The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Beverly Osu gets mum’s backing

    Beverly Osu gets mum’s backing

    Mother of one of the two Nigerians at the just concluded Big Brother Africa (The Chase), Beverly Osu, has been reportedly said to be proud of her daughter’s overall activities in the House.

    This was said by Beverly’s best friend and confidant, Charity Owoh.

    She said: “Bev and her mum are best friends. Her mum just called me now, she’s our best friend. She’s like the third person in our circle because whatever we do we tell her. If you watch the show you will see that there are three people she calls every time, Charity, Denrele, and mummy Suzy.

    “Their relationship is very tight. Before Bev dates anybody, she tells her mom.  She knows about Bev and Angelo’s relationship/sex. She has seen everything. There’s the good and bad, of course she’s a mother so she would feel the way mother’s would feel but she’s very proud of her daughter and says she’s a queen. She’s already redecorating her room, so she would welcome her back like any mother would.”

  • OJB’s house demolished, set for surgery in India

    OJB’s house demolished, set for surgery in India

    All is set for the Kidney transplant of the the ailing veteran artist and producer Babatunde Jezreel Okungbowa popularly known as OJB Jezreel in India.

    The multi-talented music icon reportedly left Nigeria for India last Friday where he will be going  under the knife for the replacement of his damaged Kidneys.

    We hope and pray for  a successful surgery for OBJ even as it was reported that his Surulere residence was demolished by its original owner owing to the decision of the property owner to build more flat in the compound.

     

  • Madonna is highest-earning celebrity

    Madonna is highest-earning celebrity

    Pop star Madonna was the world’s top-earning celebrity over the past year, trumping the likes of Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.

    The 55-year-old Material Girl made an estimated $125m (£80m) thanks to her MDNA tour, clothing and fragrance lines, according to Forbes.

    The magazine said it was the most money Madonna had made in a single year since it began tracking earnings in 1999.

    BBC says director Steven Spielberg was at number two with $100m (£64m).

    Most of his earnings came from his back catalogue of film hits such as ET and Jurassic Park – which has just been released in 3D to mark its 20th anniversary – as well as last year’s Oscar winning Lincoln.

    The director also takes a cut of all ticket sales at Universal Studios theme parks.

    Third place was a three-way tie between 50 Shades of Grey author EL James, Simon Cowell and shock jock Howard Stern, with earnings of $95m (£61m).

    Thriller writer James Patterson follows with $91m (£58.5m), while TV and radio host Glenn Beck earned $90m (£57.8m).

    Others in the top 10 included Transformers director Michael Bay ($82m, £52.7m) producer Jerry Bruckheimer ($80m, £51.4m) and pop star Lady Gaga ($80m).

    Forbes compiles its annual list of celebrity earnings using input from agents, managers, producers and others to calculate its estimates for each celebrity’s entertainment-related earnings.

     

     

  • Dillish emerges BBA winner

    Dillish emerges BBA winner

    After three months of exciting drama, Namibia’s Dillish Sunday  night, emerged winner of the 2013 edition of Big Brother Africa reality show tagged The Chase. By her victory, Dillish goes home USD 300, 000 richer.
    The show began with host, IK Osakioduwa, making an amazing entrance with a dance crew dressed in all black. Before the eviction proper, the Top 5 were shown seated in the living room trying to be relaxed as they awaited what fate has for them.
    The eviction started with the two representatives from Nigeria being shown the way out. Though she survived 91 days in the house without any nomination, a record feat, Nigeria’s Beverly Osu was the first to be evicted in Sunday’s live eviction show. Beverly’s eviction was followed by Melvin, known as Mr.Gentleman, with their highlights of their stay in the house.
    The third housemate evicted from the house was Elikem, who IK had go and announce his eviction in the house. Prior to that, some of the earlier evicted Chasers were brought to the show, to the surprise and delight of viewers.
    To lighten the show, Nigerian super star, Ice Prince, was on the live stage to perform for the audience of Big Brother Africa. He performed one of his killer jams “Aboki”.
    Age 22, Dillish says she entered the competition because she has been a fan of the show for some time and promised herself that she would enter as soon as she was old enough.
  • Hafeez Oyetoro, Omo Baba in Charles Granville new video

    Hafeez Oyetoro, Omo Baba in Charles Granville new video

    FRIENDS and colleagues gathered at Sheraton Hotels in Lagos to celebrate gospel music act, Charles Granville, as he marked his birthday recently. Hosted by comedian Omo Baba, the occasion doubled as the premiere of the much anticipated video for the singer’s latest single, I Dey Trip For You.

