The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Why actor-producers are powerful – Okoroji

    Why actor-producers are powerful – Okoroji

    Filmmaker, Chima Okoroji has shed light on the changing landscape of Nollywood, where actors – producers have become dominant forces.

    According to Okoroji better known as Chimex, actor-producers, who have gained popularity and influence through their acting careers, now wield significant control over film productions.

    This shift in dynamics highlights the challenges faced by traditional producers in Nollywood and the evolving nature of the industry.

    In Chimex words: “There are two types of producers in Nollywood: producers and actor-producers. The latter, created by viewers who have made them stars, wield significant influence over producers. As a result, producers are often at the mercy of actor-producers, who dictate how productions should be run. Actor-producers have become so powerful that they produce their own movies and also produce films for their fellow actor-producers, leaving traditional producers waiting.

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    “After keeping producers waiting for months, actor-producers often develop a dismissive attitude towards them. Consequently, many producers have been forced out of the market. They attempt to create new talent, but viewers’ preference for familiar faces makes this challenging. This is the harsh reality of the industry. To remain relevant, some producers have begun featuring in their own movies to establish themselves as actors.”

  • AIFF: Ajayi urges filmmakers to promote positive national narratives, strength

    AIFF: Ajayi urges filmmakers to promote positive national narratives, strength

    The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity,  Mr Temitope Ajayi, has urged filmmakers to use their crafts to  promote positive national narratives, focusing on shared history and  triumphs.

    He made the call in his keynote speech at the on-going 22nd Abuja International Film Festival(AIFF)  with the theme, “From Script to Nation: The Role of Film in Shaping National Identity.”

    This year’s AIFF commenced   on Nov. 6 to  end on  Nov 10, bringing together actors, filmmakers, regulators and other cinematic stakeholders from around the world.

    According to him, in an increasingly globalised world, films have become a pivotal instrument for nations to construct and communicate their identity, making it crucial to understand their influence.

    He said Nigeria has   stories that foster a sense of national identity, pride, and hope, adding that these stories can be promoted through film.

    READ ALSO: When faith speaks for life

    He  urged Nollywood filmmakers  to  emulate Bollywood  films that reflect India’s multifaceted society, encompassing different religions,languages, and cultures, and Hollywood that depicts American heroism.

    “It is important to stress at this point that film or cinema, as the case may be, has become more than just a medium of entertainment.

    “It has become a veritable tool for cultural identity, cultural decolonisation, and most of all, for diplomacy and for shaping a nation’s identity, including showcasing its language, fashion, food, and other goods.

    “I remember most of us here believing we all wanted to go to Japan or dream of traveling to any part of Europe or North America.

    “It’s because of what we saw in American films when we were growing up; we saw New York and other places that  look so fascinating and we  aspire to live and work in those environments.

    “So, I think that is a lesson for us as filmmakers, as we are telling our stories through our film we should tell the story of the best of our country, our national heroes and icons,” he said.

    Ajayi said Nollywood films should  also be used  films should also be used  as  marketing tools to promote  Nigeria’s  rich tourism  sector by showcasing its unique landscapes, culture, and heritage

    According to him, films have the power to influence  potential visitors’ desire to travel, as they create positive and memorable images of a location, shaping public perception and increasing interest in visiting.

    “I think this is one area Nigerian filmmakers also need to work on; let’s begin to show many parts of our country as destinations for tourism.

    “It will also make filmmakers from outside Nigeria to come and shoot their movies in the country,” he said.

    Earlier, Temitope Duker, AIFF Festival Director, told NAN on the red carpet that  the 22nd edition  was a milestone as the festival has evolved from a humble beginning into a global brand.

    According to her,1,687 entries from 87 countries were received  for the 22nd edition of the annual film fiesta.

    She said 71 exceptional films have been selected to screen and compete for awards in the festival, including several panel discussions and masterclass.

    “For this year we have a special mention which we have never done before at the Abuja International Film Festival.

    “One of the reasons why we’re having a special mention this year is also because we realised that there are some films that are very good.

    “Unfortunately they didn’t make it into the nominations. and yet we still wanted to at least give some credit to the filmmakers,” she said.

    The  2025 AIFF brought together actors, filmmakers and others industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, as well as members of the diplomatic community.

