The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Why I don’t get discouraged by struggle for hit songs – Kcee

    Why I don’t get discouraged by struggle for hit songs – Kcee

    Afrobeats singer Kingsley Okonkwo popularly known as Kcee has stated his secret to success in the industry lies in unrelenting consistency and unwavering positivity.

    In an appearance on Selah Meditate podcast, the Limpopo crooner explained that unlike his peers, he refuses to be deterred by setbacks, instead choosing to focus on producing more music.

    According to Kcee, releasing multiple songs increases the likelihood of creating a hit, stating, “I can drop 22 songs, maybe it is the 25th one that will become a hit. I don’t care because consistency is key”.

    The singer also emphasised the impact of positive manifestation on his life, recalling a time when he and E-Money would envision a brighter future, even in the face of adversity.

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    “When me and E-Money were living in Ajegunle, if you asked us where we are living, we would say Ikeja. And we were not lying or pretending, we were dreaming, prophesying into the future.

    “And that was where we eventually moved to. And we dominated it,” he said.

    He added that staying positive and focusing on the future has been instrumental in his success, allowing him to overcome challenges and achieve his goals.

  • ÀKÀTÈ: Ino Moses unveils a new age of Edo cinema culture

    ÀKÀTÈ: Ino Moses unveils a new age of Edo cinema culture

    The Edo film landscape is experiencing a cultural and cinematic rebirth as _ÀKÀTÈ_, directed by celebrated filmmaker Ino Moses, continues to make waves across Nigerian cinemas.

    The film, which boasts one of the most culturally blended casts in recent years, is being hailed as a defining moment for Edo‑based filmmaking and a catalyst for the growing cinema culture within the state.

    Speaking on the vision behind the movie, Moses described _ÀKÀTÈ_ as “a creative bridge between the mainstream Nollywood veterans and the rising Edo creative force,” noting that the production intentionally brought together Nollywood legends, Edo‑based actors, viral content creators, and national stand‑up comedy giants — all united to tell an authentic Edo story with global appeal. “We wanted a film that feels like home, looks like home, and sounds like home,” he said. “_ÀKÀTÈ_ is not just a movie; it is a movement — a revitalization of the Edo creative identity.

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    Working with such a star‑studded cast allowed us to merge experience, raw talent, culture, and humor into one powerful narrative.”

    The film’s diverse ensemble includes mainstream Nollywood icons such as Charles Inojie, Edo‑born film stars like King Zina, and a lineup of popular comedic and content‑creation personalities who bring contemporary relatability to the project.

    “One of our biggest goals was to show the world the strength and talent we have here in Edo,” he said.

  • Black Fab unveils new album  ‘I Like Am’

    Black Fab unveils new album  ‘I Like Am’

    Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Black Fab has returned with “I Like Am”, a house-infused, feel-good track crafted for Lagos living rooms, rooftop speakers and late-night party scenes.

    The song draws inspiration from his favourite kind of downtime—relaxing at home with endless house playlists, slipping into a calm creative zone and absorbing the raw, pulsating energy of Lagos house parties. It is this blend of serenity, rhythm and communal vibe that fuels “I Like Am.”

    In the past year, Black Fab has emerged as a strong cultural voice for the Igala people, weaving his heritage into Afrobeats through records like “Ukpokpu,” the vibrant “Egwu,” and his 2025 project Big Masquerade, which houses fan favourites such as “Ready” (feat. Ycee) and “Oyoyo” (feat. TML Vibez).

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    With “I Like Am,” he takes a deliberate step toward a broader global audience. The production leans heavily into house and dance textures, offering a more club-ready sound, while the lyrics favour universally resonant melodies and phrases—yet still rooted in the authenticity of his identity.

    This time, there are no star-studded features—and by choice. Black Fab says he is “still waxing it with my own family,” keeping collaborations close-knit and organic, allowing the natural chemistry within his core team to shape the record.

