The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Afrobeats stars dominate MOBO Awards’ nomination

    Afrobeats stars dominate MOBO Awards’ nomination

    Some of Nigeria’s biggest Afrobeats exports including Ayra Starr, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido and Rema have been nominated for the 2026 Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, reaffirming the country’s growing influence on the global music scene.

    Others are Adekunle Gold and Shallipopi.

    The MOBO Awards, founded in 1996, recognises excellence across a wide range of genres including Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, gospel, electronic and alternative music.

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    Among the Nigerian nominees, Ayra Starr stands out with two major nominations in different categories.

    The 23-year-old singer is up for Best African Music Act and Best International Act where she will compete with global stars including Cardi B, Gunna, Kehlani, and Vybz Kartel.

    Since her debut, Ayra has continued to push boundaries with chart-topping releases and international collaborations. This successful outcome is what positioned her as one of Africa’s most influential young voices.

    The 2026 MOBO Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 26, 2026 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

    The event is expected to attract music executives, artistes and fans from across the globe.

    “2026 is extra special as the MOBO Organisation marks 30 years of shaping culture, championing talent, and creating unforgettable moments,” the organisers said in a statement.

    MOBOs have played a pivotal role in shaping Black music culture in the UK and beyond, spotlighting emerging talents while honouring established stars over the years.

  • Amanda David gets Blackdrum 360 appointment

    Amanda David gets Blackdrum 360 appointment

    As part of its plans to strengthen partnerships, expand content ecosystem and unlock new opportunities for collaboration across the globe, leading media, creative and cultural platform, Blackdrum 360, has appointed Amanda David as its Business and Partnership Manager.

    The appointment, according to a statement from the management, is effective from January 1, 2026.

    Dr. Emmanuel Odole, CEO, Blackdrum 360, said the appointment marks a strategic move by the company in its bid to accelerate growth across television, digital platforms, live events and international content partnerships.

    Odole described Amanda David as a proven industry professional whose experience aligns strongly with the company’s vision. “Amanda brings a rare combination of strategic thinking, industry insight, and relationship – building expertise that is critical to where Blackdrum 360 is headed. Her appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening partnerships, expanding our content ecosystem, and unlocking new opportunities for collaboration across Africa and the global market,” he stated.

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    Amanda joins Blackdrum 360 with a strong track record in business development, media partnerships, and brand collaborations across the creative and entertainment industries. Her experience spans working with content creators, broadcasters, agencies and corporate brands – driving value through strategic alliances and innovative deal structures.

    In her new role, Amanda will lead business growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, sponsorship development, and content collaborations across Blackdrum 360’s platforms, including its television properties and expanding digital footprint. She will also play a key role in scaling partnerships for live events, original programming, branded content, and emerging digital channels.

    Reacting to the appointment, Amanda David expressed enthusiasm about joining the company at a pivotal time. “Blackdrum 360 represents the energy, originality and cultural relevance of modern Africa. I’m excited to work with the team to build meaningful partnerships, create impactful content collaborations, and help position the brand as a global reference point for African stories and experiences,” she declared.

  • Tinubu congratulate creative artistes

    Tinubu congratulate creative artistes

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian artistes who emerged winners at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards.

    He described their performance as proof of the country’s growing influence in African and global music.

    According to a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the success of the artistes reflected “the depth of talent, creativity and hard work that define Nigeria’s music industry”. 

    He also added that their achievements had made the nation proud.

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    “I warmly congratulate our outstanding Nigerian artistes for their remarkable achievements at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards. Your success on this great continental stage is a proud moment for our nation and a strong reflection of the depth of talent, creativity and hard work that define Nigeria’s music industry.

    “You have not only won awards; you have projected our culture, amplified the voice of our youths and strengthened Nigeria’s creative identity across the continent and beyond. I commend each of you for your dedication and urge you to continue to use your talents to inspire hope, unity and pride, while contributing meaningfully to the growth of our creative economy and the development of our nation,” he said.

  • Wizkid signs new deal

    Wizkid signs new deal

    Wizkid has signed a major deal but is keeping the details close to his chest. On Sunday, January 11, 2026, the ‘Essence’ singer announced that he has signed the biggest deal of the New Year.

    In a terse tweet, he wrote, ‘Happy new Year! Signed the Biggest.’

    In 2025, there were reports that the singer successfully secured a significant partnership for 2026.

    However, there are tales that his decision to join headliners for Afro Nation Portugal 2026, joining Asake and Tyla, might be the big news.

    The AfroNation is the world’s largest Afrobeats celebration and is scheduled to run from July 3, 2026 to July 5, 2026 in The Algarve, Portugal.

  • Heartbeat: Love sparks few days after show’s kick off

    Heartbeat: Love sparks few days after show’s kick off

    Heartbeat wasted no time kicking off the search for love, and from the very first episode.

    The show host Seyitan Atigarin set the tone immediately by asking the singles to reveal who caught their eye before they even stepped into the Love Pad. Judging by their answers, sparks were already flying, at least in theory.