  • Efe Irele: Nollywood needs more emotionally inclined movies

    Efe Irele: Nollywood needs more emotionally inclined movies

    Nollywood actress and producer Efe Irele has quietly built a reputation for depth both in acting and her approach to storytelling. After nearly a decade in the industry, with over 15 TV films and series to her credit, the actress stepped into a bigger arena with her recent cinema debut, My Mother is a Witch. For Irele, the project is more than just another movie; it is a personal journey, an emotional excavation, and a bold attempt to tell stories that mirror the hidden corners of African homes. In this interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, she opens up about choosing a story rooted in real experiences, the emotional feedback that surprised her the most, and why she believes Nigeria’s cinema culture needs to evolve to become more accessible. Excerpts…

    What prompted your decision to produce your cinema debut, ‘My Mother is a Witch’?                              

    I’ve been making my own movies since 2016/2017, and I’ve always loved it. I think that came from my own background of having a master’s degree in human resource management, so I kind of like the entire process of bringing people together and actually see a product come to life, but specifically for ‘My Mother is a Witch,’ I feel like at some point after doing over 15movies for TV and also series as well, I’m like I want to do something for the big screen. I want to challenge myself further because this is a bigger budget, and that basically was a challenge for me and I wanted to make sure that it was a story that people would relate to and connect with, because I love stories that people can connect with.

    What would you regard as the one feedback that blew your mind from those who saw the movie?

    One feedback would be challenging to pinpoint, but I will say the most common thing that a whole lot of people said to me was ‘you told my story – thank you so much. I feel like I healed from watching your film,’ I did get that comment from a whole lot of people. I didn’t realise, even when I was making the film, the number of people who would connect with it, and seeing it is mind-blowing for me. So that’s always the connect that will get me, because a lot of people actually went through this either personally or through someone, and having that put together is such a big deal for me personally.

    Most Nollywood stories are based on love or similar cliché stories. Do you think producers should tell more emotional stories?

    Well, I will say that I will give it up for a lot of filmmakers now. I feel that we are all trying to push the bar. Yes, we should make a lot more movies that would have an emotional side, but you cannot force the filmmakers at the same time, because we have to make money, so we have to make more films, make commercial films. We have to make films that people would want to come to the cinemas and laugh and scream. However, I will give kudos to all the filmmakers who are pushing much further, like Daniel Etim with The Herd. It’s crazy how we are all doing movies that are so relatable. So yes, I pray that more people will come out and do emotionally inclined films, but at the same time, we can’t force those who don’t, but I’m also hopeful that the viewers will switch. Yes, it’s nice to go to the movies and laugh, but some other time, let’s watch things that would water our minds like a plant.

    READ ALSO: ​FULL FACTS: New U.S. bill titled: “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025” by Senator Ted Cruz

    How were you able to connect with the different characters you played in My Mother is a Witch?

    For me, as an actor, I always find a way to go into my character, either through my own personal experience or through someone’s experience that I’ve heard. For My Mother is a Witch, it was a personal experience with my mom. My mom is a tough-love type of mother, so I literally took back even from when we were working on the script, I knew that a lot of times I shared my experience. I wouldn’t say it was easy, but it was a hard place to go to because since we brush up our shoulders and say it all part of growing up in an African home, it was a hard place to go to because there are some wounds that you would not even realize have not been healed completely, but for me, it was like I had a wound that had been healed, but I had to literally scrap it off, and go back there and that has always been a tough thing for me as an actor – going to places that I don’t want to go back to.

    Would you say African mother overreact, or is it due to the capacity of their knowledge?

    I would say that it’s a mixture. I don’t like to say people are one-way; they are a combination. Not every African mother is the same. It’s part of the things that made us strong the way we are now. We are goal getters, we are pushing boundaries because of how tough our mothers were with us, but at the same time, some mothers take it overboard, some mothers believe that it’s their way or nothing else. I just feel like I wouldn’t say that African mothers are too tough. I feel like if they know better, they will calm down and know that there’s a thin line between extreme love and you just being an overbearing parent.

     What is one new quality you recently discovered about yourself?

    I would say my strength, I know that’s very broad. I didn’t realise I could do so much, and finding that part of me, especially with the content creating that you just mentioned, it’s getting interesting because I’m still creating content. I knew that I was a strong woman, but I didn’t realise how far I could go.

    What do you think of the cinema culture in Nigeria right now, and do you think every movie is cinema-worthy?

    Of course not. I can’t say all movies are cinema worthy because we have to put different films, different budgets at different points in time. Even in Hollywood, you see the films going to the cinema, and I think we always forget that they have films as well in Hollywood that don’t go to the Cinema but just on TV.  So it’s the same way we have it over here with movies on YouTube, TV and the cinema. I do believe that the reason we have so many movies in the cinema right now is because we don’t have as many options anymore. Before, once you did a film, you could just take it directly to Netflix or other streamers.

