The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Daddy Freeze slams Gym over Nkechi Blessing’s leaked photo

    Daddy Freeze slams Gym over Nkechi Blessing’s leaked photo

    Media personality Daddy Freeze has come to the defence of actress Nkechi Blessing after a gym photo of her went viral and sparked online trolling.

    Freeze criticised the gym for allowing such a breach of privacy, calling it an embarrassment.

    He demanded the release of CCTV footage to expose whoever took the picture, stressing that any gym unable to safeguard its clients’ privacy is “useless.”

    He added that Nkechi Blessing should not be mocked for her natural appearance while working out.

     “Nigerian Gyms, this is an embarrassment. How can someone take a picture of your client and post it to mock them online? We need to see the CCTV so we can see the person who took this picture. If not, your gym is useless. You didn’t protect the privacy of your client. This is unfair, and they are trolling her online. This is wrong”, he said in a video.

    Read Also: Daddy Freeze calls out 2Baba over apology video

    The Nation reported that Nkechi had lashed out at a person for posting an unflattering photo of her from the gym.

    The light-skinned, curvy actress wondered how people expected her to look in the gym after a long day.

    She noted how one can’t disgrace a woman clothed with so much grace, as she hands over the person to God for judgment.

    Despite handing the person over to God’s judgment, she warned that they’ll face consequences for their actions, declaring that every health-related issue she’s addressing at the gym will be transferred to them and their generation.

    “Dear whoever took that picture, I have a question. How do you feel now? I am curious to know. Like I said, I have handed you over to God. In due time, in this same space, you will cry for help, and trust me, you won’t find any. Every single reason that took me to the gym, every single health-related issue in my body, will be transferred to you and your generation yet unborn, only if there is no God.

    “I have so many questions, but then again, let me allow GOD do his thing unstoppable”, she wrote on Instagram.

  • Collaboration among Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy unlikely, says Ubi Franklin

    Collaboration among Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy unlikely, says Ubi Franklin

    Music executive Ubi Franklin has said a joint project involving Afrobeats’ “Big 3” – Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, would be difficult because of the competitive nature of their careers.

    Speaking on the Afropolitan podcast, Franklin likened their rivalry to that of Nigeria’s leading banks, noting that while they remain cordial, their top-tier status makes collaboration challenging.

    Read Also: Ubi Franklin’s exes Lilian Esoro, others unite at sister’s burial

    He, however, stressed that the tension is strictly professional, adding that he has never heard Davido speak negatively about Wizkid or Burna Boy and believes the respect is mutual.

    “It would be difficult for Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy to come together. I will speak for Davido. I have never heard him say something ill about Wizkid or Burna Boy. And I’m sure it’s the same for them. But the environment [industry] they are in will make it difficult for them to work together.

    “It’s like the rivalry between the top banks in Nigeria. In every industry, there is the big 3,” he stated.

  • My stage name has no meaning – Rapper Nasty C

    My stage name has no meaning – Rapper Nasty C

    South African rapper David Junior Ngcobo, better known as Nasty C, has disclosed that his stage name has no special meaning but was simply formed by putting letters together.

    Speaking in a recent interview with YouTuber Madame Joyce in London, the award-winning artiste admitted he once fabricated a story that his first producer nicknamed him “Nasty Cat,” which later inspired his stage name.

    He clarified that the tale was just a way to build a narrative and acknowledge the producer who supported him in the early days of his career.

    Nasty C said, “It’s random. It just put a bunch of letters together, and I started making words out of it, and then I picked that one. I have no idea [about the meaning of the name or what it stands for], I don’t know.

    Read Also: South Africa’s Nasty C lists top five Nigerian rappers

    “There’s a story I used to tell people. The first guy to ever record me was very close to my big brother. He was having a session, and I was supposed to go next, and he was telling the guy he just recorded, like, ‘Yo, there’s this kid blablabal. He’s really dope. He’s a Nasty Cat.’ Then I took the ‘AT’ out of Cat to form ‘Nasty C.’

    “But it’s a lie. I just wanted to have a story, and I wanted to mention that guy’s name because he really did help me start my career. My stage name is just vibe. I want to change it now.”