    The new video which was directed by one of Nigeria’s fast-rising video directors, Andru Films, features cameos of top actor, Afeez Oyetoro (Saka) and Omo Baba. Saka and Omo Baba are band members in the video, playing the talking drums, and adding some comic moments to the video scenes.

    Speaking on the work, Charles said, “Trip For You talks about my love for God and I wrote it in a way that will appeal to everyone that loves God irrespective of your religion. I am sure of the quality of what I just released because I took out time to ensure that the song meets any standard anywhere in the world. I sing basically to glorify God. I sing because people need to have a relationship with God. I look forward to doing more songs that will inspire people throughout Africa and all over the world.”

  • Julius Agwu plans first Manchester Crack Ya Ribs

    Julius Agwu plans first Manchester Crack Ya Ribs

    COMEDY merchant genius Julius Agwu is leaving no stone unturned as he plans big for this year’s Crack Ya Ribs. The ace comedian disclosed this recently in a press briefing which had music and comedy titans in attendance. Among them were Kcee, May D, Akpororo, Harrisong, Bovi and Funny Bone.

    According to Julius, Crack Ya Ribs which has become an annual tradition in London will for the first time hold in Manchester and Abuja.

    Speaking on the reason the comedy brand is going to Abuja this year, Julius in his characteristic manner, said, “I was expecting that question and the reason is that see finish don dey for Lagos. In fact, I’ve decided to starve Lagosians of Crack Ya Ribs until they start asking for it again. But apart from the see finish, I think it is time for Abuja residents to get a feel of Crack Ya Ribs. And as you know Abuja is the citadel of power, I have spoken to Honourable Abike Dabiri on the need to use this platform as a tool to rebrand Nigeria. Any government that must make impact cannot afford to undermine the use of entertainment as a vehicle for development. Entertainers are worthy ambassadors. Whether it’s music, movie or comedy, we are the ones that have put this country on the world map.”

    On sponsorship, Julius explained, “Getting corporate sponsorship is hard I must tell you. For those corporate bodies who still have the large heart to back our event like Diamond Bank, Kato Services, Lebara Mobile and Arik Air, I want to use this opportunity to say thanks. Some of them though, still inconclusive for now, but we want to thank them for even listening to us. I also want to thank my colleagues for their support. All the artistes you see here today have come on board for close to nothing.

    “The London show held on the 21st of August. By the way, it is the first time we are holding it at the Indigo 02. And we have never done Manchester; last year we experimented with Glasgow, it worked but this year we are taking it to Manchester. From London we are hitting Manchester on 25th of August at Methodist Hall. It’s a long roll call. For the London show we have Bovi, Funny Bone, Dan de Humorous, Akpororo, and Eddie Kadi. And for music we have Kcee, who you know is the rave of the moment. Others are May D and Harrisong and other UK-based artistes. When we return, we will then face Abuja for the grand finale which comes up 29th of August.”

  • I thought I won’t survive—Vast of Bracket

    I thought I won’t survive—Vast of Bracket

    ONE-HALF of the hip life duo, Bracket, whose real name is Nwachukwu Ozioko but is popularly known as Vast, has revealed that he almost lost hope of surviving his recent cancer ordeal. The now stocky artiste revealed that much when he returned home from the Platinum Medical Centre, Wellington in London last week.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the media for their support. They have been there ever since we made a debut on the scene and even now that we’ve been off the scene due to my illness, the media is still there for me and the group at large. My ordeal started last year but I had to perform at shows that were already paid for.

    “Even in January this year, I had to travel to Australia to perform at a show and I was very sick at the time. I was diagnosed of cancer here in Nigeria and the doctor who handled my case here advised I go abroad for treatment. So I left for London with high hopes but the experience was not palatable at all.

    “My first chemotherapy was really difficult because after the process, I lost a lot of blood and I had blood transfusion. I was supposed to go through six cycles of chemo but eventually went through eight cycles. I almost lost hope of survival knowing what I went through when I had my first chemo as the thought of going through eight cycles wasn’t really palatable news, but thank God I am here to tell the story,” he said.

    The group is said to be working on a new single that encapsulates the seven month ordeal that Vast went though in the UK.

    “It is good to be back; we are currently working on a new single that tells the story of my ordeal and our fans should expect the best when it is eventually released.” An elated Vast said, when he returned home.

  • Monica Ogah releases video

    FULFILLING the wordings of her recording contract with Ultima Studios, MTN Project Fame 4 winner, Monica Ogah, released her debut album last weekend. Titled Sometime in August, the album, an eleven tracker, has been described as an R n B/pop masterpiece.