    There are films that are directly made for streamers, but now, we are at a point where you either keep the film that you have already made for the streamers in your hard drive and what happens? And the joy of a filmmaker is for people to see their film. We are just hoping more streamers come, but thank God for Kava, we see a whole lot of films streaming on Kava, and My Mother is a Witch is streaming on Kava.

    What is your opinion about the need for more cinemas in Nigeria?

    Yes, we need more cinemas – that’s one thing I realised while promoting my movie. If we have more accessible cinemas and also if we don’t make the cinema culture more of something like a whole event where you have to dress up to go, it will really help our industry. Cinema culture where someone can easily throw on a T-shirt and jeans and just take a stroll down your street knowing that they’re going to a cinema that will be so much better. I feel like with that it will be affordable. 

    Has the influx of female filmmakers affected the quality of films produced in Nollywood lately?

    A lot of the female producers that people are seeing now have always been producers. Somebody like Bolaji Ogunmola has been producing films as far as I know for at least 5years now. I’ve been producing films for 8years, but I think it’s because we are just coming to the big screens, and maybe because there’s also YouTube and more people have more access to YouTube, we’ve been producing films for ROC and iRoko for like 8years. I might be wrong, but I do feel like women are a bit more detailed in storytelling, so seeing the number of female storytellers that are coming out makes me so proud. I’m also seeing collaborations like what the ladies have done with Ginger. It’s such an amazing thing.

    What do you think about collaborations among women?

    I’ve heard that when women work together, it gets messy, but I think we are all women, it’s not about being a woman. We are all different individuals; regardless of who is collaborating, there would always be rifts or whatever it is. H,ow you handle the situation is what matters.

    It’s been seven years of active acting. How have you been able to handle fame?

    This thing called fame, I think a lot of people look at it differently. For me, it’s what you make it. Obviously, it’s very different now that you can go out and people recognise and try to come close kind of. It was weird at first, it was very weird even for my family, my dad (may God rest his soul), he would freak out when people would call because he was very protective of me, but it was weird at first, but I kind of got used to it like yeah, this is my new life.

  • FULL LIST: Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Ayra Starr, others nominated for 2026 Grammy awards

    FULL LIST: Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Ayra Starr, others nominated for 2026 Grammy awards

    The 2026 Grammy Awards have announced their nominations, showcasing a diverse range of talented artists.

    Kendrick Lamar tops the list with nine nominations, followed closely by Lady Gaga with seven.

    The ceremony will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

    African artists have made a significant impact, with Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid all receiving nominations.

    Burna Boy leads the African contingent with two nominations: Best African Music Performance for “Love” and Best Global Music Album for “No Sign of Weakness.”

    Other notable nominations include Sabrina Carpenter’s second consecutive Album of the Year nod for “Man’s Best Friend” and Lady Gaga’s fifth Album of the Year nod for “MAYHEM.”

    The Best New Artist category features emerging stars like KATSEYE, Olivia Dean, and Addison Rae.

    The 2026 Grammys also introduce two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover.

    READ ALSO: ​FULL FACTS: New U.S. bill titled: “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025” by Senator Ted Cruz

    See the full list of nominees below:

    Album of the Year

    Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
    Justin Bieber – Swag
    Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
    Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
    Lady Gaga – Mayhem
    Kendrick Lamar – GNX
    Leon Thomas – Mutt
    Tyler, the Creator – Chromakopia

    Record of the Year

    Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
    Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
    Doechii – “Anxiety”
    Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
    Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
    Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
    Chappell Roan – “The Subway”
    Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”

    Song of the Year

    Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
    Doechii – “Anxiety”
    Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
    “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
    Huntr/x (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami) – “Golden” (from KPop Demon Hunters)
    Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
    Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
    Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”

    Best African Music Performance

    Burna Boy – “Love”
    Davido Featuring Omah Lay – “With You”
    Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – “Hope & Love”
    Ayra Starr featuring Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”
    Tyla – “Push 2 Start”

    Best Global Music Performance

    Bad Bunny – “EoO”
    Ciro Hurtado – “Cantando en el Camino”
    Angélique Kidjo – “Jerusalema”
    Yeisy Rojas – “Inmigrante Y Que?”
    Shakti – “Shrini’s Dream” (Live)
    Anoushka Shankar featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar – “Daybreak”

    Best New Artist

    Olivia Dean
    KATSEYE
    The Marias
    Addison Rae
    Sombr
    Leon Thomas
    Alex Warren
    Lola Young

    Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

    Amy Allen
    Edgar Barrera
    Jessie Jo Dillon
    Tobias Jesso Jr.
    Laura Veltz

    Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

    Dan Auerbach
    Cirkut
    Dijon
    Blake Mills
    Sounwave

    Best Pop Solo Performance

    Justin Bieber – “Daisies”
    Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
    Lady Gaga – “Disease”
    Chappell Roan – “The Subway”
    Lola Young – “Messy”

