Category: Entertainment

  • 2026 Grammy Awards: Clipse and Pharrell set to duet

    2026 Grammy Awards: Clipse and Pharrell set to duet

    Thirteen-Time Grammy winner, Pharrell Williams and talented rap duo Clipse are set to perform at the 68th Grammy Awards.

    The highly anticipated performance is scheduled to take place on February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

    Clipse is nominated for five Grammy Awards this year, including Album of the Year for ‘Let God Sort Em Out’, Best Rap Performance ‘Chains & Whips’, Best Rap Song ‘The Birds Don’t Sing’, Best Rap Album ‘Let God Sort Em Out’ and Best Music Video ‘So Be It’.

    Read Also: Nigerians will determine Tinubu’s successor, says Deputy Speaker

    Pharrell Williams also earned four Grammy nominations for his contributions to Clipse’s nominated project, ‘Let God Sort Em Out’.

    Earlier, American singer-songwriter and actress Sabrina Carpenter was announced as the first artiste to wow the crowd at music’s biggest night

    Other stars billed to perform include current Best New Artist nominees, Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR and The Marías. These artistes will appear in a special Best New Artist performance segment during the ceremony.

    Additional performers will be announced in the coming days, according to the Recording Academy.

  • How we combated piracy with Ageshinkole 2 – Femi Adebayo

    How we combated piracy with Ageshinkole 2 – Femi Adebayo

    Nigerian actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo has explained how he and his collaborators combated piracy when they opted for community screening of his current film, ‘Ageshinkole 2’.

    In an honest interview, Adebayo explained that the piracy end was handled by Circuit TV, one of his two collaborators, and they achieved success with the film grossing over N400m in the first 12 days.

    In his words, “Piracy was fully handled by circuit TV. They have an extremely wonderful structure in which the content they have can be pirated. Then with Blue Pictures, my distributor, we brought together our experience and we had no doubts that with our logistics and framework, we would get it right.”

    Read Also: Nigerians will determine Tinubu’s successor, says Deputy Speaker

    In December 2025, Femi Adebayo announced ‘Ageshinkole 2: King of Thieves 2’ with a unique Community Cinema tour across Nigeria, a move he described as giving back to fans and innovating distribution by taking the film directly to local communities, departing from traditional cinema releases.

    He emphasized that the sequel builds on the first franchise’s epic success, promising deeper drama, suspense, and a continuation of culturally rich storytelling, with showings in local areas all through December 2025 into early January 2026.

  • I deprived myself of many things to become successful, says Funke Akindele

    I deprived myself of many things to become successful, says Funke Akindele

    Nigerian billionaire actress, Funke Akindele has opened up on how hard work and dedication are responsible for the success she enjoys in her craft.

    In a recent chat, Akindele expressed that she deprived herself of many things to achieve the success she enjoys today.

    The 48-year-old mother of two confessed to depriving herself of social gatherings, events, vacations and other activities to achieve the success she enjoys with her brand. She further said she locked herself away inside Amen Estate for three years to build her brand and several contents, which are now her source of pride.

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    “Hard work is hard work. You work hard, putting in the work when you need to, depriving yourself of things many will go after so as to achieve the success you are aiming for. When I say hard work, I mean locking myself away in Amen Estate for three years building the Jenifa brand, working on Industreet, Aiyetoro, My siblings and I, and other content. I deprived myself of vacations, parties, events, no friends, nothing, just me and my team, working tirelessly, creating and working hard to achieve the success many now see. So, when I say putting in the hard work, I don’t just say that carelessly, I mean putting in the real hard work.

    Continuing, she said, “When I am on the set of my films, I am not a diva, I am everywhere and very hands-on, no wig, just on my rough corn rows, working hard and seeing that everything is in perfect order. I go through all that till work is done, and then we can now start preparing for marketing and all the glam and dancing. So, it’s hard work that turns into success.”

    Funke Akindele broke her own record of producing the first Nigerian film to gross over one billion in the cinemas in 2024 and has gone ahead to produce the first Nigerian film to gross over two billion in the cinemas.

  • Tems: ‘Big Daddy’ was inspired by an experience

    Tems: ‘Big Daddy’ was inspired by an experience

    Temilade Openiyi aka Tems has opened up on what inspired one of her current songs, ‘Big Daddy.’

    In a recent interview, Tems admitted that the song is a feel good song that was inspired by an experience.

    In her words, “Big Daddy was inspired by an experience of a type of person. I would describe the type of person as someone who wants to look cool but doesn’t work on themselves internally, it translates to they want to have control but they don’t add any value.”

    Read Also: Nigeria back on global economic frontline says Shettima, returns to Abuja

    The Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single ‘Essence,’ which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber.

    Tems has since gone ahead to win Grammy Awards, American Music Awards and BET Music Awards. She’s currently signed to RCA records in the United States of America.

  • Destiny Boy: A talent cut short in his prime

    Destiny Boy: A talent cut short in his prime

    Just when entertainment practitioners in Nigeria were getting over the shock of the death of Nollywood star, Allwell Ademola, the sad news of the death of young singer, Afeez Ayinde Adeshina aka Destiny Boy, was announced on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

    The death of the 22-year-old rising star, who kicked off his career at the young age of 10, was announced exactly 23 days after Allwell’s passing.

