The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Efe Ejeba: Finance, greatest challenge facing independent artistes

    Efe Ejeba: Finance, greatest challenge facing independent artistes

    Eight years after emerging as the winner of the popular reality TV show, BBNaija, Efe Ejeba has opened up on the challenges faced by independent artistes like him.

    In a recent chat, Efe said, “I’ve always been fully into music from like 2010 when I first stepped into a studio and I’ve never stopped or taken a break. As an independent artiste the greatest challenge is finance because music is capital intensive and more and more budget is needed for promotion and marketing in this day and age.”

    On how he has fared on the music scene despite doubts from several fans and individuals, Efe said he has remained consistent and focused.

    In his words, “Well, I just stayed consistent doing what I know how to do best, which is make music and ignore all the naysayers.”

    Read Also; FULL LIST: 22 sacked, suspended Ministers in Nigeria from 1999 – 2024

    He went on to say there has been an amazing reception from true fans since he released ‘Money Talks’ in 2023 and ‘Une Bounce’ in 2024.

    “The reception has been amazing since I dropped the first single ‘Money Talk’ in October 2023. I got calls and videos of people vibing and dancing to the song from all over the world. It inspired me to drop an EP of 5 tracks to further explore the sound which I titled ‘Une Bounce.’

    On the inspiration behind ‘Une Bounce,’ which he refers to as a fusion of Afrobeats and Urhobo, he said, “I developed more interest in my culture as I grew older and it led me to be inspired by the rich sound and melodies of my people, that is the Urhobo people. Growing up, my dad played some Urhobo traditional music on cassettes and CDs at home. Now that I’m grown and attending weddings, burials, and other ceremonies in my hometown, hearing those local sounds is nostalgic. It dawned on me to question why this unique and rich sound isn’t on the global stage. So I decided to fuse it with contemporary sounds and share it with the world.”

    He went on to say he is excited about Urhobo singers jumping on his trend because a lot still needs to be done to take Urhobo music to the next level.

    Efe concluded saying his scheduled album for 2024 has been moved to 2025 due to circumstances beyond his control.

  • Sanwo-Olu, Mbah, others commiserate with AFRIMA boss on wife’s death

    Sanwo-Olu, Mbah, others commiserate with AFRIMA boss on wife’s death

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah have joined the list of eminent personalities across Africa’s political and business circles who have expressed sympathy with Mike Dada, the President of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) over the death of his loving wife, Modupe Temitope Dada.

    Modupe Dada died on Saturday, October 19, 2024, and her death has continued to draw an outpouring of sympathy from across Africa.

    Lagos State Governor Sanwo-Olu was one of the first to offer his condolences, personally calling Dada to offer words of comfort.

    The governor expressed deep sadness over the loss, saying Modupe was undoubtedly the pillar of support in the background of Dada’s towering achievements in Africa’s creative communication and media industries.

    Sanwo-Olu described the deceased, a banker of repute, as a woman whose strength was deeply felt, even from behind the scenes and the governor urged Dada “to take solace in the beautiful memories of her life as her legacy of kindness and support would continue to live on. I stand in solidarity with you, sharing your grief and offering our heartfelt condolences. May God grant you and the entire family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.”

    Read Also; FULL LIST: 22 sacked, suspended Ministers in Nigeria from 1999 – 2024

    In the same vein, Enugu State Governor, Mbah, also expressed sympathy with the family in a heartfelt message, saying  Modupe led a life of virtue.

    Mbah described Ijebu Ode-born banker as a woman of great character who provided stability and encouragement to her husband, while also building a warm and loving home.

    “The late Modupe was a virtuous woman and a pillar of support who played a crucial role in her husband’s career and personal life. Her death has left a significant void not only in your family but also among those who had the privilege of knowing her.

    “The people of Enugu share in the grief of your family and prayed for strength and comfort during this difficult time,” the Governor told Dada.

    Former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, who had known Mrs Dada since his days as the state’s Accountant-General was among the early callers.

    Ambode commended Modupe’s quiet but profound impact on those around her, noting that she was a steadfast partner to her husband, especially in his efforts to promote African music and culture through AFRIMA.

    He prayed for peace and strength for the family to navigate through their loss.