    Chidera had her eyes on Alvin, saying he looked like someone who could match her energy. Alvin, on the other hand, was drawn to Queen Latifa, describing her as exactly the kind of woman he would actively pursue. Attraction crisscrossed the room in every direction: Queen Latifa picked Igwe for his bad boy look, Igwe chose Hilda, and Hilda… also chose Alvin. Ken was into Hilda, too, while Toriah was intrigued by Igwe’s tattoos. Kena picked Chidera for her aesthetic, and Shekinah also chose Alvin, calling him spicy.

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    Very quickly, a pattern emerged. Alvin and Igwe were clearly the house favourites among the ladies, while Chidera was the most sought-after among the men.

    A surprise task had the housemates searching the house for a hidden Love Box in the Love Pad, containing a key with serious perks. Ken found it and earned the power to choose one person to spend the night with in a love nest. He picked Queen Latifa and not long after this, the two were seen kissing.

    For the rest of the housemates, fate took over. They were asked to draw numbers from a box, with matching numbers deciding who would pair up for the night. And the official pairings are Chidera and Kena, Igwe and Hilda, Shekinah and Alvin, Toria and Henri, and Ken and Latifah.

  • Afrobeats boom not benefiting Nigeria, says Baba Dee

    Afrobeats boom not benefiting Nigeria, says Baba Dee

    Veteran musician and cultural advocate Dare Fasasi aka Baba Dee has raised concerns over Nigeria’s ability to benefit meaningfully from the global success of Afrobeats, blaming the situation on poor structure and weak regulation within the country’s creative industry.

    Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Nation, Baba Dee, who is also the elder brother of late music icon Sound Sultan, said despite Afrobeats enjoying unprecedented international attention, the economic returns flowing back to Nigeria remain limited.

    According to him, the major issue lies in ownership and control of music publishing, which he said is largely dominated by foreign companies.

    “Afrobeats is not paying Nigeria because Nigeria is not structured,” he said. “All these big publishing of big Afrobeats music is owned by international companies. So with everything you are hearing, it is their percentage that is coming to Nigeria instead of the publishing itself.”

    He added that the absence of strong regulatory frameworks has left the industry exposed, allowing external interests to take advantage of Nigeria’s creative output.

    “The government cannot even regulate an industry like that for us,” Baba Dee said, stressing that without proper policies and enforcement, local stakeholders will continue to lose out financially despite the genre’s global expansion.

    Reflecting on the cultural roots of Afrobeats, the musician described Nigerian music as a natural force that was always destined for global recognition, driven by deep cultural expression and talent.

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    “Nigerian music is a child of destiny that was meant to explode because the talent was there,” he said. “When you talk about black culture, the source is here.”

    Baba Dee noted that African sounds continue to resonate strongly across the diaspora, citing countries like Jamaica, where Nigerian music enjoys wide acceptance.

    “In Jamaica, they play Nigerian music everywhere because it resonates with something within them that they don’t know,” he said, explaining that cultural connections often draw global audiences back to African roots.

    While optimistic about the future growth of Afrobeats, he warned that success alone is not enough if it does not translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians and the country at large.

    “Afrobeats is going to be bigger than this,” he said. “But when it does, does it profit the people? Does it profit the nation?”

  • Niniola: The queen of Afro-House

    Niniola: The queen of Afro-House

    In an industry often propelled by fleeting trends and instant hits, Nigerian singer and songwriter, Niniola, made a different choice. She committed to a sound many once considered unsellable to Nigerian audiences, let alone the global market. More than a decade later, that decision has defined her career. Writes OLAITAN GANIU.

    Almost twelve years after releasing her debut single ‘Ibadi’, Niniola Apata has positioned herself as the ‘Queen of Afro-House’.

    “I didn’t have to change to be somebody else,” she said.

    When she chose her path, even industry insiders questioned the future of the sound. “People were not sure about the longevity of the genre,” she reflects. “But thank God, I didn’t have to change to be somebody else.”

    The 39-year-old performer faced repeated rejection at music auditions and talent competitions before her breakout.

    “I got my fair share of ‘No, you’re not good enough,’” she recalls.

    According to her, the disappointment became fuel rather than a setback.

    “I wanted to be so good that nobody could question my craft,”  said Niniola, who hails from Ekiti State.

    That determination crystallised in her debut album, ‘This Is Me’ in 2017, followed by ‘Colours and Sounds’ three years after. Both projects blended deep house rhythms with soulful storytelling, carving out a distinct sonic identity at a time when Afro-pop dominated Nigeria’s airwaves.

    In 2019, she became the center of attention when American singer, Beyoncé sampled her sound in ‘Find Your Way Back,’ on ‘The Lion King: The Gift’ album .

    Niniola received songwriting and composition credits on the track and was also a contributor to the Grammy-nominated album.

