The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Yvonne Jegede celebrates 20 years as actor

    Yvonne Jegede celebrates 20 years as actor

    Actress Yvonne Jegede has is celebrating two decades in the film industry, marking a significant milestone in a career.

    In an Instagram post, she reflected on her journey and expressed gratitude to colleagues and fans who kept her afloat over the past two decades.

    With a stunning photo, Yvonne recalled starting out as a 20-year-old, unaware of the impact the industry would have on her life.

    Over 20 years, Jegede has established herself as a talented actress, she’s told stories, played diverse roles, and embodied various personalities.

    “I can’t believe that it’s been 20 years already! 20 years since I made my debut in the world’s 2nd largest movie industry: our own beloved Nollywood. 20 years of telling stories. 

    Read Also: Yvonne Jegede defends Regina Daniels, slams critics over domestic violence claims

    “20 years of interpreting different roles. 20 years of taking on different personalities. Starting out as an innocent 20-year-old, I would never have known how much it would change my life”, she wrote.

    She thanked producers, cast, and crew who’ve worked with her, acknowledging their acceptance of her strengths and weaknesses, and noted some have become like family.

    She wrote: “Thank you to every producer, cast, and crew member who has worked with me over the years & accepted my flaws, strengths & weaknesses.

    “Some of you are no longer my colleagues, but you’re now my family”.

    Yvonne also appreciated her fans, calling them her “fanMILY”.

    “Huge thanks to all the fans, you’re my fanMILY”, she added.

    Excited for the future, she declared, “For me, life begins at 20!” and promised more to come.

    “It’s time to celebrate 20 years of being The Yvonne Jegede because:
    For me, life begins at 20! Watch this space!”, she said.

  • Blaqbonez, Odumodublvck beef bad for the industry – Erigga

    Blaqbonez, Odumodublvck beef bad for the industry – Erigga

    Rapper Erigga has stated that the ongoing feud between colleagues Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez is detrimental to the hip-hop scene.

    In an interview on Yanga FM, Erigga claimed the beef is creating tension and forcing other rappers and fans to take sides.

    According to Erigga, fans are partly to blame, as they “like it when rappers fight.”

    He argued the feud is giving hip-hop a bad image and allowing outsiders to criticise the culture.

    He added that the focus should be on celebrating hip-hop achievements, rather than fueling conflicts.

    “Nigerian fans like it when rappers fight. The ongoing beef between Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez is bad for the culture because it enables people who don’t love our culture to bring in their crazy opinions.

    “Beef isn’t really good for the music business, especially for hip-hop. It brings traction but it doesn’t help the culture. Blaqbonez and Odumodublvck are beefing, they’re both my close colleagues so the room now is a bit tensed.

    “People are hyping their beef not because they love hip-hop but because they love to see artists fight. When last did you see them celebrating hip-hop achievements? They only come around when the culture is heated. This their fight is beyond rap beef.”

    Erigga acknowledged that rap battles are part of hip-hop, but thinks the current beef is causing more harm than good.

  • Tech gurus, influencers killing music quality – Erigga

    Tech gurus, influencers killing music quality – Erigga

    Rapper Erigga has faulted the rise of tech gurus and influencers for the decline of music quality in the industry.

    Speaking in an interview, the ace rapper said the replacement of traditional A&R experts with tech gurus has led to a focus on trendy artists and numbers, rather than talented artists and quality music.

    “Everything begin spoil when the Tech Bros enter music come replace actual A&Rs wey know talents, wey know how to nurture and groom talents.

    “Tech guys don’t care about the music, what they care about is numbers and the metric with which to get these numbers. They can’t actually scout talents. So, what they do is scout momentum. It’s not like they really care about the artist, they care about the momentum. So, when the momentum drops, they go to the next person,” he said.

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    Erigga explained that tech gurus prioritise metrics and numbers over actual talent, scouting for momentum rather than talent, and abandoning artists when their popularity drops.

    “With the entrance of tech gurus, people no longer chase talents anymore, but numbers,” the rapper expressed.

    He expressed concerns over the divided attention span in the music industry, citing social media influencers’ activities, which distract from music and shift focus from nurturing talent to chasing numbers and trends.

    “Back then, an artist’s competition used to be his fellow musicians. But right now, you fit just drop one hot track like this, next thing – GehGeh and VeryDarkMan don dey fight and the public attention will move from your song to their saga,” he lamented

  • I wouldn’t be here without Skepta – Odumodublvck

    I wouldn’t be here without Skepta – Odumodublvck

    Speaking during a recent episode of the Culli Podcast, Odumodublvck said Skepta’s influence shaped his music, fashion, and overall outlook as an artist.

    “I’m sure he doesn’t even believe it when I say that if not for Skepta, I would not be here. I’m telling you brother, if not for Skepta I would not be here,” he said.

    Recalling his early struggles, the rapper explained how Skepta inspired him to embrace simplicity and confidence even when he lacked money to afford flashy clothes or accessories.

