Actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington has shared an account of health struggles in 2024, revealing a harrowing experience that tested her physical and emotional resilience.
In a post on Instagram, Etomi disclosed that she suffered from hyperemesis for several months, leading to hospitalisation and an emergency cesarean section.
She said her challenges were further complicated by her lover’s cancer diagnosis, which required surgery during her pregnancy.
Despite the daunting obstacles, Etomi expressed profound gratitude for her life and the unwavering support of her loved ones.
She wrote: “2024 really tried to take the wind out of my sails, so I’m grateful to be here celebrating my life and God’s faithfulness. From being ill for months with hyperemesis.
“To being admitted to the hospital and also finding out that the love of my life needed another surgery to remove a cancerous tumor while being sick and pregnant. I ended up with an emergency C-section because the devil tried it with my life AGAIN, leading to a harrowing healing process. It was a lot.
“My village people are incredible. God has used this season to stretch me and show me that I’m capable of much more than I ever realized. NOW, I’m coming for everything that is mine. Nothing and nobody can stop me.”
Barry Showkey, son of Fuji music pioneer Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, has opened up about the deep sense of loss he felt when his father passed away 14 years ago.
Speaking as a guest on The Teju Babyface Podcast, Barry Showkey described his father’s death as a devastating shock, despite his prolonged illness and multiple hospital visits across India, London, and Germany.
“He was sick for a while and spent almost two to three years on a sickbed before he passed away at the age of 62 on September 16, 2010. At the time, I felt like the world had ended,” he said. “But he always told me while he was alive not to depend on him or live in his shadow. He advised me to focus on what I do, and those words have stayed with me ever since. That’s why I always put my focus on God.”
Barry Showkey also reflected on the harsh realities of life after losing a loved one, especially in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
“Believe me, in Nigeria, if something happens to you, you won’t see anybody. Many people have died unnoticed. Look at social media today—so many celebrities are begging for funds. Does that even make sense? But one thing I know is that Barrister enjoyed his life to the fullest.”
For years, Nigerian artists have dominated international music charts, but the 2025 Grammy Awards marked a shift in the narrative—producers are now sharing the global spotlight. At the heart of this evolution is Malcolm Kolade Olagundoye, popularly known as Chopstix, whose work on Chris Brown’s 11:11 (Deluxe) secured him a Grammy for Best Global R&B Album.
This win isn’t just about personal triumph; it’s a turning point for Nigerian producers, proving they are no longer behind-the-scenes contributors but architects of modern global music.
Chopstix’s musical journey began in Jos, Plateau State, where he honed his skills through the church before studying Fine and Applied Arts at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His breakthrough came in 2012 with Ice Prince’s ‘Aboki,’ a song that cemented his reputation as a hitmaker. Over the years, he expanded his influence, producing for stars like Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi, Rick Ross, and Sean Paul.
While he had previously been nominated for his work on Burna Boy’s ‘African Giant’ and ‘Love, Damini,’ it was his meticulous production on Chris Brown’s ‘Nightmares’ featuring Byron Messia that finally earned him a Grammy. The track’s seamless blend of Afrobeats percussion, soulful R&B, and global instrumentation is a testament to how African producers are shaping the world’s biggest records.
After an outstanding 2024, hit record producer AY ZED (born Azuka Adaeze) has kicked off 2025 on a high note, bagging two Headies Awards nominations.
2024 saw AY ZED dominate the charts, particularly in the first quarter, with his production on Kizz Daniel’s ‘Twe Twe’ and its remix featuring Davido. He followed up with another hit, ‘Showa,’ from Kizz Daniel’s TZA Project. His efforts have now been recognized with Headies nominations for ‘Single of the Year’ and ‘Collaboration of the Year’ for ‘Twe Twe Remix’.
Adding to his accolades, ‘Showa’ has also been nominated for ‘Video of the Year,’ a testament to the stunning visual execution by TG Omori and Kizz Daniel.
Over the years, AY ZED has sharpened his production skills, collaborating with some of Afrobeat and Africa’s biggest stars, including Timaya, Flavour, Davido, Patoranking, Black Sherif, Ajebo Hustlers, and many more. His synergy with Kizz Daniel, in particular, has proven to be a winning formula.