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    She has since collaborated with international artists, including DJ Snake and South Africa’s DJ Fresh, reinforcing her position as one of Africa’s most globally connected dance music voices.

    “I’m glad I can be comfortable as an African and sing in my language,” she said.

    Her latest song titled, ‘Belle’ has continued to gain traction across social media platforms as the track quenches rumour of her pregnancy status.

    Over the years, Niniola, who is also the elder sister of singer Teniola, has released multiple projects including ‘6th Heaven’, ‘Lagos to Jozi’ and ‘Press Play’ which dropped in 2024.

    Beyond music, she is a free giver through her foundation, ‘Adopt a Child’s Education’. Inspired by her late father, the initiative focuses on practical, long-term impact rather than one-off donations.

    “I don’t just give to public schools. I support infrastructure and fund electricity where needed,” she explained.

  • Davido not Anu’s father, I saw DNA test result – Daddy Freeze

    Davido not Anu’s father, I saw DNA test result – Daddy Freeze

    Media personality Daddy Freeze has weighed in on the paternity saga between singer Davido and Anu.

    Anu, who turns 13 in 2026, had requested a DNA test to establish her identity, citing years of bullying and mental anguish from classmates who mocked her claims of being Davido’s daughter.

    Davido denied paternity, stating that he has undergone five DNA tests, all of which were negative.

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    He expressed frustration and disappointment, saying he chose three hospitals for the tests, while Anu’s team chose two, both of which returned the same negative result.

    Daddy Freeze claims to have seen one of the DNA results, which confirms that Davido isn’t Anu’s father.

    “DNA Saga! Davido Is Not Anu’s Father; I Saw The DNA Tests,” Freeze wrote.

  • Ope Banwo’s AiFlix360 steals spotlight at India’s NIFFA with 4 major wins

    Ope Banwo’s AiFlix360 steals spotlight at India’s NIFFA with 4 major wins

    • By Ayoka Olufemi

    Nigerian creativity took centre stage on the global film circuit as AiFlix360 Films dazzled audiences and jurors alike at the 2026 Nawada International Film Festival Awards (NIFFA) in India.

    The Nigerian film company won four major awards across top categories at the awards ceremony.

    The AI-powered film studio, founded by Dr. Ope Banwo, emerged as one of the standout names at the sixth edition of the festival held in Nawada, Bihar, placing Nigeria firmly in the conversation around the future of AI-filmmaking.

    From documentary to animation and feature film, AiFlix360 Films dominated the awards night. ‘Wakanda Is Real’ clinched the Best Documentary Film prize, while ‘Detty December’ won Best Animation Film.

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    The studio also scored in the Best Foreign Film category with ‘Guardians of Naija,’ and wrapped up the night with ‘Talent Hunt’ taking home Best Feature Film.

    Three of the winning titles were directed by Banwo himself. The wins came from a highly competitive field of more than 2,300 films submitted by filmmakers from over 80 countries, underscoring the significance of the achievement and the growing global appetite for AI-driven storytelling.

    Speaking on the milestone, Banwo described the moment as a major validation of his creative journey and the studio’s unconventional approach to cinema.

    “Winning four awards at a festival of this scale shows that AI filmmaking is not a novelty; it’s a serious new creative frontier,” he said. “At AiFlix360, we’re proving that when technology meets strong storytelling and creative discipline, the result can compete anywhere in the world.”

  • Zunday condemns detention of 52 protesting students in Edo

    Zunday condemns detention of 52 protesting students in Edo

    Edo-born Afrobeat musician, Ajakaiye Sunday aka Zunday, has condemned the continued detention of 52 students arrested in Edo State.

     Zunday, in strong words, also condemned what he considered the deeper injustice that led to the protest in the first place, which is the growing cases of kidnapping, killings, growing insecurity and poor infrastructure in the state.

    “The protest did not happen in a vacuum,” he stated, “it was born out of pain, fear and long standing frustration. Edo State has witnessed repeated cases of kidnapping, killings, growing insecurity and poor infrastructure. Roads are unsafe, communities live in fear, and families sleep with anxiety. For too long, the cries of the people have been met with silence.”

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    The artist said, “When a government fails to act decisively against insecurity, when citizens feel abandoned and unheard, people will eventually come out to express their anger and frustration. That expression is not rebellion. It is desperation.”

    He stated further that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and a last resort when dialogue appears ignored. “If the right actions had been taken earlier; if the safety of lives had been prioritised, these young people would not have felt the need to take to the streets. It is therefore deeply troubling that the response to public frustration has been mass arrests. The same power that should be used to protect citizens from kidnappers and killers is now being exercised against students and young people. This raises a serious moral question. Why is it when the people cry out that authority suddenly becomes strong against them?”

    Zunday therefore called for the intervention of the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo to listen to the voice of the people, address the root causes of the protest and ensure that innocent students are not punished for government failures.

    He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter, while appealing to Senator Adams Oshiomhole to “rise as a son of Edo State and stand with the people at this critical moment.”