Category: Entertainment

Popular rapper and entertainment executive Michael Ugochukwu Stephen aka Ruggedman has said that the high cost of music promotion will reduce the possibility of having real talents who may become legends in the near future.

He said this during an exclusive chat with The Nation.

Ruggedy Baba, as he’s fondly called, noted that the cost of promoting music lately has catapulted into millions which isn’t very healthy for the industry as the raw talents, who cannot afford huge sums to promote their music may end up giving up on their dream.

“You might not have the next Ruggedman, the next 2baba or D’banj and other legends especially if they don’t have much funds. It would reduce the number of talented artistes that would come out because most people who have money just want to promote artistes they feel have something popular whether it’s deep or not, whether he has lyrics or not they just wanna promote whoever they think they can get money off quickly, so promotion being on the high side will affect number of talents,” said Ruggedman.

“Unless major people and media houses start promoting talents instead of noise. If DJs and OAPs start supporting talents without taking too much.”

On his longevity in the music industry, he said, “I have been able to adapt and find other ways to plug myself in. At some point when I didn’t drop music I was everywhere for the fact that I was touching lives and I wasn’t getting paid for it, I can’t count the thousands of Nigerians I’ve helped out and I have never met, it’s either on social media or somebody sends a text.”

“Being relevant is not just in one that you’re known for, you can be relevant in so many other ways. I’ve had a radio show for two years on Naija FM called ‘Wetin Dey with Ruggedman’ where I let people call in and tell me whatever problems they have and whatever assistance they need would be connected to them.”

Foremost female drummer, Temitope Odebiyi, aka Topsticks has said she started drumming from her mother’s womb.

She asserted this in an exclusive chat with The Nation at her ‘Drum Queens Festival’ organised to showcase the talents of emerging female drummers in Nigeria.

According to Topsticks, she kicked her way out of her mother’s womb. 

“I have been drumming since I was in my mother’s womb. You know, kicking my way out of her womb,” the energetic drummer said.

“But the years I can put to it is, I’ve been drumming for over 20 years. It’s been a long walk. Though, I might look like a teenager but I’m not young.”

Recalling her initial years as a drummer, Topsticks, who many referred to as ‘Naija’s No. 1 female drummer’, said she started hitting drums without any tutorial or training.

“It just came out of passion. I didn’t have role models to look up to and I told myself I’m going to build my craft to become a model to other female drummers or any other person that wants to venture into this kind of craft.

“So far, God has been faithful that I’m able to even succeed and excel at it. People can now see drumming as a lucrative career throughout my life. So, my vision is to see many more drummers, especially female drummers coming out of this country where females are usually kind of sideline. You know, they will tell you it is a male world or it’s a male-dominated field but despite that fact, if Topsticks can do it, then you can do it.”

Over the years, Topsticks has worked with veteran artistes including Juju maestro Ebenezer Obey, Bouqui, the late Sammy Okposo, Mercy Chinwo, and many gospel singers.

The season eight of popular TV show Big Brother Naija, BBNaija, will take a new turn.

An inside source revealed that the organisers, MultiChoice is planning to pull a surprise on audience and fans of the reality show.

The Nation, was reliably informed that the eight season will not be anything close to what fans or audience are expecting.

It was further gathered that the 2023 edition of the reality show will not be having regular housemates just as the house will be taking a totally different look from the past houses.

While housemates of season eight are said to have concluded auditioning, the theme of the show will be revealed when the show begins later in the third quarter of the year.

Unlike other seasons, there were no calls for audition as many fans had believed everything about Big Brother had been concluded after the maiden edition of BBTitans held between January and April 2023.

On Wednesday, June 27, the organisers released a teaser on social media where fans and followers were asked to guess what’s coming as well as the possible theme of the show.

BBNaija season seven had 26-year-old Phyna emerging winner. She defeated Bryann, Bella, Adekunle, Chihi, and Daniel, who made the top six housemates in the ‘Level Up’ edition. She walked away with the grand prize of N100m after amassing 41 percent of the total votes cast in the last week of the show.