    “When we were coming up, we didn’t have money to buy clothes. But because I was a follower of Skepta, I realised that if you can get a tracksuit pant, a white T-shirt, and nice sneakers, you can still look cool and mash up the show-even without chains. This is entertainment, you have to look the part,” he said.

    Read Also: My girlfriend a gift from God – Odumodublvck

    Odumodublvck also credited Skepta for influencing his sound and mindset toward collaboration and creativity.

    “Skepta say, ‘If you know the hack, you tell your friend. Don’t hide it. The sky is big enough for everybody.’ Na Skepta teach us say you can make music that fits the radio, the stage, and still resonate with the streets at the same time,” he added.

    He concluded by describing Skepta as a true pioneer, saying his melodies and approach to modern rap helped him understand that hip-hop doesn’t always have to sound violent.

    “Skepta is the OG, bro. It’s more than the music too.”

  • Obama honours Fela Kuti in new podcast series

    Obama honours Fela Kuti in new podcast series

    Former US President Barack Obama has paid tributes to legendary Fela Kuti, describing him as a “musical genius from Nigeria” who revolutionised music and activism.

    Obama’s tribute is part of a 12-episode podcast series, “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man,” produced by Higher Ground, his media company co-founded with Michelle Obama.

    In the podcast, Obama praised Fela’s unique blend of funk, jazz, and soul, which created the iconic Afrobeat genre.

    He highlighted Fela’s impact on music and social change, saying his music “moves hearts, changes minds, and heals the deepest wounds”.

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    “You may have heard our documentary podcast last year about Stevie Wonder called The Wonder of Stevie. Well, I want to be the first to tell you about the next podcast from Higher Ground that just came out. It’s about the legendary Fela Kuti.

    “He is a musical genius from Nigeria who made some music that I really love, combining funk, jazz, and soul into a whole new genre called Afrobeat. It’s a beautiful show about a unique figure in musical history who mixed art with activism,” Obama said.

    The podcast features over 200 interviews, including Fela’s family members, friends, scholars, and notable artists like Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, and Questlove.

    It explores Fela’s life, from his childhood to his transformation into a Pan-Africanist freedom fighter in 1969 Los Angeles.

  • My girlfriend a gift from God – Odumodublvck

    My girlfriend a gift from God – Odumodublvck

    Speaking during a recent episode of the Culli Podcast, the rapper said his girlfriend means everything to him and plays a crucial role in his life decisions.

    He said, “My girlfriend is my everything. You know when the Bible says if you find a good woman, you’ve found a good thing. She’s my everything oh. Every single thing. She’s literally my life, bro. If you tell me something now that I need to make a decision, I’ll go and meet her first. That’s how much I trust what she’s saying.”

    Odumodublvck went on to share how much he values her advice and friendship despite occasional disagreements.

    Read Also: I wouldn’t be here without Skepta – Odumodublvck

    “I might not lean into everything she’s saying -we can have disagreements which is normal, you get. There are some things I’ll say, she’ll be like, ‘Ah no oh Odi, I don’t support this one oh,’ but I’ll still go ahead with it because that’s what I feel. Most times it works for me, sometimes it might not, and I’ll come back and say, ‘Omo, that thing that you told me,’ and she’ll be like, ‘Shebi I told you,’” he said.

    Read Also: Why I wear my signature red cap – Odumodublvck

    “She’s my friend mehn, even apart from say we love each other, she’s my person.”

    The rapper further described her as a blessing from God, saying, “God blessed me with that one. He gave me that one as a gift -like, ‘Despite everything in this world, if you don’t have anything, take this one.’”

    He added that he met her before fame and wealth came into his life.

    “I was lucky I met her before I had money. She’s the last girl that I met before I had money,” he said.

  • NCC’s John Asien hails joint agreement between MCSN and BON

    NCC’s John Asien hails joint agreement between MCSN and BON

    The Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asien has commended the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) and the Broadcast Organization of Nigeria (BON) for signing an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen copyright compliance in Nigeria’s broadcast industry.

    The recently signed MOU marks a new era of cooperation, transparency, and compliance in the use of musical works and sound recordings across broadcast platforms in the country.

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    The landmark agreement establishes a framework for mutual understanding, efficient licensing, and equitable royalty payments, ensuring that creators are fairly rewarded for their works, while broadcasters operate within the ambit of the Copyright Act 2022.

    The Director General of the copyright regulator, Dr. John Asien, commended MCSN and BON for reaching the agreement, describing the historic event of signing the MOU as a strong assurance to Nigeria’s music and creative industry. He further opined that it sets the

    foundation for a more vibrant and harmonious entertainment ecosystem, in line with the Federal Government’s policy to harness the creative sector as a major hub of the nation’s economy.

  • Sanwo-Olu throws weight behind Bodex Social Media Hangout team to become grand patron

    Sanwo-Olu throws weight behind Bodex Social Media Hangout team to become grand patron

    The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has thrown his heavy weight behind the Bodex Social Media Hangout (BSMH) team to become the initiative’s grand patron.

    Sanwo-Olu made this known during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the team led by the convener, Bodex Hungbo, as part of activities leading up to the sixth edition of the Bodex Social Media Hangout (BSMH 6.0).