Afro-Gospel powerhouse Sunmisola Agbebi has released her highly anticipated 9-track EP, ‘The Glory.’
The soul-stirring project captures the essence of worship, faith, and the undeniable presence of God. ‘The Glory’ is a sound rooted in spirituality yet bold enough to transcend borders.
This EP release comes at a defining moment in Sunmisola’s career as she recently became the first female Afro-gospel artist to surpass 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Further solidifying her rise, she has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Artist for February, joining a prestigious lineup of female artists championing change and representation across the music industry.
Building on the momentum of her past releases, ‘The Glory’ is an offering of devotion and gratitude. With each track, Sunmisola channels a divine message,inviting listeners into a space of reverence and celebration. This body of work is not just an artistic statement—it’s a testament to a journey marked with grace, growth, and boundless faith.
Born on May 2, 1998, in Lagos State, Nigeria, the renowned Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, and worship began her musical journey at the tender age of four, marking her first public performance.
Iyanu, the adaptation of Roye Okupe’s graphic novel series ‘Iyanu: Child of Wonder’ is set for an exclusive premiere in Africa on June 13, 2025.
The premiere is a partnership between Showmax and Lion Forge Entertainment.
The African streamer also released the official trailer, giving audiences a glimpse into the captivating story based on Nigerian culture and mythology.
The entire first season will be available to binge across 44 African countries.
With Okupe serving as creator, executive producer and showrunner, the series is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment and will be streamed by Showmax.
Drawing on Nigerian culture, music, and mythology, the animated series follows Iyanu, a brave young orphan living in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland. While studying history and ancient arts, she yearns for a normal life—until a looming threat awakens divine powers not seen since the legendary Age of Wonders. Accompanied by newfound friends Biyi, Toye, and a magical leopard named Ekun, Iyanu sets out to uncover the source of this evil, unlocking her destiny along the way.
Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels West Africa, said “Iyanu brings Nigerian culture and mythology to life in an exciting and authentic way. We are proud to be the home of its African premiere and can’t wait for audiences across the continent to experience this epic adventure on Showmax.”
Lion Forge Entertainment CEO and Founder David Steward II shared, “We’ve witnessed the dedication and heart that Roye Okupe and our entire team have poured into this series, and we’re all excited to see it premiere on Cartoon Network, Max, and Showmax soon.”
Iyanu represents a major leap forward in our commitment to telling culturally rich stories that resonate with audiences around the globe, and we’re confident audiences will share in our excitement.
The talented all-African Iyanu voice cast includes Serah Johnson, Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Stella Damasus, Shaffy Bello, and Ike Ononye.
Popular on-air personality and host of The Honest Bunch Podcast, Nedu, has responded to recent controversies circulating online, while clarifying his stance on various allegations against him.
Nedu, who has been in the news following an interview with comedian Dee One on his podcast, firmly denied all allegations leveled against him during a media parley.
He described the claims as entirely false and baseless.
Addressing speculation about his association with social media commentator Verydarkblackman, Nedu stated that they are merely acquaintances and not close friends.
He also spoke on the fraud allegations, explaining that last-minute sponsorship withdrawals led to necessary financial adjustments.
“You cannot use my relationship with you to force me to shut down whatever any guest is saying on the show—that is also not professional. Everyone has a right to air their opinion when they come on the show, which is why there is a disclaimer at the beginning stating that all opinions are those of the guests. A lot has been said, but I do not want to engage in petty exchanges because that has never been my style,” Nedu stated.
Sarah William Konha, Chief Operating Officer of Talking Drum Management, also dismissed the fraudulent claims, emphasizing that Nedu never received donations into his personal account. She explained that the only time an alternative account was used was on the day of the event to settle payments for the event planner.