    According to him, he now plans to change his stage name to Ivyson, inspired by his late mother’s name, Ivy, which he believes will better represent him as an artist moving forward.

    “That will make a name. My mom’s name is Ivy, so I will use Ivyson as the name,” he added, showing off the word tattooed on his arm.

  • How I taught Michael Jackson moonwalk, by Jeffrey Daniel

    How I taught Michael Jackson moonwalk, by Jeffrey Daniel

    Jeffrey Daniel, a legendary dancer and member of Shalamar, has shared how he introduced Michael Jackson to the iconic moonwalk.

    In an interview on Channels TV, Daniel said Jackson first saw him performing the “backslide” on Soul Train in 1979 with his dance group Eclipse.

    “Well, I mean, it’s funny because now it’s in a totally new context. Michael saw me doing the backslide in ’79 on Soul Train,” he said.

    The following year, he said Jackson approached him at Disneyland, where his group was performing, and asked him to teach him how to dance.

    Daniel recalled: “He brought little Janet Jackson and they stood in the wing and watched us dance. Then he asked me to teach him to dance”.

    This encounter marked the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Daniel and Jackson, spanning over 20 years.

    Read Also: Michael Jackson: All you need to know about pop king’s three children

    Daniel said he worked closely with Jackson on several projects, including choreographing videos for “Beat It” and “Smooth Criminal,” traveling to Brazil for “They Don’t Really Care About Us,” and contributing to “Ghosts.”

    He also served as A&R and creative consultant at Jackson’s record company, MJJ Music.

    “I worked with Michael over a 20-year period, and the last job I had in America was at MJJ Music, his record company, as A\&R and creative consultant,” he said.

    Daniel also shared a surprising personal revelation, explaining that he and the Pop Legend were cousins; something they didn’t know until their later years.

    “Because my father didn’t raise me, but in 2008, my father showed me my family tree, and I found out that I’m Michael’s cousin. So all the years we were working together, I never knew that we were related to the Jacksons.

    “We now call each other cousin all the time. We speak — Jermaine Jackson, Janet, Randy, and the older sister, Rebe. We call each other cousins all the time. But all the time we were working, I never knew we were related,” he said.

    Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, revolutionised the music and dance landscape with his trailblazing performances, cutting-edge choreography, and chart-topping albums like “Thriller”, the best-selling album of all time.

    Jeffrey Daniel’s choreography was instrumental in crafting the visual spectacle of Jackson’s live shows and iconic music videos, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

  • Cardi B returns with album after seven-year hiatus

    Cardi B returns with album after seven-year hiatus

    Award-winning rapper Cardi B has finally released her highly anticipated sophomore album, “Am I the Drama?” after a seven-year wait since her Grammy-winning debut “Invasion of Privacy”.

    The 23-track album, featuring guest appearances from notable artists like Kehlani, Megan Thee Stallion, Selena Gomez and Janet Jackson, debuted at No. 1 on the US iTunes albums chart.

    The album has received positive reviews, with Rolling Stone rating it 4.5 stars and praising its “raw energy and fearless storytelling”.

    To promote the album, Cardi B premiered a music video for the single “Safe” and made an appearance at an Apple Music event in New York City and a world tour planned for 2026.

    This album release comes on the heels of significant personal announcements.

    Cardi B recently confirmed she’s expecting a child with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, expressing her excitement and happiness in an interview with CBS.

    Additionally, she won a $24 million civil lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis, who alleged Cardi B cut her cheek with a fingernail and spat on her outside an obstetrician’s office in 2018. 

  • Olaosun: you will earn money by watching movies and music videos

    Olaosun: you will earn money by watching movies and music videos

    Celebrated entertainment Lawyer and CEO, Lohli  Africa Demilade Olaosun has opened up about his latest innovation. The top lawyer, who represents Funke Akindele, Chidinma, Niniola, Reminesce, Do2dtun, Qdot, among others, hinted that he is working on increasing the purchasing power of Nigerians through the same method people earn money by watching adverts.

    Olaosun noted that the innovation will see lovers of entertainment earn money by listening to music and watching movies.

