ASRock dropped fresh BIOS updates for their AM5 motherboards running the new AGESA Combo AM5 1.2.7.1 firmware, and the support pages mention compatibility with processors that AMD hasn't even announced yet. The company skipped version 1.2.7.0 entirely and jumped straight to this release, which has people thinking desktop APUs based on Strix Point or Krackan Point mobile chips might be coming soon, since those architectures showed up in earlier beta code.
The timing lines up with rumors about potential X3D refresh models floating around leak forums, plus AMD tends to adapt its laptop silicon for desktop systems pretty regularly. Motherboard makers usually get firmware ready months before actual hardware drops, so this update probably...
Audioblast dropped DrumBlaster, a drum sampler plugin loaded with over 4000 sounds and 200 ready-made kits spanning house, techno, hardcore, drum and bass, breakbeat, trap, dub, and disco funk from the eighties. The company plans to release extra sample packs down the line, and users can throw their own sounds into the mix for randomization purposes.
The plugin runs 16 individual channels that each get volume, panning, pitch adjustment, and standard mixing controls. Four dedicated strips handle loops and breaks while each channel chains up to three effects from a pool of 11 options like distortion, reverb, filters, and modulation processors. The interface scales to different screen sizes and supports 16 stereo output buses for routing...
Devicemeister pushed out version 1.6 of Stepic, their sequencer plugin that works on both Mac and Windows systems. The upgrade hits VST3, Audio Unit, and Max for Live formats without charging current owners anything extra.
The patch brings independent timing controls for different sequence lanes that can run at their own speed, separate from the main tempo. Players get six new pattern playback options like backwards mode, randomized order, and ping-pong styles. The developers added per-note legato functionality for smoother transitions between pitches, plus a built-in preset manager that handles saving and organizing sound banks.
Workflow got smoother with drag-and-drop pattern duplication and complete undo-redo support throughout the...
Universal Music Group dropped its counter-proposal to European regulators after getting hit with objections about its planned purchase of Downtown Music Holdings for around three-quarters of a billion dollars. The company claims its fix tackles the main worry about getting access to competitor data through Downtown's royalty tracking system called Curve.
The European Commission started digging deep into this acquisition after smaller music industry groups triggered a review mechanism, and over 200 people signed letters against the whole thing. Independent labels are worried UMG would gain an unfair edge by seeing sensitive business info from rivals who use Downtown's distribution and accounting platforms.
Regulators have until early...
Funke Akindele dropped a plea asking people to stop recording her new movie, Behind The Scenes, when they catch it at theaters. The filmmaker stressed that even posting short clips counts as piracy and could tank the project she worked hard on with her cast, like Tobi Bakre and Iyabo Ojo.
She wants viewers snapping pics at the banners and dropping reviews online, but keeping their phones down during the actual screening. The film apparently explores what goes on behind fame and success, and Akindele claims divine inspiration hit her before making it.
She wrapped up by telling fans to spread the anti-piracy message since the whole team put serious effort into the production.
Adekunle Gold says his daughter Adejare hyping him up backstage before his London concert pushed him to go harder than ever on stage. The five-year-old introduced her dad to the crowd, and hearing her talk about him with that much pride apparently hit different for the singer.
He dropped a post saying all the sleepless prep nights felt worth it when he realized how much love was coming his way from his kid and the fans. The whole thing motivated him to plan more live shows, with Lagos being next on the list.
The artist made it clear he wasn't about to disappoint his daughter after she gassed him up like that in front of everybody.
Don Jazzy had to jump online and defend some woman named Itohan after people started calling her greedy for accepting his donation. She posted about wanting to clear debts and start a foundation for kidney patients since her brother died from kidney disease, and the music producer asked what she needed help with.
The backlash got bad enough that Don Jazzy moved the conversation to DMs and then publicly called out the critics. He pushed back against claims that he only helps women by pointing to a laptop donation he made to some tech guy earlier. The producer said Itohan did nothing wrong by sharing her goals and that helping dialysis patients is actually admirable work.
Itohan already spent part of the money supporting two patients...
Nigeria's internet went absolutely feral this year with some genuinely unhinged moments that had everyone glued to their screens. The online chaos ranged from wholesome wins to messy celebrity drama to tragic losses that hit different.
The Super Falcons grabbed their tenth championship trophy while Hilda Baci cooked up a world record with jollof rice. Rema's dance challenge had the whole country moving, and some influencer wedding turned into a full production that broke timelines. BBNaija crowned a new winner who kept it real throughout the season.
But the year also brought heavy stuff like a TikTok creator's death that sparked serious conversations about internet fame. Political beef between a senator and government officials went...
Carter Efe says Davido confirmed he wants to join him for a livestream after the Afrobeats artist gets back from wherever he is right now. The comedian posted screenshots on Instagram showing their direct messages, where the singer agreed to collaborate on a stream at some point down the line.
Efe has been grinding out content and pulling massive viewer numbers with his celebrity guest appearances. His fans keep hyping him up as one of the biggest streamers on the continent. He already scored viral success with his track "Who You Help?" and keeps the momentum going with these high-energy broadcasts.