    Best Pop Vocal Album

    Justin Bieber – Swag
    Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
    Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful
    Lady Gaga – Mayhem
    Teddy Swims – I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)

    Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

    Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande – “Defying Gravity”
    Huntr/x (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami) – “Golden”
    KATSEYE – “Gabriela”
    Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
    SZA with Kendrick Lamar – “30 for 30”

    Best Dance Pop Recording

    Selena Gomez & benny blanco – “Bluest Flame”
    Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
    Zara Larsson – “Midnight Sun”
    Tate McRae – “Just Keep Watching”
    PinkPantheress – “Illegal”

    Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

    Laila Biali – Wintersongs
    Jennifer Hudson – The Gift Of Love
    Elton John & Brandi Carlile – Who Believes In Angels?
    Lady Gaga – Harlequin
    Laufey – A Matter Of Time
    Barbra Streisand – The Secret Of Life: Partners, Volume 2

    Best Dance Electronic Album

    FKA twigs – Eusexua
    Fred again.. – Ten Days
    PinkPantheress – Fancy That
    Rüfüs Du Sol – Inhale / Exhale
    Skrillex – Fuck U Skrillex You Think Ur Andy Warhol But Ur Not!! <3

    Best Dance/Electronic Recording

    Disclosure & Anderson .Paak – “No Cap”
    Fred again.., Skepta, & PlaqueBoyMax – “Victory Lap”
    Kaytranada – “Space Invader”
    Skrillex – “Voltage”
    Tame Impala – “End of Summer”

    Best Rock Album

    Deftones – Private Music
    Haim – I Quit
    Linkin Park – From Zero
    Turnstile – Never Enough
    Yungblud – Idols

    Best Rock Song

    Nine Inch Nails – “As Alive As You Need Me To Be”
    Sleep Token – “Caramel
    Hayley Williams – “Glum”
    Turnstile – “Never Enough”
    Yungblud – “Zombie”

    Best Metal Performance

    Dream Theater – “Night Terror”
    Ghost – “Lachryma”
    Sleep Token – “Emergence”
    Spiritbox – “Soft Spine”
    Turnstile – “Birds”

    Best Rock Performance

    Amyl and The Sniffers – “U Should Not Be Doing That”
    Linkin Park – “The Emptiness Machine”
    Turnstile – “Never Enough”
    Hayley Williams – “Mirtazapine”
    Yungblud featuring Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II – “Changes” (Live From Villa Park, Back To The Beginning)

    Best Alternative Music Performance

    Bon Iver – “Everything Is Peaceful Love”
    The Cure – “Alone”
    Turnstile – “Seein’ Stars”
    Wet Leg – “Mangetout”
    Hayley Williams – “Parachute”

    Best Alternative Music Album

    Bon Iver – SABLE, fABLE
    The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World
    Tyler, The Creator – Don’t Tap the Glass
    Wet Leg – Moisturizer
    Hayley Williams – Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party

    Best R&B Album

    Givēon – Beloved
    Coco Jones – Why Not More?
    Ledisi – The Crown
    Teyana Taylor – Escape Room
    Leon Thomas – Mutt

    Best R&B Song

    Kehlani – “Folded”
    Summer Walker – “Heart Of A Woman”
    Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller – “It Depends”
    Durand Bernarr – “Overqualified”
    Leon Thomas – “Yes It Is”

    Best R&B Performance

    Justin Bieber – “Yukon”
    Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller – “It Depends”
    Kehlani – “Folded”
    Leon Thomas – “Mutt” (Live From NPR’s Tiny Desk)
    Summer Walker – “Heart Of A Woman”

    Best Traditional R&B Performance

    Durand Bernarr – “Here We Are”
    Lalah Hathaway – “Uptown”
    Ledisi – “Love You Too”
    SZA – “Crybaby”
    Leon Thomas – “Vibes Don’t Lie”

    Best Progressive R&B Album

    Durand Bernarr – Bloom
    Bilal – Adjust Brightness
    Destin Conrad – Love on Digital
    Flo – Access All Areas
    Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon – Come As You Are

    Best Spoken Word Poetry Album

    Queen Sheba – A Hurricane in Heels: healed people don’t act like that (partially recorded live @City Winery & other places)
    Marc Marcel – Black Shaman
    Omari Hardwick & Anthony Hamilton – Pages
    Saul Williams, Carlos Niño & Friends – Saul Williams meets Carlos Niño & Friends At Treepeople
    Mad Skillz – Words For Days Vol. 1