    The production on the album, as reported, was supervised by a team of hit makers including Del B of the Limpopo fame, Wizboyy, Tee Y Mix, J Sleek, Silvastone and Suspekt.

    “Sometime in August guarantees to be a fresh breathe of air to the Naija music scene and an extra feather to the increasing and impressive achievements and visibility of the female folk in the music scene,” the singer says of the song.

    Monica admits that she finds a hugely seamless balance between R n B and Nigerian contemporary pop music on the album, backed up with impressive and strong song writing skills. Songs in the album include Suddenly, ft Chidinma, Body Hug ft Wizboyy, End of Story and the politically charged I Wish Say.

    The twenty-three year old Monica who is of Benue descent is the second female to win the Project Fame West Africa crown, after Chidinma who won the season before.

  • Wizkid beats Mercy Johnson

    Wizkid beats Mercy Johnson

    FOR two consecutive years, curvy actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie occupied the first position as the most googled Nigerian entertainer. One of the reasons was the controversy that surrounded her marriage in 2011.

    However, the actress lost her position to wave-making artiste, Wizkid, who has displaced the award-winning actress, to emerge most googled Nigerian entertainer. From his girlfriend, Tani Omotayo, to his car crash, music collabos and all, Wizkid’s name remains google’s constant visitor.

    Sitting on the second position is another popular actress, Funke Akindele. However, the Top 10 Most Googled Nigerian entertainers include Wizkid, Funke Akindele, Mercy Johnson, Ini Edo, Tonto Dikeh, Tiwa Savage, TuFace, Iyanya, Dbanj and Genevieve Nnaji.

  • We need more sponsors, says Kunle Afolayan on $2m- budget movie

    We need more sponsors, says Kunle Afolayan on $2m- budget movie

    AWARD-WINNING filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, is taking a bold step with his next movie, having done 18 days on set with finances that is about half of his total budget. Indeed, big names like the Lagos State Government, Toyota Nigeria Ltd and Deola Sageo may have partnered with the astute movie maker, their contributions, most of which are not monetary, the actor cum director said cannot see the script to the end.

    Afolayan is, however, optimistic that support will come in as work progresses. The cast, including four Hollywood stars and an all-Nigerian crew, began shooting at the old Railway Quarters in Lagos from where they proceeded to Ilaramokin in Ondo State where they are at the moment.

    Entitled October 1, Afolayan had unveiled the cast and crew of the movie at the Toyota office three weeks ago, at an event attended by Mr. Kunle Adeojo, Executive Director of Toyota Nigeria and Dr. Aderemi Desalu, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Lagos State. The filmmaker expressed delight for the support given to his project by the Lagos State Government and Toyota Nigeria. He also announced the third partnership as coming from notable fashion designer, Deola Sagoe, who will be providing the primordial costumes of the 60s, especially ones depicting the colonial era in Nigeria. He described Sagoe as a woman wearing two crowns on the movie project, as she will also be playing the character of Funmilayo Kuti, mother of legendry king of afrobeats, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

    The four cast members from Hollywood who will be depicting the roles played by the colonial masters during Nigeria’s pre-independence era include Nick Rhys, playing Rupert Winterbottom, the District Colonial Officer; David Bailie, for the role of Fred Ackerman, the Chief Superintendent; Lawrence Stubbings, playing Lord Sebastian Tomkins and David Reese, playing Dowling Colin.

    A psychological thriller, October 1, pictures September 1960, with Nigeria on the verge of independence from British colonial rule. It tells the story of a northern Nigeria Police detective, Dan Waziri, who is urgently dispatched by the colonial government to the trading post town of Akote in the Western Region of Nigeria, to solve a series of female murders that have struck horror in the hearts and minds of the local community. On getting to Akote, more murders are committed, and with local tension high and volatile, Waziri has a race on his hands to solve the case before even more local women are killed. Matters take a turn for the worse, however, when Waziri discovers that his prime suspect is none other than the highly influential, university-educated son of the King of Akote, Prince Aderopo. Intelligent, good-looking, charismatic, witty and daring, the prince proves to be a most complicated adversary for Waziri. Set against the backdrop of the national celebratory mood of the impending independence, Waziri and Prince Aderopo indulge in a game of cat and mouse as they try to outwit each other… leading to the climatic end in which the life of a popular local female teacher and village belle, Tawa, is held in the balance. Waziri has to race against the clock to capture the prince, save Tawa and solve the crime before the British flag is lowered and the Nigerian flag is raised on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.