    The tragic death of Destiny Boy went viral after a video of his lifeless body surfaced on social media.

    The death triggered widespread grief among fans and fueled speculation about the circumstances surrounding his passing.

    According to reports, his remains were prepared for interment, but Fuji star, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, stopped the proposed interment, insisting on a proper autopsy be conducted on the remains.

    Since his remains have been deposited for the autopsy, the police have instituted an investigation into his death with the suggestion of a possible homicide.

    As the investigation continues and the autopsy is awaited by fans and Nigerians, a viral video of the deceased artist reportedly suffering from seizure, has surfaced on social media.

    In the same vein, a recording of Destiny Boy’s mother, Saidat Adeshina, has surfaced online. In the audio recording, a female, touted to be the singer’s mother, was heaping curses on him for not spoiling her with proceeds of his fame.

    However, Destiny Boy’s elder sister denied the claims, saying the rift between her mother and brother was taken out of context for the purpose of peddling false allegations.

    “I am Destiny Boy’s sister. I am seeing something that is going viral on TikTok and Facebook, where bloggers are writing about it. He fought with my mother. And my mum was talking to him so that he would listen to her and obey her,” she explained.

    When queried, Destiny Boy’s mother said the late singer’s health issues began two years ago, and the family sought various treatments, keeping the illness private.

    The ailment, according to the mother, is known by the Yoruba term ‘Ogun Oru.’ She further reiterated that it was while finding a lasting solution to the ailment that they sought the help of a spiritualist known as Ifayomi Oba Edu Jogbodo Orunmila.

    She also stressed that neither the traditional spiritualist nor her son engaged in money ritual as it is being touted in several reports.

    She claimed the traditional spiritualist was only helping and treating the late singer of his ailment until his passing.

    Some close aides of the late singer admitted that he had exhibited the ailment, which is similar to epileptic seizures, at different times before his eventual death.

    In an interview, a recording artist, Omolaja Olajuwon aka Laja Africa, who claims to be a close ally of Destiny Boy, admitted that the singer was nursing an ailment, but only a few of his friends and colleagues knew about it.

    Read Also: Nigeria back on global economic frontline says Shettima, returns to Abuja

    He also claimed Destiny Boy recently bought a vehicle for his father on January 10, 2026, a week before his passing.

    Laja Africa ruled out drug abuse as the cause of Destiny Boy’s death.

    He also ruled out money ritual as being touted in some quarters saying he was a young and promising talent that was cut abruptly by death.

    Destiny Boy was widely celebrated for his unique fusion of traditional Fuji music with contemporary sounds.

    His first shot at fame was performing at various carnivals, events and shows as a Fuji music act at just 10 years old.

    He became a national star after he did a Fuji cover of Davido’s monster hit, ‘If’, after which he met the singer and kept on recording different covers of songs and later recorded his album.

    Cut short in his prime by death, the passing of the 22-year-old singer has ignited different conversations about the musician’s lifestyle and plans for family.

    The late Destiny Boy was buried in his family house in Odo Rori compound, Aiyetoro, Ogun State on Friday, January 23, 2026.

    He is survived by his parents, sister, wife and a two-year-old son, Junior.

  • Tiwa Savage hails content creator Kie Kie as “GOAT”

    Tiwa Savage hails content creator Kie Kie as “GOAT”

    Award-winning Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage has lauded popular content creator Kie Kie, describing her as the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) for her creative and impactful work.

    In an Instagram post, Savage praised Kie Kie’s originality and effortless delivery, stating that her content consistently lifts her mood.

    Savage emphasised that Kie Kie’s influence extends beyond gender, attributing her excellence to the quality of her craft.

    READ ALSO; Angela Okorie urges fans to prioritise self-love, peace

    The singer revealed that she frequently visits Kie Kie’s page for entertainment and joy, referring to her as a source of consistent happiness.

    She wrote: “Ok so let me just say this @kie_kie_ is truly the GOAT. Whether male or female, she is the GOAT.

    “Her content is unmatched. Effortless delivery. Take your flowers Queen. Anytime I need to smile I go to her page. She is so great we call her twice Kie Kie … Omo ologo”.

  • Simi opens up on struggles behind new song ‘Where You Dey’

    Simi opens up on struggles behind new song ‘Where You Dey’

    Afrobeats singer Simi has shared the challenges she faced while working on latest track, ‘Where You Dey’, featuring Chike.

    The singer revealed she had wanted to release the song last year but struggled to complete it due to health issues.

    Detailing the experience on X, Simi said she was determined to make the song happen and Chike’s contribution exceeded her expectations.

    According to her, she also faced difficulties with mixing and mastering the track, eventually mastering it herself despite not enjoying the process.

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    She wrote: “I really, really, really wanted to drop this song last year. When I first put out the snippet, I was so excited – but it was hard to finish it on time because everything was a blur. I was sick and weak and nauseous and tired and my body just wouldn’t do what I wanted it to. Even in the snippet video, I wasn’t feeling great. I was just trying my best.