    Best Rap Album

    Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
    GloRilla – Glorious
    JID – God Does Like Ugly
    Kendrick Lamar – GNX
    Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia

    Best Rap Song

    Doechii – “Anxiety”
    Clipse featuring John Legend and Voices of Fire – “The Birds Don’t Sing”
    Tyler, The Creator featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne – “Sticky”
    GloRilla – “TGIF”
    Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay – “TV Off”

    Best Melodic Rap Performance

    Fridayy featuring Meek Mill – “Proud Of Me”
    JID featuring Ty Dolla $ign & 6Lack – “Wholeheartedly”
    Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
    Terrace Martin and Kenyon Dixon featuring Rapsody – “WeMaj”
    PartyNextDoor and Drake – “Somebody Loves Me”

    Best Rap Performance

    Cardi B – “Outside”
    Clipse featuring Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams – “Chains & Whips”
    Doechii – “Anxiety”
    Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay – “TV Off”
    Tyler, The Creator featuring Teezo Touchdown – “Darling, I”

    Best Música Urbana Album

    Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
    J Balvin – Mixteip
    Feid – Ferxxo Vol X: Sagrado
    Nicki Nicole – Naiki
    Trueno – Eub Deluxe
    Yandel – Sinfónico (En Vivo)

    Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)

    Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera – Mala Mía
    Grupo Frontera – Y Lo Que Viene
    Paola Jara – Sin Rodeos
    Carín León – Palabra De To’s (Seca)
    Bobby Pulido and Friends Una Tuya Y Una Mía – Por La Puerta Grande (En Vivo)

    Best Latin Pop Album

    Rauw Alejandro – Cosa Nuestra
    Andrés Cepeda – Bogotá (Deluxe)
    Karol G – Tropicoqueta
    Natalia Lafourcade – Cancionera
    Alejandro Sanz – ¿Y ahora qué?

    Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

    Aterciopelados – Genes Rebeldes
    Astropical – Astropical
    Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso – Papota
    Los Wizzards – Algorhythm
    Fito Paez – Novela

    Best Tropical Latin Album

    Rubén Blades, Roberto Delgado & Orquesta – Fotografías
    Gloria Estefan – Raíces
    Grupo Niche – Clásicos 1.0
    Alain Pérez – Bingo
    Gilberto Santa Rosa – Debut y Segunda Tanda, Vol. 2

    Best Traditional Country Album

    Charley Crockett – Dollar A Day
    Lukas Nelson – American Romance
    Willie Nelson – Oh What A Beautiful World
    Margo Price – Hard Headed Woman
    Zach Top – Ain’t In It For My Health

    Best Contemporary Country Album

    Kelsea Ballerini – Patterns
    Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter
    Eric Church – Evangeline Vs. The Machine
    Jelly Roll – Beautifully Broken
    Miranda Lambert – Postcards From Texas

    Best Country Solo Performance

    Tyler Childers – “Nose On The Grindstone”
    Shaboozey – “Good News”
    Chris Stapleton – “Bad As I Used To Be”
    Zach Top – “I Never Lie”
    Lainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo”

    Best Country Duo/Group Performance

    Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton – “A Song To Sing”
    Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson – “Trailblazer”
    Margo Price and Tyler Childers – “Love Me Like You Used To Do”
    Shaboozey and Jelly Roll – “Amen”
    George Strait and Chris Stapleton – “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame”

    Best Country Song

    Tyler Childers – “Bitin’ List”
    Shaboozey – “Good News”
    Zach Top – “I Never Lie”
    Lainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo”
    Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton – “A Song To Sing”

    Best American Roots Performance

    Jon Batiste featuring Randy Newman – “Lonely Avenue”
    I’m With Her – “Ancient Light”
    Jason Isbell – “Crimson And Clay”
    Alison Krauss and Union Station – “Richmond On The James”
    Mavis Staples – “Beautiful Strangers”

    Best Americana Performance

    Sierra Hull – “Boom”
    Maggie Rose & Grace Potter – “Poison In My Well”
    Mavis Staples – “Godspeed”
    Molly Tuttle – “That’s Gonna Leave A Mark”
    Jesse Welles – “Horses”

    Best American Roots Song

    I’m With Her – “Ancient Light”
    Jon Batiste – “Big Money”
    Jason Isbell – “Foxes In The Snow”
    Jesse Welles – “Middle”
    Sierra Hull – “Spitfire”

    Best Americana Album

    Jon Batiste – Big Money
    Larkin Poe – Bloom
    Willie Nelson – Last Leaf On The Tree
    Molly Tuttle – So Long Little Miss Sunshine
    Jesse Welles – Middle