Saint Peters has released his first single titled “Money spender” under the rebranded name.

The fashion designer & musician formerly known as Sky P wowed  fans with an amazing amapiano afro sound.

Money spender is available in all digital platforms and the video is expected to drop shortly.

Social media critic Reno Omokri has said he admires controversial actor, Yul Edochie very much because of his mental strength.

Omokri tweeted the actor is mentally strong and could take anything thrown at him without breaking a sweat.

He said it was very appealing to see someone else with the same or even higher capacity, in terms of going through challenges and emerging stronger.

Omokri stated that Edochie, facing resistance to his life choices, stood firm, saying that being hit from all corners by people who should focus on their imperfect lives without reacting was commendable.

He tweeted: “If there is anyone I admire for their mental strength, it is Yul Edochie. I am mentally strong and can take anything thrown at me without breaking a sweat.

“And it is very appealing to see someone else with the same or even higher capacity. Going through challenges and emerging stronger. Facing resistance to his life choices and standing firm.

“Being hit from all corners by people who should focus on their own imperfect lives, yet refusing to react. Always proactive. I may or may not accept everything he does, but I admire how he does what he does. If there is anyone I will call Odogwu, or Onwa, it is Yul.”

Nightlife enthusiast Yhemolee has claimed credit for singer Asake‘s signing by Olamide’s record label, YBNL.

He said during an interview that his recommendation earned Asake a place in the YBNL family.

The promoter shared how Olamide Baddo swiftly connected with ‘Omo Ope’ after he mailed him some unreleased songs of Asake.

A few days after, Yhemolee revealed how Baddo contacted him expressing interest in Asake as well as love for his craft and he in turn, vouching for the “Mr Money” crooner as being his brother.

He said they went on to visit Olamide’s residence, which according to Yhemolee was a stone throw where Asake signed all the necessary documents and officially became a YBNL signee.

According to him: “One day we were chatting and I realised that Baddo (Olamide) was online and replying to messages quickly. So I told him that I had something I wanted him to do for me,” he said.

“I told him that I have an artiste and that his name is Asake. Baddo said Young Jonn has told him about Asake and that he is good. While we were talking, I went to the file where Asake usually sends me his unreleased songs.

“I sent the songs to Baddo’s mail. I told him I sent two songs by Asake to his mail and that he should please listen to them whenever he’s free. I told him anything he can help me do for Asake, he should please do.

“Baddo said he likes one of the songs I sent and that he listened to it all morning. I thought he was joking. He later sent me his verse on the song and when I heard Baddo’s verse, I knew this is the song.

“The ‘Omo Ope’ song was emotional and personal to Asake and Baddo was able to connect to it. Then Baddo said we should start promoting the song, his energy was right and I liked that.

“Two days later, Baddo said he likes Asake. I told him Asake is my brother and that he should go ahead. Luckily Baddo was just staying about ten minutes away. We went to his house and signed the papers the same day.’

Singer Iyanya has explained why he won’t respond to Yvonne Nelson’s allegation of cheating with Tonto Dikeh while they were still dating for now.

Besides divulging her affair with Sarkodie in her recently published memoir, Nelson also detailed her relationship with the Kukere master in Chapter ten, accusing him of cheating on her with former colleague, Dikeh and other ladies.

Iyanya broke his silence on the allegation some days ago promising to respond appropriately at a later time.

“So Yvonne Nelson said I cheated on her with Tonto Dike? Oh wow. I’ll respond to this later. I no go write book, but….For now make I go watch my new video Director just send me now. Love & Trust Ft Joeboy,” he tweeted.

But in the wake of Sarkodie’s blunt response to Nelson with the release of a diss track which addressed claims of forcing pregnancy termination on her, Iyanya explained he had kept quiet on the matter because most people would criticise him for slut-shaming if he were to share his side of the story.