    He said: “When your average movie, music producer releases a movie and put in the cinema, because somebody was not going to afford N10,000 to get a movie ticket, now that they have gotten N50,000 on our platform, will they not buy  movie ticket?  The effect will have a ripple effect across all sectors because now we are creating a new middle class. The reason American movies are doing the numbers they are doing is because they have purchasing power.  The government cannot be putting all of these things in place.

    Read Also: How Sound Sultan’s death affected my music career, by Seyi Shay

    “In the American movie industry, they have over 33,000 cinema screens, in Nigeria, we don’t have up to 200 and we want to compete. How would the movie producer who stored up profit that he would make from his movie going to the cinema is less than 40 per cent as value disclosed as box office hit record?  How does he get money to produce another one when even what he has made from the cinema does not even cover production cost but when more people can by the ticket, movie can stay more in the cinema. We are starting a campaign that we called; Lohli is Our Own. This is for Nigerians by Nigerians. We are not looking to dominate the world. It is about our people in Africa.”

  • Mdundo commits to Nigerian music acts with MTN, Glo support

    Mdundo commits to Nigerian music acts with MTN, Glo support

    One of Africa’s leading music distribution platforms, Mdundo, has continued to reshape the music landscape by empowering artists to distribute, promote, and monetize their work.

    With over 39 million monthly active users across multiple African countries, the platform remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital music revolution.

    In January 2025, Mdundo commenced its bi-annual royalty payout season, benefiting hundreds of thousands of rights holders across the continent, including thousands of Nigerian artists. Since launch, more than 300,000 artists have earned royalties through the platform, a milestone that underscores Mdundo’s commitment to building a sustainable music ecosystem for African creators.

    Martin Nielsen, CEO of Mdundo, expressed pride in the platform’s progress:

    “Our mission is to offer African artists a sustainable platform to grow. By delivering consistent income, we are contributing not just to the success of individual artists but also to the long-term development of the African music industry.”

    A key driver of this growth in Nigeria has been Mdundo’s strong partnerships with MTN Nigeria and Globacom. Through subscription-based services and innovative product integrations, these collaborations have expanded music access for millions of Nigerians while creating meaningful revenue streams for local artists.

    Read Also: MTN Nigeria seeks partnership

    Sowari Akosionu, Chief Marketing Officer at Mdundo, emphasized the role of telecom partners:

    “Our collaborations with MTN Nigeria and Glo have been instrumental in opening up wider access to music and, in turn, boosting artists’ earnings. Together, we’re strengthening the Nigerian music ecosystem.”

    Mdundo’s catalog combines international hits with hyperlocal Nigerian content, from mainstream Afrobeats to indigenous genres such as Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo music. This localized approach deepens connections with listeners, boosts visibility for regional artists, and generates new income opportunities for rights-holders.

    Looking ahead, Mdundo targets royalty distributions of $1.2 million by 2026, supported by projected revenues of $1.7M – $2.2M. Growth will be fueled by expanded subscription services, deeper telco integrations, and the global reach of its Progressive Web App (PWA). With its artist-first focus, Mdundo is paving the way for a more inclusive and profitable future for African music.

  • Erica Stephen releases single I Am Africa for ‘Little Mr. & Miss Africa’

    Erica Stephen releases single I Am Africa for ‘Little Mr. & Miss Africa’

    The Nigerian entertainment industry has welcomed a new milestone from Erica Ihotu Stephen, the award-winning actor, singer, and model, who has officially released her debut single, ‘I Am Africa.’

    The debut single, Erica informed, also doubles as the theme song for the recently-held ‘Little Mr. & Miss Africa Nigeria’ pageant.

    At just eight years old, Erica has established herself as one of the country’s most promising young talents. She began her career as a child actress at the age of one and has since built an impressive résumé spanning film, television commercials, high-profile campaigns, and social media content.

    She also created and produced her own programme, ‘Welcome to Africa’, further demonstrating her versatility.

    READ ALSO: Five smart ways Nigerians in Diaspora grow local ventures

    Described as a celebration of youth, culture, and African identity, ‘I Am Africa’ is more than a debut single—it is positioned as an anthem that aligns with the vision of the pageant it represents.