    “She was an extraordinary partner and an exceptional woman, whose kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her family will remain unforgettable. The support and partnership she provided throughout her journey were truly invaluable. Her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift us all,” he told Dada.

    The remains of Modupe were committed to mother earth on Thursday, October 24, 2024, after a farewell service at the Grace Assembly, Yard 158, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.

  • Ajebo speaks on creating ‘Jeni and Keni’ for children

    Ajebo speaks on creating ‘Jeni and Keni’ for children

    One year after he launched the educational and entertainment animation music series, ‘Jeni and Keni,’ famous comedian and founder, House of Ajebo Animation Studios, Erem Emeka Nehemiah aka Ajebo, has said that the programme has lived up to its goal of ensuring that kids are not just entertained but also exposed to meaningful lessons that inspire curiosity and kindness.

    True to his words, Ajebo was invited as a panelist for the 2024 EMEA Youth Summit held by Google in London to shed light on his drive to create African kiddies content that resonates with the global audience.

    Read Also: FG cautions content creators against negative narratives

    Speaking on the impact that the ‘Jeni and Keni’ animated series has had, Erem noted that in a world where children’s entertainment is often saturated with flashy visuals but lacking substance, providing meaningful, educational experiences that kids can relate to and learn from can be quite a challenge.

    He further emphasised the importance of storytelling with a purpose saying, “Creating quality content for children is something I’m deeply passionate about. Children are incredibly receptive, and what we present to them can shape their understanding of the world. ‘Jeni and Keni’ are crafted to embody values, while also making learning fun.”

    On November 1, 2023, ‘Jeni and Keni’ had its grand premiere at the Ebony Live Cinema in Victoria Island with the goal of bridging the educational gap among children while imparting essential values such as empathy, kindness, and more.

    The House of Ajebo YouTube Channel was launched in 2013. It presently has over two million subscribers. It also produces the famous cartoon series, ‘Tegwolo’, and is set to kick off ‘Jeni and Keni’ 2.0 which will factor in Special needs kids, racial inclusion, and major landmark places across Africa.

  • Mo Abudu announces Blood Sisters season 2

    Mo Abudu announces Blood Sisters season 2

    Media mogul Mo Abudu has confirmed the hit Netflix drama series, ‘Blood Sisters‘, is returning for a second season.

    Abudu shared the exciting news on Instagram, revealing that the team had a successful table read the previous week.

    She said the development with writers, Craig Freimond, Zeli, and Adzeugah  took 18 months to perfect. 

    According to her, the second season will see the return of nearly all favorite characters, with Daniel Oriahi and Kayode Kasum taking the helm as directors.

    Inem King, Ted Abudu, Judith Audu, and James Amuta reprise their roles as producers.

    She wrote on Instagram: “BLOOD SISTERS SEASON 2 IN THE WORKS. I’m thrilled to share that BLOOD SISTERS 2 is officially in motion, and we had the most amazing table read this past week! After 18 months of development with our talented writers #CraigFreimond, @Zeli_oz and @Adzeugah, the excitement is palpable! Nearly all your favourite characters are back.

    Read Also: Sharon Ooja pens note to Mo Abudu on 60th birthday

    “While it’s still a little while before BLOOD SISTERS 2 hits your screens, we are in pre-production and gearing up for filming in just a few weeks! Expect twists, turns, and edge-of-your-seat drama!

    “Netflix, thank you for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to create even more magic!”

    The first season was directed by Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang.

  • Ronke Oshodi Oke expresses joy as Netflix surprises her with gifts

    Ronke Oshodi Oke expresses joy as Netflix surprises her with gifts

    Actress Ronke Oshodi Oke has appreciated popular streaming platform, Netflix after receiving a thoughtful surprise from the team. 

    Netflix sent her a box of chocolates, a fashionable cup, and a heartfelt letter expressing pride in having her on the set of their movie, Anikulapo.

    Ronke shared her emotional response on Instagram, thanking Netflix for the recognition and expressing gratitude to the movie director, Kunle Afolayan. 

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    She promised her family and supporters to always give her best, describing them as her daily inspiration.

    She wrote: “A few weeks ago, I received a beautiful surprise from @netflixfilm, and it truly touched my heart.