The 36-year-old singer said:  “Y’all waiting for my side of the story? If I talk now, I’ll be accused of kissing and telling, sluts shaming, etc.

“But something gat to give, so wait for it.”

Music producer, Solomon Oyeniyi aka K-Solo has counselled Davido’s wife, Chioma to get busy with work and earn money if she doesn’t want to continue being disrespected.

Weighing in on the alleged infidelity scandal rocking Davido’s marriage, K-Solo defended the singer against those slamming him for allegedly impregnating the US-based model, Anita Brown.

He also knocked critics for condemning Brown who claimed to be wealthy and wasn’t seeking financial gains from Davido.

He said they lacked the standing to bash Brown who was financially stable when they couldn’t do same to reality TV star who is now heavily pregnant for her ‘married’ lover, Kelvin Anene.

He stated: “Y’all didn’t bash Maria but y’all wanna bash Anita? Una dey ment! In this same Nigeria where y’all support people with money? Nope! Keep the energy!”

K-Solo went on to argue Chioma knew what she was signing up for when she agreed to marry Davido wondering why ‘online in-laws’ were getting worked up on her behalf.

He continued: “Women say it’s better to cry in a Lamborghini than in a Keke so Chioma has chosen where she’s gonna cry.

“She’s not upset so what’s our concern? Abeg! Let men breathe! We owe them that responsibility.

“Chioma should go and work and make money if she doesn’t want to be disrespected. It’s her fellow woman that’s driving “her” “own “Lamborghini” So?

“When Chioma is ready, she knows what to do. You cannot tell my brother or son what to do with “their money!” Especially when you didn’t contribute to “building” the “wealth”.

He further warned critics of rich men to allow them spend their resources as they deemed fit, citing the verse of the Bible that speaks of labourers being deserving of their wages

“The Bible says a labourer is worthy of their wages. So don’t be unfortunate. Leave rich men to spend their monies how they like”, he added.

Actor Uche Maduagwu has expressed disappointment with Davido for allegedly impregnating a US-model, Anita Brown.

The New Yorker claimed the super star singer impregnated her, sharing evidence of their alleged affair.

But Maduagwu, reacting to the report expressed shock at the fact that Davido could spent million to acquire a bespoke Maybach but couldn’t spare a paltry sum for condom which would have averted the scandal he’s been thrown in.

Infuriated Maduagwu recommended the Afrobeats star seek deliverance in the church, swearing he could never win a Grammy award.

He wrote: “Wait o! Some people are saying the American women took advantage of him, how? How? You’re supposed to be moaning with my Chiom, Chiom (as he fondly referes to the singer’s wife) but you go climb another mountain.

“You spent millions of naira on top Maybach, so you no fit spend ordinary N500 to buy condom. You no fit! This is wickedness and insensitivity. Walahi, you no fit win Grammys. And you need church deliverance because this is wicked. We are still talking of yo yo yo. This one pass yo yo yo. Deliverance! Deliverance naim you need. Ha! This is wrong.”

Former BBNaija Level Up housemate Doyinsola David has described her colleague, Adekunle as “a trifling human being and a very sorry excuse of a man.”

She lambasted Adekunle for attempting to pitch the other housemates against her during the show.

As the show got heated, the reality star poured out her heart during the season 7 reunion Day 6.

The dark-skinned lady said: “He said I called him ‘the devil’s younger brother’ and that thing never left his mind. ‘This girl, she’s playing this game, she thinks she’s smart.’ He was just going around.

“It’s okay not to like me, but let other people have their own judgement about me. Let them get to know me by themselves. Don’t go around telling people, Doyin is this, Doyin is that. It’s not fair. I watched so many clips. I was so heartbroken.

“But eventually, at the end of the day, I just realised that Adekunle is a trifling human being.

“He should be very much ashamed of himself. I think he owes his mum an apology because he threw her home training to the gutters.

“He is a very sorry excuse of a man. And I really think he should be very ashamed of himself”.