“The account used was a Moniepoint account, opened under Nedu’s scholarship foundation initiative because the initiative was separate from Nedu as an individual. Due to the fallout with sponsors abandoning us midway, we had outstanding responsibilities, including payments to the event planner. That day, we collected donations into that account, raising N4.1 million. ₦4 million was paid to the event planner, while N100,000 was given to artistes who performed, as we had to cancel performances by top artistes we initially invited. At no point did Mr. Nedu receive any money personally into his account,” she clarified.
Nigerian Afro-pop sensation Adeleke Emmanuel Omosuyi aka Amota Dking, has thrilled his fans once again with the release of his latest music video ‘Koko.’
Known for his unique fusion of Afrobeat and reggae, Amota Dking continues to captivate audiences with his energetic performances and compelling storytelling.
The newly released video, which accompanies one of his chart-topping singles, showcases vibrant visuals and a captivating storyline that aligns with his signature musical style.
Amota Dking, who gained widespread recognition with hits like Big Waist and Bam-Bam, has consistently pushed the boundaries of Afro-pop.
His ability to blend contemporary sounds with deep lyrical content has earned him a dedicated following both in Nigeria and internationally.
“With this latest release, I reaffirm my commitment to delivering fresh and exciting content to my fans. Industry insiders predict that the video will garner millions of views in the coming weeks, further solidifying my status as a rising star in the Afro-pop scene,” Amota DKing stated.
Renowned music video director Clarence Peters has revealed that growing up with famous parents caused him trauma, shaping his decision to remain behind the scenes in his career.
In a recent interview, Peters opened up about his preference for staying out of the public eye, despite his work being recognized globally.
The son of Afro-Juju legend Shina Peters and Nollywood icon Clarion Chukwurah, he admitted that he initially resisted putting his name on the music videos he directed, until a close friend and colleague insisted on it.
“I grew up with famous parents, and some of my trauma stemmed from them being in the limelight—I didn’t like that,” he said. “But then I realized I had a level of imposter syndrome. I didn’t even want to put my name on music videos, but a friend I used to edit with tricked me. He insisted on adding my name, and there was nothing I could do about it.”
Peters also shared his initial doubts about his own talent, revealing that his mother was the only one who saw his potential from the start.
“I didn’t think I had the personality for it. I wasn’t even sure about my talent. The only person who was certain—even before I started exhibiting it—was my mother. She firmly believed that ‘it’s in the genes.”
For over two decades, D’banj has remained a dominant force in the Nigerian music industry. From his early days with Mo’Hits to becoming a global ambassador for Afrobeats, the self-styled Koko Master has constantly evolved. Now, as he celebrates 21 years in the industry, D’banj is channeling his energy into a new frontier—technology and artist empowerment.
Balancing Music and Business
Transitioning from an artist to a tech entrepreneur isn’t the typical trajectory for a musician, but for D’banj, it was a natural evolution.
“I know that I’ve always loved the business side of music and I’ve always tried to key into it because even the music is a business and most people don’t focus on that but I’ve always focused on that. Music could get you into the room but what you do in that room is totally up to you. So that’s why I have evolved. Working as a tech pro over the last few years hasn’t been very easy but I’m glad that that is the line that God pushed me and I’m glad that the vision is very clear. I am also glad that I’ve created a platform that everyone can access. Celebrating twenty one years in the industry, I know the problems and difficulties I went through, if it is possible for me to create something that the next generation would have less stress and still protect themselves that’s what I’m trying to do.”
He acknowledges that the journey hasn’t been easy, but he sees it as a necessary step.
“I had to go back to school, build the best tech team and also find the best partners that have helped me to get here,” he reveals.
Bridging the gap for the next Generation
Reflecting on his own career struggles, D’banj is keen on ensuring that emerging artists face fewer obstacles. One of the major challenges he identifies is access to information.
“Number one is access to information is one of the number one things. There’s no platform in Africa that focuses on you as a creator. You find all these people on social media which is a bit distracted but Cream platform is solely dedicated to growing a community that would be an ecosystem that will be able to cater for itself. So, if you are on the platform, the first information and offers that you would be hearing which is one major thing- knowledge is power. If you know the direction to go is better that someone even signing you into any record deal.