    Best Bluegrass Album

    Michael Cleveland & Jason Carter – Carter & Cleveland
    Sierra Hull – A Tip Toe High Wire
    Alison Krauss & Union Station – Arcadia
    The Steeldrivers – Outrun
    Billy Strings – Highway Prayers

    Best Traditional Blues Album

    Buddy Guy – Ain’t Done With The Blues
    Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ – Room On The Porch
    Maria Muldaur – One Hour Mama: The Blues Of Victoria Spivey
    Charlie Musselwhite – Look Out Highway
    Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bobby Rush – Young Fashioned Ways

    Best Contemporary Blues Album

    Joe Bonamassa – Breakthrough
    Samantha Fish – Paper Doll
    Eric Gales – A Tribute To LJK
    Robert Randolph – Preacher Kids
    Southern Avenue – Family

    Best Folk Album

    Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson – What Did The Blackbird Say To The Crow
    Patty Griffin – Crown Of Roses
    I’m With Her – Wild And Clear And Blue
    Jason Isbell – Foxes In The Snow
    Jesse Welles – Under The Powerlines (April 24 – September 24)

    Best Gospel Performance/Song

    Kirk Franklin – “Do It Again”
    Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend – “Church”
    Jonathan McReynolds & Jamal Roberts – “Still” (Live)
    Pastor Mike Jr – “Amen”
    Cece Winans featuring Shirley Caesar – “Come Jesus Come”

    Best Global Music Album

    Siddhant Bhatia – Sounds Of Kumbha
    Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness
    Youssou N’Dour – Eclairer le monde – Light the World
    Shakti – Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live)
    Anoushka Shankar Featuring Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar – Chapter III: We Return To Light
    Caetano Veloso And Maria Bethânia – Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo

    Best Musical Theater Album

    Buena Vista Social Club
    Death Becomes Her
    Gypsy
    Just In Time
    Maybe Happy Ending

    Best Reggae Album

    Lila Iké – Treasure Self Love
    Vybz Kartel – Heart & Soul
    Keznamdi – Blxxd & Fyah
    Mortimer – From Within
    Jesse Royal – No Place Like Home

    Best Comedy Album

    Bill Burr – Drop Dead Years
    Sarah Silverman – PostMortem
    Ali Wong – Single Lady
    Jamie Foxx – What Had Happened Was…
    Nate Bargatze –Your Friend, Nate Bargatze

    Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording

    Kathy Garver – Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story
    Trevor Noah – Into The Uncut Grass
    Ketanji Brown Jackson – Lovely One: A Memoir
    Dalai Lama – Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama
    Fab Morvan – You Know It’s True: The Real Story Of Milli Vanilli

    Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media

    Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown
    Various Artists – F1® The Album
    Various Artists – KPop Demon Hunters
    Various Artists – Sinners
    Various Artists – Wicked

    Best Song Written For Visual Media

    Nine Inch Nails – “As Alive As You Need Me To Be” (from Tron: Ares)
    Huntr/x (Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami) – “Golden” (from KPop Demon Hunters)
    Miles Caton – “I Lied to You” (from Sinners)
    Elton John and Brandi Carlile – “Never Too Late” (from Elton John: Never Too Late)
    Jayme Lawson – “Pale, Pale Moon” (from Sinners)
    Rod Wave – “Sinners” (from Sinners)

    Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)

    John Powell – How to Train Your Dragon
    Theodore Shapiro – Severance: Season 2
    Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
    John Powell & Stephen Schwartz – Wicked
    Kris Bowers – The Wild Robot

    Best Music Video

    Sade – “Young Lion”
    Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
    Clipse – “So Be It”
    Doechii – “Anxiety”
    OK Go – “Love”

    Best Music Film

    Devo – Devo
    Raye – Live at the Royal Albert Hall
    Diane Warren – Relentless
    John Williams – Music by John Williams
    Pharrell Williams – Piece by Piece

    Best Album Cover

    Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia (Shaun Llewellyn & Luis “Panch” Perez)
    Djo – The Crux (William Wesley II)
    Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio)
    Perfume Genius – Glory (Cody Critcheloe & Andrew J.S.)
    Wet Leg – Moisturizer (Hester Chambers, Ellis Durand, Henry Holmes, Matt de Jong, Jamie-James Medina, Joshua Mobaraki & Rhian Teasdale)

  • Don Jazzy pledges N20 million for laptop initiative

    Don Jazzy pledges N20 million for laptop initiative

    Music mogul Don Jazzy has responded to X user, Ayilola Ayotomiwa’s initiative to empower 10,000 youths with laptops, pledging N20 million in support. 

    Ayotomiwa had written: “I’m reaching out to share a dream that was born right here among young, hopeful Nigerians ,The Tech Access Project ,an initiative dedicated to empowering 10,000 youths with 10,000 laptops.

