The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Ruger returns with ‘Muhammad Ali’ November

    Ruger returns with ‘Muhammad Ali’ November

    Afrobeats singer Ruger is set to release a new single “Muhammad Ali” by November 2025.

    The title hints at a theme of strength and resilience, drawing inspiration from the legendary boxer.

    Read Also: NEITI hails Nigeria for getting off FATF grey list

    Fans can expect Ruger’s signature style, catchy hooks, bold lyricism, and unmistakable swagger.

    The new single promises to embody the fighter spirit that defines Ruger’s music, with a bold energy and fearless approach that has earned him a loyal following.

  • I don’t want to disappoint fans – Blaqbonez

    I don’t want to disappoint fans – Blaqbonez

    Rapper Blaqbonez has revealed that his biggest fear as an artist is disappointing his fans.

    In an interview with Amarudontv, the rapper admitted that his supporters have played the most important role in shaping his career. 

    “I don’t want to ever disappoint my fans. I don’t know so many artists can say that it’s their fans that got them to where they are. Me I’m so certain that it’s my fans that got me to where I am,” he said. 

    He explained that unlike some artists who rise through major publicity or endorsements, his success has been powered by loyal fans who constantly push his work. 

    “I’ve never felt like I’ve been this big publication guy that they put me in this place and I got all these streams from this or I just woke up and this person posted me and everybody is talking about me, it’s never really been like that, it’s always just been me and my fans, just going crazy and getting people’s attention,” he added.

    Blaqbonez also shared how the pressure from his fan base sometimes affects how he interacts online. 

    “I even hesitate to post stuff because once I post I just know they’re going to be attacking me, ‘where’s the album? What are you doing? You’re talking about this when the album’s not ready.’ So the way they feel about the album, I want to make sure that when they click play that midnight, they’re as happy as they can be,” he said.

  • How I transitioned from being househelp to acting – Ayandotun Emmanuel 

    How I transitioned from being househelp to acting – Ayandotun Emmanuel 

    Actress Ayandotun Emmanuel, popularly known as Ayoka Olegede, has opened up about her early struggles before finding fame, revealing that she once worked as a house help at the beginning of her acting journey.

    In an interview on Behind the Fame: African A-List on YouTube, Ayandotun reflected on the challenges she faced and how determination led her to pursue her passion for acting.

    “There’s nothing these eyes haven’t seen before. Anyone who wants to have a story must pass through some challenges, where I was doing househelp, I saw our father Ogunde’s advert, so I went to him. I said I wanted to do stage play. No one took me there. He lived at Alagomeji, Noble Street, number three and ten. I went there, met his wife, mummy Toyin – rest in peace – I explained everything to her and I began to live there,” she said.

    She went on to describe how her persistence opened doors in the film industry.

    “Some people joined later, but I was the head of all females then. So we started gradually. When I lived there, I did ‘Aiye’ and ‘Jayesimi.’ Above all, we should thank God for today. We have stories to tell. It’s you people that made it possible – my fans. I pray you’ll never beg.”

  • Jemima Osunde bags Masters in Public Health

    Jemima Osunde bags Masters in Public Health

    Actress Jemima Osunde has bagged a Master’s degree in Public Health, making it her third degree.

    Osunde, who is also a medical graduate, expressed pride and excitement about the achievement.

    In an Instagram post, Osunde revealed that she’s always lived her life to the fullest, balancing acting career with academics and other pursuits.

    According to her, she combined her medical studies at Idi-Araba while acting and even worked full-time at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) while pursuing her passions. 

    Osunde wrote: “Stay warm guys, I hear it’s 3 degrees outside. Of course I had to use a cheeky caption. A master of science in public health. My 3rd degree. Forever doing side quests.

    “Why do I chase academic qualifications and a career in health care even with my existing career in entertainment? My simple answer is why not? I’ve always lived the best of both worlds, I combined the college of medicine idi araba with a budding acting career. Combined working full time for a year in LUTH while still maintaining a career and now, I have completed my masters in public health while still being in your faces. Why have one when I CAN have two? I want it all.

    Read Also: Jemima Osunde advocates for women’s reproductive rights

    “What’s next? That’s for me to do and for you to stick around and find out.

    “The other answer is just cause I want to tell my kids mummy has two heads.  VERY proud of myself.