“Even globally, there are platforms that you pay and subscribe to and then you can get distribution. You don’t need to know them. That’s what we are trying to do now instead of you waiting, we can give you a level playing ground. So access to information, access to funding is what we are trying to solve. With the way social media is today, it’s not even about how great your song is, it is how great you are marketed and presented to the people so we are growing a community that we can give that to you..”
His goal, he explains, is to build an ecosystem where upcoming talents can access knowledge, funding, and proper industry guidance.
Collaborating with the next Generation
D’banj has always had an eye for talent, and his recent partnership with Nasboi and Berry Tiga is a reflection of that.
“When you look at Nasboi, he is a typical example of what Cream platform stands for. Everyone like I said have a creative side to them, every household in Nigeria has one or two creative people but imagine the fact that you can now make it by yourself. he started a musician, he’s been singing since 2008, that is even close to me singing as well but he never had the chance, he didn’t sit down there but evolved, he became a comedian, a skit maker and made name for himself as one of the best in the industry and from there he could now go back to his dream.
“All these, he did by himself and that is what cream platform stands for. So we thought it right to pick Nasboi as an ambassador because first of all he already showed that visible hope to people that yes I can do it. Imagine switching to the music industry and being nominated for the next rated award.
“Berry Tiga is a product from the platform. When he uploaded on the platform a few years ago, he was about 16 years old but look at him today, he is one of our testimonies. And like we said, our job is to mentor you and put you in the right direction.”
Musically, D’banj isn’t slowing down. Following the release of The Entertainer Sequel last year, he is already planning a deluxe version with fresh remixes featuring artists from across Africa.
“You are going to be seeing a lot of collaborations. My most recent album The Entertainment Sequel is six months old, it came out last august, so part of the collaborations we will be doing with Cream is that we would have new talents from across Africa to make remixes on the album. The plan is to make a deluxe version of that album. Have received a lot of messages from people asking for remixes of both new and old songs.
“When I checked my wrapped for the year, even though I spent a lot of money in marketing my new album, my number one stream song on the catalogue is Fall In Love which I released 17 years ago. Why don’t I give them a remix to that and also use that to elevate talents. See Seyi Sodimu and Tems with Love Me Jeje. We love it because we knew it when it just came out and the new people love it because it is Tems. So we are going to mix that together and educate the youth.”
The idea of a Mo’Hits reunion remains a hot topic among fans, and while D’banj remains tight-lipped on specifics, he hints that something is in the works.
“The plan is very clear, if you look at the trailer of my album last year which has Don Jazzy in it, that’s because the works are already in place. We know that the people want that and we are going to give it to the people but it is very important for us to do it at the right time and there’s no better time than now. I remember flying back from America with Wande Coal and we were talking about it and it’s not just about Mo’ Hits reunion but about celebrating Afrobeats, watch out for the collaboration.”
Finding balance between business and music
With so much focus on his business ventures, does D’banj worry about his music career taking a backseat? Not at all.
“I don’t think so. We will be having partnerships with other brands that can take them on road trips. It will be reminiscent of what Nigerian Breweries did for me in 2004 with Star trek that put me on the world map. People ask me what I stand for and I tell them I stand for visible hope for Nigeria’s many talents and I am proud to say I can see myself rendering help to more with support from our partners. When asked about how he manages his personal life amid the spotlight, he said “When I wear my glasses, I am Dbanj. When I remove the glasses I am Daniel. On a serious note, I believe you have to keep your personal life as private as possible. That is why it’s called a private life. I have had my fair share of being in the public eye, coming under public scrutiny and exposing myself to the public. Sometimes I tell people that in the daytime I am Daniel; at night when I go out for my shows I am Dbanj. My business side is Daniel while my entertainment side is Dbanj. I just keep staying focused. Whatever I do not want the public to know, I try to keep it away from them.”
Final thoughts
D’banj’s journey has been one of reinvention, resilience, and staying ahead of the curve. Whether through music, business, or artist empowerment, one thing remains clear—he is determined to leave a lasting legacy.
“People have always called me a pacesetter, and I take that seriously. My goal is to create something that outlives me and continues to elevate young talents long after I’m gone.”