    “Our vision is simple but deeply powerful: to give young Nigerians, especially those passionate about tech, design, music production, and digital entrepreneurship, the tools they need to build their future.

    “We’re reaching out to partners and supporters like you to help make laptops accessible ,through sponsorships, subsidized partnerships, or simply amplifying the message. With your influence and guidance, we can open doors for thousands of Nigerian youths to learn, create, and earn from their talents.

    “We would be deeply honoured to have your support, mentorship, or collaboration on this journey of digital empowerment”.

    Don Jazzy commended the initiative, describing it as “commendable,” but expressed that 10,000 laptops was a significant undertaking considering his modest contribution. 

    He encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to join in achieving the goal.

    “Bro I hail o. Your initiative is commendable. But sir 10000 laptops is not beans. At this time I can only afford to support with 20 million Naira and a repost. Hopefully some other well meaning Nigerians can help achieve the goal”, he wrote. 

    The initiative, dubbed “The Tech Access Project,” aims to provide laptops to young Nigerians passionate about tech, design, music production, and digital entrepreneurship, to help them bring their ideas to life.

  • Mary Njoku pens emotional note to Regina Daniels amid marital crisis

    Mary Njoku pens emotional note to Regina Daniels amid marital crisis

    Actress Mary Njoku has called for support for Regina Daniels amid her marital crisis. 

    In an Instagram post, Mary Njoku revealed that watching Regina’s video brought tears to her eyes, as she reflected on how the entire nation practically watched Regina grow from a child into the woman she is today.

    Njoku expressed her heartbreak seeing Regina cry out for help on social media and prayed that no woman should ever have to suffer in silence. 

    As a mother of two daughters, Njoku said she couldn’t imagine her children going through similar experiences and prayed that God would raise an army to speak up for them if they ever needed help.

    The actress urged Nigerian women to stand in solidarity with one another, emphasising that when a marriage ends, real men should understand that their ex-wives are still the mothers of their children. 

    She said: “Dear Regina, Watching your video this morning brought tears to my eyes. I practically watched you grow.

    “In fact, all of Nigeria did. From a child into the woman you are today. And seeing that woman cry out for help on social media truly breaks my heart I’ve read some of the comments online, and I’m appalled. As a mother of two daughters, I can’t imagine my daughters ever going through something like this. I pray that if they ever have to come online to cry for help (God forbid), and I’m not here, God will raise an army to speak up for them. Because this world can be wicked.

    “Dear Nigerian women, it could be any of us tomorrow. I don’t know what transpired in that marriage. And honestly, I don’t care to. What I do know is this: when a marriage ends, real men understand that even if she stops being your wife, she never stops being the mother of your children”.

    Mary Njoku concluded by wishing Regina strength during these trying times and assured her of her thoughts and prayers.

    She added: “My thoughts and prayers are with you, @regina.daniels, as you go through these trying times. No woman should ever have to suffer just because she chooses not to remain in a marriage. Stay strong”.

  • EnergyBank redefines Afro-fusion with ‘The Quiet Resilience’

    EnergyBank redefines Afro-fusion with ‘The Quiet Resilience’

    Afro-Disiac sensation, EnergyBank, is set to make a powerful comeback with his new six-track project titled The Quiet Resilience, a soulful body of work that celebrates endurance, growth, and inner strength.

    Scheduled for release on November 13, 2025, the project blends heartfelt storytelling with genre-bending production that cements his place among the new global voices shaping modern African music.

    The Quiet Resilience offers a journey through emotion and reflection, weaving together elements of Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop, and highlife into one cohesive experience. Across six richly layered tracks—“Kum Kum,” “Oldtaker,” “Jumanji,” “9/5,” “Next One,” and “End of Discussion”—EnergyBank showcases his versatility, taking listeners through moments of intensity, introspection, and revelation.

    Born in Lagos with roots in Anambra, EnergyBank’s sound embodies the rhythm of Nigerian life while embracing a cosmopolitan flair. Influenced by the likes of Craig David, Usher, and 2Pac Shakur, he channels their emotional depth and lyrical sincerity into his own Afro-fusion identity.

    Since his breakout collaboration with Fiokee on the highlife gem Ife Adigo in 2019, the artist has continued to evolve, delivering songs such as Dead President and ChopLife that highlight his ability to turn lived experiences into anthems of hope and resilience.

    Read Also: Shaffy Bello gets 2025 AMAA award nomination for ‘Best Actress’

    EnergyBank’s time in the United Arab Emirates between 2019 and 2022 also shaped his artistry, exposing him to diverse global sounds—from Russian folk and Arabic pop to Italian opera. These influences, fused with African rhythm and storytelling, give The Quiet Resilience a cross-cultural depth that speaks to listeners around the world.

