment and tearstained regret, while Curry delivers a restrained performance that complements Crookes’ unmistakably soulful vocals. Directed by Ethan and Tom, the cinematic video captures the chemistry between two artists from different musical worlds.
Gospel icon Kirk Franklin returns with “Thank You For Everything,” a reflective duet featuring Clark Sisters member Karen Clark Sheard. Written and produced by Franklin with Adam Blackstone, the uplifting track pairs their powerful vocals with a soaring gospel choir. The release follows Franklin’s 2026 Black Music Icon honor and 2025 BET Ultimate Icon Award, while marking his latest music since 2023’s Father’s Day, which earned him his 20th Grammy.
Bob Marley & The Wailers’ historic 1976 Hammersmith Odeon residency is captured for the first time on Roots, Rock, Reggae: Live at the Hammersmith Odeon. Released by Tuff Gong/Island/UMe, the 18-track collection features newly mixed performances from the sold-out four-night London engagement. Recorded during Marley’s rise to international prominence, the album showcases extended versions of “Crazy Baldhead,” “Lively Up Yourself,” “War,” and “Get Up, Stand Up.” The set captures the group’s growing stature, including a powerful 30-minute encore, while longtime Marley associate Don Letts contributes a new essay reflecting on the unforgettable performances and atmosphere.
A Bel-Air spinoff centered on Hilary Banks is in development at Peacock, with Coco Jones set to reprise her role from the hit drama series. Titled Hilary , the potential spinoff comes from writer-producer Tracy Oliver, co-writer of Girls Trip and Little . If ordered to series, the project would make Bel-Air Peacock’s first scripted original to receive a spinoff. Jones portrayed Hilary, Will Smith’s cousin, throughout all four seasons of Bel-Air, a dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air . The series followed Will Smith’s transition from West Philadelphia to his family’s affluent Bel-Air home, becoming a breakout hit for the streaming service.
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Atlanta radio personality Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan is set to return to V-103 after prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges stemming from a domestic dispute involving his estranged wife, Alicia Brown. Station officials confirmed that Morgan will resume hosting The Big Tigger Morning Show alongside Francesca Amiker, weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. He is expected to return to the airwaves Monday, Sept. 14, following a months-long absence. Morgan was arrested by Sandy Springs police in June following a May dispute. Brown accused him of pushing her into a door and causing a facial injury, resulting in initial charges of aggravated battery and third-degree cruelty to children. Morgan denied the allegations, and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office later declined to prosecute the case. The legal dispute continued beyond Morgan’s case, with Brown later arrested in Hart County after authorities discovered an active warrant. She subsequently filed a federal lawsuit against Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, alleging her arrest was unlawful and raising questions about communications between Morgan and law enforcement. Amiker also filed a separate federal defamation lawsuit against Brown. V-103 has not disclosed details about the internal discussions or Human Resources decisions that preceded Morgan’s return.
Chris Brown responded Tuesday after Texas state Rep. Venton Jones, a Democrat representing Dallas, apologized for honoring the singer and dancer during a recent concert in Arlington. Brown and Usher performed in the city over the weekend, where Jones and Rep. Jasmine Crockett presented the two artists with Congressional Record recognitions. The gesture drew criticism because of Brown’s history of domestic violence. In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend, Rihanna. Jones issued a statement apologizing to constituents and survivors of domestic and sexual violence who were hurt by his decision. He explained that the recognition was part of an effort to encourage concertgoers to vote ahead of the consequential midterm election. “I extend my sincerest apology for the hurt, frustration, and pain my choices caused,” Jones said. Crockett has not publicly commented on the controversy. Following Jones’ statement and an appearance on CNN with Don Lemon, Brown addressed the situation in an Instagram Story. “I ain’t ask to be honored,” he wrote, claiming the lawmakers approached him about the recognition. Brown also criticized Jones for allegedly “tap dancing” to avoid losing voters. In a previous post, Brown shared a photo of himself embracing Crockett and apologized for any backlash she might face.
Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk was acquitted Friday of all charges in a federal murder-for-hire case accusing him of orchestrating a revenge killing targeting rival rapper Quando Rondo. Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, was accused of ordering and financing a 2022 shooting at a Los Angeles gas station near the Beverly Center. Prosecutors alleged that Banks put a bounty on Rondo, born Tyquian Bowman, in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Banks’ close friend and fellow rapper Dayvon “King Von” Bennett outside an Atlanta nightclub. The alleged hit, however, resulted in the death of Rondo’s 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, who prosecutors said was mistakenly targeted. Two co-defendants, Deandre Dontrell Wilson and David Brian Lindsey, were acquitted of murder-for-hire-related charges but convicted of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking with a dangerous weapon and stalking resulting in death. Banks was found not guilty on those charges as well. Prosecutors had portrayed the 33-year-old rapper as the leader of a violent criminal organization connected to his music label, Only the Family, alleging that its associates were involved in robbery, murder and drug trafficking. Banks, who won the 2024 Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “All My Life,” was arrested at a Florida airport in October 2024 after five other suspects were charged. He has maintained his innocence, while his defense argued that a former personal assistant independently arranged the attack in an effort to impress him. Despite Friday’s acquittal, Banks will remain in federal custody and faces another trial scheduled for October 5 on separate murder-related racketeering and weapons charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. Wilson and Lindsey are also expected to face trial on those counts. The former assistant and two other associates who were initially indicted alongside Banks reached plea agreements and testified for the prosecution during the case. Following the verdict, supporters of the Chicago-born rapper gathered outside the downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse, celebrating his acquittal.