    For listeners, Black Fab wants three takeaways: “His music is limitless. I Like Am” is a gift to the world—present and future. Everyone should find their own chakra and be a blessing.

    “I Like Am” marks the next chapter in Black Fab’s evolution—from Igala storyteller to a rising force on global dancefloors.

  • DJ Brightstar set to stage Christmas youth tournament in Akwa Ibom

    DJ Brightstar set to stage Christmas youth tournament in Akwa Ibom

    Popular disc jockey, DJ Brightstar, is set to host a Christmas Youth Tournament in Akwa Ibom this December as part of his ongoing efforts to support youth development in his home communities.

    The initiative follows a series of football competitions he organised earlier in the year for young people in Ikot Eyen Imoh and Ikot Ubo Akama. The events, held during the Easter period, drew youths, community leaders and local supporters who described the tournaments as an opportunity for engagement and unity.

    Brightstar said the positive feedback from the earlier editions tagged “Superstar DJ Brightstar Easter Youth Tournament,” encouraged him to expand the project. According to him, the Chairman of his local government area (Ikot Abasi L.G.A) had also reached out through his father to commend the gesture.

    “This is just the beginning,” he said. “Giving back to my people is a mission I take seriously. Football is a tool to unite, inspire and build confidence in our youth.”

    He added that the December edition will feature more structured activities aimed at preparing young people for future opportunities both within and outside sports.

    Known for his presence on Inspiration FM, Yanga FM, Base FM, Max FM Lagos and Diamond 88.5 FM Osun State, DJ Brightstar continues to combine his work in entertainment with community-focused initiatives.

  • Why I don’t bath my newborn everyday – Toke Makinwa

    Why I don’t bath my newborn everyday – Toke Makinwa

    Media personality Toke Makinwa has addressed new moms on the unconventional approach to bathing a newborn.

    In a video message, Makinde disclosed that she doesn’t bath her baby daily, expressing concerns that frequent bathing may be detrimental to the infant’s sensitive skin.

    She argued that babies, having spent nine months in the womb, are not inherently dirty and therefore don’t require daily cleansing.

    “I know I’m a new mom, and I’m literally just learning as I go, but I really think excessive showering causes skin problems in babies. Babies are not dirty. They’ve been inside the womb for nine months, and inside your womb is not dirty,” she said.

    As a first-time mom, she said she is embracing a learning curve, admitting she previously judged her sister for a similar approach with her niece.

    However, after observing the positive impact on her niece’s skin health, she decided to adopt a less frequent bathing schedule for her own baby, Yaya.

    According to her, she plans to gradually introduce daily baths when Yaya is between four to six-month-old.

  • Laolu Gbenjo, Chioma Jesus, Mercy Chinwo, others to light up Port Harcourt

    Laolu Gbenjo, Chioma Jesus, Mercy Chinwo, others to light up Port Harcourt

    The garden city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State is already vibrating and anticipating in what is being described as one of the largest outreach crusades ever held in the state.

    The highly anticipated humanitarian and evangelistic movement founded by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Christ Compassion to the Rural World (CCRW) will be holding its crusade in the state with leading gospellers as headliners.

    Speaking at a press briefing, Pastor Ashimolowo said the vision for CCRW grew out of years of ministering in remote African communities, especially in Ghana, where he visited repeatedly for eight years. After months of prayer, he said Port Harcourt was chosen as the next location under the theme: “Port Harcourt, This Is Selfless Love.”

    “CCRW began in Ikorodu in 2023, expanded to Ibadan in 2024, and now lands at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium from November 24–29, 2025. And to bless the souls of PH with soul lifting performances are Laolu Gbenjo Chioma Jesus, Mercy Chinwo, Lillian Nneji, Sensational Bamidele, Testimony Jaga among others,” Ashimolowo revealed.

    Ashimolowo revealed that the Port Harcourt edition is the most expensive yet almost four times the cost of the first outreach and twice the Ibadan budget. The medical component alone will run for three weeks across major hospitals, including the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and several PHCs.