    “Erica is not just a performer; she is a movement,” said Queen Ene Adakole, CEO of EIS World and National Director for ‘Little Mr And Miss Africa Nigeria’. “Her brilliance, dedication, and ability to inspire through her craft make her the perfect voice for this year’s pageant theme.”

    The release of the single marks Erica’s formal entry into the music industry, adding to her achievements as an actress and model. Industry watchers have described her as a “triple-threat talent” whose work continues to draw admiration.

    With a growing list of accomplishments at such a young age, Erica Ihotu Stephen has been hailed as proof that dreams have no age limit. Her debut in music, industry observers note, signals the beginning of another promising chapter in an already remarkable career.

  • JJ ‘Dejocular’ Okonkwo brings Afrobeats to Canada’s airwaves

    JJ ‘Dejocular’ Okonkwo brings Afrobeats to Canada’s airwaves

    A  broadcaster, producer, disc jockey and actor, JJ Dejocular Okonkwo is currently making his mark on the Canadian airwaves after working with Nigerian broadcast stations including Cool FM and News Central TV for many years.

    Dejocular, as he’s fondly referred to, is committed to telling African stories through sound and visuals.

    Raised in Lagos in a family of singers, JJ was surrounded by music from childhood.

    “From my father’s records to my brother’s cassettes, music has always been at the center of my life,” he said.

    In 2023, after moving to Canada, JJ noticed that local radio stations played mostly Western music and decided to make a change.

    READ ALSO: 19 top African fashion designers shaping global style in 2025

    “I felt disconnected. It did not reflect the multicultural reality of Canadian society. That, to me, was a gap,” he explained.

    To fill this gap, he created ‘Inside Afrobeats,’ a four-part audio series exploring the history and global impact of the genre. The series now airs on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio channels, including Edmonton, Newfoundland, and Vancouver, and can be streamed online on platforms accessible in Canada only.

    “The goal is to amplify Afrobeats. It is about the sound, the stories, the culture, and ensuring African voices are part of the national conversation,” JJ said.“Afrobeats is my identity. It blends with any genre while staying proudly African. The beats bring joy, and the storytelling makes it unique.”

  • Bolanle Olukanni, Tee A to host NECLive 2025

    Bolanle Olukanni, Tee A to host NECLive 2025

    NECLive organisers have confirmed that celebrated media personality Bolanle Olukanni and entertainer Tee A (Tunde Adewale) will co-host NECLive 2025, scheduled to hold on November 28, 2025, in Lagos.

    The duo will bring their signature charisma, wit, and expertise to guide conversations across the conference’s multi-segment format, including keynotes, panel discussions, live performances, Q&As, workshops, and innovation showcases.

    Having previously hosted NECLive in 2021 and 2022, Bolanle makes her return to the conference for the third time. A renowned television host and filmmaker, she is recognized for her work on popular shows such as Project Fame West Africa, The Juice, and Moments with Mo. Beyond her on-screen success, Bolanle is well-respected for her creativity, interview style, and social impact advocacy which have made her one of Africa’s most trusted media voices.

    “For over a decade, NECLive has consistently delivered impactful conversations and showcased the best of our industry,” said Bolanle. “The organisers have curated a truly great platform and I am happy to be a part of it.”

    READ ALSO: Five smart ways Nigerians in Diaspora grow local ventures

    Joining her is veteran event compere Tee A, who returns to NECLive for a record eighth time. A pioneer in Nigeria’s stand-up comedy scene and a much sought-after corporate event host, Tee A is renowned for his incredible wit, comedic timing, poise, and deep industry knowledge. The veteran brings his magnetic presence and authentic connection with audiences to the most defining industry gathering of the year. His proven expertise and deep understanding of the creative landscape makes him an ideal anchor for NECLive 2025 which holds under the “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise” theme.

    “It’s always a pleasure being part of this dream that continues to shape and propel our creative industry ecosystem,” said Tee A. “I’m honored to host this year’s event, and I look forward to delivering another exceptional experience as we continue this remarkable journey.”