    “This album is about strength in silence—about standing tall even when the world goes quiet,” EnergyBank said. “It’s my way of saying that resilience isn’t always loud; sometimes, it’s just you, your thoughts, and your faith in the next chapter.”

    Described as a “soulful Afro-Disiac masterpiece,” The Quiet Resilience will be available on all major digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay, YouTube Music, and Deezer.

    EnergyBank is a multi-genre Afro-fusion artist whose sound captures the pulse of contemporary Africa—raw, soulful, and boundary-breaking. Rooted in heritage yet global in reach, his music celebrates the timeless power of rhythm, reflection, and resilience.

  • Actress laments N10,000 cup of tea in Lagos restaurant 

    Actress laments N10,000 cup of tea in Lagos restaurant 

    Actress and producer Zainab Balogun has expressed shock after paying N10,000 for a single cup of green tea at a Lagos restaurant.

    According to Zainab on Instagram, she visited the establishment with a friend but opted to order only tea since she wasn’t hungry.

    She stated that the tea was served in a pot with a large cup, and she enjoyed it without checking the price.

    Read Also: Shaffy Bello gets 2025 AMAA award nomination for ‘Best Actress’

    She said: “My mouth dropped so much I was hoping the people sitting next to me didn’t see that flies were catching my mouth.

    “What do you mean you boiled water, put two tea bags, and it was ₦10,000?

    “I obviously could not argue with them because I drank their tea. There’s no way to give it back. I had to pay”.

    However, her eyes widened in shock when the bill was presented, showing N10,000 for the simple beverage.

    The actress joked about regretting not taking photos to make the experience worth the cost, saying, “I should have joined another lady doing a photo shoot. You must use your money and the space well.”

    Zainab concluded that the incident had taught her a lesson, vowing to be more cautious about eating out and opting to make her own tea at home instead.

    “But I didn’t, and that’s how I paid ₦10,000 for tea in Lagos. There’s tea at home. This will not happen again”, she added.

  • Diiadem calls out Biola Adebayo over alleged rudeness

    Diiadem calls out Biola Adebayo over alleged rudeness

    Beauty entrepreneur Adeola Adeyemi popularly known as Diiadem has accused actress Biola Adebayo of being rude and condescending during a movie set encounter around 2009/2010.

    According to Diiadem, Biola allegedly asked her to clean her shoes in a demeaning tone, leaving a lasting negative impression.

    “She was super nasty to me, it’s not even about cleaning someone’s shoes—it’s about how you talk to people. It costs nothing to treat people with kindness,” she said.

    Diiadem claimed seeing Biola’s content  on her inability to afford colleagues’ expensive aso ebi, triggered painful memories until she shared her story, seeking closure.

    However, Biola’s reaction was reportedly dismissive, laughing at Diiadem’s comment.

    Read Also: Shaffy Bello gets 2025 AMAA award nomination for ‘Best Actress’

    “I saw that she laughed at my comment on InstaBlog. Everything is not about cruise. Sometimes, be accountable. If I were in her shoes, I’d reach out and apologise.”

    Diiadem emphasised the importance of accountability and apologising for one’s actions, stating she sought no attention but to address an old hurt.

    “I don’t chase clout. I just wanted to speak my truth. What she did back then was wrong, and the least she could do now is take responsibility,” she concluded.

    Biola Adebayo has yet to fully respond to the allegations.

  • Shaffy Bello gets 2025 AMAA award nomination for ‘Best Actress’

    Shaffy Bello gets 2025 AMAA award nomination for ‘Best Actress’

    Actress Shaffy Bello has earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2025 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for her compelling performance in “The Masked King”.

    This prestigious recognition is proof to her exceptional talent and dedication to the craft.

    Bello, on Instagram, celebrated this milestone, expressing her heartfelt gratitude for the nomination.

    With humility and grace, she attributed her achievement to “God’s grace”, showcasing her appreciation for the opportunities she’s received.

    Read Also: Diiadem calls out Biola Adebayo over alleged rudeness

    “The Evidence of God’s Grace. Thank you @amaawards_ for the recognition. I do not take it for granted. I am deeply grateful. Congratulations to ALL the nominees. We’ve already WON. See you on the 9th.” she captioned her post, congratulating her fellow nominees and acknowledging the honor of being recognised among such a talented pool of actresses.

    The 21st AMAA ceremony, scheduled to take place on November 9 in Lagos, promises to be an unforgettable celebration of cinematic excellence.