    According to him, 1,130 surgical cases including thyroid, fibroid and cataract cases have already been screened, with 70,000 people expected to benefit from the medical services.

    He praised the Rivers State Government for what he called “unprecedented cooperation,” especially in hospital deployment and support staffing.

    On relief support, he listed the staggering quantities to be distributed: 150,000 bags of rice, 150,000 bags of beans,150,000 packs of garri, 100,000 noodles, 20,000 packs of salt, sugar and oil, 20,000 bags of soap, 170,000 clothing items, including 10,000 Ankara wrappers, 25,000 buckets and 1,000 mattresses for the elderly.

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    Distribution will be strictly organised with coupons collected on Monday, November 24. The stadium will also be divided into sections based on gender and age groups to maintain order.

    Over 9,000 volunteers have been mobilized, and 150 buses are set to convey people from rural communities such as Ogoniland, Ahoada, Igwuruta and Oginigba. Campgrounds have been secured for visitors travelling from remote areas.

    Beyond the humanitarian efforts, Ashimolowo emphasised that the heart of CCRW remains evangelism. The goal is for 30,000 people to commit their lives to Christ, with nightly sessions featuring prayers, healing and miracles.

    Security has also been stepped up with 300 police officers and soldiers deployed for the six-day programme.

    A ministers’ conference will run alongside the crusade, featuring speakers from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and the United States, including Pastor Poju Oyemade, Pastor Jerry Eze, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Bishop Tudor Bismark, Dr. Festus Adeyeye, Jonathan Shuttlesworth and Rev. Steve Mensah.

  • Banky W decries extremes of prosperity, poverty gospel

    Banky W decries extremes of prosperity, poverty gospel

    Singer and pastor Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W, has weighed in on the growing criticism of church teachings on wealth, cautioning against sweeping generalisations while condemning abuses in some religious circles.

    Speaking during a recent discussion, the music executive said conversations around the “prosperity gospel” have become deeply polarised, with many Nigerians assuming that the failings of a few represent the entire church.

    “I don’t think it’s fair to make general statements that because I have seen evidence of this here it means everybody is guilty of this thing,” he said.

    Banky W noted that both extremes — the prosperity gospel and the poverty gospel — distort the core of Christian teaching.

    “The prosperity gospel is false and corrupted, the poverty gospel is also false and corrupted,” he said. “What the gospel said is that God will provide all of your needs and bless you enough for you to be a blessing.”

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    He added that popular expectations that Christians must either attain billionaire status or embrace lack are also misguided.

    “That is the promise — the promise is not that we are all meant to be Dangote and Otedola and it’s also not that we are meant to sleep under the bridge,” he said.

    While acknowledging that a segment of the church has misused these teachings, Banky W urged Nigerians not to paint all churches with the same brush.

    “There’s a segment of the church that has taken that and abused it and those allegations are true and I don’t like them either,” he said.

  • How Pasuma flew in from Germany to shoot my film, by Mama Ereko

    How Pasuma flew in from Germany to shoot my film, by Mama Ereko

    Veteran actress Morenike Alausa Sulaimon aka Mama Ereko, has recounted how Fuji star Wasiu Alabi Pasuma went out of his way to support her movie project despite being outside the country at the time.

    Speaking in a recent interview, the actress said she was on set when she learnt that Pasuma, who had 22 scenes in the film, was in Germany at the time of shoot.

    To her surprise, she said he returned to Nigeria solely to fulfil his commitment.

    According to her, the singer had to make discreet arrangements so those around him would not know he was travelling.

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    “He came from Germany to deliver his roles for my movie,” she said. “Pasuma knows I love him so much. I had a production where he was to play 22 scenes but he was in Germany. He left his clothes in his house there and bought new ones at the airport so his people wouldn’t know he was traveling.”

    Mama Ereko added that Pasuma returned abroad immediately after completing his scenes.