    “Shout out to my friends and family. Shout out to the team that got me ready for my grad”.

    Osunde’s achievement has sparked admiration and congratulations from fans and peers alike.

  • Why stressing my daughter benefits me – Seun Kuti

    Why stressing my daughter benefits me – Seun Kuti

    Singer Seun Kuti has shared his unique perspective on parenting and what he enjoys doing most when he’s at home.

    In an interview with NotJustOk Originals on YouTube, the singer revealed that his favorite place to be is at home because that’s where he gets to “stress” his daughter.

    “Most parents don’t know that why your kids stress you is because you don’t stress them first. Let me give you parenting tips now, these children think that because they are small, they don’t have sense, so they can stress you. ‘You’re just a baby’ quickly reverse it. Be the stress in your child’s life. That’s my most fun thing to do – to just be at home, stress her so she has no time to stress me,” he said.

    Read Also: Odumodublvck’s ‘Industry Machine’ stars Wizkid, Davido, Seun Kuti

    He also added that when he’s not at home, performing on stage gives him a similar sense of control and fulfillment.

    “Other than that, I love being on stage. The stage is also like a place I have full control where I’m also stressing a bunch of people. I take it from the house to the stage. So yeah, that’s me – stresser,” he said.

  • Why I underwent weightloss journey – Ice Prince

    Why I underwent weightloss journey – Ice Prince

    In a post on X, the rapper revealed that he decided to make a change after encouragement from his close friends, Chopstix and Dami.

    “God so good inna me life… A short story!!
    I was literally about to explode… no sickness (Bless God), just bad habits and choices. But then Chopstix and Dami said, ‘let’s lose the belly, Ice,’ and that really sparked something in my brain that got me activated.

    “From that meeting, my brother Chopstix started coming to my house every day after dinner and we both walked my estate for an hour… our talks during those walks are priceless to me, as every other thing we’ve both talked about since we were kids!!! Buss a shot fa ma true fren,” he wrote.

    Read Also: Ice Prince regrets unresolved rift with late South African rapper AKA

    The rapper also shared before-and-after photos showing his physical transformation, expressing gratitude for his improved health and promising fans new music soon.

    “It’s my birthday on October 30 and I will be dropping new music in my new body. Next year na full chest lol but pls note, if nature didn’t make it, pls don’t take it… Health is wealth!! See you in 3 days #HealthyLiving,” he wrote.

  • How poverty kills curiosity, limits creativity – Korede Bello

    How poverty kills curiosity, limits creativity – Korede Bello

    Afrobeats singer Korede Bello has spoken out about the crippling effects of poverty on creativity and innovation.

    According to Bello in an Instagram post, said poverty is one of the greatest threats to curiosity, which is the driving force behind learning and innovation.

    Bello explained that many individuals with immense potential are unable to explore their creativity because they are preoccupied with survival and hunger.

    He emphasised that if African youths had access to basic needs and stable resources, the continent would experience a significant shift in innovation and development.

    Using Elon Musk as an example, Bello questioned whether the billionaire would have been able to focus on space travel if he were worried about paying rent or finding his next meal.

    Read Also: How Fatherhood changed me – Zlatan Ibile

    “Think about this, right? Is Elon Musk going to be so concerned about space travel if his rent was due or if he didn’t know what he was going to eat tomorrow?”, he questioned.

    Bello added the most successful people in the world are often self-taught, curious, and passionate about learning.

    He encouraged individuals to think about what they would learn and explore if money weren’t an issue. 

    “If money wasn’t an issue, what would you learn? What would you think about? Because the truth is, it’s a privilege to follow your curiosity when you’re not worried about surviving.

    “When you stop surv!v!ng is when you start living. If you’re still surv!v!ng, you never get to live,” he said. 

  • How Fatherhood changed me – Zlatan Ibile

    How Fatherhood changed me – Zlatan Ibile

    Rapper Omoniyi Temidayo popularly known as Zlatan Ibile has opened up on how becoming a father reshaped his life and perspective.

    Speaking on ‘Is This A Safe Space?’ podcast, the Zanku star reflected on the birth of his son five years ago, describing it as a moment that thrust him into a more serious phase of life.

    Scared of future expenses, he noted the popular prediction that his music relevance could fade within three years.