    Themed “Social Media and A.I Influence: Transforming Yourself, Services, and the Society,”

    The 2025  edition continues the platform’s mission to promote responsible media use, foster digital literacy, and empower social media users across Nigeria.

    During the visit, the BSMH team expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Governor for his administration’s continuous support of media innovation and youth focused initiatives in Lagos State.

    Read Also: Messi  set to extend Inter Miami  contract beyond 2026

    Hungbo noted that the Governor’s digital forward policies and open engagement with citizens have set Lagos apart as a model for digital governance and media inclusion in Africa.

    Speaking at the meeting, the Governor emphasized that Lagos remains the heartbeat of innovation and creativity, and as a Governor who celebrates homegrown talent making global impact, he will continue to support platforms that amplify voices, shape narratives, and promote responsible digital engagement.

    The highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of an official invitation to the Governor to attend BSMH 6.0 as a Keynote Speaker during the Grand Finale and the Grand Patron Award Ceremony.

    In a statement, Hungo noted that Sanwo-Olu will be presented with the award for “Most Digital Media Friendly Governor of the Year” during the grand finale in recognition of his visionary leadership and commitment to leveraging technology for public engagement and transparency in governance.

    The Governor warmly accepted the honor, commended the BSMH team for their efforts in bridging the gap between social media and societal progress, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote responsible media use and digital growth across Lagos State.

  • Efe Omorogbe stirs the hornets’ nest with Adda: Empowered by Education

    Efe Omorogbe stirs the hornets’ nest with Adda: Empowered by Education

    Creative entrepreneur and CEO, NOW Music, Efe Omorogbe has exhibited his skill in the motion picture industry with a moving advocacy movie documentary of the story of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa entitled ‘Adda: Empowered by Education.’

    Held at the Pop Central Culture Centre, Lekki, the well-attended soiree tagged; ‘Educate To Empower (E2E)’ witnessed the interesting story of the celebrated jurist who rose through the ranks to become the first female of Court of Appeal aside her personal life of integrity, motherhood and professionalism. Testimonials were given by her colleagues, husband, children and associates.

    The occasion which was in commemoration of the International Day of the Girlchild also had the launch of E2E Scholarship Trust.

    In her keynote address, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Mohammed Oyebode told the story as the odd was stacked against her but for determination of her late father who died when she was 12 years and the resilience of her mother who sent her to England when suitors started coming for her at a young age, the story would have been different. She also talked about her father’s sister who was married off at a tender age but also overcame her challenges to become a celebrated author for her keynote speech.

    “Odd stacked against her. When my father died. My father’s family was very traditional. They could not envision that a girl should go to school. But my father was determined. At the age of 12, my father died.  They sent me to England because suitors started coming,” she said.

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    Co-founder, Pop Central Culture Centre, Bola Yinka -Obebe anchored a panel discussion with panelists such as Miss Oluwatomisin Adebukola Bankole, Betty Abah, Lucy Ameh, Theo Ukpaa and Solomon Okonkwo.

    Founder/CEO, Buckwyld Media Network and initiator, E2E, Omorogbe who hinted that the documentary was made in 2020 said: “We made this film to tell the story of a high achiever, a great women. The most fascinating thing is all of this beautiful story could have been a totally different scenario. When she was married off with cousins of her age, had she not returned to school, the story would have been different.

    “We used the power of story-telling to affect people’s choices positively. We are grateful for the support of partners and friends who came through for us. Together we launched the E2E Scholarship Trust, a bold step to ensuring that every girl, no matter her circumstance, has the opportunity to learn, lead and transform her community. With your continued support, we are confident that one empowered girl will indeed spark a million dreams.”

    The documentary which was shown to approximately 50 million Nigerians on different television platforms was in partnership with Pop Central TV and Hope for the Masses Foundation.

  • Why Nigerian artists demand high performance fees – Bella Shmurda

    Why Nigerian artists demand high performance fees – Bella Shmurda

    Afrobeats singer Bella Shmurda has defended the high performance fees charged by artistes, citing significant expenditures incurred during music production and promotion.

    In a recent interview with Naija FM Lagos, Shmurda explained that musicians have substantial expenses, including payments to producers, songwriters and engineers, as well as music video and promotion costs.

    He revealed that he spent $100,000 (over N100 million) on his ‘Sanity’ album, emphasising that these costs necessitate high performance fees.

    He said: “Speaking from the perspective of an artiste, making music is expensive. I don’t repeat clothes because I’m a public figure. I spent $100,000 to pay producers, songwriters and engineers that worked on my album. That’s over N100 million. Not to mention music videos and promotion costs. That’s a lot”.

    Bella Shmurda emphasised that these fees are not about greed, but about recovering production costs and sustaining a career in the music industry.

    He argued that artistes should charge fees that reflect their level of investment, allowing them to recover costs and potentially generate profit.

    “So, I go for a show, I would charge what would equate my investments. Even if I don’t make profit, I should at least be able to recover the cost of production. So, we are not overcharging. If you look at it from our own perspective, you will agree that we are not overcharging,” he added.