    “He came straight from the airport to my set, and after the production he left for Germany again. That’s a day I’ll never forget,” she said, noting with humour that she still owes him N10,000, “but he doesn’t even remember.”

  • How we propagated the Gospel of Afrobeats in the UK – Billy Que

    How we propagated the Gospel of Afrobeats in the UK – Billy Que

    One of Nigeria’s foremost music promoters, Biliamin Olabanji who is popularly known in the entertainment circuit as Billy Que has revealed how himself and other UK based showbiz music promoters like SMADE, Ayo Shonaiya, DJ Abass, Tim Westwood among others pushed Afrobeats music into the UK mainstream music industry by inviting and staging various promotional concerts for Nigerian artistes in the United Kingdom.  

    Speaking on its growing global influence and the fusion of West African and British urban sounds, Billy Que stated: “Before Afrobeats gained mainstream acceptance in the UK, what was popular then were Garage, Grime and Afroswing (UK rap) music, and of course, the Jamaican and Caribbean Dancehall music. Through our efforts by inviting talented and popular Nigerian artistes, especially the rising stars to the UK for shows, the genre gradually started gaining acceptance and popularity. It even got to a point that it caught the attention of the guys at BBC 1 Xtra and many of their DJs and AOAPs started throwing spotlights on the genre. During the formative days, Afroswing standardized the incorporation of African influences into the Black British music”, Billy Que revealed.

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    “Big accolades should be given to JJC, producer for the famed Black British Hip-Hop group Big Brovaz. He was one of the early pioneers of the sound in the UK and due to the lack of representation for African culture in the British music mainstream, he formed a group called the 419 Squad. The duo of Ayo Shonaiya and DJ Abass helped carve out distinctly African and Black diasporic music spaces through live events and media. The popular Nigeria’s corner at the yearly Nottting Hill Carnival becomes a big stage for Afrobeats artistes to perform in the UK.

    “BEN TV owned by Alistair Soyode became a pioneering source of African music entertainment TV in the UK, and with DJ Abass as a major presenter on the channel’s Intro talk show, the pair of Ayo Shonaiya and DJ Abass featured Nigerian trending stars like Tony Tetuila, Jazzman Olofin, The Trybesmen, Ruggedman, and even Jamaica’s Chaka Demus & Pliers.”

  • Testimony Jaga seeks justice for displaced residence

    Testimony Jaga seeks justice for displaced residence

    Gospel artist, Testimony Jaga has appealed to the Lagos State Government to urgently intervene in what he describes as a “humanitarian disaster” following the demolition of homes and shops along AIT Road, Kola, and the Powerline axis by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

    According to the singer, the government’s operation carried out under the justification that the structures fell within high-tension powerline extensions has plunged countless families into sorrow, homelessness, and in some cases, physical harm. Jaga said many victims are elderly people and widows who have nowhere else to go.

    He alleged that despite the government’s earlier claim that the cleared land would be used for the construction of a BRT garage and a Mechanic Village, the same land is now reportedly being allocated to individuals while construction of a mall and rows of shops has begun.

    He expressed concern that the government’s shifting plans are raising suspicion among affected residents who originally believed the demolitions were for public infrastructure.

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    The gospel artist further revealed that landlords in the community allegedly contributed a total of ₦25 million, which they reportedly paid through community channels to the Ministry of Environment, hoping their buildings and businesses would be spared. Instead, he said, the demolitions still went ahead, leaving many feeling cheated and abandoned.

    The demolitions, which lasted for days, shattered the lives of hundreds. Many now sleep outside, exposed to rain, mosquitoes, hunger, and the cold Lagos night.

    Testimony Jaga urged the government to return to the original development plan of a BRT depot and a Mechanic Village, arguing that these projects would create jobs and improve the economy of the community rather than displacing vulnerable people.

    ‘This situation is bigger than politics. It is about real human lives, real suffering and real families who have been pushed into despair. These people deserve justice and immediate relief,” said Jaga.