    “Thank you, @netflixfilm, for this incredible recognition.

    “I’m beyond grateful to God, and my dear brother @kunleafo is even more motivated to keep pushing forward.

    “To  my family and supporters, I promise to always give my best you all inspire me every day”.

  • UK music scene segregated, says Skepta

    UK music scene segregated, says Skepta

    British Grime pioneer, Joseph Adenuga, popularly known as Skepta has expressed disappointment with the UK music industry, calling it “sad” and “segregated”.

    In an X post, Skepta described the scene as label-controlled and compared it to “crabs in a barrel.”

    Adenuga, who was born to Nigerian parents, highlighted concerns about industry politics, lack of diversity, and infighting among artists.

    Read Also: Wizkid brags after encountering Davido at London Club

    “The UK music scene is sad. Smallest, most segregated, label run, crabs in a barrel scene of all scenes smh,” he wrote via his X handle.

  • Wizkid’s ‘Piece of My Heart’ hits 1m daily stream on Spotify 

    Wizkid’s ‘Piece of My Heart’ hits 1m daily stream on Spotify 

    Grammy-winning singer Wizkid has broken a record on Spotify as his latest single, “Piece of My Heart,” featuring Brent Faiyaz, achieved the biggest streaming day on the platform.

    His new release became the first to reach 1 million streams in one day.

    This milestone propelled Nigeria to become the 22nd country with over 1 million streams in a day. 

    Read Also: Wizkid blasts Davido’s entourage on social media

    Globally, the song debuted at number 90 on the Spotify Chart with 1.7 million streams and garnered 2.27 million streams on its first day of release.

    “Piece of My Heart” secured the biggest streaming debut for an African artist on Spotify, surpassing Wizkid’s own record with “MMS” featuring Asake, which had 870,577 streams on its first day.

  • Wizkid blasts Davido’s entourage on social media

    Wizkid blasts Davido’s entourage on social media

    Music star Wizkid has rekindled his feud with Davido’s camp through a series of tweets aimed at them.

    After a recent encounter at a London nightclub, where the two artists ignored each other, Wizkid directed his insults at Davido’s entourage.

    He called them foolish and broke, claiming they wouldn’t dare confront him. 

    Read Also: Davido, Wizkid snub each other at London nightclub

    Wizkid also mocked their excitement when they saw him, accusing them of being overly eager to capture his presence.

    According to Wizkid, Davido’s crew has never encountered a real superstar before.

    “Broke p#ssyboys! Una papa for try anything na! Foolish broke boys. We go use una wipe ground! P*ssyboys fan boys 4L!

  • Burna Boy explains why he won’t give millions in online giveaways

    Burna Boy explains why he won’t give millions in online giveaways

    Grammy-winning singer, Burna Boy, has explained why he won’t be giving away millions to fans online.

    In an Instagram post, he admitted he could easily part with millions and doesn’t need many of his possessions, but his dislike for social media users holds him back.

    “I don’t even need most of the shit I got. I could really give out millions of dollars right now. But I don’t like y’all”.

    Read Also: Nigeria records 500 building collapses in 14 years, says NIA

    Burna boy is known for discreet charitable efforts, including paying hospital bills, donating to students, and renovating an orphanage.

    Burna Boy clarified his approach in an Instagram Live, stating he doesn’t chase clout with online giveaways, believing those in dire need aren’t on social media. 

    According to him, he prefers offline donations to places and people requiring assistance.

  • I lost movie role for refusing director’s kiss – Omoni Oboli 

    I lost movie role for refusing director’s kiss – Omoni Oboli 

    Actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli has disclosed how she lost a movie role due to her refusal to kiss a film director.

    In an interview on AY Makun’s Glasshouse show, Omoni revered the incident, which occurred when she returned to Nigeria after taking a break to raise her children.

    She revealed that a director proposed she give him a lip-to-lip kiss in exchange for the role. 

    Read Also: Omoni Oboli plans return to cinema after 5-year vacation

    Despite being comfortable with scripted kissing scenes, Omoni said she turned down the offer, making it clear she wouldn’t kiss him unless it was part of the script.

    She said her refusal cost her the role, which equally defeated the purpose for her returning to Nigeria at the time.