    Read Also: Zlatan Ibile proposes boxing match to end Odumodublvck, Blaqbonez feud

    To cope, Zlatan said he adopted a stricter approach to his finances, cutting unnecessary expenses and saving for essentials like diapers.

    According to him, fatherhood also prompted personal growth, leading him to regret past behaviors and shed certain habits.

    “The birth of my son changed me. It made me realise that life was getting more serious. I wasn’t prepared. I started paying house rent in London at 25. I was scared I might not be able to keep up with the bills because some people were saying I might not be relevant in the music industry for more than three years.

    “I became more serious with managing my finances. Limited spending and started saving for diapers,” he said.

  • I hated producing Psquare’s ‘Personally’, Producer Vtek opens up 

    I hated producing Psquare’s ‘Personally’, Producer Vtek opens up 

    Music producer Victor Kpoudosu popularly known as Vtek has opened up about his experience working with the iconic duo Psquare on their 2013 hit song ‘Personally’, revealing that the process took two weeks and tested his patience.

    In a recent interview with SelahMeditate on YouTube, the producer said he was frustrated by how long the recording took, describing Psquare’s process as “slow” compared to his usual fast-paced style.

    “It took a while because beyond the work, they were also traveling so they would do some parts of the beat, then go, then come back they would record two lines and go back. 

    “Their process was slow. I hated it. It took us two weeks to do Personally and I work fast so it was a very hard discipline and patience for me at that stage and it helped me till today because I’m fast still,” he said.

    Speaking further, Vtek boasted about his unmatched speed in music production, stating confidently that few can rival his work rate.

    “I can say this without a shadow of a doubt and I dare anyone to try to compete, we sit on this table. You see music making, I’m like the speed of light, I don’t know anyone who does it faster than I do and that’s a fact,” he added.

    The producer admitted that the long process felt like torture at the time but also helped him grow and learn to respect other artists’ creative methods.

    “Can imagine how much of a torture it could have been working on a song for two weeks but I guess they knew, they also had their process and like I said, I’m not just trying to bring people to my world, I’m also trying to experience theirs and then both planets meet, you know, and generate something that is its own unique experience, vibe. And everyone is happy. They don’t feel like ‘oh we didn’t give, we could have done more’ because they feel like you denied them their process,” he said.

    Reflecting on that period, Vtek admitted that his inexperience at the time influenced how he handled the situation.

    “All these things I’m saying, I was a lot younger, so it’s not like I could have told them, ‘Guys, after one week, it’s over,’” he said.

  • Tope Alabi marks 55th birthday with special praise session

    Tope Alabi marks 55th birthday with special praise session

    Renowned gospel singer Tope Alabi is celebrating her 55th birthday with praise and thanksgiving to God.

    The music icon, known for powerful voice and spiritually uplifting songs, expressed deep gratitude for God’s faithfulness and mercy throughout her life and career.

    In a video shared on Instagram, Alabi was seen singing and dancing in thanksgiving, surrounded by friends and well-wishers.

    Over the years, Tope Alabi’s music has touched souls across generations.

    From movie soundtracks to gospel classics like “Angeli Mi” and “Agbara Nla,” her songs continue to inspire and uplift fans worldwide.

    As she marks 55, fans and colleagues alike celebrate not just her music, but her unwavering faith and enduring influence in the gospel music scene.

    In her birthday message, Alabi reflected on her life’s journey, recalling the challenges she has faced and expressing deep appreciation for God’s guidance and faithfulness. 

    “Today, October 27th, I joyfully mark my 55th birthday! As I reflect on the journey of life, my heart overflows with gratitude to the Almighty God, the Giver of life, purpose, and grace. Every step of this journey has been a testament to His faithfulness, mercy, and unfailing love.

    “I am deeply thankful for all that He has done, all that He is doing, and all that He will yet do. The past years have been filled with lessons, blessings, and countless reasons to give Him praise. Truly, God has been good to me!”

    As part of her birthday celebration, Alabi invited fans to join her for a special worship session on youtube, where they will lift their voices in praise and thanksgiving to God.

    “As I celebrate this new chapter, I warmly invite you to join me for a CELEBRATION STUDIO SESSION, where we will lift our voices in heartfelt praise and thanksgiving to God. Let’s come together to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness over my life. Your love, prayers, and support mean so much to me,” she added.