    “I adore Chike’s voice and I knew it was him that had to be on the song with me. When I asked him to give me a verse, he was so ready to go, but he was out of town. As soon as he came back, he came over to my studio the next day. I got a lotta respect for him. He didn’t know I was pregnant and suffering. Watching this video back now, I can’t even understand where the energy came from. When the song was done, I struggled to mix it. Even so, I decided to master it myself. I hate mastering, so I don’t know what I thinking.

    “I was so disappointed that I couldn’t meet the deadline. Everyone had fallen in love with the song and was asking me to put it out. I didn’t have the energy to make content. I don’t even remember them recording this video. Given how much I love this song, I’m a little bummed I couldn’t give it energy it deserves. But please, know that a lot of love and resilience went into this song. I hope that you can let less be more for this one. I hope you can give it the energy that I couldn’t. That I can’t”.

    She also addressed critics who stated that she gave up career for marriage, saying the song is a proof of dedication to her craft.

  • NBMA announces 7th edition with calls for nomination

    NBMA announces 7th edition with calls for nomination

    The organizers of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) have announced the commencement of nominations for the 7th edition of the awards, scheduled to be held in May 2026.

    The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards is an annual platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating excellence, professionalism, innovation, and societal impact in Nigeria’s broadcasting and media industry.

    The awards honour outstanding individuals, programs, stations, and organizations across radio, television, and digital media platforms.

    Speaking on the call for nominations, (Dr) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, the Chairman of the Joint IBAN/NBMA Organising Committee said the awards is a credible benchmark for excellence in the industry.

    READ ALSO: Critical success factors for Nigeria’s economy this year

    “The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards was established to celebrate professionalism, creativity, and integrity in broadcasting. As the industry continues to evolve, NBMA remains committed to recognizing those who consistently raise the bar and positively influence society through their work,” Ramalan said.

    According to the organisers, the 2026 edition will feature over 85 award categories spanning on-air presentation, programming, technical production, digital innovation, community impact, and special recognition awards.

    In a major development, the 7th NBMA introduces new categories designed to support youth development and reflect the realities of modern media practice.

    These include Best Communication Student of the Year, created to recognize outstanding students of Mass Communication, Media Studies, Broadcasting, and related disciplines; an Undergraduate Broadcaster Category for students actively involved in campus radio, television, and media production; as well as Online Content Creators Categories to honor podcasters, streamers, and digital storytellers shaping Nigeria’s online media space.

    Dr Ramalan noted that the new categories were intentionally introduced to bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and emerging digital platforms.

    “We believe the future of broadcasting lies in nurturing young talents and embracing digital innovation. By introducing student and online content creator categories, NBMA is deliberately investing in the next generation of media professionals and acknowledging the growing influence of digital storytelling,” Ramalan added.

    Nominations are open from Sunday, January 30, 2026 until Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and can be submitted via the NBMA website.

  • Bnxn apologises for issues at December show

    Bnxn apologises for issues at December show

    Daniel Etiese Benson aka Bnxn has apologised to fans for the issues that prevented some fans and ticket holders at his ‘The Captain Experience,’ in Lagos on December 19, 2025.

    The show was part of Iconiq Fest at the Landmark Event Centre, featuring live music, guest artists, and high energy, though it faced some organization issues with entry.

    READ ALSO: Critical success factors for Nigeria’s economy this year

    In his response to the issues that prevented fans with tickets from accessing the venue of the show, Bnxn said, “The show organizers prioritized profit over the safety of the fans and it should never have been so. I am so sorry to everyone who had valid entries and still couldn’t make it into the show.”

    He further went on to note that he would never put his fans or music lovers in such a situation.

    “I’d never want to put anyone that loves me or my music in that kind of reckless position and I  sincerely apologize,” he said.

  • Austine Onuoha serenades theatre with The Bride musical play

    Austine Onuoha serenades theatre with The Bride musical play

    Lagos is set to glow with romance this Valentine period as the seasoned theatre director, Austine Onuoha, brings his latest play, ‘The Bride,’ to life.

    The romantic musical promises an unforgettable theatrical experience that blends love, mystery, music, and emotional depth.

    ‘The Bride’ tells the hauntingly beautiful story of a groom who mysteriously disappears on his wedding day, leaving a bride — and the audience — suspended between heartbreak, hope, and unanswered questions. Set against a rich musical backdrop, the play explores love’s resilience, the courage to persevere, and the emotional complexities that surface when fairytales are interrupted.

    READ ALSO: Critical success factors for Nigeria’s economy this year

    Perfectly timed for the Valentine period, ‘The Bride’ is designed as an immersive outdoor theatrical experience, drawing audiences into the bride’s emotional journey through live music, intimate performances, and evocative staging that blurs the line between spectator and story.

    The production boasts a stellar cast featuring Sharon Adaeze, Ralph Okoro, Theodora Omo, and Justin Ben, delivering powerful performances that anchor the play’s emotional core. Music direction is led by Peter Dirodola, whose original compositions elevate the romance and tension that drive the narrative.

    The Bride will be showing all weekend in February at the Terra Kulture.